1
|
Wang F, Fu K, Wang Y, Pan C, Wang X, Liu Z, Yang C, Zheng Y, Li X, Lu Y, To KKW, Xia C, Zhang J, Shi Z, Hu Z, Huang M, Fu L. Small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:905-952. [PMID: 38486980 PMCID: PMC10935485 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, exemplified by the remarkable clinical benefits of the immune checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is revolutionizing cancer therapy. They induce long-term tumor regression and overall survival benefit in many types of cancer. With the advances in our knowledge about the tumor immune microenvironment, remarkable progress has been made in the development of small-molecule drugs for immunotherapy. Small molecules targeting PRR-associated pathways, immune checkpoints, oncogenic signaling, metabolic pathways, cytokine/chemokine signaling, and immune-related kinases have been extensively investigated. Monotherapy of small-molecule immunotherapeutic drugs and their combinations with other antitumor modalities are under active clinical investigations to overcome immune tolerance and circumvent immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. Here, we review the latest development of small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy by targeting defined pathways and highlighting their progress in recent clinical investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Kai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Can Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xueping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chenglai Xia
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zeping Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu S, Chen C, Chen M, Liang J, Jiang K, Lou B, Lu J, Zhu X, Zhou D. MAGOH promotes gastric cancer progression via hnRNPA1 expression inhibition-mediated RONΔ160/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:32. [PMID: 38268030 PMCID: PMC10809607 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02946-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is associated with high mortality and heterogeneity and poses a great threat to humans. Gene therapies for the receptor tyrosine kinase RON and its spliceosomes are attracting increasing amounts of attention due to their unique characteristics. However, little is known about the mechanism involved in the formation of the RON mRNA alternative spliceosome RONΔ160. METHODS Fourteen human GC tissue samples and six normal gastric tissue samples were subjected to label-free relative quantitative proteomics analysis, and MAGOH was identified as a candidate protein for subsequent studies. The expression of MAGOH in clinical specimens was verified by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. We then determined the biological function of MAGOH in GC through in vitro and in vivo experiments. RNA pulldown, RNA sequencing and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were subsequently conducted to uncover the underlying mechanism by which MAGOH regulated the formation of RONΔ160. RESULTS Proteomic analysis revealed that MAGOH, which is located at key nodes and participates in RNA processing and mRNA splicing, was upregulated in GC tissue and GC cell lines and was associated with poor prognosis. Functional analysis showed that MAGOH promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, MAGOH inhibited the expression of hnRNPA1 and reduced the binding of hnRNPA1 to RON mRNA, thereby promoting the formation of RONΔ160 to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and consequently facilitating GC progression. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that MAGOH could promote the formation of RONΔ160 and activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through the inhibition of hnRNPA1 expression. We elucidate a novel mechanism and potential therapeutic targets for the growth and metastasis of GC based on the MAGOH-RONΔ160 axis, and these findings have important guiding significance and clinical value for the future development of effective therapeutic strategies for GC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinxiao Liang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kecheng Jiang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Lou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Donghui Zhou
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim J, Koh DI, Lee M, Park YS, Hong SW, Shin JS, Lee MS, Kim MH, Lee JH, Jeong J, Bae S, Hong JK, Jeong HR, Ryu YS, Kim SM, Choi M, Kim H, Ryu H, Hur SC, Park J, Hur DY, Jin DH. Targeting isoforms of RON kinase (MST1R) drives antitumor efficacy. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:2491-2507. [PMID: 37926711 PMCID: PMC10733321 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01235-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON, MST1R) is a single-span transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) aberrantly expressed in numerous cancers, including various solid tumors. How naturally occurring splicing isoforms of RON, especially those which are constitutively activated, affect tumorigenesis and therapeutic response, is largely unknown. Here, we identified that presence of activated RON could be a possible factor for the development of resistance against anti-EGFR (cetuximab) therapy in colorectal cancer patient tissues. Also, we elucidated the roles of three splicing variants of RON, RON Δ155, Δ160, and Δ165 as tumor drivers in cancer cell lines. Subsequently, we designed an inhibitor of RON, WM-S1-030, to suppress phosphorylation thereby inhibiting the activation of the three RON variants as well as the wild type. Specifically, WM-S1-030 treatment led to potent regression of tumor growth in solid tumors expressing the RON variants Δ155, Δ160, and Δ165. Two mechanisms for the RON oncogenic activity depending on KRAS genotype was evaluated in our study which include activation of EGFR and Src, in a trimeric complex, and stabilization of the beta-catenin. In terms of the immunotherapy, WM-S1-030 elicited notable antitumor immunity in anti-PD-1 resistant cell derived mouse model, likely via repression of M1/M2 polarization of macrophages. These findings suggest that WM-S1-030 could be developed as a new treatment option for cancer patients expressing these three RON variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-In Koh
