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Szymański M, Bonowicz K, Antosik P, Jerka D, Głowacka M, Soroka M, Steinbrink K, Kleszczyński K, Gagat M. Role of Cyclins and Cytoskeletal Proteins in Endometriosis: Insights into Pathophysiology. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:836. [PMID: 38398227 PMCID: PMC10886501 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition where endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus, posing challenges in understanding and treatment. This article delves into the deep cellular and molecular processes underlying endometriosis, with a focus on the crucial roles played by cyclins and cytoskeletal proteins in its pathogenesis, particularly in the context of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The investigation begins by examining the activities of cyclins, elucidating their diverse biological roles such as cell cycle control, proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and angiogenesis among ectopic endometrial cells. A comprehensive analysis of cytoskeletal proteins follows, emphasizing their fundamental biological roles and their specific significance to endometriotic cell features. This review sheds light on the interconnected pathways through which cyclins and cytoskeletal proteins converge, contributing to the genesis and progression of endometriosis. Understanding these molecular complexities not only provides insight into the underlying causes of the disease but also holds promise for the development of specific therapeutic approaches, ushering in a new era in the management of this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Szymański
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.B.); (D.J.)
| | - Klaudia Bonowicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.B.); (D.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Mazovian Academy in Płock, 08-110 Płock, Poland; (M.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Paulina Antosik
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Dominika Jerka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.B.); (D.J.)
| | - Mariola Głowacka
- Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Mazovian Academy in Płock, 08-110 Płock, Poland; (M.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Małgorzata Soroka
- Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Mazovian Academy in Płock, 08-110 Płock, Poland; (M.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Kerstin Steinbrink
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 58, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.S.); (K.K.)
| | - Konrad Kleszczyński
- Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 58, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.S.); (K.K.)
| | - Maciej Gagat
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.S.); (K.B.); (D.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Mazovian Academy in Płock, 08-110 Płock, Poland; (M.G.); (M.S.)
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Surabhi RP, Rajendran S, Srikanth Swamy Swaroop B, Murugan S, Shanmugasundaram G, Joseph LD, Pitani R, Babu PS, Suresh K R, Venkatraman G. Activation of oncogenic signaling kinase PAK1 by ionising radiation confers an aggressive phenotype in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Signal 2023; 112:110910. [PMID: 37777103 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cancers are very aggressive tumors often diagnosed in late stages with poor prognosis. HNSCCs are usually treated by a course of radiation (IR) therapy and followed by surgery. These treatment regimens fail to bring a complete response. Molecular signatures in tumors are attributed to this response and an improved understanding of the signaling events could offer new avenues for therapy. Here, we show that P21 activated kinase-1 (PAK1) - an oncogenic signaling serine/threonine kinase, is activated upon exposure to IR and this leads to an accelerated tumorigenic character in HNSCC cells. Our results show that PAK1 is highly expressed in HNSCC cell lines, as compared to normal buccal mucosa cells and when HNSCC cells were exposed to IR, they show activated PAK1 and an aggressive phenotype as determined by in vitro functional assays. PAK1 levels were elevated in HNSCC as compared to adjacent normal oral tissues and our results also show convincing evidence of activated PAK1 in patient tumor samples of post- IR treatment as compared to pre-IR treatment and is associated with poor survival. Pak1 Knockout (KO) clones in HNSCC cells showed that they were more sensitive to IR as compared to wild type (wt) cells. This altered sensitivity to IR was attributed to enhanced DNA damage response modulated by PAK1 in cells. Overall, our results suggest that PAK1 expression in HNSCC could be a critical determinant in IR therapy response and silencing PAK1 is likely to be a treatment modality to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Prasad Surabhi
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Swetha Rajendran
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - B Srikanth Swamy Swaroop
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Sowmiya Murugan
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Guindy, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Gouthaman Shanmugasundaram
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Leena Dennis Joseph
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Ravishankar Pitani
- Department of Community Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India
| | - Pakala Suresh Babu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana 500046, India
| | - Rayala Suresh K
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Guindy, Chennai 600036, India.
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences & Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai 600116, India.
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Cooreman K, De Spiegeleer B, Van Poucke C, Vanavermaete D, Delbare D, Wynendaele E, De Witte B. Emerging pharmaceutical therapies of Ascidian-derived natural products and derivatives. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104254. [PMID: 37648122 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
In a growing multidrug-resistant environment, the identification of potential new drug candidates with an acceptable safety profile is a substantial crux in pharmaceutical discovery. This review discusses several aspects and properties of approved marine natural products derived from ascidian sources (phylum Chordata, subphylum Tunicata) and/or their deduced analogues including their biosynthetic origin, (bio)chemical preclinical assessments and known efficacy-safety profiles, clinical status in trials, but also translational developments, opportunities and final conclusions. The review also describes the preclinical assessments of a large number of other ascidian compounds that have not been involved in clinical trials yet. Finally, the emerging research on the connectivity of the ascidian hosts and their independent or obligate symbiotic guests is discussed. The review covers the latest information on the topic of ascidian-derived marine natural products over the last two decades including 2022, with the majority of publications published in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Cooreman
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Quality and Registration Group, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, BE-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christof Van Poucke
- Technology and Food Science Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brusselsesteenweg 370, BE-9090 Melle, Belgium
| | - David Vanavermaete
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Daan Delbare
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Quality and Registration Group, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, BE-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bavo De Witte
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium.
