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Abu-Alghayth MH, Khan FR, Belali TM, Abalkhail A, Alshaghdali K, Nassar SA, Almoammar NE, Almasoudi HH, Hessien KBG, Aldossari MS, Binshaya AS. The emerging role of noncoding RNAs in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway in breast cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 255:155180. [PMID: 38330621 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer persists as a major problem for the world's healthcare, thus it is essential to fully understand the complex molecular processes that cause its growth and development. ncRNAs had been discovered to serve critical roles in a variety of cellular functions, including the regulation of signalling pathways. Within different pathways, the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signalling cascade has received a lot of interest because of its role in cancer. A complex interaction between ncRNAs, notably miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, and the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signalling pathway exerts both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive activities by targeting critical components of the pathway directly or indirectly. Through miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation, lncRNA-guided chromatin remodelling, and circRNA sequestration, ncRNAs modulate the activity of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR, influencing cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Furthermore, ncRNAs can serve as promising biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment response, as their dysregulation is commonly observed in breast cancer patients. Harnessing the potential of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets or tools for restoring pathway homeostasis holds promise for innovative treatment strategies in breast cancer. Understanding the intricate regulatory networks orchestrated by ncRNAs in this context may pave the way for novel diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, and a deeper comprehension of breast cancer's molecular landscape, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This abstract underscores the emerging significance of ncRNAs in the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed H Abu-Alghayth
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, P.O. Box 255, 67714, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farhan R Khan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al- Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tareg M Belali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha, P.O. Box 255, 67714, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adil Abalkhail
- Department of Public Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Alshaghdali
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, P.O Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Somia A Nassar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia; Department of Parasitology & Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, 33 Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Nasser Eissa Almoammar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan H Almasoudi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khater Balatone G Hessien
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Al- Quwayiyah, Shaqra University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdulkarim S Binshaya
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
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Neupane N, Bawek S, Gurusinghe S, Ghaffary EM, Mirmosayyeb O, Thapa S, Falkson C, O’Regan R, Dhakal A. Oral SERD, a Novel Endocrine Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:619. [PMID: 38339371 PMCID: PMC10854647 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030619] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer accounts for a significant proportion of cases. While various treatments are available, endocrine therapies are often the first-line treatment for this type of breast cancer. However, the development of drug resistance poses a significant challenge in managing this disease. ESR1 mutations have been identified as a common mechanism of endocrine therapy resistance in ER+ breast cancer. The first-generation selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) fulvestrant has shown some activity against ESR1 mutant tumors. However, due to its poor bioavailability and need for intramuscular injection, it may not be the optimal therapy for patients. Second-generation SERDs were developed to overcome these limitations. These newer drugs have improved oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, making them more convenient and effective for patients. Several oral SERDs are now in phase III trials for early and advanced ER+ breast cancer. This review summarizes the background of oral SERD development, the current status, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Neupane
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY 14621, USA;
| | - Sawyer Bawek
- Department of Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (S.B.); (S.G.)
| | - Sayuri Gurusinghe
- Department of Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; (S.B.); (S.G.)
| | - Elham Moases Ghaffary
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran; (E.M.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Omid Mirmosayyeb
- Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran; (E.M.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Sangharsha Thapa
- Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Carla Falkson
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (C.F.); (R.O.)
| | - Ruth O’Regan
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (C.F.); (R.O.)
| | - Ajay Dhakal
- Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; (C.F.); (R.O.)
