TAS4464, a NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, activates both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways via c-Myc-mediated regulation in acute myeloid leukemia

Promising Therapeutic Strategies for Hematologic Malignancies: Innovations and Potential

In this review we explore innovative approaches in the treatment of hematologic cancers by combining various therapeutic modalities. We discuss the synergistic potential of combining inhibitors targeting different cellular pathways with immunotherapies, molecular therapies, and hormonal therapies. Examples include combining PI3K inhibitors with proteasome inhibitors, NF-κB inhibitors with immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors, and neddylation inhibitors with therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we discuss the potential use of small molecules and peptide inhibitors in hematologic cancer treatment. These multidimensional therapeutic combinations present promising strategies for enhancing treatment efficacy and overcoming resistance mechanisms. However, further clinical research is required to validate their effectiveness and safety profiles in hematologic cancer patients.

Mdm2 requires Sprouty4 to regulate focal adhesion formation and metastasis independent of p53

Although the E3 ligase Mdm2 and its homologue and binding partner MdmX are the major regulators of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, it is now evident that Mdm2 and MdmX have multiple functions that do not involve p53. As one example, it is known that Mdm2 can regulate cell migration, although mechanistic insight into this function is still lacking. Here we show in cells lacking p53 expression that knockdown of Mdm2 or MdmX, as well as pharmacological inhibition of the Mdm2/MdmX complex, not only reduces cell migration and invasion, but also impairs cell spreading and focal adhesion formation. In addition, Mdm2 knockdown decreases metastasis in vivo. Interestingly, Mdm2 downregulates the expression of Sprouty4, which is required for the Mdm2 mediated effects on cell migration, focal adhesion formation and metastasis. Further, our findings indicate that Mdm2 dampening of Sprouty4 is a prerequisite for maintaining RhoA levels in the cancer cells that we have studied. Taken together we describe a molecular mechanism whereby the Mdm2/MdmX complex through Sprouty4 regulates cellular processes leading to increase metastatic capability independently of p53.

The Double-Edged Effects of MLN4924: Rethinking Anti-Cancer Drugs Targeting the Neddylation Pathway

(1) Background: The neddylation pathway assumes a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of cancer. MLN4924, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of the NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), effectively intervenes in the early stages of the neddylation pathway. By instigating diverse cellular responses, such as senescence and apoptosis in cancer cells, MLN4924 also exerts regulatory effects on non-malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor virus-infected cells, thereby impeding the onset of tumors. Consequently, MLN4924 has been widely acknowledged as a potent anti-cancer drug. (2) Recent findings: Nevertheless, recent findings have illuminated additional facets of the neddylation pathway, revealing its active involvement in various biological processes detrimental to the survival of cancer cells. This newfound understanding underscores the dual role of MLN4924 in tumor therapy, characterized by both anti-cancer and pro-cancer effects. This dichotomy is herein referred to as the "double-edged effects" of MLN4924. This paper delves into the intricate relationship between the neddylation pathway and cancer, offering a mechanistic exploration and analysis of the causes underlying the double-edged effects of MLN4924-specifically, the accumulation of pro-cancer neddylation substrates. (3) Perspectives: Here, the objective is to furnish theoretical support and novel insights that can guide the development of next-generation anti-cancer drugs targeting the neddylation pathway.

Comparative Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Differential Enrichment of Metabolites with Age in Panax notoginseng Roots