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minki Lee
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Sun Park
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Jae-Sik Shin
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi So Lee
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hwa Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Jun Ki Hong
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Yea Seong Ryu
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Mi Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingee Choi
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ryu
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Chul Hur
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Park
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Young Hur
- Department of Anatomy and Tumor Immunology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Jin
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li L, Zheng J, Oltean S. Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions by Alternative Splicing: Potential New Area for Cancer Therapeutics. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2001. [PMID: 38002944 PMCID: PMC10671305 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complicated biological process in which cells with epithelial phenotype are transformed into mesenchymal cells with loss of cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion and gain of the ability to migrate. EMT and the reverse mesenchymal-epithelial transitions (METs) are present during cancer progression and metastasis. Using the dynamic switch between EMT and MET, tumour cells can migrate to neighbouring organs or metastasize in the distance and develop resistance to traditional chemotherapy and targeted drug treatments. Growing evidence shows that reversing or inhibiting EMT may be an advantageous approach for suppressing the migration of tumour cells or distant metastasis. Among different levels of modulation of EMT, alternative splicing (AS) plays an important role. An in-depth understanding of the role of AS and EMT in cancer is not only helpful to better understand the occurrence and regulation of EMT in cancer progression, but also may provide new therapeutic strategies. This review will present and discuss various splice variants and splicing factors that have been shown to play a crucial role in EMT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sebastian Oltean
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK; (L.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ryu H, Kim H, Park I, Lee M, Park YS, Jin DH, Hur SC, Park J, Lee H. Discovery of Novel, Thienopyridine-Based Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Targeting Tumorigenic RON Splice Variants. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1198-1207. [PMID: 37736180 PMCID: PMC10510527 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report the identification, structural optimization, and biological efficacy of thieno[2,3-b]pyridines as potent inhibitors of splice variants of the tyrosine kinase recepteur d'origine nantais (RON). Among synthesized compounds, compound 15f exhibited excellent in vitro kinase inhibition and antiproliferative activity, as well as in vivo antineoplastic efficacy against RON splice variant-expressing tumors. Moreover, compound 15f with excellent pharmacokinetics demonstrated significant activity with greater tumor growth inhibition (74.9% at 10 mg/kg) than compounds 2 and 4 in a patient-derived xenograft model. Collectively, 15f represents a promising, novel anticancer agent targeting RON splice variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ryu
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Inwon Park
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Minki Lee
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Yoon Sun Park
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Jin
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
- Department
of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Ulsan College
of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-chul Hur
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Junho Park
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| | - Hyunho Lee
- Wellmarkerbio
Co., Ltd., Seoul 05855, Republic
of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Brownmiller T, Caplen NJ. The HNRNPF/H RNA binding proteins and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1788. [PMID: 37042074 PMCID: PMC10523889 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The members of the HNRNPF/H family of heterogeneous nuclear RNA proteins-HNRNPF, HNRNPH1, HNRNPH2, HNRNPH3, and GRSF1, are critical regulators of RNA maturation. Documented functions of these proteins include regulating splicing, particularly alternative splicing, 5' capping and 3' polyadenylation of RNAs, and RNA export. The assignment of these proteins to the HNRNPF/H protein family members relates to differences in the amino acid composition of their RNA recognition motifs, which differ from those of other RNA binding proteins (RBPs). HNRNPF/H proteins typically bind RNA sequences enriched with guanine (G) residues, including sequences that, in the presence of a cation, have the potential to form higher-order G-quadruplex structures. The need to further investigate members of the HNRNPF/H family of RBPs has intensified with the recent descriptions of their involvement in several disease states, including the pediatric tumor Ewing sarcoma and the hematological malignancy mantle cell lymphoma; newly described groups of developmental syndromes; and neuronal-related disorders, including addictive behavior. Here, to foster the study of the HNRNPF/H family of RBPs, we discuss features of the genes encoding these proteins, their structures and functions, and emerging contributions to disease. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tayvia Brownmiller