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Florke Gee RR, Huber AD, Chen T. Regulation of PXR in drug metabolism: chemical and structural perspectives. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:9-23. [PMID: 38251638 PMCID: PMC10939797 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2309212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a master xenobiotic sensor that transcriptionally controls drug metabolism and disposition pathways. PXR activation by pharmaceutical drugs, natural products, environmental toxins, etc. may decrease drug efficacy and increase drug-drug interactions and drug toxicity, indicating a therapeutic value for PXR antagonists. However, PXR's functions in physiological events, such as intestinal inflammation, indicate that PXR activators may be useful in certain disease contexts. AREAS COVERED We review the reported roles of PXR in various physiological and pathological processes including drug metabolism, cancer, inflammation, energy metabolism, and endobiotic homeostasis. We then highlight specific cellular and chemical routes that modulate PXR activity and discuss the functional consequences. Databases searched and inclusive dates: PubMed, 1 January 1980 to 10 January 2024. EXPERT OPINION Knowledge of PXR's drug metabolism function has helped drug developers produce small molecules without PXR-mediated metabolic liabilities, and further understanding of PXR's cellular functions may offer drug development opportunities in multiple disease settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R. Florke Gee
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Andrew D. Huber
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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4
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Rega C, Kozik Z, Yu L, Tsitsa I, Martin LA, Choudhary J. Exploring the Spatial Landscape of the Estrogen Receptor Proximal Proteome With Antibody-Based Proximity Labeling. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100702. [PMID: 38122900 PMCID: PMC10831774 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100702] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) drives the transcription of genes involved in breast cancer (BC) progression, relying on coregulatory protein recruitment for its transcriptional and biological activities. Mutation of ERα as well as aberrant recruitment of its regulatory proteins contribute to tumor adaptation and drug resistance. Therefore, understanding the dynamic changes in ERα protein interaction networks is crucial for elucidating drug resistance mechanisms in BC. Despite progress in studying ERα-associated proteins, capturing subcellular transient interactions remains challenging and, as a result, significant number of important interactions remain undiscovered. In this study, we employed biotinylation by antibody recognition (BAR), an innovative antibody-based proximity labeling (PL) approach, coupled with mass spectrometry to investigate the ERα proximal proteome and its changes associated with resistance to aromatase inhibition, a key therapy used in the treatment of ERα-positive BC. We show that BAR successfully detected most of the known ERα interactors and mainly identified nuclear proteins, using either an epitope tag or endogenous antibody to target ERα. We further describe the ERα proximal proteome rewiring associated with resistance applying BAR to a panel of isogenic cell lines modeling tumor adaptation in the clinic. Interestingly, we find that ERα associates with some of the canonical cofactors in resistant cells and several proximal proteome changes are due to increased expression of ERα. Resistant models also show decreased levels of estrogen-regulated genes. Sensitive and resistant cells harboring a mutation in the ERα (Y537C) revealed a similar proximal proteome. We provide an ERα proximal protein network covering several novel ERα-proximal partners. These include proteins involved in highly dynamic processes such as sumoylation and ubiquitination difficult to detect with traditional protein interaction approaches. Overall, we present BAR as an effective approach to investigate the ERα proximal proteome in a spatial context and demonstrate its application in different experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Rega
- Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Zuzanna Kozik
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lu Yu
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ifigenia Tsitsa
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley-Ann Martin
- Division of Breast Cancer Research, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jyoti Choudhary
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom.
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Feng D, He J, Yuan M, Chen Q, Zeng X, Zhou Q, Wu J, Han B. SUMO2/3 promotes the progression and oxaliplatin resistance of colorectal cancer through facilitating the SUMOylation at Ku80-K307. Biofactors 2023; 49:1158-1173. [PMID: 37338025 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and is typically treated with the FOLFOX regimen (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin). However, oxaliplatin resistance remains a serious clinical problem. In the present study, we found that SUMO2/3 was overexpressed in CRC tissues and exogenous overexpression of SUMO2/3 promoted CRC cell proliferation, extension, and invasion and positively regulated the cell cycle. In contrast, SUMO2/3 gene knockdowns inhibited migration and repressed cell viability in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we found that SUMO2/3 was recruited to the cell nucleus and suppressed oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis of CRC cells. Moreover, Ku80, a DNA-binding protein essential for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, was confirmed to bind with SUMO2/3. Notably, Ku80 undergoes SUMOylation at K307 by SUMO2/3 and this correlated with apoptosis in CRC cells suffering oxaliplatin stress. Collectively, we found that SUMO2/3 plays a specific role in CRC tumorigenesis and acts through Ku80 SUMOylation which is linked with the development of CRC-oxaliplatin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Feng
- GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jinsong He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Min Yuan
- GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Qing Chen
- GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Xi Zeng
- GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Qilin Zhou
- GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of South West Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Bin Han
- GCP Center/Institute of Drug Clinical Trials, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Institute of Pharmacy, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
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Rej RK, Thomas JE, Acharyya RK, Rae JM, Wang S. Targeting the Estrogen Receptor for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Recent Advances and Challenges. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37377342 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a well-established therapeutic target for the treatment of ER-positive (ER+) breast cancers. Despite the tremendous successes achieved with tamoxifen, a selective ER modulator, and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), resistance to these therapies is a major clinical problem. Therefore, induced protein degradation and covalent inhibition have been pursued as new therapeutic approaches to target ERα. This Perspective summarizes recent progress in the discovery and development of oral selective ER degraders (SERDs), complete estrogen receptor antagonists (CERANs), selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs), and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) ER degraders. We focus on those compounds which have been advanced into clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Kalyan Rej
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Junius Eugene Thomas
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ranjan Kumar Acharyya
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - James Michael Rae
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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7
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Grinshpun A, Chen V, Sandusky ZM, Fanning SW, Jeselsohn R. ESR1 activating mutations: From structure to clinical application. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188830. [PMID: 36336145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer is the most common type of both early and advanced breast cancer. Estrogen receptor alpha (ER) is a nuclear hormone receptor and a key driver of tumorigenesis and tumor progression in these breast cancers. As such, it is a key treatment target and a biomarker predictive of response to endocrine therapy. Activating ESR1 ligand binding domain mutations engender constitutive/ligand independent transcriptional activities and emerge following prolonged first-line hormone therapy regimens, mainly from aromatase inhibitors. The full scale of the biological and clinical significance of these mutations continue to evolve and additional studies are required to further discern the multimodal effects of these mutations on ER transcription, metastatic propensity, and the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, recent and ongoing studies highlight the potential clinical utility of these mutations as therapeutic targets and dynamic biomarkers. Herein, we review the structure, functional consequences, and clinical implications of the activating ESR1 mutations in advanced estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Grinshpun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Vincent Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Zachary M Sandusky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber-Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States of America; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber-Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America.
