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Velychko T, Mohammad E, Ferrer-Vicens I, Parfentev I, Werner M, Studniarek C, Schwalb B, Urlaub H, Murphy S, Cramer P, Lidschreiber M. CDK7 kinase activity promotes RNA polymerase II promoter escape by facilitating initiation factor release. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2287-2303.e10. [PMID: 38821049 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.05.007] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), part of the general transcription factor TFIIH, promotes gene transcription by phosphorylating the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II). Here, we combine rapid CDK7 kinase inhibition with multi-omics analysis to unravel the direct functions of CDK7 in human cells. CDK7 inhibition causes RNA Pol II retention at promoters, leading to decreased RNA Pol II initiation and immediate global downregulation of transcript synthesis. Elongation, termination, and recruitment of co-transcriptional factors are not directly affected. Although RNA Pol II, initiation factors, and Mediator accumulate at promoters, RNA Pol II complexes can also proceed into gene bodies without promoter-proximal pausing while retaining initiation factors and Mediator. Further downstream, RNA Pol II phosphorylation increases and initiation factors and Mediator are released, allowing recruitment of elongation factors and an increase in RNA Pol II elongation velocity. Collectively, CDK7 kinase activity promotes the release of initiation factors and Mediator from RNA Pol II, facilitating RNA Pol II escape from the promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taras Velychko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eusra Mohammad
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ivan Ferrer-Vicens
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Iwan Parfentev
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Werner
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cecilia Studniarek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Björn Schwalb
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Shona Murphy
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Michael Lidschreiber
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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2
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Chiang SK, Chang WC, Chen SE, Chang LC. CDK7/CDK9 mediates transcriptional activation to prime paraptosis in cancer cells. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:78. [PMID: 38858714 PMCID: PMC11163730 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01260-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paraptosis is a programmed cell death characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolation, which has been explored as an alternative method for cancer treatment and is associated with cancer resistance. However, the mechanisms underlying the progression of paraptosis in cancer cells remain largely unknown. METHODS Paraptosis-inducing agents, CPYPP, cyclosporin A, and curcumin, were utilized to investigate the underlying mechanism of paraptosis. Next-generation sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed significant changes in gene and protein expressions. Pharmacological and genetic approaches were employed to elucidate the transcriptional events related to paraptosis. Xenograft mouse models were employed to evaluate the potential of paraptosis as an anti-cancer strategy. RESULTS CPYPP, cyclosporin A, and curcumin induced cytoplasmic vacuolization and triggered paraptosis in cancer cells. The paraptotic program involved reactive oxygen species (ROS) provocation and the activation of proteostatic dynamics, leading to transcriptional activation associated with redox homeostasis and proteostasis. Both pharmacological and genetic approaches suggested that cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7/9 drive paraptotic progression in a mutually-dependent manner with heat shock proteins (HSPs). Proteostatic stress, such as accumulated cysteine-thiols, HSPs, ubiquitin-proteasome system, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and unfolded protein response, as well as ROS provocation primarily within the nucleus, enforced CDK7/CDK9-Rpb1 (RNAPII subunit B1) activation by potentiating its interaction with HSPs and protein kinase R in a forward loop, amplifying transcriptional regulation and thereby exacerbating proteotoxicity leading to initiate paraptosis. The xenograft mouse models of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and docetaxel-resistant OECM-1 head and neck cancer cells further confirmed the induction of paraptosis against tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS We propose a novel regulatory paradigm in which the activation of CDK7/CDK9-Rpb1 by nuclear proteostatic stress mediates transcriptional regulation to prime cancer cell paraptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Kai Chiang
- Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chao Chang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan
| | - Shuen-Ei Chen
- Department of Animal Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
- The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
- Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
- i-Center for Advanced Science and Technology (iCAST), National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
| | - Ling-Chu Chang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
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3
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Espinoza JA, Kanellis DC, Saproo S, Leal K, Martinez J, Bartek J, Lindström M. Chromatin damage generated by DNA intercalators leads to degradation of RNA Polymerase II. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4151-4166. [PMID: 38340348 PMCID: PMC11077059 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In cancer therapy, DNA intercalators are mainly known for their capacity to kill cells by inducing DNA damage. Recently, several DNA intercalators have attracted much interest given their ability to inhibit RNA Polymerase I transcription (BMH-21), evict histones (Aclarubicin) or induce chromatin trapping of FACT (Curaxin CBL0137). Interestingly, these DNA intercalators lack the capacity to induce DNA damage while still retaining cytotoxic effects and stabilize p53. Herein, we report that these DNA intercalators impact chromatin biology by interfering with the chromatin stability of RNA polymerases I, II and III. These three compounds have the capacity to induce degradation of RNA polymerase II and they simultaneously enable the trapping of Topoisomerases TOP2A and TOP2B on the chromatin. In addition, BMH-21 also acts as a catalytic inhibitor of Topoisomerase II, resembling Aclarubicin. Moreover, BMH-21 induces chromatin trapping of the histone chaperone FACT and propels accumulation of Z-DNA and histone eviction, similarly to Aclarubicin and CBL0137. These DNA intercalators have a cumulative impact on general transcription machinery by inducing accumulation of topological defects and impacting nuclear chromatin. Therefore, their cytotoxic capabilities may be the result of compounding deleterious effects on chromatin homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime A Espinoza
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dimitris C Kanellis
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sheetanshu Saproo
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karla Leal
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johana Fernandez Martinez
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikael S Lindström
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
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4
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Horvath RM, Brumme ZL, Sadowski I. Small molecule inhibitors of transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases impose HIV-1 latency, presenting "block and lock" treatment strategies. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0107223. [PMID: 38319085 PMCID: PMC10923280 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01072-23] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Current antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection does not represent a cure for infection as viral rebound inevitably occurs following discontinuation of treatment. The "block and lock" therapeutic strategy is intended to enforce proviral latency and durably suppress viremic reemergence in the absence of other intervention. The transcription-associated cyclin-dependent protein kinases (tCDKs) are required for expression from the 5´ HIV-1 long-terminal repeat, but the therapeutic potential of inhibiting these kinases for enforcing HIV-1 latency has not been characterized. Here, we expanded previous observations to directly compare the effect of highly selective small molecule inhibitors of CDK7 (YKL-5-124), CDK9 (LDC000067), and CDK8/19 (Senexin A), and found each of these prevented HIV-1 provirus expression at concentrations that did not cause cell toxicity. Inhibition of CDK7 caused cell cycle arrest, whereas CDK9 and CDK8/19 inhibitors did not, and could be continuously administered to establish proviral latency. Upon discontinuation of drug administration, HIV immediately rebounded in cells that had been treated with the CDK9 inhibitor, while proviral latency persisted for several days in cells that had been treated with CDK8/19 inhibitors. These results identify the mediator kinases CDK8/CDK19 as potential "block and lock" targets for therapeutic suppression of HIV-1 provirus expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley M. Horvath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zabrina L. Brumme
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ivan Sadowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Zheng M, Zhang XY, Chen W, Xia F, Yang H, Yuan K, Yang P. Molecules inducing specific cyclin-dependent kinase degradation and their possible use in cancer therapy. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:369-388. [PMID: 38288571 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0259] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, and many CDK inhibitors were developed. However, pan-CDK inhibitors failed to be approved due to intolerant toxicity or low efficacy and the use of selective CDK4/6 inhibitors is limited by resistance. Protein degraders have the potential to increase selectivity, efficacy and overcome resistance, which provides a novel strategy for regulating CDKs. In this review, we summarized the function of CDKs in regulating the cell cycle and transcription, and introduced the representative CDK inhibitors. Then we made a detailed introduction about four types of CDKs degraders, including their action mechanisms, research status and application prospects, which could help the development of novel CDKs degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Weijiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Fei Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Huanaoyu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
- Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
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6