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Natasha J Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zheng Y, Zhong G, He C, Li M. Targeted splicing therapy: new strategies for colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1222932. [PMID: 37664052 PMCID: PMC10470845 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1222932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is the process of forming mature mRNA, which is an essential phase necessary for gene expression and controls many aspects of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Abnormal gene-splicing events are closely related to the development of tumors, and the generation of oncogenic isoform in splicing can promote tumor progression. As a main process of tumor-specific splicing variants, alternative splicing (AS) can promote tumor progression by increasing the production of oncogenic splicing isoforms and/or reducing the production of normal splicing isoforms. This is the focus of current research on the regulation of aberrant tumor splicing. So far, AS has been found to be associated with various aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation and invasion, resistance to apoptosis, and sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic drugs. This article will review the abnormal splicing events in colorectal cancer (CRC), especially the tumor-associated splicing variants arising from AS, aiming to offer an insight into CRC-targeted splicing therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chengcheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xiong L, He H, Fan M, Hu L, Wang F, Song X, Shi S, Qi B. Discovery of novel conjugates of quinoline and thiazolidinone urea as potential anti-colorectal cancer agent. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:2334-2347. [PMID: 36043496 PMCID: PMC9448386 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2117318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on the obtained SARs, further structural optimisation of compound BC2021-104511-15i was conducted in this investigation, and totally ten novel quinoline derivates were designed, synthesised and optimised for biological activity. Among them, compound 10a displayed significant in vitro anticancer activity against COLO 205 cells with an IC50 value of 0.11 μM which was over 90-fold more potent than that of Regorafenib (IC50>10.0 μM) and Fruquintinib (IC50>10.0 μM). Furthermore, compound 10a exhibited over 90-fold selectivity towards COLO 205 relative to human normal colorectal mucosa epithelial cell FHC cells. Flow cytometry study demonstrated that compound 10a could induce apoptosis in COLO 205 cells, however, it could not induce cell cycle arrest in COLO 205 cells. The results of preliminary kinase profile study showed that compound 10a was a potential HGFR and MST1R dual inhibitor, with IC50 values of 0.11 μM and 0.045 μM, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiong
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Huan He
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Mengmeng Fan
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Liping Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xiaomeng Song
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Shengmin Shi
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Baohui Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China.,Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis & Chiral Drug Synthesis of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cazes A, Childers BG, Esparza E, Lowy AM. The MST1R/RON Tyrosine Kinase in Cancer: Oncogenic Functions and Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14082037. [PMID: 35454943 PMCID: PMC9027306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14082037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary MST1R/RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a highly conserved transmembrane protein present on epithelial cells, macrophages, and recently identified in a T-cell subset. RON activation attenuates inflammation in healthy tissue. Interestingly, it is overexpressed in several epithelial neoplasms with increasing levels of expression associated with worse outcomes. Though the mechanisms involved are still under investigation, RON is involved in carcinogenesis via immune modulation of the immune tumor microenvironment, activation of numerous oncogenic pathways, and is protective under cellular stress. Alternatively, inhibition of RON abrogates tumor progression in both animal and human tissue models. Given this, RON is a targetable protein of great interest for cancer treatment. Here, we review RON’s function in tissue inflammation and cancer progression, and review cancer clinical trials to date that have used agents targeting RON signaling. Abstract The MST1R/RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a homologue of the more well-known MET receptor. Like MET, RON orchestrates cell signaling pathways that promote oncogenesis and enable cancer cell survival; however, it has a more unique role in the regulation of inflammation. RON was originally described as a transmembrane receptor expressed on tissue resident macrophages and various epithelial cells. RON is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and its activation modifies multiple signaling pathways with resultant changes in epithelial and immune cells which together modulate oncogenic phenotypes. While several RON isoforms have been identified with differences in structure, activation, and pathway regulation, increased RON expression and/or activation is consistently associated with worse outcomes. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting RON have been developed, making RON an actionable therapeutic target.