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Li CF, Chan TC, Fang FM, Yu SC, Huang HY. PAK1 overexpression promotes myxofibrosarcoma angiogenesis through STAT5B-mediated CSF2 transactivation: clinical and therapeutic relevance of amplification and nuclear entry. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3920-3936. [PMID: 37564209 PMCID: PMC10411477 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.83467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Myxofibrosarcoma is genetically complex without established nonsurgical therapies. In public datasets, PAK1 was recurrently gained with mRNA upregulation. Using myxofibrosarcoma cells, we explored the oncogenic underpinning of PAK1 with genetic manipulation and a pan-PAK inhibitor (PF3758309). Myxofibrosarcoma specimens were analyzed for the levels of PAK1, phospho-PAKT423, CSF2 and microvascular density (MVD) and those of PAK1 gene and mRNA. PAK1-expressing xenografts were assessed for the effects of PF3758309 and CSF2 silencing. Besides pro-proliferative and pro-migrator/pro-invasive attributes, PAK1 strongly enhanced angiogenesis in vitro, which, not phenocopied by PAK2-4, was identified as CSF2-mediated using antibody arrays. PAK1 underwent phosphorylation at tyrosines153,201,285 and threonine423 to facilitate nuclear entry, whereby nuclear PAK1 bound STAT5B to co-transactivate the CSF2 promoter, increasing CSF2 secretion needed for angiogenesis. Angiogenesis driven by PAK1-upregulated CSF2 was negated by CSF2 silencing, anti-CSF2, and PF3758309. Clinically, overexpressed whole-cell phospho-PAKT423, related to PAK1 amplification, was associated with increased grades, stages, and PAK1 mRNA, higher MVD, and CSF2 overexpression. Overexpressed whole-cell phospho-PAKT423 and CSF2 independently portended shorter metastasis-free survival and disease-specific survival, respectively. In vivo, both CSF2 silencing and PF3758309 suppressed PAK1-driven tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. Conclusively, the nuclear entry of overexpressed/activated PAK1 endows myxofibrosarcomas with pro-angiogenic function, highlighting the vulnerable PAK1/STAT5B/CSF2 regulatory axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Feng Li
- Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ti-Chun Chan
- Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Min Fang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chen Yu
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Ying Huang
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Chow HY, Karchugina S, Groendyke BJ, Toenjes S, Hatcher J, Donovan KA, Fischer ES, Abalakov G, Faezov B, Dunbrack R, Gray NS, Chernoff J. Development and Utility of a PAK1-Selective Degrader. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15627-15641. [PMID: 36416208 PMCID: PMC10029980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of PAK1, a druggable kinase, is common in several malignancies, and inhibition of PAK1 by small molecules has been shown to impede the growth and survival of such cells. Potent inhibitors of PAKs 1-3 have been described, but clinical development has been hindered by recent findings that PAK2 function is required for normal cardiovascular function in adult mice. A unique allosteric PAK1-selective inhibitor, NVS-PAK1-1, provides a potential path forward, but has modest potency. Here, we report the development of BJG-05-039, a PAK1-selective degrader consisting of NVS-PAK1-1 conjugated to lenalidomide, a recruiter of the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor Cereblon. BJG-05-039 induced selective degradation of PAK1 and displayed enhanced anti-proliferative effects relative to its parent compound in PAK1-dependent, but not PAK2-dependent, cell lines. Our findings suggest that selective PAK1 degradation may confer more potent pharmacological effects compared with catalytic inhibition and highlight the potential advantages of PAK1-targeted degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi-Yee Chow
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China 610041
| | | | - Brian J. Groendyke
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Current address: Blueprint Medicines, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Sean Toenjes
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - John Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
| | | | - Bulat Faezov
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russian Federation, 420008
| | | | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Chem-H and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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HACE1-mediated NRF2 activation causes enhanced malignant phenotypes and decreased radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:399. [PMID: 34815381 PMCID: PMC8611003 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00793-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
HACE1, an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, is frequently inactivated and has been evidenced as a putative tumor suppressor in different types of cancer. However, its role in glioma remains elusive. Here, we observed increased expression of HACE1 in gliomas related to control subjects, and found a strong correlation of high HACE1 expression with poor prognosis in patients with WHO grade III and IV as well as low-grade glioma (LGG) patients receiving radiotherapy. HACE1 knockdown obviously suppressed malignant behaviors of glioma cells, while ectopic expression of HACE1 enhanced cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Further studies revealed that HACE1 enhanced protein stability of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) by competitively binding to NRF2 with another E3 ligase KEAP1. Besides, HACE1 also promoted internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated mRNA translation of NRF2. These effects did not depend on its E3 ligase activity. Finally, we demonstrated that HACE1 dramatically reduced cellular ROS levels by activating NRF2, thereby decreasing the response of glioma cells to radiation. Altogether, our data demonstrate that HACE1 causes enhanced malignant phenotypes and decreased radiosensitivity of glioma cells by activating NRF2, and indicate that it may act as the role of prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target in glioma.
