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Sukumar SK, Antonydhason V, Molander L, Sandakly J, Kleit M, Umapathy G, Mendoza-Garcia P, Masudi T, Schlosser A, Nässel DR, Wegener C, Shirinian M, Palmer RH. The Alk receptor tyrosine kinase regulates Sparkly, a novel activity regulating neuropeptide precursor in the Drosophila central nervous system. eLife 2024; 12:RP88985. [PMID: 38904987 PMCID: PMC11196111 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88985] [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: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous roles for the Alk receptor tyrosine kinase have been described in Drosophila, including functions in the central nervous system (CNS), however the molecular details are poorly understood. To gain mechanistic insight, we employed Targeted DamID (TaDa) transcriptional profiling to identify targets of Alk signaling in the larval CNS. TaDa was employed in larval CNS tissues, while genetically manipulating Alk signaling output. The resulting TaDa data were analyzed together with larval CNS scRNA-seq datasets performed under similar conditions, identifying a role for Alk in the transcriptional regulation of neuroendocrine gene expression. Further integration with bulk and scRNA-seq datasets from larval brains in which Alk signaling was manipulated identified a previously uncharacterized Drosophila neuropeptide precursor encoded by CG4577 as an Alk signaling transcriptional target. CG4577, which we named Sparkly (Spar), is expressed in a subset of Alk-positive neuroendocrine cells in the developing larval CNS, including circadian clock neurons. In agreement with our TaDa analysis, overexpression of the Drosophila Alk ligand Jeb resulted in increased levels of Spar protein in the larval CNS. We show that Spar protein is expressed in circadian (clock) neurons, and flies lacking Spar exhibit defects in sleep and circadian activity control. In summary, we report a novel activity regulating neuropeptide precursor gene that is regulated by Alk signaling in the Drosophila CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar Sukumar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Vimala Antonydhason
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Linnea Molander
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Jawdat Sandakly
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutBeirutLebanon
| | - Malak Kleit
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutBeirutLebanon
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Patricia Mendoza-Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Tafheem Masudi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Andreas Schlosser
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Rudolf-Virchow-Center, Center for Integrative and Translational BioimagingWürzburgGermany
| | - Dick R Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | - Christian Wegener
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Biocenter, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Neurobiology and GeneticsWürzburgGermany
| | - Margret Shirinian
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of BeirutBeirutLebanon
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
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2
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Katic L, Priscan A. Multifaceted Roles of ALK Family Receptors and Augmentor Ligands in Health and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1490. [PMID: 37892172 PMCID: PMC10605310 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101490] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the discovery of physiological ligands Augα (Augmentor α; ALKAL2; Fam150b) and Augβ (Augmentor β; ALKAL1; Fam150a) for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and leukocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK), previously considered orphan receptors. This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the biophysical and cellular properties of ALK family receptors and their roles in cancer, metabolism, pain, ophthalmology, pigmentation, central nervous system (CNS) function, and reproduction. ALK and LTK receptors are implicated in the development of numerous cancers, and targeted inhibition of their signaling pathways can offer therapeutic benefits. Additionally, ALK family receptors are involved in regulating body weight and metabolism, modulating pain signaling, and contributing to eye development and pigmentation. In the CNS, these receptors play a role in synapse modulation, neurogenesis, and various psychiatric pathologies. Lastly, ALK expression is linked to reproductive functions, with potential implications for patients undergoing ALK inhibitor therapy. Further research is needed to better understand the complex interactions of ALK family receptors and Aug ligands and to repurpose targeted therapy for a wide range of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Katic
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West, 1000 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Anamarija Priscan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
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3
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Shreenivas A, Janku F, Gouda MA, Chen HZ, George B, Kato S, Kurzrock R. ALK fusions in the pan-cancer setting: another tumor-agnostic target? NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:101. [PMID: 37773318 PMCID: PMC10542332 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00449-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) alterations (activating mutations, amplifications, and fusions/rearrangements) occur in ~3.3% of cancers. ALK fusions/rearrangements are discerned in >50% of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) and anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs), but only in ~0.2% of other cancers outside of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a rate that may be below the viability threshold of even large-scale treatment trials. Five ALK inhibitors -alectinib, brigatinib, ceritinb, crizotinib, and lorlatinib-are FDA approved for ALK-aberrant NSCLCs, and crizotinib is also approved for ALK-aberrant IMTs and ALCL, including in children. Herein, we review the pharmacologic tractability of ALK alterations, focusing beyond NSCLC. Importantly, the hallmark of approved indications is the presence of ALK fusions/rearrangements, and response rates of ~50-85%. Moreover, there are numerous reports of ALK inhibitor activity in multiple solid and hematologic tumors (e.g., histiocytosis, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, myeloma, and colorectal, neuroendocrine, ovarian, pancreatic, renal, and thyroid cancer) bearing ALK fusions/rearrangements. Many reports used crizotinib or alectinib, but each of the approved ALK inhibitors have shown activity. ALK inhibitor activity is also seen in neuroblastoma, which bear ALK mutations (rather than fusions/rearrangements), but response rates are lower (~10-20%). Current data suggests that ALK inhibitors have tissue-agnostic activity in neoplasms bearing ALK fusions/rearrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Shreenivas
- Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
| | | | - Mohamed A Gouda
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hui-Zi Chen
- Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ben George
- Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Shumei Kato
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy and Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
- University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Worldwide Innovative Network (WIN) for Personalized Cancer Therapy, Chevilly-Larue, France.
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4
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Huang X, Fu Y, Lee H, Zhao Y, Yang W, van de Leemput J, Han Z. Single-cell profiling of the developing embryonic heart in Drosophila. Development 2023; 150:dev201936. [PMID: 37526610 PMCID: PMC10482008 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila is an important model for studying heart development and disease. Yet, single-cell transcriptomic data of its developing heart have not been performed. Here, we report single-cell profiling of the entire fly heart using ∼3000 Hand-GFP embryos collected at five consecutive developmental stages, ranging from bilateral migrating rows of cardiac progenitors to a fused heart tube. The data revealed six distinct cardiac cell types in the embryonic fly heart: cardioblasts, both Svp+ and Tin+ subtypes; and five types of pericardial cell (PC) that can be distinguished by four key transcription factors (Eve, Odd, Ct and Tin) and include the newly described end of the line PC. Notably, the embryonic fly heart combines transcriptional signatures of the mammalian first and second heart fields. Using unique markers for each heart cell type, we defined their number and location during heart development to build a comprehensive 3D cell map. These data provide a resource to track the expression of any gene in the developing fly heart, which can serve as a reference to study genetic perturbations and cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohu Huang
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yulong Fu
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Hangnoh Lee
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yunpo Zhao
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Wendy Yang
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Joyce van de Leemput
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Zhe Han
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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5
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Zhao S, Li J, Xia Q, Liu K, Dong Z. New perspectives for targeting therapy in ALK-positive human cancers. Oncogene 2023:10.1038/s41388-023-02712-8. [PMID: 37149665 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02712-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a member of the insulin receptor protein-tyrosine kinase superfamily and was first discovered in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). ALK alterations, including fusions, over-expression and mutations, are highly associated with cancer initiation and progression. This kinase plays an important role in different cancers, from very rare to the more prevalent non-small cell lung cancers. Several ALK inhibitors have been developed and received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. However, like other drugs used in targeted therapies, ALK inhibitors inevitably encounter cancer cell resistance. Therefore, monoclonal antibody screening based on extracellular domain or combination therapies may provide viable alternatives for treating ALK-positive tumors. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of wild-type ALK and fusion protein structures, the pathological functions of ALK, ALK target therapy, drug resistance and future therapeutic directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Zhao
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
| | - Jian Li
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
| | - Qingxin Xia
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
- Henan Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
| | - Zigang Dong
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
- Henan Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China.