Panax notoginseng is a perennial plant well known for its versatile medicinal properties, including hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, estrogen-like, and antidepressant characteristics. It has been reported that plant age affects the quality of P. notoginseng. This study aimed to explore the differential metabolome and transcriptome of 2-year (PN2) and 3-year-old (PN3) P. notoginseng plant root samples. Principal component analysis of metabolome and transcriptome data revealed major differences between the two groups (PN2 vs. PN3). A total of 1813 metabolites and 28,587 genes were detected in this study, of which 255 metabolites and 3141 genes were found to be differential (p < 0.05) between PN2 vs. PN3, respectively. Among differential metabolites and genes, 155 metabolites and 1217 genes were up-regulated, while 100 metabolites and 1924 genes were down-regulated. The KEGG pathway analysis revealed differentially enriched metabolites belonging to class lipids ("13S-hydroperoxy-9Z, 11E-octadecadionic acid", "9S-hydroxy-10E, 12Z-octadecadionic acid", "9S-oxo-10E, 12Z-octadecadionic acid", and "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecadionic acid"), nucleotides and derivatives (guanine and cytidine), and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid) were found to be enriched (p < 0.05) in PN3 compared to PN2. Further, these differentially enriched metabolites were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) regulated via linoleic acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways. Furthermore, the transcriptome analysis showed the up-regulation of key genes MAT, DMAS, SDH, gallate 1-beta-glucosyltransferase, and beta-D-glucosidase in various plants' secondary metabolic pathways and SAUR, GID1, PP2C, ETR, CTR1, EBF1/2, and ERF1/2 genes observed in phytohormone signal transduction pathway that is involved in plant growth and development, and protection against the various stressors. This study concluded that the roots of a 3-year-old P. notoginseng plant have better metabolome and transcriptome profiles compared to a 2-year-old plant with importantly enriched metabolites and genes in pathways related to metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and various biological processes. These findings provide insights into the plant's dynamic biochemical and molecular changes during its growth that have several implications regarding its therapeutic use.

Protein neddylation and its role in health and diseases

NEDD8 (Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8) is an ubiquitin-like protein that is covalently attached to a lysine residue of a protein substrate through a process known as neddylation, catalyzed by the enzyme cascade, namely NEDD8 activating enzyme (E1), NEDD8 conjugating enzyme (E2), and NEDD8 ligase (E3). The substrates of neddylation are categorized into cullins and non-cullin proteins. Neddylation of cullins activates CRLs (cullin RING ligases), the largest family of E3 ligases, whereas neddylation of non-cullin substrates alters their stability and activity, as well as subcellular localization. Significantly, the neddylation pathway and/or many neddylation substrates are abnormally activated or over-expressed in various human diseases, such as metabolic disorders, liver dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers, among others. Thus, targeting neddylation becomes an attractive strategy for the treatment of these diseases. In this review, we first provide a general introduction on the neddylation cascade, its biochemical process and regulation, and the crystal structures of neddylation enzymes in complex with cullin substrates; then discuss how neddylation governs various key biological processes via the modification of cullins and non-cullin substrates. We further review the literature data on dysregulated neddylation in several human diseases, particularly cancer, followed by an outline of current efforts in the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of neddylation as a promising therapeutic approach. Finally, few perspectives were proposed for extensive future investigations.

Neddylation is a novel therapeutic target for lupus by regulating double negative T cell homeostasis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a severe autoimmune disorder, is characterized by systemic inflammatory response, autoantibody accumulation and damage to organs. The dysregulation of double-negative (DN) T cells is considered as a crucial commander during SLE. Neddylation, a significant type of protein post-translational modification (PTM), has been well-proved to regulate T cell-mediated immune response. However, the function of neddylation in SLE is still unknown. Here, we reported that neddylation inactivation with MLN4924, a specific inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 (NAE1), or genetic abrogation of Ube2m in T cells decreased DN T cell accumulation and attenuated murine lupus development. Further investigations revealed that inactivation of neddylation blocked Bim ubiquitination degradation and maintained Bim level in DN T cells, contributing to the apoptosis of the accumulated DN T cells in lupus mice. Then double knockout (KO) lupus-prone mice (Ube2m-/-Bim-/-lpr) were generated and results showed that loss of Bim reduced Ube2m deficiency-induced apoptosis in DN T cells and reversed the alleviated lupus progression. Our findings identified that neddylation inactivation promoted Bim-mediated DN T cell apoptosis and attenuated lupus progression. Clinically, we also found that in SLE patients, the proportion of DN T cells was raised and their apoptosis was reduced. Moreover, compared to healthy groups, SLE patients exhibited decreased Bim levels and elevated Cullin1 neddylation levels. Meantime, the inhibition of neddylation induced Bim-dependent apoptosis of DN T cells isolated from SLE patients. Altogether, our findings provide the direct evidence about the function of neddylation during lupus, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach for this disease.