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Soosainathan A, Iravani M, El-Botty R, Alexander J, Sourd L, Morisset L, Painsec P, Orha R, Nikitorowicz-Buniak J, Pancholi S, Haider S, Dowsett M, Marangoni E, Martin LA, Isacke CM. Targeting Transcriptional Regulation with a CDK9 Inhibitor Suppresses Growth of Endocrine- and Palbociclib-Resistant ER+ Breast Cancers. Cancer Res 2024; 84:17-25. [PMID: 37801608 PMCID: PMC10758688 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The combination of endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, yet many patients relapse with therapy-resistant disease. Determining the mechanisms underlying endocrine therapy resistance is limited by the lack of ability to fully recapitulate inter- and intratumor heterogeneity in vitro and of availability of tumor samples from women with disease progression or relapse. In this study, multiple cell line models of resistant disease were used for both two-dimensional (2D)- and three-dimensional (3D)-based inhibitor screening. The screens confirmed the previously reported role of pro-proliferative pathways, such as PI3K-AKT-mTOR, in endocrine therapy resistance and additionally identified the transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinase CDK9 as a common hit in ER+ cell lines and patient-derived organoids modeling endocrine therapy-resistant disease in both the palbociclib-sensitive and palbociclib-resistant settings. The CDK9 inhibitor, AZD4573, currently in clinical trials for hematologic malignancies, acted synergistically with palbociclib in these ER+in vitro 2D and 3D models. In addition, in two independent endocrine- and palbociclib-resistance patient-derived xenografts, treatment with AZD4573 in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant resulted in tumor regression. Tumor transcriptional profiling identified a set of transcriptional and cell-cycle regulators differentially downregulated only in combination-treated tumors. Together, these findings identify a clinically tractable combination strategy for overcoming resistance to endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer and provide insight into the potential mechanism of drug efficacy in targeting treatment-resistant disease. SIGNIFICANCE Targeting transcription-associated CDK9 synergizes with CDK4/6 inhibitor to drive tumor regression in multiple models of endocrine- and palbociclib-resistant ER+ breast cancer, which could address the challenge of overcoming resistance in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arany Soosainathan
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marjan Iravani
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rania El-Botty
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - John Alexander
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Sourd
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | | | - Pierre Painsec
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Rebecca Orha
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Nikitorowicz-Buniak
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sunil Pancholi
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Syed Haider
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mitch Dowsett
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lesley-Ann Martin
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare M. Isacke
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Potapova TA, Unruh JR, Conkright-Fincham J, Banks CAS, Florens L, Schneider DA, Gerton JL. Distinct states of nucleolar stress induced by anticancer drugs. eLife 2023; 12:RP88799. [PMID: 38099650 PMCID: PMC10723795 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88799] [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] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosome biogenesis is a vital and highly energy-consuming cellular function occurring primarily in the nucleolus. Cancer cells have an elevated demand for ribosomes to sustain continuous proliferation. This study evaluated the impact of existing anticancer drugs on the nucleolus by screening a library of anticancer compounds for drugs that induce nucleolar stress. For a readout, a novel parameter termed 'nucleolar normality score' was developed that measures the ratio of the fibrillar center and granular component proteins in the nucleolus and nucleoplasm. Multiple classes of drugs were found to induce nucleolar stress, including DNA intercalators, inhibitors of mTOR/PI3K, heat shock proteins, proteasome, and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Each class of drugs induced morphologically and molecularly distinct states of nucleolar stress accompanied by changes in nucleolar biophysical properties. In-depth characterization focused on the nucleolar stress induced by inhibition of transcriptional CDKs, particularly CDK9, the main CDK that regulates RNA Pol II. Multiple CDK substrates were identified in the nucleolus, including RNA Pol I- recruiting protein Treacle, which was phosphorylated by CDK9 in vitro. These results revealed a concerted regulation of RNA Pol I and Pol II by transcriptional CDKs. Our findings exposed many classes of chemotherapy compounds that are capable of inducing nucleolar stress, and we recommend considering this in anticancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jay R Unruh
- Stowers Institute for Medical ResearchKansas CityUnited States
| | | | | | | | - David Alan Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamUnited States
| | - Jennifer L Gerton
- Stowers Institute for Medical ResearchKansas CityUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityUnited States
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8
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Wang Z, Himanen SV, Haikala HM, Friedel CC, Vihervaara A, Barborič M. Inhibition of CDK12 elevates cancer cell dependence on P-TEFb by stimulation of RNA polymerase II pause release. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10970-10991. [PMID: 37811895 PMCID: PMC10639066 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
P-TEFb and CDK12 facilitate transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II. Given the prominence of both kinases in cancer, gaining a better understanding of their interplay could inform the design of novel anti-cancer strategies. While down-regulation of DNA repair genes in CDK12-targeted cancer cells is being explored therapeutically, little is known about mechanisms and significance of transcriptional induction upon inhibition of CDK12. We show that selective targeting of CDK12 in colon cancer-derived cells activates P-TEFb via its release from the inhibitory 7SK snRNP. In turn, P-TEFb stimulates Pol II pause release at thousands of genes, most of which become newly dependent on P-TEFb. Amongst the induced genes are those stimulated by hallmark pathways in cancer, including p53 and NF-κB. Consequently, CDK12-inhibited cancer cells exhibit hypersensitivity to inhibitors of P-TEFb. While blocking P-TEFb triggers their apoptosis in a p53-dependent manner, it impedes cell proliferation irrespective of p53 by preventing induction of genes downstream of the DNA damage-induced NF-κB signaling. In summary, stimulation of Pol II pause release at the signal-responsive genes underlies the functional dependence of CDK12-inhibited cancer cells on P-TEFb. Our study establishes the mechanistic underpinning for combinatorial targeting of CDK12 with either P-TEFb or the induced oncogenic pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Samu V Himanen
- Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Heidi M Haikala
- Translational Immunology Research Program (TRIMM), Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Caroline C Friedel
- Institute of Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Anniina Vihervaara
- Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matjaž Barborič
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
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9
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Wang Q, Xin X, Dai Q, Sun M, Chen J, Mostafavi E, Shen Y, Li X. Medulloblastoma targeted therapy: From signaling pathways heterogeneity and current treatment dilemma to the recent advances in development of therapeutic strategies. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108527. [PMID: 37703952 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a major pediatric malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum. MB tumors exhibit highly heterogeneous driven by diverse genetic alterations and could be divided into four major subgroups based on their different biological drivers and molecular features (Wnt, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), group 3, and group 4 MB). Even though the therapeutic strategies for each MB subtype integrate their pathogenesis and were developed to focus on their specific target sites, the unexpected drug non-selective cytotoxicity, low drug accumulation in the brain, and complexed MB tumor microenvironment still be huge obstacles to achieving satisfied MB therapeutic efficiency. This review discussed the current advances in modern MB therapeutic strategy development. Through the recent advances in knowledge of the origin, molecular pathogenesis of MB subtypes and their current therapeutic barriers, we particularly reviewed the current development in advanced MB therapeutic strategy committed to overcome MB treatment obstacles, focusing on novel signaling pathway targeted therapeutic agents and their combination discovery, advanced drug delivery systems design, and MB immunotherapy strategy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qihao Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Mengjuan Sun
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinhua Chen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ebrahim Mostafavi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Yan Shen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xueming Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
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10
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Liu X, Liu Y, Chai W, Yan M, Li H, Li J, Sun L, Cao Y, Liu Q, Sun Y, Pan H. CDK12 loss inhibits cell proliferation by regulating TBK1 in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Mol Cell Probes 2023; 71:101923. [PMID: 37517598 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2023.101923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and has a poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Traditional treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, still face some challenges because of high drug resistance and toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to discover a new kind of targeted drug with low toxicity and high efficiency. CDK12 is a cell cycle-dependent kinase whose main function is to activate RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and promote the transcriptional extension of RNA. However, the role and molecular mechanism of CDK12 in lung cancer are still unclear. In this study, the mutation and RNA-Seq data of CDK12 in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and analyzed with the custom scripts. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and cell colony formation assays. A subcutaneous tumor experiment in nude mice was used to examine the effects of CDK12 knockdown on the in vivo tumor growth of NSCLC cells. The cell cycle distribution and the apoptosis rate of lung cancer cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Regulation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) by CDK12 was evaluated by quantitative PCR, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. In this study we have analyzed the mutation and expression data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and found that CDK12 is highly expressed in lung cancer tissues. Clinical correlation analysis showed that high expression of CDK12 in NSCLC reduces patient survival, but its high expression is only related to early tumor progression and has no significant correlation with late tumor progression and metastasis. Furthermore, we present evidence that CDK12 depletion in lung cancer cell lines not only leads to the inhibition of cell growth and induces apoptosis but also inhibits tumor growth of NSCLC cells in vivo. CDK12 positively regulates the expression of the oncogene TBK1 in lung cancer cells. These results revealed that CDK12 affects the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through positive regulation of TBK1 expression, suggesting that CDK12 might be a potential molecular target for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yangdong Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tai'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, No.58 Dongyue Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271000, China
| | - Wenjun Chai
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mingxia Yan
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yue Cao
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, No.1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Yuexi Sun
- Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, No.389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China.