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6
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Pfeifer K, Wolfstetter G, Anthonydhason V, Masudi T, Arefin B, Bemark M, Mendoza-Garcia P, Palmer RH. Patient-associated mutations in Drosophila Alk perturb neuronal differentiation and promote survival. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:dmm049591. [PMID: 35972154 PMCID: PMC9403751 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) mutations occur in pediatric neuroblastoma and are associated with poor prognosis. To study ALK-activating mutations in a genetically controllable system, we employed CRIPSR/Cas9, incorporating orthologs of the human oncogenic mutations ALKF1174L and ALKY1278S in the Drosophila Alk locus. AlkF1251L and AlkY1355S mutant Drosophila exhibited enhanced Alk signaling phenotypes, but unexpectedly depended on the Jelly belly (Jeb) ligand for activation. Both AlkF1251L and AlkY1355S mutant larval brains displayed hyperplasia, represented by increased numbers of Alk-positive neurons. Despite this hyperplasic phenotype, no brain tumors were observed in mutant animals. We showed that hyperplasia in Alk mutants was not caused by significantly increased rates of proliferation, but rather by decreased levels of apoptosis in the larval brain. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified perturbations during temporal fate specification in AlkY1355S mutant mushroom body lineages. These findings shed light on the role of Alk in neurodevelopmental processes and highlight the potential of Alk-activating mutations to perturb specification and promote survival in neuronal lineages. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Pfeifer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georg Wolfstetter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vimala Anthonydhason
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tafheem Masudi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Badrul Arefin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patricia Mendoza-Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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7
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Li T, Stayrook SE, Tsutsui Y, Zhang J, Wang Y, Li H, Proffitt A, Krimmer SG, Ahmed M, Belliveau O, Walker IX, Mudumbi KC, Suzuki Y, Lax I, Alvarado D, Lemmon MA, Schlessinger J, Klein DE. Structural basis for ligand reception by anaplastic lymphoma kinase. Nature 2021; 600:148-152. [PMID: 34819665 PMCID: PMC8639777 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The proto-oncogene ALK encodes anaplastic lymphoma kinase, a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed primarily in the developing nervous system. After development, ALK activity is associated with learning and memory1 and controls energy expenditure, and inhibition of ALK can prevent diet-induced obesity2. Aberrant ALK signalling causes numerous cancers3. In particular, full-length ALK is an important driver in paediatric neuroblastoma4,5, in which it is either mutated6 or activated by ligand7. Here we report crystal structures of the extracellular glycine-rich domain (GRD) of ALK, which regulates receptor activity by binding to activating peptides8,9. Fusing the ALK GRD to its ligand enabled us to capture a dimeric receptor complex that reveals how ALK responds to its regulatory ligands. We show that repetitive glycines in the GRD form rigid helices that separate the major ligand-binding site from a distal polyglycine extension loop (PXL) that mediates ALK dimerization. The PXL of one receptor acts as a sensor for the complex by interacting with a ligand-bound second receptor. ALK activation can be abolished through PXL mutation or with PXL-targeting antibodies. Together, these results explain how ALK uses its atypical architecture for its regulation, and suggest new therapeutic opportunities for ALK-expressing cancers such as paediatric neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongqing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Steven E Stayrook
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yuko Tsutsui
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jianan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yueyue Wang
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hengyi Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Stefan G Krimmer
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mansoor Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Olivia Belliveau
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ian X Walker
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Krishna C Mudumbi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yoshihisa Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Irit Lax
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Mark A Lemmon
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joseph Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Daryl E Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
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8
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Mechanism for the activation of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase receptor. Nature 2021; 600:153-157. [PMID: 34819673 PMCID: PMC8639797 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04140-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that regulates important functions in the central nervous system1,2. The ALK gene is a hotspot for chromosomal translocation events that result in several fusion proteins that cause a variety of human malignancies3. Somatic and germline gain-of-function mutations in ALK were identified in paediatric neuroblastoma4-7. ALK is composed of an extracellular region (ECR), a single transmembrane helix and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain8,9. ALK is activated by the binding of ALKAL1 and ALKAL2 ligands10-14 to its ECR, but the lack of structural information for the ALK-ECR or for ALKAL ligands has limited our understanding of ALK activation. Here we used cryo-electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography to determine the atomic details of human ALK dimerization and activation by ALKAL1 and ALKAL2. Our data reveal a mechanism of RTK activation that allows dimerization by either dimeric (ALKAL2) or monomeric (ALKAL1) ligands. This mechanism is underpinned by an unusual architecture of the receptor-ligand complex. The ALK-ECR undergoes a pronounced ligand-induced rearrangement and adopts an orientation parallel to the membrane surface. This orientation is further stabilized by an interaction between the ligand and the membrane. Our findings highlight the diversity in RTK oligomerization and activation mechanisms.
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9
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Structural basis of cytokine-mediated activation of ALK family receptors. Nature 2021; 600:143-147. [PMID: 34646012 PMCID: PMC9343967 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03959-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)1 and the related leukocyte tyrosine kinase (LTK)2 are recently deorphanized receptor tyrosine kinases3. Together with their activating cytokines, ALKAL1 and ALKAL24-6 (also called FAM150A and FAM150B or AUGβ and AUGα, respectively), they are involved in neural development7, cancer7-9 and autoimmune diseases10. Furthermore, mammalian ALK recently emerged as a key regulator of energy expenditure and weight gain11, consistent with a metabolic role for Drosophila ALK12. Despite such functional pleiotropy and growing therapeutic relevance13,14, structural insights into ALK and LTK and their complexes with cognate cytokines have remained scarce. Here we show that the cytokine-binding segments of human ALK and LTK comprise a novel architectural chimera of a permuted TNF-like module that braces a glycine-rich subdomain featuring a hexagonal lattice of long polyglycine type II helices. The cognate cytokines ALKAL1 and ALKAL2 are monomeric three-helix bundles, yet their binding to ALK and LTK elicits similar dimeric assemblies with two-fold symmetry, that tent a single cytokine molecule proximal to the cell membrane. We show that the membrane-proximal EGF-like domain dictates the apparent cytokine preference of ALK. Assisted by these diverse structure-function findings, we propose a structural and mechanistic blueprint for complexes of ALK family receptors, and thereby extend the repertoire of ligand-mediated dimerization mechanisms adopted by receptor tyrosine kinases.
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10
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Mendoza-Garcia P, Basu S, Sukumar SK, Arefin B, Wolfstetter G, Anthonydhason V, Molander L, Uçkun E, Lindehell H, Lebrero-Fernandez C, Larsson J, Larsson E, Bemark M, Palmer RH. DamID transcriptional profiling identifies the Snail/Scratch transcription factor Kahuli as an Alk target in the Drosophila visceral mesoderm. Development 2021; 148:dev199465. [PMID: 34905617 PMCID: PMC8722224 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of the Drosophila visceral muscle depends on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (Alk) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, which specifies founder cells (FCs) in the circular visceral mesoderm (VM). Although Alk activation by its ligand Jelly Belly (Jeb) is well characterized, few target molecules have been identified. Here, we used targeted DamID (TaDa) to identify Alk targets in embryos overexpressing Jeb versus embryos with abrogated Alk activity, revealing differentially expressed genes, including the Snail/Scratch family transcription factor Kahuli (Kah). We confirmed Kah mRNA and protein expression in the VM, and identified midgut constriction defects in Kah mutants similar to those of pointed (pnt). ChIP and RNA-Seq data analysis defined a Kah target-binding site similar to that of Snail, and identified a set of common target genes putatively regulated by Kah and Pnt during midgut constriction. Taken together, we report a rich dataset of Alk-responsive loci in the embryonic VM and functionally characterize the role of Kah in the regulation of embryonic midgut morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mendoza-Garcia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Swaraj Basu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Kumar Sukumar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Badrul Arefin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georg Wolfstetter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vimala Anthonydhason
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linnea Molander
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ezgi Uçkun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Lindehell
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Cristina Lebrero-Fernandez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan Larsson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erik Larsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, SE-41346 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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11
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Defining Pathological Activities of ALK in Neuroblastoma, a Neural Crest-Derived Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111718. [PMID: 34769149 PMCID: PMC8584162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a common extracranial solid tumour of childhood, responsible for 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. Prognoses vary from spontaneous remission to aggressive disease with extensive metastases, where treatment is challenging. Tumours are thought to arise from sympathoadrenal progenitor cells, which derive from an embryonic cell population called neural crest cells that give rise to diverse cell types, such as facial bone and cartilage, pigmented cells, and neurons. Tumours are found associated with mature derivatives of neural crest, such as the adrenal medulla or paraspinal ganglia. Sympathoadrenal progenitor cells express anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), which encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that is the most frequently mutated gene in neuroblastoma. Activating mutations in the kinase domain are common in both sporadic and familial cases. The oncogenic role of ALK has been extensively studied, but little is known about its physiological role. Recent studies have implicated ALK in neural crest migration and sympathetic neurogenesis. However, very few downstream targets of ALK have been identified. Here, we describe pathological activation of ALK in the neural crest, which promotes proliferation and migration, while preventing differentiation, thus inducing the onset of neuroblastoma. Understanding the effects of ALK activity on neural crest cells will help find new targets for neuroblastoma treatment.