Glioblastoma vulnerability to neddylation inhibition is dependent on PTEN status, and dysregulation of the cell cycle and DNA replication

Background

Neddylation (NAE) inhibition, affecting posttranslational protein function and turnover, is a promising therapeutic approach to cancer. We report the cytotoxic vulnerability to NAE inhibitors in a subset of glioblastoma (GBM) preclinical models and identify genetic alterations and biological processes underlying differential response.

Methods

GBM DNA sequencing and transcriptomic data were queried for genes associated with response to NAE inhibition; candidates were validated by molecular techniques. Multi-omics and functional assays revealed processes implicated in NAE inhibition response.

Results

Transcriptomics and shotgun proteomics depict PTEN signaling, DNA replication, and DNA repair pathways as significant differentiators between sensitive and resistant models. Vulnerability to MLN4924, a NAE inhibitor, is associated with elevated S-phase populations, DNA re-replication, and DNA damage. In a panel of GBM models, loss of WT PTEN is associated with resistance to different NAE inhibitors. A NAE inhibition response gene set could segregate the GBM cell lines that are most resistant to MLN4924.

Conclusions

Loss of WT PTEN is associated with non-sensitivity to 3 different compounds that inhibit NAE in GBM. A NAE inhibition response gene set largely consisting of DNA replication genes could segregate GBM cell lines most resistant to NAEi and may be the basis for future development of NAE inhibition signatures of vulnerability and clinical trial enrollment within a precision medicine paradigm.

Targeting NEDD8-activating enzyme for cancer therapy: developments, clinical trials, challenges and future research directions

NEDDylation, a post-translational modification through three-step enzymatic cascades, plays crucial roles in the regulation of diverse biological processes. NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) as the only activation enzyme in the NEDDylation modification has become an attractive target to develop anticancer drugs. To date, numerous inhibitors or agonists targeting NAE have been developed. Among them, covalent NAE inhibitors such as MLN4924 and TAS4464 currently entered into clinical trials for cancer therapy, particularly for hematological tumors. This review explains the relationships between NEDDylation and cancers, structural characteristics of NAE and multistep mechanisms of NEDD8 activation by NAE. In addition, the potential approaches to discover NAE inhibitors and detailed pharmacological mechanisms of NAE inhibitors in the clinical stage are explored in depth. Importantly, we reasonably investigate the challenges of NAE inhibitors for cancer therapy and possible development directions of NAE-targeting drugs in the future.

Mechanisms of myeloid leukemogenesis: Current perspectives and therapeutic objectives

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic neoplasm which results in clonal proliferation of abnormally differentiated hematopoietic cells. In this review, mechanisms contributing to myeloid leukemogenesis are summarized, highlighting aberrations of epigenetics, transcription factors, signal transduction, cell cycling, and the bone marrow microenvironment. The mechanisms contributing to AML are detailed to spotlight recent findings that convey clinical impact. The applications of current and prospective therapeutic targets are accentuated in addition to reviews of treatment paradigms stratified for each characteristic molecular lesion - with a focus on exploring novel treatment approaches and combinations to improve outcomes in AML.

MicroRNA-874 targets phosphomevalonate kinase and inhibits cancer cell growth via the mevalonate pathway

The microRNA (miR) miR-874, a potential tumour suppressor, causes cell death via target gene suppression in various cancer types. Mevalonate pathway inhibition also causes cell death in breast cancer. However, the relationship between the mevalonate pathway and miR-874-induced apoptosis or its association with the tumour suppressor p53 has not been elucidated. We identified phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK), a key mevalonate pathway enzyme, and sterol regulatory element-binding factor 2 (SREBF2), the master cholesterol biosynthesis regulator, as direct miR‑874 targets. Next-generation sequencing analysis revealed a significant miR-874-mediated downregulation of PMVK and SREBF2 gene expression and p53 pathway enrichment. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-874 directly regulated PMVK and SREBF2. miR-874-induced apoptosis was p53 dependent, and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that miR-874 transfection resulted in apoptosis and p53 pathway activation. Downregulation of PMVK expression also caused cell cycle arrest and p53 pathway activation, which was rescued by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) supplementation. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database indicated a negative correlation between miR-874 and PMVK expression and between miR-874 and SREBF2 expression. These findings suggest that miR-874 suppresses the mevalonate pathway by targeting SREBF2 and PMVK, resulting in GGPP depletion, which activates the p53 pathway and promotes cycle arrest or apoptosis.