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7
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Venu A, Archana B, Kanumuri R, Vuttaradhi VK, D'Cruze L, Murugan S, Ganesh K, Prathiba D, Dymova MA, Rayala SK, Venkatraman G. Clinical Evaluation of P21 Activated Kinase 1 (PAK1) Activation in Gliomas and Its Effect on Cell Proliferation. Cancer Invest 2020; 39:98-113. [PMID: 33251876 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2020.1858097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastomas are the primary malignant tumors of brain tissues with poor prognosis and highly invasive phenotypes. Till now Ki-67 LI has emerged as a well-studied proliferation marker that aids in tumor grading, but labeling index alone cannot predict overall survival in gliomas. P21 activated kinase 1 (PAK1) - a serine/threonine kinase has been shown to function as downstream nodule for various oncogenic signaling pathways that promote neoplastic changes. This study is designed to evaluate the expression of PAK1 across various grades and its correlation with Ki-67 LI and overall survival rates among a total number of 140 clinical brain tumors of glioma patients. We also studied the activation status of phospho PAK1 in glioma tissues and established the role of PAK1 in proliferation of glioblatoma cell lines under γ-irradiation.This study provides molecular evidence signifying the role of PAK1 and its activation status in the progression of Gliomas to more aggressive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akkanapally Venu
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Balasubramanian Archana
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Rahul Kanumuri
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | | | - Lawrence D'Cruze
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Sowmiya Murugan
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Krishnamurthy Ganesh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Duvuru Prathiba
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India
| | - Mayya Alexandrovna Dymova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Suresh Kumar Rayala
- Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
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8
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Liposomes Targeting P21 Activated Kinase-1 (PAK-1) and Selective for Secretory Phospholipase A 2 (sPLA 2) Decrease Cell Viability and Induce Apoptosis in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249396. [PMID: 33321758 PMCID: PMC7764208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
P21 activated kinases (or group I PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases whose expression is altered in prostate and breast cancers. PAK-1 activity is inhibited by the small molecule "Inhibitor targeting PAK-1 activation-3" (IPA-3), which has selectivity for PAK-1 but is metabolically unstable. Secretory Group IIA phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) expression correlates to increased metastasis and decreased survival in many cancers. We previously designed novel liposomal formulations targeting both PAK-1 and sPLA2, called Secretory Phospholipase Responsive liposomes or SPRL-IPA-3, and demonstrated their ability to alter prostate cancer growth. The efficacy of SPRL against other types of cancers is not well understood. We addressed this limitation by determining the ability of SPRL to induce cell death in a diverse panel of cells representing different stages of breast cancer, including the invasive but non-metastatic MCF-7 cells, and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells such as MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-435. We investigated the role of sPLA2 in the disposition of these liposomes by comparing the efficacy of SPRL-IPA-3 to IPA-3 encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL-IPA-3), a formulation shown to be less sensitive to sPLA2. Both SSL-IPA-3 and SPRL-IPA-3 induced time- and dose-dependent decreases in MTT staining in all cell lines tested, but SPRL-IPA-3-induced effects in metastatic TNBC cell lines were superior over SSL-IPA-3. The reduction in MTT staining induced by SPRL-IPA-3 correlated to the expression of Group IIA sPLA2. sPLA2 expression also correlated to increased induction of apoptosis in TNBC cell lines by SPRL-IPA-3. These data suggest that SPRL-IPA-3 is selective for metastatic TNBC cells and that the efficacy of SPRL-IPA-3 is mediated, in part, by the expression of Group IIA sPLA2.