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12
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Moreno MM, Barrell WB, Godwin A, Guille M, Liu KJ. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (alk), a neuroblastoma associated gene, is expressed in neural crest domains during embryonic development of Xenopus. Gene Expr Patterns 2021; 40:119183. [PMID: 34020009 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2021.119183] [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: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a neural crest-derived paediatric cancer that is the most common and deadly solid extracranial tumour of childhood. It arises when neural crest cells fail to follow their differentiation program to give rise to cells of the sympathoadrenal lineage. These undifferentiated cells can proliferate and migrate, forming tumours mostly found associated with the adrenal glands. Activating mutations in the kinase domain of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are linked to high-risk cases, where extensive therapy is ineffective. However, the role of ALK in embryonic development, downstream signal transduction and in metastatic transformation of the neural crest is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate high conservation of the ALK protein sequences among vertebrates. We then examine alk mRNA expression in the frog models Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis. Using in situ hybridisation of Xenopus embryos, we show that alk is expressed in neural crest domains throughout development, suggesting a possible role in neuroblastoma initiation. Lastly, RT-qPCR analyses show high levels of alk expression at tadpole stages. Collectively, these data may begin to elucidate how alk functions in neural crest cells and how its deregulation can result in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela M Moreno
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - William B Barrell
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Annie Godwin
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Matthew Guille
- European Xenopus Resource Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY, UK
| | - Karen J Liu
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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13
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Moscato EH, Dubowy C, Walker JA, Kayser MS. Social Behavioral Deficits with Loss of Neurofibromin Emerge from Peripheral Chemosensory Neuron Dysfunction. Cell Rep 2021; 32:107856. [PMID: 32640222 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with social and communicative disabilities. The cellular and circuit mechanisms by which loss of neurofibromin 1 (Nf1) results in social deficits are unknown. Here, we identify social behavioral dysregulation with Nf1 loss in Drosophila. These deficits map to primary dysfunction of a group of peripheral sensory neurons. Nf1 regulation of Ras signaling in adult ppk23+ chemosensory cells is required for normal social behaviors in flies. Loss of Nf1 attenuates ppk23+ neuronal activity in response to pheromones, and circuit-specific manipulation of Nf1 expression or neuronal activity in ppk23+ neurons rescues social deficits. This disrupted sensory processing gives rise to persistent changes in behavior beyond the social interaction, indicating a sustained effect of an acute sensory misperception. Together our data identify a specific circuit mechanism through which Nf1 regulates social behaviors and suggest social deficits in NF1 arise from propagation of sensory misinformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia H Moscato
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christine Dubowy
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James A Walker
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Matthew S Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Chronobiology and Sleep Institute, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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14
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Aberrant role of ALK in tau proteinopathy through autophagosomal dysregulation. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:5542-5556. [PMID: 33452442 PMCID: PMC8758490 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-01003-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Proteinopathy in neurodegenerative diseases is typically characterized by deteriorating activity of specific protein aggregates. In tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau protein abnormally accumulates and induces dysfunction of the affected neurons. Despite active identification of tau modifications responsible for tau aggregation, a critical modulator inducing tau proteinopathy by affecting its protein degradation flux is not known. Here, we report that anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is crucial for the tau-mediated AD pathology. ALK caused abnormal accumulation of highly phosphorylated tau in the somatodendritic region of neurons through its tyrosine kinase activity. ALK-induced LC3-positive axon swelling and loss of spine density, leading to tau-dependent neuronal degeneration. Notably, ALK activation in neurons impaired Stx17-dependent autophagosome maturation and this defect was reversed by a dominant-negative Grb2. In a Drosophila melanogaster model, transgenic flies neuronally expressing active Drosophila Alk exhibited the aggravated tau rough eye phenotype with retinal degeneration and shortened lifespan. In contrast, expression of kinase-dead Alk blocked these phenotypes. Consistent with the previous RNAseq analysis showing upregulation of ALK expression in AD [1], ALK levels were significantly elevated in the brains of AD patients showing autophagosomal defects. Injection of an ALK.Fc-lentivirus exacerbated memory impairment in 3xTg-AD mice. Conversely, pharmacologic inhibition of ALK activity with inhibitors reversed the memory impairment and tau accumulation in both 3xTg-AD and tauC3 (caspase-cleaved tau) transgenic mice. Together, we propose that aberrantly activated ALK is a bona fide mediator of tau proteinopathy that disrupts autophagosome maturation and causes tau accumulation and aggregation, leading to neuronal dysfunction in AD.
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15
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A Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Plays Separate Roles in Sensory Integration and Associative Learning in C. elegans. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0244-18.2019. [PMID: 31371455 PMCID: PMC6712205 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0244-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Associative learning and sensory integration are two behavioral processes that involve the sensation and processing of stimuli followed by an altered behavioral response to these stimuli, with learning requiring memory formation and retrieval. We found that the cellular and molecular actions of scd-2 dissociate sensory integration and associative learning. This was discovered through investigation of a Caenorhabditis elegans mutation (lrn-2 (mm99)) affecting both processes. After mapping and sequencing, lrn-2 was found to be allelic to the gene, scd-2. scd-2-mediated associative learning and sensory integration operate in separate neurons as separate processes. We also find that memories can form from associations that are processed and stored independently from the integration of stimuli preceding an immediate behavioral decision.
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16
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Macabenta F, Stathopoulos A. Migrating cells control morphogenesis of substratum serving as track to promote directional movement of the collective. Development 2019; 146:dev.177295. [PMID: 31239242 DOI: 10.1242/dev.177295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila embryos, caudal visceral mesoderm (CVM) cells undergo bilateral migration along the trunk visceral mesoderm (TVM) in order to form midgut muscles. Mutation of FGF receptor Heartless (Htl) has been shown to cause CVM migration defects, particularly midline crossing of the bilateral groups. Here, we show that htl mutants also exhibit TVM defects including contralateral merging. Both CVM mismigration and TVM contralateral merging are attenuated by restoring FGF signaling specifically in the CVM, suggesting that migrating CVM cells influence TVM morphogenesis; however, the inverse, supplying FGF to the TVM, does not rescue CVM mismigration. In addition, we show that FGF regulates integrin expression in both tissues, but only providing a source of integrin specifically to the TVM attenuates the contralateral merging phenotype. Finally, we demonstrate that the CVM influences cell shape in the TVM, and a loss of CVM results in TVM morphological defects. In summary, this study provides insight into how a migrating collective of cells can influence their tissue substrate and supports the view that morphogenesis of tissues during development is interdependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Macabenta
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Angelike Stathopoulos
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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17
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Targeting ALK in Cancer: Therapeutic Potential of Proapoptotic Peptides. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11030275. [PMID: 30813562 PMCID: PMC6468335 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
ALK is a receptor tyrosine kinase, associated with many tumor types as diverse as anaplastic large cell lymphomas, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors, breast and renal cell carcinomas, non-small cell lung cancer, neuroblastomas, and more. This makes ALK an attractive target for cancer therapy. Since ALK–driven tumors are dependent for their proliferation on the constitutively activated ALK kinase, a number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed to block tumor growth. While some inhibitors are under investigation in clinical trials, others are now approved for treatment, notably in ALK-positive lung cancer. Their efficacy is remarkable, however limited in time, as the tumors escape and become resistant to the treatment through different mechanisms. Hence, there is a pressing need to target ALK-dependent tumors by other therapeutic strategies, and possibly use them in combination with kinase inhibitors. In this review we will focus on the therapeutic potential of proapoptotic ALK-derived peptides based on the dependence receptor properties of ALK. We will also try to make a non-exhaustive list of several alternative treatments targeting ALK-dependent and independent signaling pathways.