| | - Hongyu Pan
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No. 688, Hongqu Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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11
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Pluta AJ, Studniarek C, Murphy S, Norbury CJ. Cyclin-dependent kinases: Masters of the eukaryotic universe. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1816. [PMID: 37718413 PMCID: PMC10909489 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
A family of structurally related cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) drives many aspects of eukaryotic cell function. Much of the literature in this area has considered individual members of this family to act primarily either as regulators of the cell cycle, the context in which CDKs were first discovered, or as regulators of transcription. Until recently, CDK7 was the only clear example of a CDK that functions in both processes. However, new data points to several "cell-cycle" CDKs having important roles in transcription and some "transcriptional" CDKs having cell cycle-related targets. For example, novel functions in transcription have been demonstrated for the archetypal cell cycle regulator CDK1. The increasing evidence of the overlap between these two CDK types suggests that they might play a critical role in coordinating the two processes. Here we review the canonical functions of cell-cycle and transcriptional CDKs, and provide an update on how these kinases collaborate to perform important cellular functions. We also provide a brief overview of how dysregulation of CDKs contributes to carcinogenesis, and possible treatment avenues. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shona Murphy
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Chris J. Norbury
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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12
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Ford K, Munson BP, Fong SH, Panwala R, Chu WK, Rainaldi J, Plongthongkum N, Arunachalam V, Kostrowicki J, Meluzzi D, Kreisberg JF, Jensen-Pergakes K, VanArsdale T, Paul T, Tamayo P, Zhang K, Bienkowska J, Mali P, Ideker T. Multimodal perturbation analyses of cyclin-dependent kinases reveal a network of synthetic lethalities associated with cell-cycle regulation and transcriptional regulation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7678. [PMID: 37169829 PMCID: PMC10175263 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33329-2] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-cycle control is accomplished by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), motivating extensive research into CDK targeting small-molecule drugs as cancer therapeutics. Here we use combinatorial CRISPR/Cas9 perturbations to uncover an extensive network of functional interdependencies among CDKs and related factors, identifying 43 synthetic-lethal and 12 synergistic interactions. We dissect CDK perturbations using single-cell RNAseq, for which we develop a novel computational framework to precisely quantify cell-cycle effects and diverse cell states orchestrated by specific CDKs. While pairwise disruption of CDK4/6 is synthetic-lethal, only CDK6 is required for normal cell-cycle progression and transcriptional activation. Multiple CDKs (CDK1/7/9/12) are synthetic-lethal in combination with PRMT5, independent of cell-cycle control. In-depth analysis of mRNA expression and splicing patterns provides multiple lines of evidence that the CDK-PRMT5 dependency is due to aberrant transcriptional regulation resulting in premature termination. These inter-dependencies translate to drug-drug synergies, with therapeutic implications in cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Ford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Brenton P Munson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Samson H Fong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Rebecca Panwala
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Wai Keung Chu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Joseph Rainaldi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nongluk Plongthongkum
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | | | - Dario Meluzzi
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jason F Kreisberg
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Todd VanArsdale
- Pfizer Inc, 10555 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Thomas Paul
- Pfizer Inc, 10555 Science Center Drive, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Pablo Tamayo
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Trey Ideker
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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13
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van der Noord VE, van der Stel W, Louwerens G, Verhoeven D, Kuiken HJ, Lieftink C, Grandits M, Ecker GF, Beijersbergen RL, Bouwman P, Le Dévédec SE, van de Water B. Systematic screening identifies ABCG2 as critical factor underlying synergy of kinase inhibitors with transcriptional CDK inhibitors. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:51. [PMID: 37147730 PMCID: PMC10161439 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01648-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options and poor clinical prognosis. Inhibitors of transcriptional CDKs are currently under thorough investigation for application in the treatment of multiple cancer types, including breast cancer. These studies have raised interest in combining these inhibitors, including CDK12/13 inhibitor THZ531, with a variety of other anti-cancer agents. However, the full scope of these potential synergistic interactions of transcriptional CDK inhibitors with kinase inhibitors has not been systematically investigated. Moreover, the mechanisms behind these previously described synergistic interactions remain largely elusive. METHODS Kinase inhibitor combination screenings were performed to identify kinase inhibitors that synergize with CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 and CDK12/13 inhibitor THZ531 in TNBC cell lines. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening and transcriptomic evaluation of resistant versus sensitive cell lines were performed to identify genes critical for THZ531 resistance. RNA sequencing analysis after treatment with individual and combined synergistic treatments was performed to gain further insights into the mechanism of this synergy. Kinase inhibitor screening in combination with visualization of ABCG2-substrate pheophorbide A was used to identify kinase inhibitors that inhibit ABCG2. Multiple transcriptional CDK inhibitors were evaluated to extend the significance of the found mechanism to other transcriptional CDK inhibitors. RESULTS We show that a very high number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors synergize with the CDK12/13 inhibitor THZ531. Yet, we identified the multidrug transporter ABCG2 as key determinant of THZ531 resistance in TNBC cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that most synergistic kinase inhibitors block ABCG2 function, thereby sensitizing cells to transcriptional CDK inhibitors, including THZ531. Accordingly, these kinase inhibitors potentiate the effects of THZ531, disrupting gene expression and increasing intronic polyadenylation. CONCLUSION Overall, this study demonstrates the critical role of ABCG2 in limiting the efficacy of transcriptional CDK inhibitors and identifies multiple kinase inhibitors that disrupt ABCG2 transporter function and thereby synergize with these CDK inhibitors. These findings therefore further facilitate the development of new (combination) therapies targeting transcriptional CDKs and highlight the importance of evaluating the role of ABC transporters in synergistic drug-drug interactions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera E van der Noord
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wanda van der Stel
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs Louwerens
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle Verhoeven
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik J Kuiken
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The NKI Robotics and Screening Center, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cor Lieftink
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The NKI Robotics and Screening Center, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Melanie Grandits
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roderick L Beijersbergen
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The NKI Robotics and Screening Center, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Bouwman
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia E Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bob van de Water
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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14
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Zhang G, Lan B, Zhang X, Lin M, Liu Y, Chen J, Guo F. AR-A014418 regulates intronic polyadenylation and transcription of PD-L1 through inhibiting CDK12 and CDK13 in tumor cells. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006483. [PMID: 37164450 PMCID: PMC10174041 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint molecules, especially programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), protect tumor cells from T cell-mediated killing. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, designed to restore the antitumor immunosurveillance, have exhibited significant clinical benefits for patients with certain cancer types. Nevertheless, the relatively low response rate and acquisition of resistance greatly limit their clinical applications. A deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 protein expression and activity will help to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. METHODS The effects of AR-A014418 and THZ531 on PD-L1 expression were detected by western blot, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and flow cytometry. In vitro kinase assays with recombinant proteins were performed to confirm that AR-A014418 functioned as a CDK12 and CDK13 dual inhibitor. The roles of CDK12 and CDK13 in intronic polyadenylation (IPA) and transcription of PD-L1 were determined via RNA interference or protein overexpression. T-cell cytotoxicity assays were used to validate the activation of antitumor immunity by AR-A014418 and THZ531. RESULTS AR-A014418 inhibits CDK12 to enhance the IPA, and inhibits CDK13 to repress the transcription of PD-L1. IPA generates a secreted PD-L1 isoform (PD-L1-v4). The extent of IPA was not enough to reduce full-length PD-L1 expression obviously. Only the superposition of enhancing IPA and repressing transcription (dual inhibition of CDK12 and CDK13) dramatically suppresses full-length PD-L1 induction by interferon-γ. AR-A014418 and THZ531 could potentiate T-cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS Our work identifies a new regulatory pathway for PD-L1 expression and discovers CDK12 and CDK13 as promising drug targets for immune modulation and combined therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganggang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Lan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junsong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Fisher RP. Tumor suppression by RNA surveillance. Science 2023; 380:240-241. [PMID: 37079669 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh4051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
A cyclin-dependent kinase triggers degradation of prematurely terminated RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Welsh SA, Gardini A. Genomic regulation of transcription and RNA processing by the multitasking Integrator complex. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:204-220. [PMID: 36180603 PMCID: PMC9974566 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00534-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In higher eukaryotes, fine-tuned activation of protein-coding genes and many non-coding RNAs pivots around the regulated activity of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). The Integrator complex is the only Pol II-associated large multiprotein complex that is metazoan specific, and has therefore been understudied for years. Integrator comprises at least 14 subunits, which are grouped into distinct functional modules. The phosphodiesterase activity of the core catalytic module is co-transcriptionally directed against several RNA species, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), U small nuclear RNAs (U snRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), enhancer RNAs and nascent pre-mRNAs. Processing of non-coding RNAs by Integrator is essential for their biogenesis, and at protein-coding genes, Integrator is a key modulator of Pol II promoter-proximal pausing and transcript elongation. Recent studies have identified an Integrator-specific serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) module, which targets Pol II and other components of the basal transcription machinery. In this Review, we discuss how the activity of Integrator regulates transcription, RNA processing, chromatin landscape and DNA repair. We also discuss the diverse roles of Integrator in development and tumorigenesis.