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Kurimchak AM, Herrera-Montávez C, Brown J, Johnson KJ, Sodi V, Srivastava N, Kumar V, Deihimi S, O'Brien S, Peri S, Mantia-Smaldone GM, Jain A, Winters RM, Cai KQ, Chernoff J, Connolly DC, Duncan JS. Functional proteomics interrogation of the kinome identifies MRCKA as a therapeutic target in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Sci Signal 2020; 13:13/619/eaax8238. [PMID: 32071169 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aax8238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer with few effective, targeted therapies. HGSOC tumors exhibit genomic instability with frequent alterations in the protein kinome; however, only a small fraction of the kinome has been therapeutically targeted in HGSOC. Using multiplexed inhibitor beads and mass spectrometry, we mapped the kinome landscape of HGSOC tumors from patients and patient-derived xenograft models. The data revealed a prevalent signature consisting of established HGSOC driver kinases, as well as several kinases previously unexplored in HGSOC. Loss-of-function analysis of these kinases in HGSOC cells indicated MRCKA (also known as CDC42BPA) as a putative therapeutic target. Characterization of the effects of MRCKA knockdown in established HGSOC cell lines demonstrated that MRCKA was integral to signaling that regulated the cell cycle checkpoint, focal adhesion, and actin remodeling, as well as cell migration, proliferation, and survival. Moreover, inhibition of MRCKA using the small-molecule BDP9066 decreased cell proliferation and spheroid formation and induced apoptosis in HGSOC cells, suggesting that MRCKA may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Kurimchak
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Brown
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Katherine J Johnson
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.,Thermo Fisher Scientific, 168 Third Ave., Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Valerie Sodi
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Nishi Srivastava
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Safoora Deihimi
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Shane O'Brien
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Suraj Peri
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. 19111, USA
| | - Gina M Mantia-Smaldone
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Angela Jain
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Ryan M Winters
- Biosample Repository Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Denise C Connolly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - James S Duncan
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
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10
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Wang K, Kang Z, Jiang E, Yan H, Zhu H, Liu J, Qu L, Lan X, Pan C. Genetic effects of DSCAML1 identified in genome-wide association study revealing strong associations with litter size and semen quality in goat (Capra hircus). Theriogenology 2020; 146:20-25. [PMID: 32036056 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The down syndrome cell adhesion molecule like 1 (DSCAML1), is associated with the development of the nervous system and neurologic diseases. Previous Genome-wide association studies have shown that it is associated with sperm morphology, suggesting it has a critical role in fecundity. In this study, expression profiles of goat DSCAML1 mRNA were analyzed. The results showed that its expression in the testis differ significantly between the mitotic stage and meiotic stage. Three insertion/deletion (indel) variants of goat DSCAML1 were determined in the Shaanbei White Cashmere Goat (SWCG, n = 2162). Based on the association analysis, two indels (P2-16bp, P14-15bp) were significantly related to sperm quality (sperm motility and sperm density) in male goat and three loci were markedly related to the first-birth litter size in female goat (P = 4.0 × 10-6; P = 1.0 × 10-6; P = 4.7 × 10-2). In male goats, the different genotypes of P2-16bp and P14-15bp revealed a noticeable effect on the expression of DSCAML1. Moreover, the effects observed in the first-birth litter followed a similar trend, which may provide the basis for further research of DSCAML1 gene function and marker assisted selection (MAS) programs to improve reproductive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Zihong Kang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Enhui Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Hailong Yan
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Brain Science, Medical School, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, 037000, China
| | - Haijing Zhu
- Life Science Research Center, Yulin University, Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Jinwang Liu
- Life Science Research Center, Yulin University, Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Lei Qu
- Life Science Research Center, Yulin University, Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Xianyong Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Chuanying Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
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11
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Targeting PKCι-PAK1 signaling pathways in EGFR and KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:137. [PMID: 31660987 PMCID: PMC6819333 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0446-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) stimulates growth and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Protein kinase C iota (PKCι) is an enzyme highly expressed in NSCLC, regulating PAK1 signaling. In the present study we explored whether the PKCι-PAK1 signaling pathway approach can be an efficient target in different types of NSCLC cell and mouse models. Methods The effect of IPA-3 (PAK1 inhibitor) plus auranofin (PKCι inhibitor) combination was evaluated by cell viability assay, colony formation and western blotting assay, using three types of NSCLC cell lines: EGFR or KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with PAK1 amplification. In addition, for clinical availability, screening for new PAK1 inhibitors was carried out and the compound OTSSP167 was evaluated in combination with auranofin in cell and mice models. Results The combination of IPA-3 or OTSSP167 plus auranofin showed high synergism for inhibiting cell viability and colony formation in three cell lines. Mechanistic characterization revealed that this drug combination abrogated expression and activation of membrane receptors and downstream signaling proteins crucial in lung cancer: EGFR, MET, PAK1, PKCι, ERK1/2, AKT, YAP1 and mTOR. A nude mouse xenograft assay demonstrated that this drug combination strongly suppressed tumor volume compared with single drug treatment. Conclusions Combination of IPA-3 or OTSSP167 and auranofin was highly synergistic in EGFR or KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and decreased tumor volume in mice models. It is of interest to further test the targeting of PKCι-PAK1 signaling pathways in EGFR mutant, KRAS mutant and squamous NSCLC patients.