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8
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Unconventional isoquinoline-based SERMs elicit fulvestrant-like transcriptional programs in ER+ breast cancer cells. NPJ Breast Cancer 2022; 8:130. [PMCID: PMC9748900 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-022-00497-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractEstrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a ligand-dependent master transcriptional regulator and key driver of breast cancer pathology. Small molecule hormones and competitive antagonists favor unique ERα conformational ensembles that elicit ligand-specific transcriptional programs in breast cancer and other hormone-responsive tissues. By affecting disparate ligand binding domain structural features, unconventional ligand scaffolds can redirect ERα genomic binding patterns to engage novel therapeutic transcriptional programs. To improve our understanding of these ERα structure-transcriptional relationships, we develop a series of chemically unconventional antagonists based on the antiestrogens elacestrant and lasofoxifene. High-resolution x-ray co-crystal structures show that these molecules affect both classical and unique structural motifs within the ERα ligand binding pocket. They show moderately reduced antagonistic potencies on ERα genomic activities but are effective anti-proliferative agents in luminal breast cancer cells. Interestingly, they favor a 4-hydroxytamoxifen-like accumulation of ERα in breast cancer cells but lack uterotrophic activities in an endometrial cell line. Importantly, RNA sequencing shows that the lead molecules engage transcriptional pathways similar to the selective estrogen receptor degrader fulvestrant. This advance shows that fulvestrant-like genomic activities can be achieved without affecting ERα accumulation in breast cancer cells.
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9
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Vallet A, El Ezzy M, Diennet M, Haidar S, Bouvier M, Mader S. The AF-2 cofactor binding region is key for the selective SUMOylation of estrogen receptor alpha by antiestrogens. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102757. [PMID: 36460099 PMCID: PMC9823126 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiestrogens (AEs) are used to treat all stages of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Selective estrogen receptor modulators such as tamoxifen have tissue-specific partial agonist activity, while selective estrogen receptor downregulators such as fulvestrant (ICI182,780) display a more complete antiestrogenic profile. We have previously observed that fulvestrant-induced ERα SUMOylation contributes to transcriptional suppression, but whether this effect is seen with other AEs and is specific to ERα is unclear. Here we show that several AEs induce SUMOylation of ERα, but not ERβ, at different levels. Swapping domains between ERα and ERβ indicates that the ERα identity of the ligand-binding domain helices 3 and 4 (H3-H4 region), which contribute to the static part of the activation function-2 (AF-2) cofactor binding groove, is sufficient to confer fulvestrant-induced SUMOylation to ERβ. This region does not contain lysine residues unique to ERα, suggesting that ERα-specific residues in H3-H4 determine the capacity of the AE-bound ERα ligand-binding domain to recruit the SUMOylation machinery. We also show that the SUMO E3 ligase protein inhibitor of activated STAT 1 increases SUMOylation of ERα and of ERβ containing the H3-H4 region of ERα, but not of ERβ. Together, these results shed new light on the molecular basis for the differential capacity of selective estrogen receptor modulators and selective estrogen receptor downregulators to suppress transcription by ERα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Vallet
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mohamed El Ezzy
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marine Diennet
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Salwa Haidar
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada,Département de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sylvie Mader
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada,Département de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada,For correspondence: Sylvie Mader
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10
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Wang L, Sharma A. SERDs: a case study in targeted protein degradation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:8149-8159. [PMID: 36073297 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00117a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine therapies for breast cancer target ERα which is found in more than 70% of breast cancers. Unfortunately, endocrine resistance typically occurs, in which case Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs) represent the last line of treatment for metastatic breast cancer patients. Fulvestrant, the only currently approved SERD and one of the first targeted protein degradation therapies, presents poor drug-like properties which has led to the development of a new generation of oral SERDs. This review summarizes recent progress in the evolution of SERDs, focusing on clinical candidates and their degradation motifs within the broader context of targeted protein degradation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, USA.
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, USA.