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17
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Blazek D. Therapeutic potential of CDK11 in cancer. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1201. [PMID: 36855776 PMCID: PMC9975460 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) direct the progression of the cell cycle and transcription. They are deregulated in tumours, and despite their involvement in the regulation of basic cellular processes, many CDKs are promising targets for cancer therapy. CDK11 is an essential gene for the growth of many malignancies; however, its primary cellular function has been obscure, and the mode-of-action of OTS964, the first CDK11 inhibitor and antiproliferative compound, has been unknown. A recent study has shown that OTS964 prevents spliceosome activation, revealing a key role of CDK11 in the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing. In light of these findings, we discuss the therapeutic potential of CDK11 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Blazek
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC)Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
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18
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Wang Z, Mačáková M, Bugai A, Kuznetsov SG, Hassinen A, Lenasi T, Potdar S, Friedel CC, Barborič M. P-TEFb promotes cell survival upon p53 activation by suppressing intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1687-1706. [PMID: 36727434 PMCID: PMC9976905 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) is the crucial player in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pause release that has emerged as a promising target in cancer. Because single-agent therapy may fail to deliver durable clinical response, targeting of P-TEFb shall benefit when deployed as a combination therapy. We screened a comprehensive oncology library and identified clinically relevant antimetabolites and Mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) inhibitors as top compounds eliciting p53-dependent death of colorectal cancer cells in synergy with selective inhibitors of P-TEFb. While the targeting of P-TEFb augments apoptosis by anti-metabolite 5-fluorouracil, it switches the fate of cancer cells by the non-genotoxic MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3a from cell-cycle arrest to apoptosis. Mechanistically, the fate switching is enabled by the induction of p53-dependent pro-apoptotic genes and repression of P-TEFb-dependent pro-survival genes of the PI3K-AKT signaling cascade, which stimulates caspase 9 and intrinsic apoptosis pathway in BAX/BAK-dependent manner. Finally, combination treatments trigger apoptosis of cancer cell spheroids. Together, co-targeting of P-TEFb and suppressors of intrinsic apoptosis could become a viable strategy to eliminate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Monika Mačáková
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Andrii Bugai
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Sergey G Kuznetsov
- High-Throughput Biomedicine Unit (HTB), Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Antti Hassinen
- High Content Imaging and Analysis Unit (HCA), Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Tina Lenasi
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Swapnil Potdar
- High-Throughput Biomedicine Unit (HTB), Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Caroline C Friedel
- Institute for Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - Matjaž Barborič
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
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19
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Hope I, Endicott JA, Watt JE. Emerging approaches to CDK inhibitor development, a structural perspective. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:146-164. [PMID: 36794018 PMCID: PMC9906319 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00201a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase family is frequently noted in a number of diseases identifying them as potential targets for drug development. However, current CDK inhibitors lack specificity owing to the high sequence and structural conservation of the ATP binding cleft across family members, highlighting the necessity of finding novel modes of CDK inhibition. The wealth of structural information regarding CDK assemblies and inhibitor complexes derived from X-ray crystallographic studies has been recently complemented through the use of cryo-electron microscopy. These recent advances have provided insights into the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of CDKs and their interaction partners. This review explores the conformational malleability of the CDK subunit, the importance of SLiM recognition sites in CDK complexes, the progress made in chemically induced CDK degradation and how these studies can contribute to CDK inhibitor design. Additionally, fragment-based drug discovery can be utilised to identify small molecules that bind to allosteric sites on the CDK surface employing interactions which mimic those of native protein-protein interactions. These recent structural advances in CDK inhibitor mechanisms and in chemical probes which do not occupy the orthosteric ATP binding site can provide important insights for targeted CDK therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Hope
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Jane A Endicott
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
| | - Jessica E Watt
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Framlington Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH UK
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20
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Rambout X, Cho H, Blanc R, Lyu Q, Miano JM, Chakkalakal JV, Nelson GM, Yalamanchili HK, Adelman K, Maquat LE. PGC-1α senses the CBC of pre-mRNA to dictate the fate of promoter-proximally paused RNAPII. Mol Cell 2023; 83:186-202.e11. [PMID: 36669479 PMCID: PMC9951270 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PGC-1α is well established as a metazoan transcriptional coactivator of cellular adaptation in response to stress. However, the mechanisms by which PGC-1α activates gene transcription are incompletely understood. Here, we report that PGC-1α serves as a scaffold protein that physically and functionally connects the DNA-binding protein estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα), cap-binding protein 80 (CBP80), and Mediator to overcome promoter-proximal pausing of RNAPII and transcriptionally activate stress-response genes. We show that PGC-1α promotes pausing release in a two-arm mechanism (1) by recruiting the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) and (2) by outcompeting the premature transcription termination complex Integrator. Using mice homozygous for five amino acid changes in the CBP80-binding motif (CBM) of PGC-1α that destroy CBM function, we show that efficient differentiation of primary myoblasts to myofibers and timely skeletal muscle regeneration after injury require PGC-1α binding to CBP80. Our findings reveal how PGC-1α activates stress-response gene transcription in a previously unanticipated pre-mRNA quality-control pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Rambout
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | - Hana Cho
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Roméo Blanc
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Qing Lyu
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Joseph M Miano
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Joe V Chakkalakal
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Geoffrey M Nelson
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hari K Yalamanchili
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Karen Adelman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lynne E Maquat
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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21
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Zhang Q, Yang P, Pang X, Guo W, Sun Y, Wei Y, Pang C. Preliminary exploration of the co-regulation of Alzheimer's disease pathogenic genes by microRNAs and transcription factors. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1069606. [PMID: 36561136 PMCID: PMC9764863 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1069606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of age-related neurodegenerative disease. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of pathological types and clinical heterogeneity of AD, there is a lack of satisfactory treatment for AD. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs and transcription factors can modulate genes associated with AD, but the underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. Methods The datasets GSE1297 and GSE5281 were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed to obtain the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through the "R" language "limma" package. The GSE1297 dataset was analyzed by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and the key gene modules were selected. Next, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for the key gene modules were performed. Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the hub genes were identified using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Finally, for the GSE150693 dataset, the "R" package "survivation" was used to integrate the data of survival time, AD transformation status and 35 characteristics, and the key microRNAs (miRNAs) were selected by Cox method. We also performed regression analysis using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso)-Cox to construct and validate prognostic features associated with the four key genes using different databases. We also tried to find drugs targeting key genes through DrugBank database. Results GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways regulating chemical synaptic transmission, glutamatergic synapses and Huntington's disease. In addition, 10 hub genes were selected from the PPI network by using the algorithm Between Centrality. Then, four core genes (TBP, CDK7, GRM5, and GRIA1) were selected by correlation with clinical information, and the established model had very good prognosis in different databases. Finally, hsa-miR-425-5p and hsa-miR-186-5p were determined by COX regression, AD transformation status and aberrant miRNAs. Conclusion In conclusion, we tried to construct a network in which miRNAs and transcription factors jointly regulate pathogenic genes, and described the process that abnormal miRNAs and abnormal transcription factors TBP and CDK7 jointly regulate the transcription of AD central genes GRM5 and GRIA1. The insights gained from this study offer the potential AD biomarkers, which may be of assistance to the diagnose and therapy of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Yang
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinping Pang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenbo Guo
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Sun
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanyu Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Vacuum Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Yanyu Wei,
| | - Chaoyang Pang
- School of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Yanyu Wei,
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22
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Bennison SA, Liu X, Toyo-Oka K. Nuak kinase signaling in development and disease of the central nervous system. Cell Signal 2022; 100:110472. [PMID: 36122883 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases represent important signaling hubs for a variety of biological functions. Many kinases are traditionally studied for their roles in cancer cell biology, but recent advances in neuroscience research show repurposed kinase function to be important for nervous system development and function. Two members of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) related family, NUAK1 and NUAK2, have drawn attention in neuroscience due to their mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, Nuak kinases have also been implicated in tauopathy and other disorders of aging. This review highlights what is known about the Nuak kinases in nervous system development and disease and explores the possibility of Nuak kinases as targets for therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Bennison
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Kazuhito Toyo-Oka
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
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23
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Li ZM, Liu G, Gao Y, Zhao MG. Targeting CDK7 in oncology: The avenue forward. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108229. [PMID: 35700828 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7 is best characterized for the ability to regulate biological processes, including the cell cycle and gene transcription. Abnormal CDK7 activity is observed in various tumours and represents a driving force for tumourigenesis. Therefore, CDK7 may be an appealing target for cancer treatment. Whereas, the enthusiasm for CDK7-targeted therapeutic strategy is mitigated due to the widely possessed belief that this protein is essential for normal cells. Indeed, the fact confronts the consensus. This is the first review to introduce the role of CDK7 in pan-cancers via a combined analysis of comprehensive gene information and (pre)clinical research results. We also discuss the recent advances in protein structure and summarize the understanding of mechanisms underlying CDK7 function. These endeavours highlight the pivotal roles of CDK7 in tumours and may contribute to the development of effective CDK7 inhibitors within the strategy of structure-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Mei Li
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Guan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Ya Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education of China, Key Laboratory of Henan Province for Drug Quality and Evaluation, Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, PR China.