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18
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Zhang Q, Xiao M, Gu S, Xu Y, Liu T, Li H, Yu Y, Qin L, Zhu Y, Chen F, Wang Y, Ding C, Wu H, Ji H, Chen Z, Zu Y, Malkoski S, Li Y, Liang T, Ji J, Qin J, Xu P, Zhao B, Shen L, Lin X, Feng XH. ALK phosphorylates SMAD4 on tyrosine to disable TGF-β tumour suppressor functions. Nat Cell Biol 2019; 21:179-189. [PMID: 30664791 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0264-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Loss of TGF-β tumour suppressive response is a hallmark of human cancers. As a central player in TGF-β signal transduction, SMAD4 (also known as DPC4) is frequently mutated or deleted in gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer. However, such genetic alterations are rare in most cancer types and the underlying mechanism for TGF-β resistance is not understood. Here we describe a mechanism of TGF-β resistance in ALK-positive tumours, including lymphoma, lung cancer and neuroblastoma. We demonstrate that, in ALK-positive tumours, ALK directly phosphorylates SMAD4 at Tyr 95. Phosphorylated SMAD4 is unable to bind to DNA and fails to elicit TGF-β gene responses and tumour suppressing responses. Chemical or genetic interference of the oncogenic ALK restores TGF-β responses in ALK-positive tumour cells. These findings reveal that SMAD4 is tyrosine-phosphorylated by an oncogenic tyrosine kinase during tumorigenesis. This suggests a mechanism by which SMAD4 is inactivated in cancers and provides guidance for targeted therapies in ALK-positive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianting Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mu Xiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuchen Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongxian Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Yu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lan Qin
- DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yezhang Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fenfang Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yulong Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Ding
- Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing, China.,College of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongxing Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongbin Ji
- Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Zhejiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youli Zu
- The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Stephen Malkoski
- Department of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and the Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junfang Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Qin
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pinglong Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Shen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Lin
- DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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19
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Huang H. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Receptor Tyrosine Kinase: A Catalytic Receptor with Many Faces. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3448. [PMID: 30400214 PMCID: PMC6274813 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor is a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase. The pathogenesis of several cancers is closely related to aberrant forms of ALK or aberrant ALK expression, including ALK fusion proteins, ALK-activated point mutations, and ALK amplification. Clinical applications of different ALK inhibitors represent significant progress in targeted therapy. Knowledge of different aspects of ALK biology can provide significant information to further the understanding of this receptor tyrosine kinase. In this mini-review, we briefly summarize different features of ALK. We also summarize some recent research advances on ALK fusion proteins in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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20
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The Drosophila Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Alk Constrains Long-Term Memory Formation. J Neurosci 2018; 38:7701-7712. [PMID: 30030398 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0784-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to mechanisms promoting protein-synthesis-dependent long-term memory (PSD-LTM), the process appears to also be specifically constrained. We present evidence that the highly conserved receptor tyrosine kinase dAlk is a novel PSD-LTM attenuator in Drosophila Reduction of dAlk levels in adult α/β mushroom body (MB) neurons during conditioning elevates LTM, whereas its overexpression impairs it. Unlike other memory suppressor proteins and miRNAs, dAlk within the MBs constrains PSD-LTM specifically but constrains learning outside the MBs as previously shown. Dendritic dAlk levels rise rapidly in MB neurons upon conditioning, a process apparently controlled by the 3'UTR of its mRNA, and interruption of the 3'UTR leads to enhanced LTM. Because its activating ligand Jeb is dispensable for LTM attenuation, we propose that postconditioning elevation of dAlk within α/β dendrites results in its autoactivation and constrains formation of the energy costly PSD-LTM, acting as a novel memory filter.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In addition to the widely studied molecular mechanisms promoting protein-synthesis-dependent long-term memory (PSD-LTM), recent discoveries indicate that the process is also specifically constrained. We describe a role in PSD-LTM constraint for the first receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) involved in olfactory memory in Drosophila Unlike other memory suppressor proteins and miRNAs, dAlk limits specifically PSD-LTM formation as it does not affect 3 h, or anesthesia-resistant memory. Significantly, we show conditioning-dependent dAlk elevation within the mushroom body dendrites and propose that its local abundance may activate its kinase activity, to mediate imposition of PSD-LTM constraints through yet unknown mechanisms.
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21
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Sharma GG, Mota I, Mologni L, Patrucco E, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Chiarle R. Tumor Resistance against ALK Targeted Therapy-Where It Comes From and Where It Goes. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E62. [PMID: 29495603 PMCID: PMC5876637 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10030062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a validated molecular target in several ALK-rearranged malignancies, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which has generated considerable interest and effort in developing ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Crizotinib was the first ALK inhibitor to receive FDA approval for ALK-positive NSCLC patients treatment. However, the clinical benefit observed in targeting ALK in NSCLC is almost universally limited by the emergence of drug resistance with a median of occurrence of approximately 10 months after the initiation of therapy. Thus, to overcome crizotinib resistance, second/third-generation ALK inhibitors have been developed and received, or are close to receiving, FDA approval. However, even when treated with these new inhibitors tumors became resistant, both in vitro and in clinical settings. The elucidation of the diverse mechanisms through which resistance to ALK TKI emerges, has informed the design of novel therapeutic strategies to improve patients disease outcome. This review summarizes the currently available knowledge regarding ALK physiologic function/structure and neoplastic transforming role, as well as an update on ALK inhibitors and resistance mechanisms along with possible therapeutic strategies that may overcome the development of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geeta Geeta Sharma
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Ines Mota
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10124, Italy.
| | - Luca Mologni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy.
- Galkem Srl, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Enrico Patrucco
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10124, Italy.
| | - Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20900, Italy.
- Galkem Srl, Monza 20900, Italy.
- Hematology and Clinical Research Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza 20900, Italy.
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10124, Italy.
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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22
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Wolfstetter G, Pfeifer K, van Dijk JR, Hugosson F, Lu X, Palmer RH. The scaffolding protein Cnk binds to the receptor tyrosine kinase Alk to promote visceral founder cell specification inDrosophila. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/502/eaan0804. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan0804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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23
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Alk and Ltk ligands are essential for iridophore development in zebrafish mediated by the receptor tyrosine kinase Ltk. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:12027-12032. [PMID: 29078341 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1710254114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk) and leucocyte tyrosine kinase (Ltk) were identified as "orphan" receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) with oncogenic potential. Recently ALKAL1 and ALKAL2 (also named "augmentor-β" and "augmentor-α" or "FAM150A" and "FAM150B," respectively) were discovered as physiological ligands of Alk and Ltk. Here, we employ zebrafish as a model system to explore the physiological function and to characterize in vivo links between Alk and Ltk with their ligands. Unlike the two ligands encoded by mammalian genomes, the zebrafish genome contains three genes: aug-α1, aug-α2, and aug-β Our experiments demonstrate that these ligands play an important role in zebrafish pigment development. Deficiency in aug-α1, aug-α2, and aug-β results in strong impairment in iridophore patterning of embryonic and adult zebrafish that is phenocopied in zebrafish deficient in Ltk. We show that aug-α1 and aug-α2 are essential for embryonic iridophore development and adult body coloration. In contrast, aug-α2 and aug-β are essential for iridophore formation in the adult eye. Importantly, these processes are entirely mediated by Ltk and not by Alk. These experiments establish a physiological link between augmentor ligands and Ltk and demonstrate that particular augmentors activate Ltk in a tissue-specific context to induce iridophore differentiation from neural crest-derived cells and pigment progenitor cells.