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Rao S, Peri S, Hoffmann J, Cai KQ, Harris B, Rhodes M, Connolly DC, Testa JR, Wiest DL. RPL22L1 induction in colorectal cancer is associated with poor prognosis and 5-FU resistance. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222392. [PMID: 31581233 PMCID: PMC6776433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that loss of the tumor suppressive activity of ribosomal protein (RP) RPL22 predisposes to development of leukemia in mouse models and aggressive disease in human patients; however, the role of RPL22 in solid tumors, specifically colorectal cancer (CRC), had not been explored. We report here that RPL22 is either deleted or mutated in 36% of CRC and provide new insights into its mechanism of action. Indeed, Rpl22 inactivation causes the induction of its highly homologous paralog, RPL22L1, which serves as a driver of cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth in CRC cells. Moreover, RPL22L1 protein is highly expressed in patient CRC samples and correlates with poor survival. Interestingly, the association of high RPL22L1 expression with poor prognosis appears to be linked to resistance to 5-Fluorouracil, which is a core component of most CRC therapeutic regimens. Indeed, in an avatar trial, we found that human CRC samples that were unresponsive to 5-Fluorouracil in patient-derived xenografts exhibited elevated expression levels of RPL22L1. This link between RPL22L1 induction and 5-Fluorouracil resistance appears to be causal, because ectopic expression or knockdown of RPL22L1 in cell lines increases and decreases 5-Fluorouracil resistance, respectively, and this is associated with changes in expression of the DNA-repair genes, MGMT and MLH1. In summary, our data suggest that RPL22L1 might be a prognostic marker in CRC and predict 5-FU responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyun Rao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DW); (SR)
| | - Suraj Peri
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Jens Hoffmann
- Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GMBH, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Kathy Q. Cai
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Bryan Harris
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Michele Rhodes
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Denise C. Connolly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Joseph R. Testa
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - David L. Wiest
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (DW); (SR)
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13
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Combined inhibition of Aurora A and p21-activated kinase 1 as a new treatment strategy in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 177:369-382. [PMID: 31254157 PMCID: PMC6661032 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-019-05329-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The serine-threonine kinases Aurora A (AURKA) and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) are frequently overexpressed in breast tumors, with overexpression promoting aggressive breast cancer phenotypes and poor clinical outcomes. Besides the well-defined roles of these proteins in control of cell division, proliferation, and invasion, both kinases support MAPK kinase pathway activation and can contribute to endocrine resistance by phosphorylating estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). PAK1 directly phosphorylates AURKA and its functional partners, suggesting potential value of inhibiting both kinases activity in tumors overexpressing PAK1 and/or AURKA. Here, for the first time, we evaluated the effect of combining the AURKA inhibitor alisertib and the PAK inhibitor FRAX1036 in preclinical models of breast cancer. Methods Combination of alisertib and FRAX1036 was evaluated in a panel of 13 human breast tumor cell lines and BT474 xenograft model, with assessment of the cell cycle by FACS, and signaling changes by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Additionally, we performed in silico analysis to identify markers of response to alisertib and FRAX1036. Results Pharmacological inhibition of AURKA and PAK1 synergistically decreased survival of multiple tumor cell lines, showing particular effectiveness in luminal and HER2-enriched models, and inhibited growth and ERα-driven signaling in a BT474 xenograft model. In silico analysis suggested cell lines with dependence on AURKA are most likely to be sensitive to PAK1 inhibition. Conclusion Dual targeting of AURKA and PAK1 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of breast cancer, with a particular effectiveness in luminal and HER2-enriched tumor subtypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-019-05329-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Chen L, Bi S, Hou J, Zhao Z, Wang C, Xie S. Targeting p21-activated kinase 1 inhibits growth and metastasis via Raf1/MEK1/ERK signaling in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:31. [PMID: 30971268 PMCID: PMC6458688 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) plays a fundamental role in promoting the development and progression of several cancers and is a potential therapeutic target. However, the biological function and underlying mechanism of PAK1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unclear. Methods The expression of PAK1 was detected in both ESCC cell lines and clinical samples. Cell growth was measured by MTT, focus formation and soft agar assays. Cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays. Animal models of subcutaneous tumourigenicity and tail vein metastasis were performed to determine the inhibitory effect of pharmacological inhibitor IPA-3 on tumor growth and metastasis of ESCC cells. Results We found that PAK1 was frequently overexpressed in ESCC. Ectopic expression of PAK1 promoted cellular growth, colony formation and anchorage-independent growth. Overexpressing PAK1 also enhanced migration, invasion and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ESCC cells. In contrast, silencing PAK1 by lentiviral knockdown or a specific inhibitor IPA-3 resulted in a contrary effect. Subsequent investigations revealed that Raf1/MEK1/ERK signaling pathway was involved in PAK1-mediated effect. Enhanced expression of Raf1 attenuated the inhibitory functions of PAK1 shRNA. Whereas blocking of Raf1 by shRNA or specific inhibition of MEK1 by U0126 antagonized the oncogenetic effect of PAK1 on ESCC cells. More importantly, Pharmacological inhibition of PAK1 by IPA-3 significantly suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis of ESCC cells in vivo. Conclusions These data support that PAK1 is an ideal target for the development of potential therapeutic drugs for ESCC patients even with metastasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0343-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Shuning Bi
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Jiuzhou Hou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Zhijun Zhao
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Luohe Medical College, Luohe, 462000, China.
| | - Chaojie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
| | - Songqiang Xie
- Institute of Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.