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shaanxi, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, PR China.
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24
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Design, synthesis and anticancer evaluation of selective 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine CDK9 inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114875. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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25
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Zebley CC, Youngblood B. Improving antitumor T cells. Science 2022; 378:598. [PMID: 36356156 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf0546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Disrupting cell cycle regulators can overcome anticancer T cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin C Zebley
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ben Youngblood
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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26
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Clopper KC, Taatjes DJ. Chemical inhibitors of transcription-associated kinases. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102186. [PMID: 35926294 PMCID: PMC10676000 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II (pol II) is regulated by kinases. In recent years, many selective and potent inhibitors of pol II transcription-associated kinases have been developed, and these molecules have advanced understanding of kinase function in mammalian cells. Here, we focus on chemical inhibitors of the transcription-associated kinases CDK7, CDK8, CDK9, CDK12, CDK13, and CDK19. We provide a brief overview of the function of these kinases and common activation mechanisms. We then highlight the advantages of kinase inhibitors compared with other basic research methods, and describe the caveats associated with non-selective compounds (e.g. flavopiridol). We conclude with strategies and recommendations for implementation of chemical inhibitors for experimental analysis of transcription-associated kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Clopper
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Dylan J Taatjes
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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27
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Zhang GM, Huang SS, Ye LX, Liu XL, Shi WH, Ren ZL, Zhou RH, Zhang JJ, Pan JX, Liu SW, Yu L, Li YL. Reciprocal positive regulation between BRD4 and YAP in GNAQ-mutant uveal melanoma cells confers sensitivity to BET inhibitors. Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106464. [PMID: 36162600 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular cancer in adults. UMs are usually initiated by a mutation in GNAQ or GNA11 (encoding Gq or G11, respectively), unlike cutaneous melanomas (CMs), which usually carry a BRAF or NRAS mutation. Currently, there are no clinically effective targeted therapies for UM carrying Gq/11 mutations. Here, we identified a causal link between Gq activating mutations and hypersensitivity to bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors. BET inhibitors transcriptionally repress YAP via BRD4 regardless of Gq mutation status, independently of Hippo core components LATS1/2. In contrast, YAP/TAZ downregulation reduces BRD4 transcription exclusively in Gq-mutant cells and LATS1/2 double knockout cells, both of which are featured by constitutively active YAP/TAZ. The transcriptional interdependency between BRD4 and YAP identified in Gq-mutated cells is responsible for the preferential inhibitory effect of BET inhibitors on the growth and dissemination of Gq-mutated UM cells compared to BRAF-mutated CM cells in both culture cells and animal models. Our findings suggest BRD4 as a viable therapeutic target for Gq-driven UMs that are addicted to unrestrained YAP function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Ming Zhang
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Si-Si Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lin-Xuan Ye
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Lian Liu
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wen-Hui Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhong-Lu Ren
- College of Medical Information Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Run-Hua Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Jie Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing-Xuan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Shu-Wen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Le Yu
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Yi-Lei Li
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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28
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Wan L, Li W, Meng Y, Hou Y, Chen M, Xu B. Inflammatory Immune-Associated eRNA: Mechanisms, Functions and Therapeutic Prospects. Front Immunol 2022; 13:849451. [PMID: 35514959 PMCID: PMC9063412 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.849451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of multiple high-throughput sequencing technologies has made it possible to explore the critical roles and mechanisms of functional enhancers and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). The inflammatory immune response, as a fundamental pathological process in infectious diseases, cancers and immune disorders, coordinates the balance between the internal and external environment of the organism. It has been shown that both active enhancers and intranuclear eRNAs are preferentially expressed over inflammation-related genes in response to inflammatory stimuli, suggesting that enhancer transcription events and their products influence the expression and function of inflammatory genes. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and discuss the relevant inflammatory roles and regulatory mechanisms of eRNAs in inflammatory immune cells, non-inflammatory immune cells, inflammatory immune diseases and tumors, and explore the potential therapeutic effects of enhancer inhibitors affecting eRNA production for diseases with inflammatory immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilin Wan
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Meng
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Lishui District People’s Hospital, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Hou
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Biomedical Informatics and Genomics Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Lishui District People’s Hospital, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Urology, Nanjing Lishui District People’s Hospital, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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29
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Düster R, Ji Y, Pan KT, Urlaub H, Geyer M. Functional characterization of the human Cdk10/Cyclin Q complex. Open Biol 2022; 12:210381. [PMID: 35291876 PMCID: PMC8924752 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key players in cell cycle regulation and transcription. The CDK-family member Cdk10 is important for neural development and can act as a tumour suppressor, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we provide an in-depth analysis of Cdk10 substrate specificity and function. Using recombinant Cdk10/CycQ protein complexes, we characterize RNA pol II CTD, c-MYC and RB1 as in vitro protein substrates. Using an analogue-sensitive mutant kinase, we identify 89 different Cdk10 phosphosites in HEK cells originating from 66 different proteins. Among these, proteins involved in cell cycle, translation, stress response, growth signalling, as well as rRNA, and mRNA transcriptional regulation, are found. Of a set of pan-selective CDK- and Cdk9-specific inhibitors tested, all inhibited Cdk10/CycQ at least five times weaker than their proposed target kinases. We also identify Cdk10 as an in vitro substrate of Cdk1 and Cdk5 at multiple sites, allowing for a potential cross-talk between these CDKs. With this functional characterization, Cdk10 adopts a hybrid position in both cell cycle and transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Düster
- Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Yanlong Ji
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany,Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kuan-Ting Pan
- Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany,Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bioanalytics Group, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Geyer
- Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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30
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Gao Y, Volegova M, Nasholm N, Das S, Kwiatkowski N, Abraham BJ, Zhang T, Gray NS, Gustafson C, Krajewska M, George RE. Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Combining Selective CDK7 and BRD4 Inhibition in Neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2022; 11:773186. [PMID: 35198433 PMCID: PMC8859926 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.773186] [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: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that have critical roles in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene transcription are emerging as therapeutic targets in cancer. We have previously shown that THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of CDKs 7/12/13, leads to cytotoxicity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma through the downregulation of super-enhancer-associated transcriptional upregulation. Here we determined the effects of YKL-5-124, a novel covalent inhibitor with greater selectivity for CDK7 in neuroblastoma cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We tested YKL-5-124 in MYCN-amplified and nonamplified neuroblastoma cells individually and in combination with other inhibitors in cell line and animal models. Cell viability, target validation, effects on cell cycle and transcription were analyzed. RESULTS CDK7 inhibition with YKL-5-124 did not lead to significant cell death, but resulted in aberrant cell cycle progression especially in MYCN-amplified cells. Unlike THZ1, YKL-5-124 had minimal effects on Pol II C-terminal domain phosphorylation, but significantly inhibited that of the CDK1 and CDK2 cell cycle kinases. Combining YKL-5-124 with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity. A distinct MYCN-gene expression signature associated with resistance to BRD4 inhibition was suppressed with the combination. The synergy between YKL-5-124 and JQ1 translated into significant tumor regression in cell line and patient-derived xenograft mouse models of neuroblastoma. CONCLUSIONS The combination of CDK7 and BRD4 inhibition provides a therapeutic option for neuroblastoma and suggests that the addition of YKL-5-124 could improve the therapeutic efficacy of JQ1 and delay resistance to BRD4 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marina Volegova
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nicole Nasholm
- Department of Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Sanjukta Das
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nicholas Kwiatkowski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brian J Abraham
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Clay Gustafson
- Department of Pediatrics, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Malgorzata Krajewska
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rani E George
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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31
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Lin L, Shi K, Zhou S, Cai MC, Zhang C, Sun Y, Zang J, Cheng L, Ye K, Ma P, Shen P, Zhang M, Cheng Y, Qi C, Li Y, Yin X, Zheng Y, Tan L, Zhuang G, Zang R. SOX17 and PAX8 constitute an actionable lineage-survival transcriptional complex in ovarian cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:1767-1779. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02210-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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32