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11
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Hosfield DJ, Weber S, Li NS, Suavage M, Joiner CF, Hancock GR, Sullivan EA, Ndukwe E, Han R, Cush S, Lainé M, Mader SC, Greene GL, Fanning SW. Stereospecific lasofoxifene derivatives reveal the interplay between estrogen receptor alpha stability and antagonistic activity in ESR1 mutant breast cancer cells. eLife 2022; 11:72512. [PMID: 35575456 PMCID: PMC9177151 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical manipulation of estrogen receptor alpha ligand binding domain structural mobility tunes receptor lifetime and influences breast cancer therapeutic activities. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) extend estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) cellular lifetime/accumulation. They are antagonists in the breast but agonists in the uterine epithelium and/or in bone. Selective estrogen receptor degraders/downregulators (SERDs) reduce ERα cellular lifetime/accumulation and are pure antagonists. Activating somatic ESR1 mutations Y537S and D538G enable resistance to first-line endocrine therapies. SERDs have shown significant activities in ESR1 mutant setting while few SERMs have been studied. To understand whether chemical manipulation of ERα cellular lifetime and accumulation influences antagonistic activity, we studied a series of methylpyrollidine lasofoxifene (Laso) derivatives that maintained the drug’s antagonistic activities while uniquely tuning ERα cellular accumulation. These molecules were examined alongside a panel of antiestrogens in live cell assays of ERα cellular accumulation, lifetime, SUMOylation, and transcriptional antagonism. High-resolution x-ray crystal structures of WT and Y537S ERα ligand binding domain in complex with the methylated Laso derivatives or representative SERMs and SERDs show that molecules that favor a highly buried helix 12 antagonist conformation achieve the greatest transcriptional suppression activities in breast cancer cells harboring WT/Y537S ESR1. Together these results show that chemical reduction of ERα cellular lifetime is not necessarily the most crucial parameter for transcriptional antagonism in ESR1 mutated breast cancer cells. Importantly, our studies show how small chemical differences within a scaffold series can provide compounds with similar antagonistic activities, but with greatly different effects of the cellular lifetime of the ERα, which is crucial for achieving desired SERM or SERD profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Hosfield
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Sandra Weber
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Nan-Sheng Li
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Madline Suavage
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Carstyn F Joiner
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, United States
| | - Govinda R Hancock
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, United States
| | - Emily A Sullivan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, United States
| | - Estelle Ndukwe
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Ross Han
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Sydney Cush
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Muriel Lainé
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Sylvie C Mader
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Geoffrey L Greene
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, United States
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12
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Epigenetic Factors as Etiological Agents, Diagnostic Markers, and Therapeutic Targets for Luminal Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040748. [PMID: 35453496 PMCID: PMC9031900 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Luminal breast cancer, an etiologically heterogeneous disease, is characterized by high steroid hormone receptor activity and aberrant gene expression profiles. Endocrine therapy and chemotherapy are promising therapeutic approaches to mitigate breast cancer proliferation and recurrence. However, the treatment of therapy-resistant breast cancer is a major challenge. Recent studies on breast cancer etiology have revealed the critical roles of epigenetic factors in luminal breast cancer tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Tumorigenic epigenetic factor-induced aberrant chromatin dynamics dysregulate the onset of gene expression and consequently promote tumorigenesis and metastasis. Epigenetic dysregulation, a type of somatic mutation, is a high-risk factor for breast cancer progression and therapy resistance. Therefore, epigenetic modulators alone or in combination with other therapies are potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer. Several clinical trials have analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of potential epi-drugs for breast cancer and reported beneficial clinical outcomes, including inhibition of tumor cell adhesion and invasiveness and mitigation of endocrine therapy resistance. This review focuses on recent findings on the mechanisms of epigenetic factors in the progression of luminal breast cancer. Additionally, recent findings on the potential of epigenetic factors as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer are discussed.