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Cucè M, Gallo Cantafio ME, Siciliano MA, Riillo C, Caracciolo D, Scionti F, Staropoli N, Zuccalà V, Maltese L, Di Vito A, Grillone K, Barbieri V, Arbitrio M, Di Martino MT, Rossi M, Amodio N, Tagliaferri P, Tassone P, Botta C. Trabectedin triggers direct and NK-mediated cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:32. [PMID: 30898137 PMCID: PMC6429746 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0714-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic instability is a feature of multiple myeloma (MM), and impairment in DNA damaging response (DDR) has an established role in disease pathobiology. Indeed, a deregulation of DNA repair pathways may contribute to genomic instability, to the establishment of drug resistance to genotoxic agents, and to the escape from immune surveillance. On these bases, we evaluated the role of different DDR pathways in MM and investigated, for the first time, the direct and immune-mediated anti-MM activity of the nucleotide excision repair (NER)-dependent agent trabectedin. METHODS Gene-expression profiling (GEP) was carried out with HTA2.0 Affymetrix array. Evaluation of apoptosis, cell cycle, and changes in cytokine production and release have been performed in 2D and 3D Matrigel-spheroid models through flow cytometry on MM cell lines and patients-derived primary MM cells exposed to increasing nanomolar concentrations of trabectedin. DNA-damage response has been evaluated through Western blot, immunofluorescence, and DNA fragmentation assay. Trabectedin-induced activation of NK has been assessed by CD107a degranulation. miRNAs quantification has been done through RT-PCR. RESULTS By comparing GEP meta-analysis of normal and MM plasma cells (PCs), we observed an enrichment in DNA NER genes in poor prognosis MM. Trabectedin triggered apoptosis in primary MM cells and MM cell lines in both 2D and 3D in vitro assays. Moreover, trabectedin induced DDR activation, cellular stress with ROS production, and cell cycle arrest. Additionally, a significant reduction of MCP1 cytokine and VEGF-A in U266-monocytes co-cultures was observed, confirming the impairment of MM-promoting milieu. Drug-induced cell stress in MM cells led to upregulation of NK activating receptors ligands (i.e., NKG2D), which translated into increased NK activation and degranulation. Mechanistically, this effect was linked to trabectedin-induced inhibition of NKG2D-ligands negative regulators IRF4 and IKZF1, as well as to miR-17 family downregulation in MM cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings indicate a pleiotropic activity of NER-targeting agent trabectedin, which appears a promising candidate for novel anti-MM therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cucè
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Eugenia Gallo Cantafio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Anna Siciliano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Caterina Riillo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Daniele Caracciolo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Scionti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Staropoli
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | | | - Anna Di Vito
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Katia Grillone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vito Barbieri
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mariamena Arbitrio
- Institute of Neurological Sciences, UOS of Pharmacology, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Di Martino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marco Rossi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicola Amodio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
- Medical and Translational Oncology Units, AOU Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Cirino Botta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Salvatore Venuta University Campus, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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Sun H, Kamanova J, Lara-Tejero M, Galán JE. Salmonella stimulates pro-inflammatory signalling through p21-activated kinases bypassing innate immune receptors. Nat Microbiol 2018; 3:1122-1130. [PMID: 30224799 PMCID: PMC6158040 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial infections are most often countered by inflammatory responses that are initiated through the recognition of conserved microbial products by innate immune receptors and result in pathogen expulsion1-6. However, inflammation can also lead to pathology. Tissues such as the intestinal epithelium, which are exposed to microbial products, are therefore subject to stringent negative regulatory mechanisms to prevent signalling through innate immune receptors6-11. This presents a challenge to the enteric pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium, which requires intestinal inflammation to compete against the resident microbiota and to acquire the nutrients and electron acceptors that sustain its replication12,13. We show here that S. Typhimurium stimulates pro-inflammatory signalling by a unique mechanism initiated by effector proteins that are delivered by its type III protein secretion system. These effectors activate Cdc42 and the p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) leading to the recruitment of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (TAK1), and the stimulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) inflammatory signalling. The removal of Cdc42, PAK1, TRAF6 or TAK1 prevented S. Typhimurium from stimulating NF-κB signalling in cultured cells. In addition, oral administration of a highly specific PAK inhibitor blocked Salmonella-induced intestinal inflammation and bacterial replication in the mouse intestine, although it resulted in a significant increase in the bacterial loads in systemic tissues. Thus, S. Typhimurium stimulates inflammatory signalling in the intestinal tract by engaging critical downstream signalling components of innate immune receptors. These findings illustrate the unique balance that emerges from host-pathogen co-evolution, in that pathogen-initiated responses that help pathogen replication are also important to prevent pathogen spread to deeper tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jana Kamanova
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maria Lara-Tejero
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jorge E Galán