A small molecule inhibitor of the UBE2F-CRL5 axis induces apoptosis and radiosensitization in lung cancer

Protein neddylation is catalyzed by a neddylation activating enzyme (NAE, E1), an E2 conjugating enzyme, and an E3 ligase. In various types of human cancers, the neddylation pathway is abnormally activated. Our previous study validated that the neddylation E2 UBE2F is a promising therapeutic target in lung cancer. Although the NAE inhibitor MLN4924/pevonedistat is currently under clinical investigation as an anti-cancer agent, there are no small molecules available that selectively target UBE2F. Here, we report, for the first time, the discovery, via structure-based virtual screen and chemical optimization, of such a small molecule, designated as HA-9104. HA-9104 binds to UBE2F, reduces its protein levels, and consequently inhibits cullin-5 neddylation. Blockage of cullin-5 neddylation inactivates cullin-RING ligase-5 (CRL5) activity, leading to accumulation of the CRL5 substrate, NOXA, to induce apoptosis. Moreover, HA-9104 appears to form the DNA adduct via its 7-azaindole group to induce DNA damage and G2/M arrest. Biologically, HA-9104 effectively suppresses the growth and survival of lung cancer cells and confers radiosensitization in both in vitro cell culture and in vivo xenograft tumor models. In summary, we discovered a small molecule, designated HA-9104, that targets the UBE2F-CRL5 axis with anti-cancer activity alone or in combination with radiation.

Liver group 2 innate lymphoid cells regulate blood glucose levels through IL-13 signaling and suppression of gluconeogenesis

The liver stores glycogen and releases glucose into the blood upon increased energy demand. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in adipose and pancreatic tissues are known for their involvement in glucose homeostasis, but the metabolic contribution of liver ILC2s has not been studied in detail. Here we show that liver ILC2s are directly involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Mechanistically, interleukin (IL)-33 treatment induces IL-13 production in liver ILC2s, while directly suppressing gluconeogenesis in a specific Hnf4a/G6pc-high primary hepatocyte cluster via Stat3. These hepatocytes significantly interact with liver ILC2s via IL-13/IL-13 receptor signaling. The results of transcriptional complex analysis and GATA3-ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and scRNA-seq trajectory analyses establish a positive regulatory role for the transcription factor GATA3 in IL-13 production by liver ILC2s, while AP-1 family members are shown to suppress IL-13 release. Thus, we identify a regulatory role and molecular mechanism by which liver ILC2s contribute to glucose homeostasis.

Besides hepatocytes, resident immune cells of the liver are also contributing to the body’s energy homeostasis. Here authors show that group 2 innate lymphoid cells interact with a specific set of hepatocytes in suppressing gluconeogenesis and regulate blood glucose levels via Interleukin-13 signalling.

The NF-κB Pharmacopeia: Novel Strategies to Subdue an Intractable Target

NF-κB transcription factors are major drivers of tumor initiation and progression. NF-κB signaling is constitutively activated by genetic alterations or environmental signals in many human cancers, where it contributes to almost all hallmarks of malignancy, including sustained proliferation, cell death resistance, tumor-promoting inflammation, metabolic reprogramming, tissue invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. As such, the NF-κB pathway is an attractive therapeutic target in a broad range of human cancers, as well as in numerous non-malignant diseases. Currently, however, there is no clinically useful NF-κB inhibitor to treat oncological patients, owing to the preclusive, on-target toxicities of systemic NF-κB blockade. In this review, we discuss the principal and most promising strategies being developed to circumvent the inherent limitations of conventional IκB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB-targeting drugs, focusing on new molecules that target upstream regulators or downstream effectors of oncogenic NF-κB signaling, as well as agents targeting individual NF-κB subunits.