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13
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Yang F, Hu Y, Shao L, Zhuang J, Huo Q, He S, Chen S, Wang J, Xie N. SIRT7 interacts with TEK (TIE2) to promote adriamycin induced metastasis in breast cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:1405-1424. [PMID: 34797559 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00649-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Emerging evidence suggests that cytotoxic therapy may promote drug resistance and metastasis while inhibiting the growth of primary tumors. As yet, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the pro-metastatic effects of adriamycin (ADR) therapy on breast cancer cells and to investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects. METHODS Differentially expressed genes between MCF-7 and ADR-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells were identified using high-throughput RNA-seq and differential gene expression analyses. In vitro transwell and scratch wound-healing assays, and an in vivo spontaneous metastasis model were used to study the metastatic potential of the breast cancer cells. The relationship between SIRT7 and TEK expression was studied using promoter activity, electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA), CHIP-qPCR and Co-IP assays. RESULTS Using transcriptome sequencing, we identified two key genes (SIRT7 and TEK) that might contribute to the pro-metastatic effect of ADR on breast cancer cells. SIRT7 acted as a negative regulator for TEK by inducing deacetylation of H3K18 at the TEK promoter. Through transcription factor prediction and double fluorescence experiments, we found that EST-1 could bind to the TEK promoter. Knockdown of EST-1 removed the transcriptional inhibition of TEK that was mediated by up-regulation of SIRT7. Co-IP showed that SIRT7 interacts directly with EST-1 in breast cancer cells, indicating that SIRT7 may induce H3K18 deacetylation at the TEK promoter region by directly binding to EST-1. In vitro and in vivo results showed that overexpression of SIRT7 or inhibition of TIE2 significantly reduced ADR-dependent breast cancer cell invasion/metastasis. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that ADR therapy may accelerate breast cancer metastasis in a SIRT7/TEK(TIE2) dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Hu
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
- Department of Blood Purification Center, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital, Southern Medical University (Hengyang Centeral Hospital), Hengyang, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Shao
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
| | - Jialang Zhuang
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Huo
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengnan He
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Chen
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China
| | - Ni Xie
- Biobank, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Li X, Cao G, Yang H, Zhi D, Li L, Wang D, Liu M, Su H. S100A8 expression in oviduct mucosal epithelial cells is regulated by estrogen and affects mucosal immune homeostasis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260188. [PMID: 34793556 PMCID: PMC8601440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation can cause oviduct mucosal damage and immune dysfunction, leading to infertility, early pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, tumors, and a decrease in reproductive capacities in female animals. Estrogen can suppress immune responses in different tissues and oviducts, and regulate the oviduct immune balance; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the mechanism of estrogen-regulated oviduct mucosal immunity and discover new estrogen targets for regulating oviduct mucosal immune homeostasis. Sheep oviduct epithelial cells (SOECs) were treated with 17-β estradiol (E2). Transcriptome sequencing and analysis showed differentially expressed S100 calcium-binding protein A (S100A) genes that may participate in the oviduct mucosa immunoregulation of estrogen. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry analysis showed that S100A8 expression changed dynamically in E2-treated SOECs and peaked after 7 h of treatment. Estrogen nuclear receptors and G protein-coupled membrane receptors promoted E2-dependent S100A8 upregulation. The S100A8 gene was disrupted using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 method. Levels of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-4 were significantly upregulated in S100A8-knockdown SOECs, whereas those of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was downregulated. Following S100A8 knockdown in SOECs treated with E2 for 7 h, IL-10 levels increased significantly. Estrogen affected oviduct mucosa immune function and dynamically regulated S100A8 in SOECs. S100A8 knockdown caused an excessive immune response, indicating that S100A8 is beneficial for maintaining immune homeostasis in the oviduct mucosa. Moreover, estrogen can compensate for the effect of S100A8 knockdown by upregulating IL-10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Guifang Cao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Hongxin Yang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Department of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Dafu Zhi
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lei Li
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hohhot, Hohhot, China
| | - Daqing Wang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot, China
| | - Moning Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hong Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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15
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Dodat F, Mader S, Lévesque D. Minireview: What is Known about SUMOylation Among NR4A Family Members? J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167212. [PMID: 34437889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
NR4A receptors, including NUR77 (NR4A1), NURR1 (NR4A2) and NOR-1 (NR4A3), form a family of nuclear receptors that act as transcription factors to regulate many physiological and pathological processes such as cell cycle and apoptosis, lipid metabolism, inflammation, carcinogenesis, vascular and neuronal functions. In the absence of known endogenous ligand modulating their physiological functions, the NR4A family remains a class of orphan receptors. However, several post-translational modifications (PTMs), including SUMOylation, have been shown to regulate the expression and/or activity of these receptors. Addition of Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) proteins is a dynamic and reversible enzymatic process that regulates multiple essential functions of proteins, including nuclear receptors. This review aims at summarizing what is known about the impact of SUMOylation on NR4A family member transcriptional activities and physiological functions.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Carcinogenesis/genetics
- Carcinogenesis/metabolism
- Carcinogenesis/pathology
- Cell Cycle/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Eukaryotic Cells/cytology
- Eukaryotic Cells/metabolism
- Humans
- Inflammation
- Lipid Metabolism/genetics
- Multigene Family
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/metabolism
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Receptors, Steroid/genetics
- Receptors, Steroid/metabolism
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/genetics
- Receptors, Thyroid Hormone/metabolism
- Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins/genetics
- Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier Proteins/metabolism
- Sumoylation
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatéma Dodat
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC) and Département de biochimie et de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Sylvie Mader
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC) and Département de biochimie et de médecine moléculaire, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Lévesque
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Tripartite motif-containing 3 (TRIM3) enhances ER signaling and confers tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:60. [PMID: 34508066 PMCID: PMC8433133 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00350-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen resistance remains a clinical problem in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. SUMOylation of ERα enhances ERα-induced transcription activity. Tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) proteins are a new class of SUMO E3 ligases, which regulate the SUMOylation of proteins. However, the precise molecular mechanism and function of TRIM3 in SUMOylation and the response to tamoxifen remain unclear. In the present study, we observed that TRIM3 was dramatically overexpressed in breast cancer, which correlated with tamoxifen resistance. Furthermore, TRIM3 overexpression significantly correlated with poor survival of patients with ER+ breast cancer treated with tamoxifen. TRIM3 overexpression conferred cell survival and tumorigenesis, whereas knocking down of TRIM3 reduced these capabilities. Moreover, TRIM3, as a ubiquitin carrier protein 9 (UBC9) binding protein, promoted SUMO modification of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and activated the ER pathway. Silencing UBC9 abolished the function of TRIM3 in regulating tamoxifen resistance. These results suggest TRIM3 as a novel biomarker for breast cancer therapy, indicating that inhibiting TRIM3 combined with tamoxifen might provide a potential treatment for breast cancer.