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Fan G. FER mediated HGF-independent regulation of HGFR/MET activates RAC1-PAK1 pathway to potentiate metastasis in ovarian cancer. Small GTPases 2018; 11:155-159. [PMID: 29099290 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1379931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncontrolled metastasis significantly contributes to high lethality of patients suffering from ovarian cancer. To date, the detailed molecular mechanisms which account for ovarian tumor cell spreading and metastasis remain largely unknown. In a recent study, we have demonstrated that aberrantly high expression of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase FER is responsible for ovarian tumor cell metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we indentified Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor HGFR/MET as a novel substrate of FER, and through which the kinase FER modulates ovarian cancer cell motility and invasiveness in a ligand-independent manner. We also observed aberrantly high expression of PAK1 kinase in cancer cells, and RNAi-mediated knockdown of FER kinase inactivated the RAC1-PAK1 signaling pathway and decreased metastatic potential of CAOV4 ovarian cancer cells. Overall, our study revealed a previously uncharacterized, pro-metastatic role of the kinase FER in ovarian cancer through the MET-RAC1-PAK1 pathway. Further efforts are essential to investigating beneficial outcomes towards targeting the RAC1-PAK1 signaling pathway in reducing metastatic burden of this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaofeng Fan
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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18
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Li T, Sun X, Liu Y. miR-27b expression in diagnosis and evaluation prognosis of prostate cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2017; 10:11415-11424. [PMID: 31966497 PMCID: PMC6966086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of study was to investigate the expression of microRNA-27b in different prostate tissues and its anti-tumor effects in prostate cancer. METHODS Measuring the expression of microRNA-27b, evaluating the PI3K protein expression in 28 benign prostatic hyperplasia and 63 prostate cancer tissues, analyzing the correlation between miRNA-27b and PI3K, and miRNA-27b's correlation with Gleason Grading and clinical stages were analyzed. We divided the prostate cancer patients into two groups: low group and high group, comparing the overall survival and progression free survival. In the cell experiment, the PC3 was divided into three groups: NC group, BL group and miRNA group. The cells of difference groups were measuring the cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle and evaluating PI3K, AKT and P21 protein expressions of difference groups. RESULTS The microRNA-27b expression of prostate cancer significantly increased Compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia (P<0.05). The PI3K protein expression of prostate cancer tissues were significantly enhanced compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The PI3K protein expression was positive correlation with miRNA-27b in cancer tissues. Furthermore, the microRNA-27b expression was significantly correlated with the Gleason Grading and clinical stages in prostate cancer (P<0.05, respectively). The patients with higher miR-27b expression level had both poorer overall survival and progression free survival. In cell experiment, the cell proliferation of miRNA group was significantly lower than NC group (P<0.05); the cell apoptosis and G1 phase of miRNA group were significantly difference compared with NC group (P<0.05, respectively); Compared with NC group, PI3K, AKT and P21 protein expressions were significantly down-regulation in miRNA group (P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS miR-27b was up-regulated in prostate cancer tissue compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues, and its expression level was correlated with a variety of important clinical pathological parameters. In the treatment of prostate cancer, miR-27b inhibition had effects to suppress prostate cancer proliferation by regulation PI3K/AKT/P21 signaling pathway. Moreover; miR-27b may serve as a promising biomarker for predicting the prognosis of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Li
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510700, Guangdong, China
- Minimally Invasive Technique and Product Translational Center, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510700, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiangzhou Sun
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510700, Guangdong, China
- Minimally Invasive Technique and Product Translational Center, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510700, Guangdong, China
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Semenova G, Stepanova DS, Dubyk C, Handorf E, Deyev SM, Lazar AJ, Chernoff J. Targeting group I p21-activated kinases to control malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor growth and metastasis. Oncogene 2017; 36:5421-5431. [PMID: 28534510 PMCID: PMC5608634 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are devastating sarcomas for which no effective medical therapies are available. Over 50% of MPSNTs are associated with mutations in NF1 tumor suppressor gene, resulting in activation of Ras and its effectors, including the Raf/Mek/Erk and PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 signaling cascades, and also the WNT/β-catenin pathway. As Group I p21-activated kinases (Group I Paks, PAK1/2/3) have been shown to modulate Ras-driven oncogenesis, we asked if these enzymes might regulate signaling in MPNSTs. In this study we found a strong positive correlation between the activity of PAK1/2/3 and the stage of human MPNSTs. We determined that reducing Group I Pak activity diminished MPNST cell proliferation and motility, and that these effects were not accompanied by significant blockade of the Raf/Mek/Erk pathway, but rather by reductions in Akt and β-catenin activity. Using the small molecule PAK1/2/3 inhibitor Frax1036 and the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD0325901, we showed that the combination of these two agents synergistically inhibited MPNST cell growth in vitro and dramatically decreased local and metastatic MPNST growth in animal models. Taken together, these data provide new insights into MPNST signaling deregulation and suggest that co-targeting of PAK1/2/3 and MEK1/2 may be effective in the treatment of patients with MPNSTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Semenova
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Dina S. Stepanova
- Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Cara Dubyk
- Biosample Repository, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth Handorf
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergey M. Deyev
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia
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Abstract
p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) has attracted much attention as a potential therapeutic target due to its central role in many oncogenic signaling pathways, its frequent dysregulation in cancers and neurological disorders, and its tractability as a target for small-molecule inhibition. To date, several PAK1-targeting compounds have been developed as preclinical agents, including one that has been evaluated in a clinical trial. A series of ATP-competitive inhibitors, allosteric inhibitors and peptide inhibitors with distinct biochemical and pharmacokinetic properties represent useful laboratory tools for studies on the role of PAK1 in biology and in disease contexts, and could lead to promising therapeutic agents. Given the central role of PAK1 in vital signaling pathways, future clinical development of PAK1 inhibitors will require careful investigation of their safety and efficacy.