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24
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Takita J. The role of anaplastic lymphoma kinase in pediatric cancers. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:1913-1920. [PMID: 28756644 PMCID: PMC5623752 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene was initially identified as a fusion partner of the nucleophosmin gene in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma with t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation, and then described with different genetic abnormalities in a number of tumors. Although ALK is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma through activating mutations or gene amplification, its role in the pathogenesis of other pediatric cancers is still elusive. In addition to neuroblastoma, the high-grade amplification of ALK has been described in a subset of rhabdomyosarcoma cases. Normal ALK protein expression is restricted to the nervous systems of adult mammals, but the aberrant expression of ALK has been observed in a variety of pediatric cancers, including glioma and Ewing sarcoma. The discovery of oncogenic activation of ALK in neuroblastoma suggests that this cancer could be potentially treated with an ALK inhibitor, as could other cancers, such as non-small-cell lung cancer and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. However, cellular responses to mutant ALK are complex when compared to rearranged ALK, and treatment remains a challenge. This review focuses on the biology of ALK in pediatric cancers and possible therapeutic strategies for ALK-associated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Takita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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25
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Rohde PD, Gaertner B, Ward K, Sørensen P, Mackay TFC. Genomic Analysis of Genotype-by-Social Environment Interaction for Drosophila melanogaster Aggressive Behavior. Genetics 2017; 206:1969-1984. [PMID: 28550016 PMCID: PMC5560801 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.200642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder often include adverse behaviors including increased aggressiveness. Individuals with psychiatric disorders often exhibit social withdrawal, which can further increase the probability of conducting a violent act. Here, we used the inbred, sequenced lines of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to investigate the genetic basis of variation in male aggressive behavior for flies reared in a socialized and socially isolated environment. We identified genetic variation for aggressive behavior, as well as significant genotype-by-social environmental interaction (GSEI); i.e., variation among DGRP genotypes in the degree to which social isolation affected aggression. We performed genome-wide association (GWA) analyses to identify genetic variants associated with aggression within each environment. We used genomic prediction to partition genetic variants into gene ontology (GO) terms and constituent genes, and identified GO terms and genes with high prediction accuracies in both social environments and for GSEI. The top predictive GO terms significantly increased the proportion of variance explained, compared to prediction models based on all segregating variants. We performed genomic prediction across environments, and identified genes in common between the social environments that turned out to be enriched for genome-wide associated variants. A large proportion of the associated genes have previously been associated with aggressive behavior in Drosophila and mice. Further, many of these genes have human orthologs that have been associated with neurological disorders, indicating partially shared genetic mechanisms underlying aggression in animal models and human psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palle Duun Rohde
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
- iPSYCH, The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- ISEQ, Center for Integrative Sequencing, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bryn Gaertner
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
- Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
- W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Kirsty Ward
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
- Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
- W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Peter Sørensen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - Trudy F C Mackay
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
- Program in Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
- W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
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Mendoza-García P, Hugosson F, Fallah M, Higgins ML, Iwasaki Y, Pfeifer K, Wolfstetter G, Varshney G, Popichenko D, Gergen JP, Hens K, Deplancke B, Palmer RH. The Zic family homologue Odd-paired regulates Alk expression in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006617. [PMID: 28369060 PMCID: PMC5393633 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (Alk) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) plays a critical role in the specification of founder cells (FCs) in the Drosophila visceral mesoderm (VM) during embryogenesis. Reporter gene and CRISPR/Cas9 deletion analysis reveals enhancer regions in and upstream of the Alk locus that influence tissue-specific expression in the amnioserosa (AS), the VM and the epidermis. By performing high throughput yeast one-hybrid screens (Y1H) with a library of Drosophila transcription factors (TFs) we identify Odd-paired (Opa), the Drosophila homologue of the vertebrate Zic family of TFs, as a novel regulator of embryonic Alk expression. Further characterization identifies evolutionarily conserved Opa-binding cis-regulatory motifs in one of the Alk associated enhancer elements. Employing Alk reporter lines as well as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated removal of regulatory elements in the Alk locus, we show modulation of Alk expression by Opa in the embryonic AS, epidermis and VM. In addition, we identify enhancer elements that integrate input from additional TFs, such as Binou (Bin) and Bagpipe (Bap), to regulate VM expression of Alk in a combinatorial manner. Taken together, our data show that the Opa zinc finger TF is a novel regulator of embryonic Alk expression. The Alk receptor tyrosine kinase is employed repeatedly during Drosophila development to drive signaling events in a variety of tissues. The spatial and temporal expression pattern of the Alk gene is tightly regulated. Identifying factors that influence the expression of Alk is important to better understand how Alk signaling is controlled. In this paper we characterize cis-regulatory sequences in the Alk locus and the transcription factors that bind them to govern Alk expression in the Drosophila embryo. Using a robotic protein-DNA interaction assay, we identified the Zic family transcription factor Odd-paired as a factor that binds to regulatory elements in the Alk locus. Binding of Odd-paired to Alkcis-regulatory elements varies spatially, revealing a requirement for additional transcription factors such as the NK3 and FoxF orthologues Bagpipe and Biniou in a subset of Alk-expressing tissues. Our findings provide new insight into the dynamics underlying temporal and spatial regulation of the Alk receptor during embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mendoza-García
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Hugosson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mahsa Fallah
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Michael L. Higgins
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Yasuno Iwasaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Kathrin Pfeifer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georg Wolfstetter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gaurav Varshney
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - J. Peter Gergen
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Korneel Hens
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bart Deplancke
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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27
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Roskoski R. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in the treatment of ALK-driven lung cancers. Pharmacol Res 2017; 117:343-356. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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28
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Holla VR, Elamin YY, Bailey AM, Johnson AM, Litzenburger BC, Khotskaya YB, Sanchez NS, Zeng J, Shufean MA, Shaw KR, Mendelsohn J, Mills GB, Meric-Bernstam F, Simon GR. ALK: a tyrosine kinase target for cancer therapy. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2017; 3:a001115. [PMID: 28050598 PMCID: PMC5171696 DOI: 10.1101/mcs.a001115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene plays an important physiologic role in the development of the brain and can be oncogenically altered in several malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL). Most prevalent ALK alterations are chromosomal rearrangements resulting in fusion genes, as seen in ALCL and NSCLC. In other tumors, ALK copy-number gains and activating ALK mutations have been described. Dramatic and often prolonged responses are seen in patients with ALK alterations when treated with ALK inhibitors. Three of these—crizotinib, ceritinib, and alectinib—are now FDA approved for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC positive for ALK fusions. However, the emergence of resistance is universal. Newer ALK inhibitors and other targeting strategies are being developed to counteract the newly emergent mechanism(s) of ALK inhibitor resistance. This review outlines the recent developments in our understanding and treatment of tumors with ALK alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaykumar R Holla
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yasir Y Elamin
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ann Marie Bailey
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Amber M Johnson
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Beate C Litzenburger
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yekaterina B Khotskaya
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Nora S Sanchez
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jia Zeng
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Md Abu Shufean
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Kenna R Shaw
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - John Mendelsohn
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.,Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - George R Simon
- Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Zhang YC, Zhou Q, Wu YL. Efficacy of crizotinib in first-line treatment of adults with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2016; 17:1693-701. [PMID: 27359268 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2016.1208171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has evolved from palliative cytotoxic chemotherapy to precise medicine based on genetic alternations over the last decade. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement characterizes a molecular subset of NSCLC with an impressive response to crizotinib. AREAS COVERED To analyze the efficacy of crizotinib in first-line treatment of adults with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC, updated data on development and recent advances of first-line crizotinib in this subset population are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION To date, crizotinib should be established as a standard of care in previously untreated advanced NSCLC with ALK-rearrangement. However, the efficacy of first-line crizotinib is limited by acquired resistance. Second generation ALK inhibitors have demonstrated clinical activity in both crizotinib-refractory and crizotinib naïve setting. How to maximize first-line benefit for advanced ALK-positive NSCLC remains challenging. Combinational strategy, advances in companion diagnostics and optimization of ALK inhibitors might contribute to improve outcome in this subset of patients in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Zhang
- a Graduate School , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR China.,b Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute , Guangdong General Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Qing Zhou