Collapse
|
10
|
Lyu J, Cheng C. Regulation of Alternative Splicing during Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Cells Tissues Organs 2022; 211:238-251. [PMID: 34348273 PMCID: PMC8741878 DOI: 10.1159/000518249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is an essential mechanism of gene regulation, giving rise to remarkable protein diversity in higher eukaryotes. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental process that plays an essential role in metazoan embryogenesis. Recent studies have revealed that alternative splicing serves as a fundamental layer of regulation that governs cells to undergo EMT. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the functional impact of alternative splicing in EMT and EMT-associated activities. We then discuss the regulatory mechanisms that control alternative splicing changes during EMT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Lyu
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular
& Human Genetics, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chonghui Cheng
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Department of Molecular
& Human Genetics, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College
of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate
Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,To whom correspondence should be addressed:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Franco Nitta C, Green EW, Jhamba ED, Keth JM, Ortiz-Caraveo I, Grattan RM, Schodt DJ, Gibson AC, Rajput A, Lidke KA, Wilson BS, Steinkamp MP, Lidke DS. EGFR transactivates RON to drive oncogenic crosstalk. eLife 2021; 10:63678. [PMID: 34821550 PMCID: PMC8654365 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Crosstalk between different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is thought to drive oncogenic signaling and allow therapeutic escape. EGFR and RON are two such RTKs from different subfamilies, which engage in crosstalk through unknown mechanisms. We combined high-resolution imaging with biochemical and mutational studies to ask how EGFR and RON communicate. EGF stimulation promotes EGFR-dependent phosphorylation of RON, but ligand stimulation of RON does not trigger EGFR phosphorylation – arguing that crosstalk is unidirectional. Nanoscale imaging reveals association of EGFR and RON in common plasma membrane microdomains. Two-color single particle tracking captured formation of complexes between RON and EGF-bound EGFR. Our results further show that RON is a substrate for EGFR kinase, and that transactivation of RON requires formation of a signaling competent EGFR dimer. These results support a role for direct EGFR/RON interactions in propagating crosstalk, such that EGF-stimulated EGFR phosphorylates RON to activate RON-directed signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellen W Green
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Elton D Jhamba
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Justine M Keth
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Iraís Ortiz-Caraveo
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Rachel M Grattan
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - David J Schodt
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Aubrey C Gibson
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Ashwani Rajput
- Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Keith A Lidke
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Bridget S Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Mara P Steinkamp
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| | - Diane S Lidke
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
CCL20 induces colorectal cancer neoplastic epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and further CCL20 production through autocrine HGF-c-Met and MSP-MSPR signaling pathways. Oncotarget 2021; 12:2323-2337. [PMID: 34853656 PMCID: PMC8629403 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CCL20-CCR6 interactions promote colorectal cancer through direct effects on neoplastic epithelial cells and through modulating the tumor microenvironment. The mechanism of these effects on neoplastic epithelial cells is poorly understood. This study demonstrates that CCL20 induces secretion of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and phosphorylation of HGF’s cognate receptor c-Met in HT29 and HCT116 colorectal cancer cell lines both in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Similar to CCL20, HGF induces migration, autofeedback CCL20 secretion, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the colon cancer cells. CCL20-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation is blocked by HGF inhibition, and CCL20-dependent migration and CCL20 secretion are blocked by inhibition of HGF or ERK. Interestingly, unlike CCL20, HGF does not induce proliferation of colon cancer cells, and CCL20-dependent cell proliferation is not blocked by direct HGF inhibition. CCL20-dependent proliferation, however, is blocked by the multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib. Exploring this effect, it was found that CCL20 also induces production of MSP and phosphorylation of MSP’s receptor MSPR by the colorectal cancer cells. CCL20-dependent cell proliferation is inhibited by directly blocking MSP-MSPR interactions. Thus, CCL20-mediated migration and CCL20 secretion are regulated through a pathway involving HGF, c-Met, and ERK, while CCL20-mediated proliferation is instead regulated through MSP and its receptor MSPR.
Collapse
|
13
|
Singh D, Dheer D, Samykutty A, Shankar R. Antibody drug conjugates in gastrointestinal cancer: From lab to clinical development. J Control Release 2021; 340:1-34. [PMID: 34673122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are one the fastest growing biotherapeutics in oncology and are still in their infancy in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer for clinical applications to improve patient survival. The ADC based approach is developed with tumor specific antigen, antibody carrying cytotoxic agents to precisely target and deliver chemotherapeutics at the tumor site. To date, 11 ADCs have been approved by US-FDA, and more than 80 are in the clinical development phase for different oncological indications. However, The ADCs based therapies in GI cancers are still far from having high-efficient clinical outcomes. The limited success of these ADCs and lessons learned from the past are now being used to develop a newer generation of ADC against GI cancers. In this review, we did a comprehensive assessment of the key components of ADCs, including tumor marker, antibody, cytotoxic payload, and linkage strategy, with a focus on technical improvement and some future trends in the pipeline for clinical translation. The various preclinical and clinical ADCs used in gastrointestinal malignancies, their target, composition and bioconjugation, along with preclinical and clinical outcomes, are discussed. The emphasis is also given to new generation ADCs employing novel mAb, payload, linker, and bioconjugation methods are also included.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davinder Singh
- Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Divya Dheer
- Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Abhilash Samykutty
- Stephenson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
| | - Ravi Shankar
- Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu 180001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen SL, Wang GP, Shi DR, Yao SH, Chen KD, Yao HP. RON in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers: Pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:2507-2520. [PMID: 34092972 PMCID: PMC8160627 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i20.2507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor protein tyrosine kinase RON belongs to the c-MET proto-oncogene family. Research has shown that RON has a role in cancer pathogenesis, which places RON on the frontline of the development of novel cancer therapeutic strategies. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) cancers have a poor prognosis, being reported as having higher rates of cancer-related death. Therefore, to combat these malignant diseases, the mechanism underlying the aberrant expression and signaling of RON in HBP cancer pathogenesis, and the development of RON as a drug target for therapeutic intervention should be investigated. Abnormal RON expression and signaling have been identified in HBP cancers, and also act as tumorigenic determinants for HBP cancer malignant behaviors. In addition, RON is emerging as an important mediator of the clinical prognosis of HBP cancers. Thus, not only is RON significant in HBP cancers, but also RON-targeted therapeutics could be developed to treat these cancers, for example, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors. Among them, antibody-drug conjugates have become increasingly popular in current research and their potential as novel anti-cancer biotherapeutics will be determined in future clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Long Chen
- Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Guo-Ping Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Dan-Rong Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shu-Hao Yao
- Department of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University Renji College, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ke-Da Chen
- Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nogueira G, Fernandes R, García-Moreno JF, Romão L. Nonsense-mediated RNA decay and its bipolar function in cancer. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:72. [PMID: 33926465 PMCID: PMC8082775 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) was first described as a quality-control mechanism that targets and rapidly degrades aberrant mRNAs carrying premature termination codons (PTCs). However, it was found that NMD also degrades a significant number of normal transcripts, thus arising as a mechanism of gene expression regulation. Based on these important functions, NMD regulates several biological processes and is involved in the pathophysiology of a plethora of human genetic diseases, including cancer. The present review aims to discuss the paradoxical, pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles of NMD, and how cancer cells have exploited both functions to potentiate the disease. Considering recent genetic and bioinformatic studies, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the present knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different NMD modulation-based approaches in cancer therapy, reflecting on the challenges imposed by the complexity of this disease. Furthermore, we discuss significant advances in the recent years providing new perspectives on the implications of aberrant NMD-escaping frameshifted transcripts in personalized immunotherapy design and predictive biomarker optimization. A better understanding of how NMD differentially impacts tumor cells according to their own genetic identity will certainly allow for the application of novel and more effective personalized treatments in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Nogueira
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rafael Fernandes
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Juan F García-Moreno
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal.,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luísa Romão
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal. .,BioISI - Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang J, Wang C, Li L, Yang L, Wang S, Ning X, Gao S, Ren L, Chaulagain A, Tang J, Wang T. Alternative splicing: An important regulatory mechanism in colorectal carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2021; 60:279-293. [PMID: 33629774 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a process that produces various mRNA splicing isoforms via different splicing patterns of mRNA precursors (pre-mRNAs). AS is the primary mechanism for increasing the types and quantities of proteins to improve biodiversity and influence multiple biological processes, including chromatin modification, signal transduction, and protein expression. It has been reported that AS is involved in the tumorigenesis and development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). In this review, we delineate the concept, types, regulatory processes, and technical advances of AS and focus on the role of AS in CRC initiation, progression, treatment, and prognosis. This summary of the current knowledge about AS will contribute to our understanding of CRC initiation and development. This study will help in the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CRC prognosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyi Wang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chuhan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Le Li
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lirui Yang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuoshuo Wang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuelian Ning
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuangshu Gao