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Abstract
Efforts to improve estrogen receptor-α (ER)-targeted therapies in breast cancer have relied upon a single mechanism, with ligands having a single side chain on the ligand core that extends outward to determine antagonism of breast cancer growth. Here, we describe inhibitors with two ER-targeting moieties, one of which uses an alternate structural mechanism to generate full antagonism, freeing the side chain to independently determine other critical properties of the ligands. By combining two molecular targeting approaches into a single ER ligand, we have generated antiestrogens that function through new mechanisms and structural paradigms to achieve antagonism. These dual-mechanism ER inhibitors (DMERIs) cause alternate, noncanonical structural perturbations of the receptor ligand-binding domain (LBD) to antagonize proliferation in ER-positive breast cancer cells and in allele-specific resistance models. Our structural analyses with DMERIs highlight marked differences from current standard-of-care, single-mechanism antiestrogens. These findings uncover an enhanced flexibility of the ER LBD through which it can access nonconsensus conformational modes in response to DMERI binding, broadly and effectively suppressing ER activity.
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18
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Kukkula A, Ojala VK, Mendez LM, Sistonen L, Elenius K, Sundvall M. Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the SUMO Pathway in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4402. [PMID: 34503213 PMCID: PMC8431684 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMOylation is a dynamic and reversible post-translational modification, characterized more than 20 years ago, that regulates protein function at multiple levels. Key oncoproteins and tumor suppressors are SUMO substrates. In addition to alterations in SUMO pathway activity due to conditions typically present in cancer, such as hypoxia, the SUMO machinery components are deregulated at the genomic level in cancer. The delicate balance between SUMOylation and deSUMOylation is regulated by SENP enzymes possessing SUMO-deconjugation activity. Dysregulation of SUMO machinery components can disrupt the balance of SUMOylation, contributing to the tumorigenesis and drug resistance of various cancers in a context-dependent manner. Many molecular mechanisms relevant to the pathogenesis of specific cancers involve SUMO, highlighting the potential relevance of SUMO machinery components as therapeutic targets. Recent advances in the development of inhibitors targeting SUMOylation and deSUMOylation permit evaluation of the therapeutic potential of targeting the SUMO pathway in cancer. Finally, the first drug inhibiting SUMO pathway, TAK-981, is currently also being evaluated in clinical trials in cancer patients. Intriguingly, the inhibition of SUMOylation may also have the potential to activate the anti-tumor immune response. Here, we comprehensively and systematically review the recent developments in understanding the role of SUMOylation in cancer and specifically focus on elaborating the scientific rationale of targeting the SUMO pathway in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Kukkula
- Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.K.); (V.K.O.); (K.E.)
| | - Veera K. Ojala
- Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.K.); (V.K.O.); (K.E.)
- Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Medicity Research Laboratories, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - Lourdes M. Mendez
- Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Lea Sistonen
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland;
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Klaus Elenius
- Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.K.); (V.K.O.); (K.E.)
- Medicity Research Laboratories, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland;
- Department of Oncology, Turku University Hospital, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Maria Sundvall
- Cancer Research Unit, FICAN West Cancer Center Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; (A.K.); (V.K.O.); (K.E.)
