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Della Monica R, Buonaiuto M, Cuomo M, Pagano C, Trio F, Costabile D, de Riso G, Cicala FS, Raia M, Franca RA, Del Basso De Caro M, Sorrentino D, Navarra G, Coppola L, Tripodi L, Pastore L, Hench J, Frank S, Schonauer C, Catapano G, Bifulco M, Chiariotti L, Visconti R. Targeted inhibition of the methyltransferase SETD8 synergizes with the Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib in restraining glioblastoma growth. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:638. [PMID: 37758718 PMCID: PMC10533811 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06167-3] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite intense research efforts, glioblastoma remains an incurable brain tumor with a dismal median survival time of 15 months. Thus, identifying new therapeutic targets is an urgent need. Here, we show that the lysine methyltransferase SETD8 is overexpressed in 50% of high-grade gliomas. The small molecule SETD8 inhibitor UNC0379, as well as siRNA-mediated inhibition of SETD8, blocked glioblastoma cell proliferation, by inducing DNA damage and activating cell cycle checkpoints. Specifically, in p53-proficient glioblastoma cells, SETD8 inhibition and DNA damage induced p21 accumulation and G1/S arrest whereas, in p53-deficient glioblastoma cells, DNA damage induced by SETD8 inhibition resulted in G2/M arrest mediated by Chk1 activation. Checkpoint abrogation, by the Wee1 kinase inhibitor adavosertib, induced glioblastoma cell lines and primary cells, DNA-damaged by UNC0379, to progress to mitosis where they died by mitotic catastrophe. Finally, UNC0379 and adavosertib synergized in restraining glioblastoma growth in a murine xenograft model, providing a strong rationale to further explore this novel pharmacological approach for adjuvant glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Della Monica
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
| | - Michela Buonaiuto
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Mariella Cuomo
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Cristina Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Federica Trio
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
| | - Davide Costabile
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
- SEMM-European School of Molecular Medicine, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Giulia de Riso
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesca Sveva Cicala
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Maddalena Raia
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giovanna Navarra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Coppola
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorella Tripodi
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Juergen Hench
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Pathology, Basel University Hospitals, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Frank
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Pathology, Basel University Hospitals, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
| | - Roberta Visconti
- CEINGE-Advanced Biotechnologies "Franco Salvatore", Napoli, Italy.
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore", National Council of Research of Italy, Napoli, Italy.
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Griffin A, Mahesh A, Tiwari VK. Disruption of the gene regulatory programme in neurodevelopmental disorders. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194860. [PMID: 36007842 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cortical development consists of a series of synchronised events, including fate transition of cortical progenitors, neuronal migration, specification and connectivity. It is becoming clear that gene expression programs governing these events rely on the interplay between signalling molecules, transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms. When genetic or environmental factors disrupt expression of genes involved in important brain development processes, neurodevelopmental disorders can occur. This review aims to highlight how recent advances in technologies have helped uncover and imitate the gene regulatory mechanisms commonly disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Griffin
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queens University, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Arun Mahesh
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queens University, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Vijay K Tiwari
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science, Queens University, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
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