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lili Ren
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Anita Chaulagain
- Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianzhen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
García-Moreno JF, Romão L. Perspective in Alternative Splicing Coupled to Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249424. [PMID: 33321981 PMCID: PMC7764535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) of precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) is a cellular post-transcriptional process that generates protein isoform diversity. Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) is an mRNA surveillance pathway that recognizes and selectively degrades transcripts containing premature translation-termination codons (PTCs), thereby preventing the production of truncated proteins. Nevertheless, NMD also fine-tunes the gene expression of physiological mRNAs encoding full-length proteins. Interestingly, around one third of all AS events results in PTC-containing transcripts that undergo NMD. Numerous studies have reported a coordinated action between AS and NMD, in order to regulate the expression of several genes, especially those coding for RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). This coupling of AS to NMD (AS-NMD) is considered a gene expression tool that controls the ratio of productive to unproductive mRNA isoforms, ultimately degrading PTC-containing non-functional mRNAs. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms underlying AS-NMD, and how this regulatory process is able to control the homeostatic expression of numerous RBPs, including splicing factors, through auto- and cross-regulatory feedback loops. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of AS-NMD in the regulation of biological processes, such as cell differentiation. Finally, we analyze interesting recent data on the relevance of AS-NMD to human health, covering its potential roles in cancer and other disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. García-Moreno
- Department of Human Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Faculty of Science, BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luísa Romão
- Department of Human Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Faculty of Science, BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-217-508-155
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
The HNRNPA2B1-MST1R-Akt axis contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in head and neck cancer. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1589-1601. [PMID: 32669614 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of splicing factors and alternative splicing are increasingly viewed as major contributory factors in tumorigenesis. In this study, we report overexpression of a key splicing factor, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (HNRNPA2B1), and thereby misregulation of alternative splicing, which is associated with the poor prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC). The role of HNRNPA2B1 in HNC tumorigenesis via deregulation of alternative splicing is not well understood. Here, we found that the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of HNRNPA2B1 results in inhibition of HNC cells growth via the misregulation of alternative splicing of MST1R, WWOX, and CFLAR. We investigated the mechanism of HNRNPA2B1-mediated HNC cells growth and found that HNRNPA2B1 plays an important role in the alternative splicing of a proto-oncogene, macrophage stimulating 1 receptor (MST1R), which encodes for the recepteur d'origine nantais (RON), a receptor tyrosine kinase. Our results indicate that HNRNPA2B1 mediates the exclusion of cassette exon 11 from MST1R, resulting in the generation of RON∆165 isoform, which was found to be associated with the activation of Akt/PKB signaling in HNC cells. Using the MST1R-minigene model, we validated the role of HNRNPA2B1 in the generation of RON∆165 isoform. The depletion of HNRNPA2B1 results in the inclusion of exon 11, thereby reduction of RON∆165 isoform. The decrease of RON∆165 isoform causes inhibition of Akt/PKB signaling, which results in the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of vimentin leading to the reduced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The overexpression of HNRNPA2B1 in HNRNPA2B1 knockout cells rescues the expression of the RON∆165 isoform and leads to activation of Akt/PKB signaling and induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in HNC cells. In summary, our study identifies HNRNPA2B1 as a putative oncogene in HNC that promotes Akt/PKB signaling via upregulation of RON∆165 isoform and promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition in head and neck cancer cells.
Collapse
|
19
|
Bessa C, Matos P, Jordan P, Gonçalves V. Alternative Splicing: Expanding the Landscape of Cancer Biomarkers and Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239032. [PMID: 33261131 PMCID: PMC7729450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a critical post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism used by more than 95% of transcribed human genes and responsible for structural transcript variation and proteome diversity. In the past decade, genome-wide transcriptome sequencing has revealed that AS is tightly regulated in a tissue- and developmental stage-specific manner, and also frequently dysregulated in multiple human cancer types. It is currently recognized that splicing defects, including genetic alterations in the spliced gene, altered expression of both core components or regulators of the precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing machinery, or both, are major drivers of tumorigenesis. Hence, in this review we provide an overview of our current understanding of splicing alterations in cancer, and emphasize the need to further explore the cancer-specific splicing programs in order to obtain new insights in oncology. Furthermore, we also discuss the recent advances in the identification of dysregulated splicing signatures on a genome-wide scale and their potential use as biomarkers. Finally, we highlight the therapeutic opportunities arising from dysregulated splicing and summarize the current approaches to therapeutically target AS in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Bessa
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Matos
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Peter Jordan
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.J.); (V.G.); Tel.: +351-217-519-380 (P.J.)