- b Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute , Guangdong General Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- b Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute , Guangdong General Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences , Guangzhou , PR China
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Zhang Q, Wu YL. Safety and efficacy of targeted agents monotherapy in advanced NSCLC. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2015; 9:143-55. [PMID: 26558941 DOI: 10.1586/17512433.2016.1101340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of targetted therapy has revolutionised the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Increasing numbers of driver genes and related targetted agents have supplied more powerful weapons for conquering NSCLC. Depending on whether there are clear targets and therapeutic effects, we can now rank targetted agents into three categories: agents with explicit targets and pure effects, agents with theoretical targets but with no effective biomarkers, agents with vague targets and lower effects. The latest clinical data on the safety and efficacy of monotherapy with three kinds of agents will be reviewed respectively in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- a Graduate School , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , PR China.,b Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute , Guangdong General Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences , Guangzhou , Guangdong , PR China
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- b Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute , Guangdong General Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences , Guangzhou , Guangdong , PR China
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Bai L, Sehgal A. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Acts in the Drosophila Mushroom Body to Negatively Regulate Sleep. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005611. [PMID: 26536237 PMCID: PMC4633181 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Though evidence is mounting that a major function of sleep is to maintain brain plasticity and consolidate memory, little is known about the molecular pathways by which learning and sleep processes intercept. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk), the gene encoding a tyrosine receptor kinase whose inadvertent activation is the cause of many cancers, is implicated in synapse formation and cognitive functions. In particular, Alk genetically interacts with Neurofibromatosis 1 (Nf1) to regulate growth and associative learning in flies. We show that Alk mutants have increased sleep. Using a targeted RNAi screen we localized the negative effects of Alk on sleep to the mushroom body, a structure important for both sleep and memory. We also report that mutations in Nf1 produce a sexually dimorphic short sleep phenotype, and suppress the long sleep phenotype of Alk. Thus Alk and Nf1 interact in both learning and sleep regulation, highlighting a common pathway in these two processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Bai
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Amita Sehgal
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Guan J, Umapathy G, Yamazaki Y, Wolfstetter G, Mendoza P, Pfeifer K, Mohammed A, Hugosson F, Zhang H, Hsu AW, Halenbeck R, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. FAM150A and FAM150B are activating ligands for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. eLife 2015; 4:e09811. [PMID: 26418745 PMCID: PMC4658194 DOI: 10.7554/elife.09811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been described in a range of human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma (Hallberg and Palmer, 2013). Vertebrate ALK has been considered to be an orphan receptor and the identity of the ALK ligand(s) is a critical issue. Here we show that FAM150A and FAM150B are potent ligands for human ALK that bind to the extracellular domain of ALK and in addition to activation of wild-type ALK are able to drive 'superactivation' of activated ALK mutants from neuroblastoma. In conclusion, our data show that ALK is robustly activated by the FAM150A/B ligands and provide an opportunity to develop ALK-targeted therapies in situations where ALK is overexpressed/activated or mutated in the context of the full length receptor. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09811.001 Cells have receptor proteins on their surface that enable them to detect changes in their environment and communicate with other cells. Signal molecules bind to a segment of the receptor called the extracellular domain that faces out from the cell. This can result in the activation of another domain in the receptor that is just inside the cell, which, in turn, activates signaling pathways that relay the information around the cell. However, these communication systems are often disrupted in cancer cells. This helps the cells to override the strict growth controls imposed upon them by other (healthy) cells in the body. The gene that encodes a receptor protein called Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (or ALK for short) is often mutated in some types of human cancer so that the protein is always active. However, we still do not know what signal molecules bind to the ALK protein to activate it in normal cells. Guan, Umapathy et al. used a variety of cell biology and biochemical techniques to study the role of ALK. The experiments show that when either of two proteins called FAM150A and FAM150B are produced in rat nerve cells alongside ALK, the nerve cells rapidly respond and form outgrowths. Experiments using cancer cells derived from human nerve cells also yielded similar results. Guan, Umapathy et al. found that the extracellular domain of ALK can physically interact with FAM150A and FAM150B. The eyes of fruit flies that had been genetically modified to produce the human ALK protein alongside either FAM150A or FAM150B grew more than normal, giving the eyes an abnormal "rough" appearance. Further experiments showed that FAM150A and FAM150B are also able to increase the level of activation of an ALK mutant protein that is already active. Therefore, in future, the development of drugs that stop FAM150A and FAM150B from binding to ALK may be useful for treating cancers that are driven by high levels of ALK activity. Many challenging questions lie ahead to better understand how FAM150A and FAM150B interact with ALK. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09811.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yasuo Yamazaki
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georg Wolfstetter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patricia Mendoza
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kathrin Pfeifer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ateequrrahman Mohammed
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Hugosson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hongbing Zhang
- Five Prime Therapeutics Inc., South San Francisco, United States
| | - Amy W Hsu
- Five Prime Therapeutics Inc., South San Francisco, United States
| | - Robert Halenbeck
- Five Prime Therapeutics Inc., South San Francisco, United States
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ruth H Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Instititute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Maxson JE, Davare MA, Luty SB, Eide CA, Chang BH, Loriaux MM, Tognon CE, Bottomly D, Wilmot B, McWeeney SK, Druker BJ, Tyner JW. Therapeutically Targetable ALK Mutations in Leukemia. Cancer Res 2015; 75:2146-50. [PMID: 26032424 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Genome sequencing is revealing a vast mutational landscape in leukemia, offering new opportunities for treatment with targeted therapy. Here, we identify two patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose tumors harbor point mutations in the ALK kinase. The mutations reside in the extracellular domain of ALK and are potently transforming in cytokine-independent cellular assays and primary mouse bone marrow colony formation studies. Strikingly, both mutations conferred sensitivity to ALK kinase inhibitors, including the FDA-approved drug crizotinib. On the basis of our results, we propose that tumors harboring ALK mutations may be therapeutically tractable for personalized treatment of certain aggressive leukemias with ALK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Maxson
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Monika A Davare
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Samuel B Luty
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Christopher A Eide
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Bill H Chang
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Marc M Loriaux
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Cristina E Tognon
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Daniel Bottomly
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Beth Wilmot
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Shannon K McWeeney
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Brian J Druker
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey W Tyner
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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Niu FY, Wu YL. Personalized treatment strategies for non-small-cell lung cancer in Chinese patients: the role of crizotinib. Onco Targets Ther 2015; 8:999-1007. [PMID: 25999733 PMCID: PMC4427450 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s64664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement is an oncogene targeted with approved drugs second to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in lung cancer. Crizotinib was developed and introduced into clinical practice rapidly and successfully after the discovery of ALK rearrangement in non-small-cell lung cancer. Chinese and other Asian patients treated with crizotinib seem to have lower toxicity and higher efficacy compared with other ethnicities. Crizotinib showed potent antitumor activity and manageable toxicity in mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met)/ROS1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer patients, but prospective clinical trials are still needed to confirm its efficacy and safety. Crizotinib appears to be effective against tumors originating from various organs that harbor ALK abnormalities. In the near future, we would classify the tumors by their genetic information beyond organs, such as ALKoma, EGFRoma, and RAFoma, and a single compound could be used for many different types of cancer in different organs. The major challenge of the widespread use of crizotinib in clinical practice is establishing convenient diagnostic techniques for the detection of ALK/c-Met/ROS1. In the present study, we reviewed the application of crizotinib in Chinese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Yu Niu
- Graduate School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Lopez-Delisle L, Pierre-Eugène C, Bloch-Gallego E, Birling MC, Duband JL, Durand E, Bourgeois T, Matrot B, Sorg T, Huerre M, Meziane H, Roux MJ, Champy MF, Gallego J, Delattre O, Janoueix-Lerosey I. Hyperactivation of Alk induces neonatal lethality in knock-in AlkF1178L mice. Oncotarget 2015; 5:2703-13. [PMID: 24811761 PMCID: PMC4058038 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) gene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor preferentially expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. A syndromic presentation associating congenital neuroblastoma with severe encephalopathy and an abnormal shape of the brainstem has been described in patients harbouring de novo germline F1174V and F1245V ALK mutations. Here, we investigated the phenotype of knock-in (KI) mice bearing the AlkF1178L mutation (F1174L in human). Although heterozygous KI mice did not reproduce the severe breathing and feeding difficulties observed in human patients, behavioral tests documented a reduced activity during dark phases and an increased anxiety of mutated mice. Matings of heterozygotes yielded the expected proportions of wild-type, heterozygotes and homozygotes at birth but a high neonatal lethality was noticed for homozygotes. We documented Alk expression in several motor nuclei of the brainstem involved in the control of sucking and swallowing. Evaluation of basic physiological functions 12 hours after birth revealed slightly more apneas but a dramatic reduced milk intake for homozygotes compared to control littermates. Overall, our data demonstrate that Alk activation above a critical threshold is not compatible with survival in mice, in agreement with the extremely severe phenotype of patients carrying aggressive de novo ALK germline mutations.