- Department of Oncology, Turku University Hospital, FI-20521 Turku, Finland
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Cholesterol-Induced Metabolic Reprogramming in Breast Cancer Cells Is Mediated via the ERRα Pathway. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112605. [PMID: 34073320 PMCID: PMC8198778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112605] [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: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There is increasing evidence that obesity and high circulating cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of recurrence and a higher mortality rate in breast cancer patients via altering the metabolic programming in breast cancer cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism by which high cholesterol levels reprogram the metabolic pathways in breast cancer cells is not well-understood. We have previously demonstrated that cholesterol acts as an endogenous agonist of estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), a strong regulator of cellular metabolism. The aim of the current study is to demonstrate whether cholesterol/obesity mediates its pathogenic effect in breast cancer cells via altering metabolic pathways in an ERRα-dependent manner. The findings of this study provide mechanistic insights into the link between cholesterol/obesity and metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer patients and reveal the metabolic vulnerabilities in such breast cancer patients that could be therapeutically targeted. Abstract The molecular mechanism underlying the metabolic reprogramming associated with obesity and high blood cholesterol levels is poorly understood. We previously reported that cholesterol is an endogenous ligand of the estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα). Using functional assays, metabolomics, and genomics, here we show that exogenous cholesterol alters the metabolic pathways in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, and that this involves increased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and TCA cycle intermediate levels. In addition, cholesterol augments aerobic glycolysis in TNBC cells although it remains unaltered in ER+ cells. Interestingly, cholesterol does not alter the metabolite levels of glutaminolysis, one-carbon metabolism, or the pentose phosphate pathway, but increases the NADPH levels and cellular proliferation, in both cell types. Importantly, we show that the above cholesterol-induced modulations of the metabolic pathways in breast cancer cells are mediated via ERRα. Furthermore, analysis of the ERRα metabolic gene signature of basal-like breast tumours of overweight/obese versus lean patients, using the GEO database, shows that obesity may modulate ERRα gene signature in a manner consistent with our in vitro findings with exogenous cholesterol. Given the close link between high cholesterol levels and obesity, our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the association between cholesterol/obesity and metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer patients.
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Chakrapani HB, Chourasia S, Gupta S, Kumar D T, Doss C GP, Haldar R. Effective utilisation of influence maximization technique for the identification of significant nodes in breast cancer gene networks. Comput Biol Med 2021; 133:104378. [PMID: 33971587 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the most important genes in a cancer gene network is a crucial step in understanding the disease's functional characteristics and finding an effective drug. METHOD In this study, a popular influence maximization technique was applied on a large breast cancer gene network to identify the most influential genes computationally. The novel approach involved incorporating gene expression data and protein to protein interaction network to create a customized pruned and weighted gene network. This was then readily provided to the influence maximization procedure. The weighted gene network was also processed through a widely accepted framework that identified essential proteins to benchmark the proposed method. RESULTS The proposed method's results had matched with the majority of the output from the benchmarked framework. The key takeaway from the experiment was that the influential genes identified by the proposed method, which did not match favorably with the widely accepted framework, were found to be very important by previous in-vivo studies on breast cancer. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION The new findings generated from the proposed method give us a favorable reason to infer that influence maximization added a more diversified approach to define and identify important genes and could be incorporated with other popular computational techniques for more relevant results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Smruti Chourasia
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Sibasish Gupta
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Thirumal Kumar D
- Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - George Priya Doss C
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Rishin Haldar
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India.
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21
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Dodat F, Cotnoir-White D, Dianati E, Vallet A, Mader S, Lévesque D. Complex regulation of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 (Nr4a1) transcriptional activity by SUMO2 and PIASγ. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1868:118908. [PMID: 33189785 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nur77 (NGFI-B) is a nuclear receptor that belongs to the Nr4a family of orphan nuclear receptors (Nr4a1). This transcription factor has been implicated in the regulation of multiple functions, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, inflammation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and brain function. However, the mechanisms involved in its different regulatory properties remain unclear. In search for regulatory mechanisms of Nur77 function, we identified that Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT gamma (PIASγ), an E3 SUMO-protein ligase, potently repressed Nur77 transcriptional activity in HEK-293T cells. This PIASγ activity was sensitive to Sentrin SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1). Substitution of two putative phylogenetically well-conserved small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) acceptor sites, lysine 102 (K102) and 577 (K577) by arginine residues (R) modulated Nur77 transcriptional activity. In particular, Nur77-K102R and Nur77-K102R/K577R mutants strongly decreased the transcriptional activity of Nur77, whereas single K577R substitution increased transcriptional activity of Nur77. Repression of Nur77 transcriptional activity by SUMO2 and PIASγ was reduced by the K577R mutation, whereas the K102R mutant remained insensitive to SUMO2. Interestingly, the roles of these SUMO acceptor sites in Nur77 are distinct from previously observed activities on its close homolog Nurr1. Thus, the present study identified SUMO2 and PIASγ as important transcriptional co-regulators of Nur77.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatéma Dodat
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - David Cotnoir-White
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal et Département de biochimie et médecine moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elham Dianati
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal et Département de biochimie et médecine moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Amandine Vallet