A review on cullin neddylation and strategies to identify its inhibitors for cancer therapy

The cullin-RING E3 ligases (CRLs) are the biggest components of the E3 ubiquitin ligase protein family, and they represent an essential role in various diseases that occur because of abnormal activation, particularly in tumors development. Regulation of CRLs needs neddylation, a post-translational modification involving an enzymatic cascade that transfers small, ubiquitin-like NEDD8 protein to CRLs. Many previous studies have confirmed neddylation as an enticing target for anticancer drug discoveries, and few recent studies have also found a significant increase in advancement in protein neddylation, including preclinical and clinical target validation to discover the neddylation inhibitor compound. In the present review, we first presented briefly the essence of CRLs' neddylation and its control, systematic analysis of CRLs, followed by the description of a few recorded chemical inhibitors of CRLs neddylation enzymes with recent examples of preclinical and clinical targets. We have also listed various structure-based pointing of protein-protein dealings in the CRLs' neddylation reaction, and last, the methods available to discover new inhibitors of neddylation are elaborated. This review will offer a concentrated, up-to-date, and detailed description of the discovery of neddylation inhibitors.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia-Related Proteins Modified by Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Proteins

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common form of an acute leukemia, is a malignant disorder of stem cell precursors of the myeloid lineage. Ubiquitination is one of the post-translational modifications (PTMs), and the ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls; SUMO, NEDD8, and ISG15) play a critical role in various cellular processes, including autophagy, cell-cycle control, DNA repair, signal transduction, and transcription. Also, the importance of Ubls in AML is increasing, with the growing research defining the effect of Ubls in AML. Numerous studies have actively reported that AML-related mutated proteins are linked to Ub and Ubls. The current review discusses the roles of proteins associated with protein ubiquitination, modifications by Ubls in AML, and substrates that can be applied for therapeutic targets in AML.

Biosynthetic cell membrane vesicles to enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis driven by photo-triggered oxidative stress

Due to the tumor-specificity and limited side effects, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) shows great potential in cancer treatments. However, the short half-life of TRAIL protein and the poor...

Targeting NEDDylation as a Novel Approach to Improve the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer is diagnosed in nearly 900,000 new patients worldwide each year. Despite this alarming number, patient outcomes, particularly for those diagnosed with late-stage and human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative disease, have only marginally improved in the last three decades. New therapeutics that target novel pathways are desperately needed. NEDDylation is a key cellular process by which NEDD8 proteins are conjugated to substrate proteins in order to modulate their function. NEDDylation is closely tied to appropriate protein degradation, particularly proteins involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, and cellular stress response. Components of the NEDDylation pathway are frequently overexpressed or hyperactivated in many cancer types including head and neck cancer, which contribute to disease progression and drug resistance. Therefore, targeting NEDDylation could have a major impact for malignancies with alterations in the pathway, and this has already been demonstrated in preclinical studies and clinical trials. Here, we will survey the mechanisms by which aberrant NEDDylation contributes to disease pathogenesis and discuss the potential clinical implications of inhibiting NEDDylation as a novel approach for the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Elastic Net Models Based on DNA Copy Number Variations Predicts Clinical Features, Expression Signatures, and Mutations in Lung Adenocarcinoma

In the precision medicine of lung adenocarcinoma, the identification and prediction of tumor phenotypes for specific biomolecular events are still not studied in depth. Various earlier researches sheds light on the close correlation between genetic expression signatures and DNA copy number variations (CNVs), for which analysis of CNVs provides valuable information about molecular and phenotypic changes in tumorigenesis. In this study, we propose a comprehensive analysis combining genome-wide association analysis and an Elastic Net Regression predictive model, focus on predicting the levels of many gene expression signatures in lung adenocarcinoma, based upon DNA copy number features alone. Additionally, we predicted many other key phenotypes, including clinical features (pathological stage), gene mutations, and protein expressions. These Elastic Net prediction methods can also be applied to other gene sets, thereby facilitating their use as biomarkers in monitoring therapy.