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Ettl T, Schulz D, Bauer RJ. The Renaissance of Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:293. [PMID: 35053461 PMCID: PMC8773807 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) regulate cell cycle progression. During tumor development, altered expression and availability of CDKs strongly contribute to impaired cell proliferation, a hallmark of cancer. In recent years, targeted inhibition of CDKs has shown considerable therapeutic benefit in a variety of tumor entities. Their success is reflected in clinical approvals of specific CDK4/6 inhibitors for breast cancer. This review provides a detailed insight into the molecular mechanisms of CDKs as well as a general overview of CDK inhibition. It also summarizes the latest research approaches and current advances in the treatment of head and neck cancer with CDK inhibitors. Instead of monotherapies, combination therapies with CDK inhibitors may especially provide promising results in tumor therapy. Indeed, recent studies have shown a synergistic effect of CDK inhibition together with chemo- and radio- and immunotherapy in cancer treatment to overcome tumor evasion, which may lead to a renaissance of CDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Ettl
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Daniela Schulz
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richard Josef Bauer
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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33
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Vervoort SJ, Devlin JR, Kwiatkowski N, Teng M, Gray NS, Johnstone RW. Targeting transcription cycles in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:5-24. [PMID: 34675395 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00411-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate control of gene expression is essential for normal development and dysregulation of transcription underpins cancer onset and progression. Similar to cell cycle regulation, RNA polymerase II-driven transcription can be considered as a unidirectional multistep cycle, with thousands of unique transcription cycles occurring in concert within each cell. Each transcription cycle comprises recruitment, initiation, pausing, elongation, termination and recycling stages that are tightly controlled by the coordinated action of transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and their cognate cyclins as well as the opposing activity of transcriptional phosphatases. Oncogenic dysregulation of transcription can entail defective control of gene expression, either at select loci or more globally, impacting a large proportion of the genome. The resultant dependency on the core-transcriptional machinery is believed to render 'transcriptionally addicted' cancers sensitive to perturbation of transcription. Based on these findings, small molecules targeting transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases and associated proteins hold promise for the treatment of cancer. Here, we utilize the transcription cycles concept to explain how dysregulation of these finely tuned gene expression processes may drive tumorigenesis and how therapeutically beneficial responses may arise from global or selective transcriptional perturbation. This conceptual framework helps to explain tumour-selective transcriptional dependencies and facilitates the rational design of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephin J Vervoort
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer R Devlin
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingxing Teng
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, CHEM-H and SCI, Stanford Medical School, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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34
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Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras are a new modality of chemical tools and potential therapeutics involving the induction of protein degradation. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) protein, which is involved in cycles and transcription cycles, participates in regulation of the cell cycle, transcription and splicing. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras targeting CDKs show several advantages over traditional CDK small-molecule inhibitors in potency, selectivity and drug resistance. In addition, the discovery of molecule glues promotes the development of CDK degraders. Herein, the authors describe the existing CDK degraders and focus on the discussion of the structural characteristics and design of these degraders.
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35
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Naro C, Bielli P, Sette C. Oncogenic dysregulation of pre-mRNA processing by protein kinases: challenges and therapeutic opportunities. FEBS J 2021; 288:6250-6272. [PMID: 34092037 PMCID: PMC8596628 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing and polyadenylation represent two major steps in pre-mRNA-processing, which ensure proper gene expression and diversification of human transcriptomes. Deregulation of these processes contributes to oncogenic programmes involved in the onset, progression and evolution of human cancers, which often result in the acquisition of resistance to existing therapies. On the other hand, cancer cells frequently increase their transcriptional rate and develop a transcriptional addiction, which imposes a high stress on the pre-mRNA-processing machinery and establishes a therapeutically exploitable vulnerability. A prominent role in fine-tuning pre-mRNA-processing mechanisms is played by three main families of protein kinases: serine arginine protein kinase (SRPK), CDC-like kinase (CLK) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). These kinases phosphorylate the RNA polymerase, splicing factors and regulatory proteins involved in cleavage and polyadenylation of the nascent transcripts. The activity of SRPKs, CLKs and CDKs can be altered in cancer cells, and their inhibition was shown to exert anticancer effects. In this review, we describe key findings that have been reported on these topics and discuss challenges and opportunities of developing therapeutic approaches targeting splicing factor kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Naro
- Department of NeuroscienceSection of Human AnatomyCatholic University of the Sacred HeartRomeItaly
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. GemelliIRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Pamela Bielli
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor VergataItaly
- Fondazione Santa LuciaIRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of NeuroscienceSection of Human AnatomyCatholic University of the Sacred HeartRomeItaly
- Fondazione Santa LuciaIRCCSRomeItaly
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36
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Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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37
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Schneider G, Wirth M, Keller U, Saur D. Rationale for MYC imaging and targeting in pancreatic cancer. EJNMMI Res 2021; 11:104. [PMID: 34637026 PMCID: PMC8511206 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-021-00843-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and lethality of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) will continue to increase in the next decade. For most patients, chemotherapeutic combination therapies remain the standard of care. The development and successful implementation of precision oncology in other gastrointestinal tumor entities point to opportunities also for PDAC. Therefore, markers linked to specific therapeutic responses and important subgroups of the disease are needed. The MYC oncogene is a relevant driver in PDAC and is linked to drug resistance and sensitivity. Here, we update recent insights into MYC biology in PDAC, summarize the connections between MYC and drug responses, and point to an opportunity to image MYC non-invasively. In sum, we propose MYC-associated biology as a basis for the development of concepts for precision oncology in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter Schneider
- Medical Clinic and Policlinic II, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, TU Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Wirth
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Keller
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Insititute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, MRI, TU Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
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38
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Hu Q, Poulose N, Girmay S, Helevä A, Doultsinos D, Gondane A, Steele RE, Liu X, Loda M, Liu S, Tang D, Mills IG, Itkonen HM. Inhibition of CDK9 activity compromises global splicing in prostate cancer cells. RNA Biol 2021; 18:722-729. [PMID: 34592899 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1983287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) phosphorylates RNA polymerase II to promote productive transcription elongation. Here we show that short-term CDK9 inhibition affects the splicing of thousands of mRNAs. CDK9 inhibition impairs global splicing and there is no evidence for a coordinated response between the alternative splicing and the overall transcriptome. Alternative splicing is a feature of aggressive prostate cancer (CRPC) and enables the generation of the anti-androgen resistant version of the ligand-independent androgen receptor, AR-v7. We show that CDK9 inhibition results in the loss of AR and AR-v7 expression due to the defects in splicing, which sensitizes CRPC cells to androgen deprivation. Finally, we demonstrate that CDK9 expression increases as PC cells develop CRPC-phenotype both in vitro and also in patient samples. To conclude, here we show that CDK9 inhibition compromises splicing in PC cells, which can be capitalized on by targeting the PC-specific addiction androgen receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Ninu Poulose
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Samuel Girmay
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alma Helevä
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dimitrios Doultsinos
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Aishwarya Gondane
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rebecca E Steele
- PCUK/Movember Centre of Excellence for Prostate Cancer Research, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.,Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, the Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Xiaozhuo Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Massimo Loda
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.,The Broad Institute of Harvard and Mit, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,The New York Genome Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Dean Tang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Ian G Mills
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.,PCUK/Movember Centre of Excellence for Prostate Cancer Research, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Harri M Itkonen
- Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Cyclin-dependent kinases-based synthetic lethality: Evidence, concept, and strategy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:2738-2748. [PMID: 34589394 PMCID: PMC8463275 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is a proven effective antitumor strategy that has attracted great attention. Large-scale screening has revealed many synthetic lethal genetic phenotypes, and relevant small-molecule drugs have also been implemented in clinical practice. Increasing evidence suggests that CDKs, constituting a kinase family predominantly involved in cell cycle control, are synthetic lethal factors when combined with certain oncogenes, such as MYC, TP53, and RAS, which facilitate numerous antitumor treatment options based on CDK-related synthetic lethality. In this review, we focus on the synthetic lethal phenotype and mechanism related to CDKs and summarize the preclinical and clinical discoveries of CDK inhibitors to explore the prospect of CDK inhibitors as antitumor compounds for strategic synthesis lethality in the future.