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Pert M, Gan M, Saint R, Murray MJ. Netrins and Frazzled/DCC promote the migration and mesenchymal to epithelial transition of Drosophila midgut cells. Biol Open 2015; 4:233-43. [PMID: 25617422 PMCID: PMC4365492 DOI: 10.1242/bio.201410827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal-epithelial transitions (METs) are important in both development and the growth of secondary tumours. Although the molecular basis for epithelial polarity is well studied, less is known about the cues that induce MET. Here we show that Netrins, well known as chemotropic guidance factors, provide a basal polarising cue during the Drosophila midgut MET. Both netrinA and netrinB are expressed in the visceral mesoderm, the substrate upon which midgut cells migrate, while their receptor frazzled (fra) is expressed in midgut cells. Netrins are required to polarise Fra to the basal surface, and Netrins and Fra undergo mutually-dependent endocytosis, with Fra subsequently trafficking to late endosomes. Mutations to fra and netrins affect both migration and MET but to different degrees. Loss of fra strongly delays migration, midgut cells fail to extend protrusions, and apico-basal polarisation of proteins and epithelium formation is inhibited. In netrin mutants, the migration phenotype is weaker and cells still extend protrusions. However, apico-basal polarisation of proteins, including Fra, and FActin is greatly disrupted and a monolayer fails to form. Delocalised accumulations of FActin are prevalent in netrin mutants but not fra mutants suggesting delocalised Fra may disrupt the MET. βPS localisation is also affected in netrin mutants in that a basal gradient is reduced while localisation to the midgut/VM interface is increased. Since a similar effect is seen when endocytosis is inhibited, Netrin and Fra may regulate Integrin turnover. The results suggest Netrin-dependent basal polarisation of Fra is critical for the formation of an epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Pert
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Miao Gan
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Robert Saint
- The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Michael J Murray
- Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
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González-Castillo C, Ortuño-Sahagún D, Guzmán-Brambila C, Pallàs M, Rojas-Mayorquín AE. Pleiotrophin as a central nervous system neuromodulator, evidences from the hippocampus. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 8:443. [PMID: 25620911 PMCID: PMC4287103 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted growth factor, and also a cytokine, associated with the extracellular matrix, which has recently starting to attract attention as a significant neuromodulator with multiple neuronal functions during development. PTN is expressed in several tissues, where its signals are generally related with cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation by acting through different receptors. In Central Nervous System (CNS), PTN exerts post-developmental neurotrophic and -protective effects, and additionally has been involved in neurodegenerative diseases and neural disorders. Studies in Drosophila shed light on some aspects of the different levels of regulatory control of PTN invertebrate homologs. Specifically in hippocampus, recent evidence from PTN Knock-out (KO) mice involves PTN functioning in learning and memory. In this paper, we summarize, discuss, and contrast the most recent advances and results that lead to proposing a PTN as a neuromodulatory molecule in the CNS, particularly in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia González-Castillo
- Doctorwado en Ciencias en Biología Molecular en Medicina (DCBMM), CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - Daniel Ortuño-Sahagún
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), CUCS, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara Jalisco, México
| | - Carolina Guzmán-Brambila
- Tecnológico de Monterrey, División de Biotecnología y Salud, Escuela de Medicina, Campus Guadalajara Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Department of Pharmacology and Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy School of Pharmacy, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
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Rakshambikai R, Manoharan M, Gnanavel M, Srinivasan N. Typical and atypical domain combinations in human protein kinases: functions, disease causing mutations and conservation in other primates. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra11685b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A twist in the evolution of human kinases resulting in kinases with hybrid and rogue properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Malini Manoharan
- Molecular Biophysics Unit
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore 560012
- India
| | - Mutharasu Gnanavel
- Molecular Biophysics Unit
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore 560012
- India
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Hugosson F, Sjögren C, Birve A, Hedlund L, Eriksson T, Palmer RH. The Drosophila midkine/pleiotrophin homologues Miple1 and Miple2 affect adult lifespan but are dispensable for alk signaling during embryonic gut formation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112250. [PMID: 25380037 PMCID: PMC4224452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Midkine (MDK) and Pleiotrophin (PTN) are small heparin-binding cytokines with closely related structures. The Drosophila genome harbours two genes encoding members of the MDK/PTN family of proteins, known as miple1 and miple2. We have investigated the role of Miple proteins in vivo, in particular with regard to their proposed role as ligands for the Alk receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Here we show that Miple proteins are neither required to drive Alk signaling during Drosophila embryogenesis, nor are they essential for development in the fruit fly. Additionally we show that neither MDK nor PTN can activate hALK in vivo when ectopically co-expressed in the fly. In conclusion, our data suggest that Alk is not activated by MDK/PTN related growth factors Miple1 and Miple 2 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Camilla Sjögren
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna Birve
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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40
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Distinct genetic programs guide Drosophila circular and longitudinal visceral myoblast fusion. BMC Cell Biol 2014; 15:27. [PMID: 25000973 PMCID: PMC4169254 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2121-15-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The visceral musculature of Drosophila larvae comprises circular visceral muscles tightly interwoven with longitudinal visceral muscles. During myogenesis, the circular muscles arise by one-to-one fusion of a circular visceral founder cell (FC) with a visceral fusion-competent myoblast (FCM) from the trunk visceral mesoderm, and longitudinal muscles arise from FCs of the caudal visceral mesoderm. Longitudinal FCs migrate anteriorly under guidance of fibroblast growth factors during embryogenesis; it is proposed that they fuse with FCMs from the trunk visceral mesoderm to give rise to syncytia containing up to six nuclei. RESULTS Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunochemical analyses, we investigated whether these fusion events during migration use the same molecular repertoire and cellular components as fusion-restricted myogenic adhesive structure (FuRMAS), the adhesive signaling center that mediates myoblast fusion in the somatic mesoderm. Longitudinal muscles were formed by the fusion of one FC with Sns-positive FCMs, and defects in FCM specification led to defects in longitudinal muscle formation. At the fusion sites, Duf/Kirre and the adaptor protein Rols7 accumulated in longitudinal FCs, and Blow and F-actin accumulated in FCMs. The accumulation of these four proteins at the fusion sites argues for FuRMAS-like adhesion and signaling centers. Longitudinal fusion was disturbed in rols and blow single, and scar wip double mutants. Mutants of wasp or its interaction partner wip had no defects in longitudinal fusion. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that all embryonic fusion events depend on the same cell-adhesion molecules, but that the need for Rols7 and regulators of F-actin distinctly differs. Rols7 was required for longitudinal visceral and somatic myoblast fusion but not for circular visceral fusion. Importantly, longitudinal fusion depended on Kette and SCAR/Wave but was independent of WASp-dependent Arp2/3 activation. Thus, the complexity of the players involved in muscle formation increases from binucleated circular muscles to longitudinal visceral muscles to somatic muscles.
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Pecot MY, Chen Y, Akin O, Chen Z, Tsui CYK, Zipursky SL. Sequential axon-derived signals couple target survival and layer specificity in the Drosophila visual system. Neuron 2014; 82:320-33. [PMID: 24742459 PMCID: PMC4304384 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neural circuit formation relies on interactions between axons and cells within the target field. While it is well established that target-derived signals act on axons to regulate circuit assembly, the extent to which axon-derived signals control circuit formation is not known. In the Drosophila visual system, anterograde signals numerically match R1-R6 photoreceptors with their targets by controlling target proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Here we demonstrate that additional axon-derived signals selectively couple target survival with layer specificity. We show that Jelly belly (Jeb) produced by R1-R6 axons interacts with its receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk), on budding dendrites to control survival of L3 neurons, one of three postsynaptic targets. L3 axons then produce Netrin, which regulates the layer-specific targeting of another neuron within the same circuit. We propose that a cascade of axon-derived signals, regulating diverse cellular processes, provides a strategy for coordinating circuit assembly across different regions of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Y Pecot
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Orkun Akin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zhenqing Chen
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - C Y Kimberly Tsui
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - S Lawrence Zipursky
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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42
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ALK: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase. Mol Oncol 2013. [DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781139046947.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Abstract
The burgeoning field of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in cancer encompasses many cancer types, from very rare cancers to the more prevalent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The common activation of ALK has led to the use of the ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) crizotinib in a range of patient populations and to the rapid development of second-generation drugs targeting ALK. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of ALK function in human cancer and the implications for tumour treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/physiology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Crizotinib
- Drosophila Proteins/physiology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Enzyme Induction
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/enzymology
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/genetics
- Mice
- Models, Biological
- Models, Molecular
- Mutation
- Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis
- Neoplasm Proteins/chemistry
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/physiology
- Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Neoplasms/enzymology
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/physiology
- Protein Conformation
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/physiology
- Pyrazoles/therapeutic use