| | - Vânia Gonçalves
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.J.); (V.G.); Tel.: +351-217-519-380 (P.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yao HP, Tong XM, Hudson R, Wang MH. MET and RON receptor tyrosine kinases in colorectal adenocarcinoma: molecular features as drug targets and antibody-drug conjugates for therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:198. [PMID: 32962738 PMCID: PMC7510328 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01711-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC), featured by distinctive histopathological appearance, distant organ metastasis, acquired chemoresistance, and tumorigenic stemness is a group of heterogeneous cancers with unique genetic signatures and malignant phenotypes. Treatment of CRAC is a daunting task for oncologists. Currently, various strategies including molecular targeting using therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, small molecule kinase inhibitors and immunoregulatory checkpoint therapy have been applied to combat this deadly disease. However, these therapeutic modalities and approaches achieve only limited success. Thus, there is a pharmaceutical need to discover new targets and develop novel therapeutics for CRAC therapy. MET and RON receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in CRAC pathogenesis. Clinical studies have revealed that aberrant MET and/or RON expression and signaling are critical in regulating CRAC progression and malignant phenotypes. Increased MET and/or RON expression also has prognostic value for CRAC progression and patient survival. These features provide the rationale to target MET and RON for clinical CRAC intervention. At present, the use of small molecule kinase inhibitors targeting MET for CRAC treatment has achieved significant progress with several approvals for clinical application. Nevertheless, antibody-based biotherapeutics, although under clinical trials for more than 8 years, have made very little progress. In this review, we discuss the importance of MET and/or RON in CRAC tumorigenesis and development of anti-MET, anti-RON, and MET and RON-dual targeting antibody-drug conjugates for clinical application. The findings from both preclinical studies and clinical trials highlight the potential of this novel type of biotherapeutics for CRAC therapy in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Xiang-Min Tong
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Rachel Hudson
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, TX, Amarillo, USA
| | - Ming-Hai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, TX, Amarillo, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhou D, Huang L, Zhou Y, Wei T, Yang L, Li C. RON and RONΔ160 promote gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and adaption to hypoxia via interaction with β-catenin. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:2735-2748. [PMID: 31085796 PMCID: PMC6535062 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant accumulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase recepteur d’origine nantais (RON) has been verified in gastric adenocarcinoma. Upregulation of RON and its splice variant RONΔ160 contribute to the growth and migration in gastric cancer cells in vitro. However, the mechanisms of RON/RONΔ160-mediated gastric cancer growth and metastasis remain vague. We therefore examined the actions of RON, RONΔ160, and β-catenin in gastric cancer cells and tissue samples, and their effects on cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We found that in gastric cancer samples and cell lines, there was positive correlation between RON/RONΔ160 and β-catenin levels, and that they formed a RON/RONΔ160-β-catenin complex which was translocated to the nucleus. Hypoxia led the binding of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α to the RON/RONΔ160-β-catenin complex, which increased nuclear translocation and expression of downstream oncogenic signaling molecules. Overexpression of RON/RONΔ160 promoted the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, which were also enhanced by hypoxia. Suppression of RON using siRNA or anti‑RON monoclonal antibody diminished gastric cancer cell and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings establish a link between the receptor tyrosine kinase RON and β-catenin and provide insight into the mechanism by which they contribute to gastric cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Ling Huang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China
| | - Lina Yang
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia 010030, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Antibody-drug conjugates targeting RON receptor tyrosine kinase as a novel strategy for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1160-1173. [PMID: 32479905 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a challenge to oncologists. Currently, the lack of effective therapy has fostered a major effort to discover new targets and therapeutics to combat this disease. The recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of TNBC. Clinical studies have revealed that aberrant RON expression is crucial in regulating TNBC malignant phenotypes. Increased RON expression also has prognostic value for breast cancer progress. These features provide the rationale to target RON for TNBC treatment. In this review, we discuss the importance of RON in TNBC tumorigenesis and the development of anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for clinical application. The findings from preclinical studies lay the foundation for clinical trials of this novel biotherapeutic for TNBC therapy.
Collapse
|
23
|
Yao HP, Suthe SR, Tong XM, Wang MH. Targeting RON receptor tyrosine kinase for treatment of advanced solid cancers: antibody-drug conjugates as lead drug candidates for clinical trials. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920920069. [PMID: 32426050 PMCID: PMC7222236 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920920069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor tyrosine kinase, belonging to the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition proto-oncogene family, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancers derived from the colon, lung, breast, and pancreas. These findings lay the foundation for targeting RON for cancer treatment. However, development of RON-targeted therapeutics has not gained sufficient attention for the last decade. Although therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (TMABs) targeting RON have been validated in preclinical studies, results from clinical trials have met with limited success. This outcome diminishes pharmaceutical enthusiasm for further development of RON-targeted therapeutics. Recently, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting RON have drawn special attention owing to their increased therapeutic activity. The rationale for developing anti-RON ADCs is based on the observation that cancer cells are not sufficiently addicted to RON signaling for survival. Thus, TMAB-mediated inhibition of RON signaling is ineffective for clinical application. In contrast, anti-RON ADCs combine a target-specific antibody with potent cytotoxins for cancer cell killing. This approach not only overcomes the shortcomings in TMAB-targeted therapies but also holds the promise for advancing anti-RON ADCs into clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the latest advancements in the development of anti-RON ADCs for targeted cancer therapy including drug conjugation profile, pharmacokinetic properties, cytotoxic effect in vitro, efficacy in tumor models, and toxicological activities in primates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sreedhar Reddy Suthe