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40
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Kim W, LeBlanc B, Matthews WL, Zhang ZY, Zhang Y. Advancements in chemical biology targeting the kinases and phosphatases of RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 63:68-77. [PMID: 33714893 PMCID: PMC8384638 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) coordinates the temporal progression of eukaryotic transcription. The development and application of chemical genetic methods have enhanced our ability to investigate the intricate and intertwined pathways regulated by the kinases and phosphatases targeting RNAP II to ensure transcription accuracy and efficiency. Although identifying small molecules that modulate these enzymes has been challenging due to their highly conserved structures, powerful new chemical biology strategies such as targeted covalent inhibitors and small molecule degraders have significantly improved chemical probe specificity. The recent success in discovering phosphatase holoenzyme activators and inhibitors, which demonstrates the feasibility of selective targeting of individual phosphatase complexes, opens up new avenues into the study of transcription. Herein, we summarize how chemical biology is used to delineate kinases' identities involved in RNAP II regulation and new concepts in inhibitor/activator design implemented for kinases/phosphatases involved in modulating RNAP II-mediated transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wantae Kim
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Blase LeBlanc
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Wendy L Matthews
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Chemistry, and Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA; The Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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41
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Ansari AZ. Blocking the Enablers: Selective Inhibition of CDK9 Reins in an Unchecked Master Regulator. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:113-115. [PMID: 33607002 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In their quest to disable androgen receptor variants that drive castration-resistant prostate cancer, Richters et al. (2020) have hit upon a selective inhibitor of a transcriptional kinase that enables full-length mRNA synthesis. Drugging this essential kinase curbs tumor growth, thus making it an attractive focal target for transcription therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aseem Z Ansari
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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42
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Higashijima Y, Kanki Y. Potential roles of super enhancers in inflammatory gene transcription. FEBS J 2021; 289:5762-5775. [PMID: 34173323 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acute and chronic inflammation is a basic pathological event that contributes to atherosclerosis, cancer, infectious diseases, and immune disorders. Inflammation is an adaptive process to both external and internal stimuli experienced by the human body. Although the mechanism of gene transcription is highly complicated and orchestrated in a timely and spatial manner, recent developments in next-generation sequencing, genome-editing, cryo-electron microscopy, and single cell-based technologies could provide us with insights into the roles of super enhancers (SEs). Initially, SEs were implicated in determining cell fate; subsequent studies have clarified that SEs are associated with various pathological conditions, including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Recent technological advances have unveiled the molecular mechanisms of SEs, which involve epigenetic histone modifications, chromatin three-dimensional structures, and phase-separated condensates. In this review, we discuss the relationship between inflammation and SEs and the therapeutic potential of SEs for inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Higashijima
- Department of Proteomics, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yasuharu Kanki
- Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Laboratory/Sports Medicine, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
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43
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Pinto D, Pagé V, Fisher RP, Tanny JC. New connections between ubiquitylation and methylation in the co-transcriptional histone modification network. Curr Genet 2021; 67:695-705. [PMID: 34089069 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01196-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Co-transcriptional histone modifications are a ubiquitous feature of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription, with profound but incompletely understood effects on gene expression. Unlike the covalent marks found at promoters, which are thought to be instructive for transcriptional activation, these modifications occur in gene bodies as a result of transcription, which has made elucidation of their functions challenging. Here we review recent insights into the regulation and roles of two such modifications: monoubiquitylation of histone H2B at lysine 120 (H2Bub1) and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me). Both H2Bub1 and H3K36me are enriched in the coding regions of transcribed genes, with highly overlapping distributions, but they were thought to work largely independently. We highlight our recent demonstration that, as was previously shown for H3K36me, H2Bub1 signals to the histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex Rpd3S/Clr6-CII, and that Rpd3S/Clr6-CII and H2Bub1 function in the same pathway to repress aberrant antisense transcription initiating within gene coding regions. Moreover, both of these histone modification pathways are influenced by protein phosphorylation catalyzed by the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that regulate RNAPII elongation, chiefly Cdk9. Therefore, H2Bub1 and H3K36me are more tightly linked than previously thought, sharing both upstream regulatory inputs and downstream effectors. Moreover, these newfound connections suggest extensive, bidirectional signaling between RNAPII elongation complexes and chromatin-modifying enzymes, which helps to determine transcriptional outputs and should be a focus for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pinto
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Vivane Pagé
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jason C Tanny
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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44
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Zhang L, Zhang Y, Hu X. Targeting the transcription cycle and RNA processing in cancer treatment. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 58:69-75. [PMID: 33964728 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional program and RNA splicing machinery are highly and frequently dysregulated in human cancers due to genomic and epigenomic alterations during tumorigenesis. This leads to cancer-specific dependencies on components of the transcriptional program and RNA splicing machinery, providing alternative and targetable 'Achilles' heels' for cancer treatment in the clinic. To target these vulnerabilities in cancer cells, potent and specific transcriptional CDK inhibitors and chemical compounds that impair splicing have been developed and evaluated in preclinical cancer models. Several novel combination approaches with immune or targeted therapies have also been proposed for cancer treatment. More recently, inhibitors targeting transcriptional CDKs, splicing, or PRMT5 have shown promising therapeutic potential in preclinical studies, and many of them have rapidly advanced into early clinical trials for treatment of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Youyou Zhang
- Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaowen Hu
- Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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45
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Cossa G, Parua PK, Eilers M, Fisher RP. Protein phosphatases in the RNAPII transcription cycle: erasers, sculptors, gatekeepers, and potential drug targets. Genes Dev 2021; 35:658-676. [PMID: 33888562 PMCID: PMC8091971 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348315.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In this review, Cossa et al. discuss the current knowledge and outstanding questions about phosphatases in the context of the RNAPII transcription cycle. The transcription cycle of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is governed at multiple points by opposing actions of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and protein phosphatases, in a process with similarities to the cell division cycle. While important roles of the kinases have been established, phosphatases have emerged more slowly as key players in transcription, and large gaps remain in understanding of their precise functions and targets. Much of the earlier work focused on the roles and regulation of sui generis and often atypical phosphatases—FCP1, Rtr1/RPAP2, and SSU72—with seemingly dedicated functions in RNAPII transcription. Decisive roles in the transcription cycle have now been uncovered for members of the major phosphoprotein phosphatase (PPP) family, including PP1, PP2A, and PP4—abundant enzymes with pleiotropic roles in cellular signaling pathways. These phosphatases appear to act principally at the transitions between transcription cycle phases, ensuring fine control of elongation and termination. Much is still unknown, however, about the division of labor among the PPP family members, and their possible regulation by or of the transcriptional kinases. CDKs active in transcription have recently drawn attention as potential therapeutic targets in cancer and other diseases, raising the prospect that the phosphatases might also present opportunities for new drug development. Here we review the current knowledge and outstanding questions about phosphatases in the context of the RNAPII transcription cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Cossa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pabitra K Parua
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Martin Eilers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert P Fisher
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
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46