- Pyridines/therapeutic use
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/biosynthesis
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/chemistry
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/physiology
- Signal Transduction
- Translocation, Genetic
- Zebrafish Proteins/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Building 6L, Umeå University, Umeå S-90187, Sweden
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44
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Popichenko D, Hugosson F, Sjögren C, Dogru M, Yamazaki Y, Wolfstetter G, Schönherr C, Fallah M, Hallberg B, Nguyen H, Palmer RH. Jeb/Alk signalling regulates the Lame duck GLI family transcription factor in the Drosophila visceral mesoderm. Development 2013; 140:3156-66. [PMID: 23824577 DOI: 10.1242/dev.094466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The Jelly belly (Jeb)/Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (Alk) signalling pathway regulates myoblast fusion in the circular visceral mesoderm (VM) of Drosophila embryos via specification of founder cells. However, only a limited number of target molecules for this pathway are described. We have investigated the role of the Lame Duck (Lmd) transcription factor in VM development in relationship to Jeb/Alk signal transduction. We show that Alk signalling negatively regulates Lmd activity post-transcriptionally through the MEK/MAPK (ERK) cascade resulting in a relocalisation of Lmd protein from the nucleus to cytoplasm. It has previously been shown that downregulation of Lmd protein is necessary for the correct specification of founder cells. In the visceral mesoderm of lmd mutant embryos, fusion-competent myoblasts seem to be converted to 'founder-like' cells that are still able to build a gut musculature even in the absence of fusion. The ability of Alk signalling to downregulate Lmd protein requires the N-terminal 140 amino acids, as a Lmd(141-866) mutant remains nuclear in the presence of active ALK and is able to drive robust expression of the Lmd downstream target Vrp1 in the developing VM. Our results suggest that Lmd is a target of Jeb/Alk signalling in the VM of Drosophila embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Popichenko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Building 6L, Umeå University, Umeå S-90187, Sweden
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45
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Deuel TF. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase: "Ligand Independent Activation" mediated by the PTN/RPTPβ/ζ signaling pathway. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2013; 1834:2219-23. [PMID: 23777859 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase is essential in early development, differentiation, and maintenance of cell survival; nevertheless, the mechanism to activate ALK has remained elusive. ALK has remained an "Orphan Receptor." The studies cited below describe a unique mechanism termed "Ligand Independent Activation." It is shown that activation of ALK results when the cytokine pleiotrophin (PTN) interacts with its receptor, the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase β/ζ (RPTPβ/ζ). Pleiotrophin inactivates the catalytic activity of RPTPβ/ζ, which, when not inactivated, dephosphorylates phosphotyrosine sites in the activation domain of ALK; as a consequence of the inactivation of RPTPβ/ζ by PTN, autophosphorylation and autoactivation of ALK rapidly follow. The PTN/RPTPβ/ζ signaling pathway thus regulates the catalytic activity of ALK and tyrosine phosphorylation levels of ALK downstream target proteins. Furthermore, since ALK is only one of the key ALK phosphoproteins targeted by the PTN/RPTPβ/ζ signaling pathway, the PTN/RPTPβ/ζ signaling pathway has the potential to coordinately regulate tyrosine phosphorylation of other different key proteins in multiple cellular compartments. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Emerging recognition and activation mechanisms of receptor tyrosine kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Deuel
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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46
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Abstract
Tyrosine phosphorylation plays a significant role in a wide range of cellular processes. The Drosophila genome encodes more than 20 receptor tyrosine kinases and extensive studies in the past 20 years have illustrated their diverse roles and complex signaling mechanisms. Although some receptor tyrosine kinases have highly specific functions, others strikingly are used in rather ubiquitous manners. Receptor tyrosine kinases regulate a broad expanse of processes, ranging from cell survival and proliferation to differentiation and patterning. Remarkably, different receptor tyrosine kinases share many of the same effectors and their hierarchical organization is retained in disparate biological contexts. In this comprehensive review, we summarize what is known regarding each receptor tyrosine kinase during Drosophila development. Astonishingly, very little is known for approximately half of all Drosophila receptor tyrosine kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richelle Sopko
- Department of Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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47
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Yao S, Cheng M, Zhang Q, Wasik M, Kelsh R, Winkler C. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase is required for neurogenesis in the developing central nervous system of zebrafish. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63757. [PMID: 23667670 PMCID: PMC3648509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) was initially discovered as an oncogene in human lymphoma and other cancers, including neuroblastoma. However, little is known about the physiological function of ALK. We identified the alk ortholog in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and found that it is highly expressed in the developing central nervous system (CNS). Heat-shock inducible transgenic zebrafish lines were generated to over-express alk during early neurogenesis. Its ectopic expression resulted in activation of the MEK/ERK pathway, increased cell proliferation, and aberrant neurogenesis leading to mis-positioning of differentiated neurons. Thus, overexpressed alk is capable of promoting cell proliferation in the nervous system, similar to the situation in ALK-related cancers. Next, we used Morpholino mediated gene knock-down and a pharmacological inhibitor to interfere with expression and function of endogenous Alk. Alk inhibition did not affect neuron progenitor formation but severely compromised neuronal differentiation and neuron survival in the CNS. These data indicate that tightly controlled alk expression is critical for the balance between neural progenitor proliferation, differentiation and survival during embryonic neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Yao
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for BioImaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mangeng Cheng
- In Vitro Pharmacology, Merck Research Laboratory, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mariusz Wasik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Robert Kelsh
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Developmental Biology Programme, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph Winkler
- Department of Biological Sciences and Centre for BioImaging Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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48
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49
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Schaub C, Frasch M. Org-1 is required for the diversification of circular visceral muscle founder cells and normal midgut morphogenesis. Dev Biol 2013; 376:245-59. [PMID: 23380635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The T-Box family of transcription factors plays fundamental roles in the generation of appropriate spatial and temporal gene expression profiles during cellular differentiation and organogenesis in animals. In this study we report that the Drosophila Tbx1 orthologue optomotor-blind-related-gene-1 (org-1) exerts a pivotal function in the diversification of circular visceral muscle founder cell identities in Drosophila. In embryos mutant for org-1, the specification of the midgut musculature per se is not affected, but the differentiating midgut fails to form the anterior and central midgut constrictions and lacks the gastric caeca. We demonstrate that this phenotype results from the nearly complete loss of the founder cell specific expression domains of several genes known to regulate midgut morphogenesis, including odd-paired (opa), teashirt (tsh), Ultrabithorax (Ubx), decapentaplegic (dpp) and wingless (wg). To address the mechanisms that mediate the regulatory inputs from org-1 towards Ubx, dpp, and wg in these founder cells we genetically dissected known visceral mesoderm specific cis-regulatory-modules (CRMs) of these genes. The analyses revealed that the activities of the dpp and wg CRMs depend on org-1, the CRMs are bound by Org-1 in vivo and their T-Box binding sites are essential for their activation in the visceral muscle founder cells. We conclude that Org-1 acts within a well-defined signaling and transcriptional network of the trunk visceral mesoderm as a crucial founder cell-specific competence factor, in concert with the general visceral mesodermal factor Biniou. As such, it directly regulates several key genes involved in the establishment of morphogenetic centers along the anteroposterior axis of the visceral mesoderm, which subsequently organize the formation of midgut constrictions and gastric caeca and thereby determine the morphology of the midgut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schaub
- Department of Biology, Division of Developmental Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Staudtstr. 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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50
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Rohrbough J, Kent KS, Broadie K, Weiss JB. Jelly Belly trans-synaptic signaling to anaplastic lymphoma kinase regulates neurotransmission strength and synapse architecture. Dev Neurobiol 2012; 73:189-208. [PMID: 22949158 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In Drosophila, the secreted signaling molecule Jelly Belly (Jeb) activates anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk), a receptor tyrosine kinase, in multiple developmental and adult contexts. We have shown previously that Jeb and Alk are highly enriched at Drosophila synapses within the CNS neuropil and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and postulated a conserved intercellular signaling function. At the embryonic and larval NMJ, Jeb is localized in the motor neuron presynaptic terminal whereas Alk is concentrated in the muscle postsynaptic domain surrounding boutons, consistent with anterograde trans-synaptic signaling. Here, we show that neurotransmission is regulated by Jeb secretion by functional inhibition of Jeb-Alk signaling. Jeb is a novel negative regulator of neuromuscular transmission. Reduction or inhibition of Alk function results in enhanced synaptic transmission. Activation of Alk conversely inhibits synaptic transmission. Restoration of wild-type postsynaptic Alk expression in Alk partial loss-of-function mutants rescues NMJ transmission phenotypes and confirms that postsynaptic Alk regulates NMJ transmission. The effects of impaired Alk signaling on neurotransmission are observed in the absence of associated changes in NMJ structure. Complete removal of Jeb in motor neurons, however, disrupts both presynaptic bouton architecture and postsynaptic differentiation. Nonphysiologic activation of Alk signaling also negatively regulates NMJ growth. Activation of Jeb-Alk signaling triggers the Ras-MAP kinase cascade in both pre- and postsynaptic compartments. These novel roles for Jeb-Alk signaling in the modulation of synaptic function and structure have potential implications for recently reported Alk functions in human addiction, retention of spatial memory, cognitive dysfunction in neurofibromatosis, and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Rohrbough
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235-1634, USA
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