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McCoull W, Hennessy EJ, Blades K, Chuaqui C, Dowling JE, Ferguson AD, Goldberg FW, Howe N, Jones CR, Kemmitt PD, Lamont G, Varnes JG, Ward RA, Yang B. Optimization of Highly Kinase Selective Bis-anilino Pyrimidine PAK1 Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2016; 7:1118-1123. [PMID: 27994749 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Group I p21-activated kinase (PAK) inhibitors are indicated as important in cancer progression, but achieving high kinase selectivity has been challenging. A bis-anilino pyrimidine PAK1 inhibitor was identified and optimized through structure-based drug design to improve PAK1 potency and achieve high kinase selectivity, giving in vitro probe compound AZ13705339 (18). Reduction of lipophilicity to lower clearance afforded AZ13711265 (14) as an in vivo probe compound with oral exposure in mouse. Such probes will allow further investigation of PAK1 biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- William McCoull
- AstraZeneca, 310 Cambridge Science Park, Milton
Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Edward J. Hennessy
- AstraZeneca, Gatehouse Park, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Kevin Blades
- AstraZeneca, Alderley Park,
Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, U.K
| | - Claudio Chuaqui
- AstraZeneca, Gatehouse Park, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - James E. Dowling
- AstraZeneca, Gatehouse Park, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Andrew D. Ferguson
- AstraZeneca, Gatehouse Park, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | | | - Nicholas Howe
- AstraZeneca, Alderley Park,
Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, U.K
| | | | - Paul D. Kemmitt
- AstraZeneca, 310 Cambridge Science Park, Milton
Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Gillian Lamont
- AstraZeneca, 310 Cambridge Science Park, Milton
Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Jeffrey G. Varnes
- AstraZeneca, Gatehouse Park, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Richard A. Ward
- AstraZeneca, 310 Cambridge Science Park, Milton
Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, U.K
| | - Bin Yang
- AstraZeneca, Gatehouse Park, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
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22
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Prudnikova TY, Chernoff J. The Group I Pak inhibitor Frax-1036 sensitizes 11q13-amplified ovarian cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of Rottlerin. Small GTPases 2016; 8:193-198. [PMID: 27427770 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2016.1213089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are Cdc42/Rac-activated serine-threonine protein kinases that regulate several key cancer-relevant signaling pathways, such as the Mek/Erk, PI3K/Akt, and Wnt/β-catenin cascades. Pak1 is frequently overexpressed and/or hyperactivated in different human cancers, including breast, ovary, prostate, and brain cancer. PAK1 genomic amplification at 11q13 is the most common mechanism of Pak1 hyperactivation, though Pak1 mRNA and/or protein may be overexpressed in the absence of gene amplification. In previous in vitro and in vivo studies we have shown that ovarian cancer cells with amplified/overexpressed Pak1 were significantly more sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of Pak1 compared to cells without 11q13 amplification. In the present study we examined if additional signaling pathways might be targeted in tandem with the Group I Pak inhibitor Frax-1036 in ovarian cancer cells. Using the ICCB Known Bioactives Library, we found that the cytotoxic effect of Frax-1036 was significantly higher in combination with the PKCδ inhibitor, Rottlerin, suggesting that Pak inhibitors might be combined with other agents to treat 11q13-amplified ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- a Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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23
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Rudolph J, Murray LJ, Ndubaku CO, O’Brien T, Blackwood E, Wang W, Aliagas I, Gazzard L, Crawford JJ, Drobnick J, Lee W, Zhao X, Hoeflich KP, Favor DA, Dong P, Zhang H, Heise CE, Oh A, Ong CC, La H, Chakravarty P, Chan C, Jakubiak D, Epler J, Ramaswamy S, Vega R, Cain G, Diaz D, Zhong Y. Chemically Diverse Group I p21-Activated Kinase (PAK) Inhibitors Impart Acute Cardiovascular Toxicity with a Narrow Therapeutic Window. J Med Chem 2016; 59:5520-41. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David A. Favor
- Shanghai Chempartner Inc., 998
Halei Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Dong
- Shanghai Chempartner Inc., 998
Halei Road, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
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