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Xie Y, Clarke BP, Kim YJ, Ivey AL, Hill PS, Shi Y, Ren Y. Cryo-EM structure of the yeast TREX complex and coordination with the SR-like protein Gbp2. eLife 2021; 10:e65699. [PMID: 33787496 PMCID: PMC8043747 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved TRanscript-EXport (TREX) complex plays central roles during mRNP (messenger ribonucleoprotein) maturation and export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In yeast, TREX is composed of the THO sub-complex (Tho2, Hpr1, Tex1, Mft1, and Thp2), the DEAD box ATPase Sub2, and Yra1. Here we present a 3.7 Å cryo-EM structure of the yeast THO•Sub2 complex. The structure reveals the intimate assembly of THO revolving around its largest subunit Tho2. THO stabilizes a semi-open conformation of the Sub2 ATPase via interactions with Tho2. We show that THO interacts with the serine-arginine (SR)-like protein Gbp2 through both the RS domain and RRM domains of Gbp2. Cross-linking mass spectrometry analysis supports the extensive interactions between THO and Gbp2, further revealing that RRM domains of Gbp2 are in close proximity to the C-terminal domain of Tho2. We propose that THO serves as a landing pad to configure Gbp2 to facilitate its loading onto mRNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihu Xie
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleUnited States
| | - Bradley P Clarke
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleUnited States
| | - Yong Joon Kim
- Department of Cell Biology, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Austin L Ivey
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleUnited States
| | - Pate S Hill
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleUnited States
| | - Yi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Yi Ren
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of MedicineNashvilleUnited States
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47
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Song XH, Liao XY, Zheng XY, Liu JQ, Zhang ZW, Zhang LN, Yan YB. Human Ccr4 and Caf1 Deadenylases Regulate Proliferation and Tumorigenicity of Human Gastric Cancer Cells via Modulating Cell Cycle Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040834. [PMID: 33671234 PMCID: PMC7922635 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells generally reprogram their gene expression profiles to satisfy continuous growth, proliferation, and metastasis. Most eukaryotic mRNAs are degraded in a deadenylation-dependent pathway, in which deadenylases are the key enzymes. We found that human Ccr4 (hCcr4a/b) and Caf1 (hCaf1a/b), the dominant cytosolic deadenylases, were dysregulated in several types of cancers including stomach adenocarcinoma. Stably knocking down hCaf1a/b or hCcr4a/b blocks cell cycle progression by enhancing the levels of cell cycle inhibitors and by inhibiting the formation of processing bodies, which are cytosolic foci involved in mRNA metabolism. More importantly, depletion of hCaf1a/b or hCcr4a/b dramatically inhibits cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. Our results suggest that perturbating global RNA metabolism may provide a potential novel strategy for cancer treatment. Abstract Cancer cells generally have reprogrammed gene expression profiles to meet the requirements of survival, continuous division, and metastasis. An interesting question is whether the cancer cells will be affected by interfering their global RNA metabolism. In this research, we found that human Ccr4a/b (hCcr4a/b) and Caf1a/b (hCaf1a/b) deadenylases, the catalytic components of the Ccr4-Not complex, were dysregulated in several types of cancers including stomach adenocarcinoma. The impacts of the four deadenylases on cancer cell growth were studied by the establishment of four stable MKN28 cell lines with the knockdown of hCcr4a/b or hCaf1a/b or transient knockdown in several cell lines. Depletion of hCcr4a/b or hCaf1a/b significantly inhibited cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. Mechanistic studies indicated that the cells were arrested at the G2/M phase by knocking down hCaf1a, while arrested at the G0/G1 phase by depleting hCaf1b or hCcr4a/b. The four enzymes did not affect the levels of CDKs and cyclins but modulated the levels of CDK–cyclin inhibitors. We identified that hCcr4a/b, but not hCaf1a/b, targeted the p21 mRNA in the MKN28 cells. Furthermore, depletion of any one of the four deadenylases dramatically impaired processing-body formation in the MKN28 and HEK-293T cells. Our results highlight that perturbating global RNA metabolism may severely affect cancer cell proliferation, which provides a potential novel strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (X.-H.S.); (X.-Y.L.); (X.-Y.Z.); (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-W.Z.)
| | - Xiao-Yan Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (X.-H.S.); (X.-Y.L.); (X.-Y.Z.); (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-W.Z.)
| | - Xu-Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (X.-H.S.); (X.-Y.L.); (X.-Y.Z.); (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-W.Z.)
| | - Jia-Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (X.-H.S.); (X.-Y.L.); (X.-Y.Z.); (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-W.Z.)
| | - Zhe-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (X.-H.S.); (X.-Y.L.); (X.-Y.Z.); (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-W.Z.)
| | - Li-Na Zhang
- College of Life Science and Chemistry, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
- Correspondence: (L.-N.Z.); (Y.-B.Y.); Tel.: +86-10-6739-6342 (L.-N.Z.); +86-10-6278-3477 (Y.-B.Y.)
| | - Yong-Bin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; (X.-H.S.); (X.-Y.L.); (X.-Y.Z.); (J.-Q.L.); (Z.-W.Z.)
- Correspondence: (L.-N.Z.); (Y.-B.Y.); Tel.: +86-10-6739-6342 (L.-N.Z.); +86-10-6278-3477 (Y.-B.Y.)
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48
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CDK12 Promotes Cervical Cancer Progression through Enhancing Macrophage Infiltration. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6645885. [PMID: 33628849 PMCID: PMC7892235 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6645885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is a commonly diagnosed and primary consideration of cancer patient death in female reproductive system malignancy. Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12), as a transcription-associated CDK, plays important roles in tumor-promoting behaviors, whereas the underlying mechanisms of CDK12 in CC progression are still obscure. In this report, we investigated the role of CDK12 in cervical cancer. The current study identified CDK12 mRNA and protein expression remarkably upregulated in CC patients. Upregulated CDK12 was closely associated with CC progression and poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments showed that knockdown of CDK12 inhibited cancer cell proliferation and colony formation and promoted apoptosis. Further investigations demonstrated that CDK12 regulated the immune microenvironment to facilitate the progression of CC cells by promoting macrophage infiltration. Meanwhile, we first demonstrated that nuclear import of CDK12 is mediated by TNPO1 and might be a new therapeutic target in oncology. Collectively, this study pointed out the potential of CDK12 to serve as a novel therapeutic target in restricting CC proliferation and cell cycle process through promoting macrophage infiltration.
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Shao H, Foley DW, Huang S, Abbas AY, Lam F, Gershkovich P, Bradshaw TD, Pepper C, Fischer PM, Wang S. Structure-based design of highly selective 2,4,5-trisubstituted pyrimidine CDK9 inhibitors as anti-cancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113244. [PMID: 33581551 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a family of Ser/Thr kinases involved in cell cycle and transcriptional regulation. CDK9 regulates transcriptional elongation and this unique property has made it a potential target for several diseases. Due to the conserved ATP binding site, designing selective CDK9 inhibitors has been challenging. Here we report our continued efforts in the optimization of 2,4,5-tri-substituted pyrimidine compounds as potent and selective CDK9 inhibitors. The most selective compound 30m was >100-fold selective for CDK9 over CDK1 and CDK2. These compounds showed broad anti-proliferative activities in various solid tumour cell lines and patient-derived chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells. Decreased phosphorylation of the carboxyl terminal domain (CTD) of RNAPII at Ser-2 and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 were confirmed in both the ovarian cancer model A2780 and patient-derived CLL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Shao
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David W Foley
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Shiliang Huang
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Abdullahi Y Abbas
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Frankie Lam
- Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Pavel Gershkovich
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Tracey D Bradshaw
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Chris Pepper
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9PX, UK
| | - Peter M Fischer
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Shudong Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK; Drug Discovery and Development, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
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Structure and activation mechanism of the yeast RNA Pol II CTD kinase CTDK-1 complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2019163118. [PMID: 33431688 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019163118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal domain (CTD) kinase I (CTDK-1) complex is the primary RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) CTD Ser2 kinase in budding yeast. CTDK-1 consists of a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) Ctk1, a cyclin Ctk2, and a unique subunit Ctk3 required for CTDK-1 activity. Here, we present a crystal structure of CTDK-1 at 1.85-Å resolution. The structure reveals that, compared to the canonical two-component CDK-cyclin system, the third component Ctk3 of CTDK-1 plays a critical role in Ctk1 activation by stabilizing a key element of CDK regulation, the T-loop, in an active conformation. In addition, Ctk3 contributes to the assembly of CTDK-1 through extensive interactions with both Ctk1 and Ctk2. We also demonstrate that CTDK-1 physically and genetically interacts with the serine/arginine-like protein Gbp2. Together, the data in our work reveal a regulatory mechanism of CDK complexes.
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