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal et Département de biochimie et médecine moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie Mader
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Université de Montréal et Département de biochimie et médecine moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Lévesque
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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Jeffreys SA, Powter B, Balakrishnar B, Mok K, Soon P, Franken A, Neubauer H, de Souza P, Becker TM. Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer: The Role of Estrogen Receptor Stability. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092077. [PMID: 32932819 PMCID: PMC7564140 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy of hormone receptor positive breast cancer (BCa) generally targets estrogen receptor (ER) function and signaling by reducing estrogen production or by blocking its interaction with the ER. Despite good long-term responses, resistance to treatment remains a significant issue, with approximately 40% of BCa patients developing resistance to ET. Mutations in the gene encoding ERα, ESR1, have been identified in BCa patients and are implicated as drivers of resistance and disease recurrence. Understanding the molecular consequences of these mutations on ER protein levels and its activity, which is tightly regulated, is vital. ER activity is in part controlled via its short protein half-life and therefore changes to its stability, either through mutations or alterations in pathways involved in protein stability, may play a role in therapy resistance. Understanding these connections and how ESR1 alterations could affect protein stability may identify novel biomarkers of resistance. This review explores the current reported data regarding posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of the ER and the potential impact of known resistance associated ESR1 mutations on ER regulation by affecting these PTMs in the context of ET resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Jeffreys
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-2-873-89022
| | - Branka Powter
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
| | - Bavanthi Balakrishnar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Kelly Mok
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Patsy Soon
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Bankstown Hospital, Bankstown NSW 2200, Australia
| | - André Franken
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hans Neubauer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Paul de Souza
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.B.); (K.M.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Therese M. Becker
- Centre for Circulating Tumour Cells Diagnostics & Research, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia; (B.P.); (P.S.); (A.F.); (P.d.S.); (T.M.B.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool NSW 2170, Australia
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Ghanbari F, Mader S, Philip A. Cholesterol as an Endogenous Ligand of ERRα Promotes ERRα-Mediated Cellular Proliferation and Metabolic Target Gene Expression in Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2020; 9:E1765. [PMID: 32717915 PMCID: PMC7463712 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Increased risk of breast cancer has been associated with high dietary cholesterol intake. However, the underlying mechanisms are not known. The nuclear receptor, estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), plays an important role in breast cancer cell metabolism, and its overexpression has been linked to poor survival. Here we identified cholesterol as an endogenous ligand of ERRα by purification from human pregnancy serum using a GST-ERRα affinity column and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We show that cholesterol interacts with ERRα and induces its transcriptional activity in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. In addition, we show that cholesterol enhances ERRα-PGC-1α interaction, induces ERRα expression itself, augments several metabolic target genes of ERRα, and increases cell proliferation and migration in both ER+ and TNBC cells. Furthermore, the stimulatory effect of cholesterol on metabolic gene expression, cell proliferation, and migration requires the ERRα pathway. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the increased breast cancer risk associated with high dietary cholesterol and possibly the pro-survival effect of statins in breast cancer patients, highlighting the clinical relevance of lowering cholesterol levels in breast cancer patients overexpressing ERRα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faegheh Ghanbari
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada;
| | - Sylvie Mader
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 1J7, Canada;
| | - Anie Philip
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada;
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Yang F, Chen S, He S, Huo Q, Hu Y, Xie N. YB-1 interplays with ERα to regulate the stemness and differentiation of ER-positive breast cancer stem cells. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:3816-3832. [PMID: 32206124 PMCID: PMC7069074 DOI: 10.7150/thno.41014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Some stemness-associated transcription factors consistently play essential roles in the maintenance of pluripotency or induce the differentiation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the regulatory mechanism of CSC stemness mediated by transcription factors has not been extensively explored. Here, we show that two transcription factors (YB-1 and ERα), which are simultaneously highly expressed in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive CSCs, interact with each other to regulate the stemness and differentiation of ER-positive CSCs. Methods: The expression of YB-1 was examined in ER-positive CSCs and patient specimens. Western blot, real-time PCR, cell viability analysis, tumorsphere formation assay and subcutaneous tumorigenesis assays were used to study the stemness functions of YB-1 and ERα in CSCs. The relationship between YB-1 and ERα in cells was studied by promoter activity analysis, the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and the Co-IP assay. The mechanisms and functional significance of YB-1 in the sensitivity of CSCs to tamoxifen were further investigated with both in vitro and in vivo models. Results: YB-1 was aberrantly upregulated in the cancerous tissue of ER-positive breast cancer patients and in CSCs. Knockdown of YB-1 in ER-positive CSCs significantly inhibited cell stemness and induced differentiation, and the expression of YB-1 could be regulated by estrogen signaling and ERα in ER-positive breast CSCs. The Co-IP results showed that YB-1 interacted directly with ERα specifically in ER-positive non-CSCs and that YB-1 induced ERα degradation by ubiquitination via direct interaction in differentiated cells. Cell differentiation induced by FBS could inhibit YB-1 phosphorylation and promote YB-1 protein transfer from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Moreover, cell differentiation induced by targeting inhibited the expression of YB-1 in ER-positive CSCs, which increased the sensitivity of cells to tamoxifen in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: The ERα/YB-1 axis has an important role in the regulation of ER-positive breast cancer stemness. The dephosphorylation of YB-1 and the interaction between YB-1 and ERα may be the switch that initiates the differentiation of ER-positive CSCs. Targeting YB-1 to sensitize ER-positive CSCs to antiestrogen therapy might represent a new therapeutic strategy that warrants further exploration.
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