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Xiang-Min Tong
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital and People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, 1406 Coulter Street, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tong XM, Feng L, Suthe SR, Weng TH, Hu CY, Liu YZ, Wu ZG, Wang MH, Yao HP. Therapeutic efficacy of a novel humanized antibody-drug conjugate recognizing plexin-semaphorin-integrin domain in the RON receptor for targeted cancer therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:250. [PMID: 31519211 PMCID: PMC6743155 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0732-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting the RON receptor, a tumorigenic factor contributing to cancer malignancy, has been considered as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. Here we describe a humanized antibody recognizing the RON plexin-semaphorin-integrin (PSI) domain with increased drug delivery capability for potential clinical application. Method Monoclonal antibody PCM5B14 specific to the human and monkey RON PSI domain was generated and characterized by various immunological methods. Humanized antibody H5B14 was created by grafting PCM5B14 complementarity-determining regions into human IgG1/κ acceptor frameworks and conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E and duocarmycin to form two H5B14-based ADCs. Stability of H5B14-based ADCs in human plasma was measured using hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Various biochemical and biological assays were used to determine ADC- regulated RON internalization, cell viability, spheroid formation, and death of cancer stem-like cells. Efficacies of H5B14-based ADCs in vivo were validated using tumor xenograft models. Maximal tolerated doses of H5B14-based ADCs were established in mice. Results H5B14 was highly specific to the human RON PSI domain and superior over other anti-RON ADCs in induction of RON internalization in various cancer cell lines tested. H5B14-based ADCS had a drug to antibody ratio of ~ 3.70:1 and were stable in human plasma with a minimal dissociation within a 10-day period. Functionally, H5B14-mediated drug delivery decreased cell viability at early stages with an average IC50 at ~ 20 nM in multiple cancer cell lines examined. H5B14-based ADCs also inhibited spheroid formation and caused death of cancer stem-like cells with RON+/CD44+/ESA+ phenotypes. In vivo, H5B14-based ADCs in a single injection inhibited tumor xenograft growth mediated by multiple cancer cell lines. Tumoristatic concentrations calculated from xenograft tumor models were in the range of 0.63 to 2.0 mg/kg bodyweight. Significantly, H5B14-based ADCs were capable of eradicating tumors at variable levels across multiple xenograft models regardless their malignant statuses. Toxicologically, H5B14-based ADCs were well tolerated in mice up to 60 mg/kg. Conclusion H5B14-based ADCs targeting the RON PSI domain are superior in inducing RON internalization, leading to robust drug delivery and overall inhibition and eradication of tumors in multiple xenograft models. These findings warrant H5B14-based ADCs for clinical trials in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Min Tong
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Feng
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Sreedhar Reddy Suthe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Tian-Hao Weng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Zhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hai Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China. .,Cancer Biology Research Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA. .,State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
García-Aranda M, Redondo M. Targeting Receptor Kinases in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040433. [PMID: 30934752 PMCID: PMC6521260 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in men and the second most common cancer in women. Despite the success of screening programs and the development of adjuvant therapies, the global burden of colorectal cancer is expected to increase by 60% to more than 2.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths by 2030. In recent years, a great effort has been made to demonstrate the utility of protein kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment. Considering this heterogeneous disease is defined by mutations that activate different Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) and affect downstream components of RTK-activated transduction pathways, in this review we analyze the potential utility of different kinase inhibitors for colorectal cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marilina García-Aranda
- Research Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol. Autovía A7, km 187. 29603 Marbella, Málaga, Spain.
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Maximino Redondo
- Research Unit, Hospital Costa del Sol. Autovía A7, km 187. 29603 Marbella, Málaga, Spain.
- Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain.
- Facultad de Medicina, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Yao HP, Feng L, Suthe SR, Chen LH, Weng TH, Hu CY, Jun ES, Wu ZG, Wang WL, Kim SC, Tong XM, Wang MH. Therapeutic efficacy, pharmacokinetic profiles, and toxicological activities of humanized antibody-drug conjugate Zt/g4-MMAE targeting RON receptor tyrosine kinase for cancer therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:75. [PMID: 30871619 PMCID: PMC6419354 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0525-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant expression of the RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a pathogenic feature and a validated drug target in various types of cancers. Currently, therapeutic antibodies targeting RON for cancer therapy are under intensive evaluation. Here we report the development and validation of a novel humanized anti-RON antibody-drug conjugate for cancer therapy. METHODS Antibody humanization was achieved by grafting sequences of complementarity-determining regions from mouse monoclonal antibody Zt/g4 into human IgG1/κ acceptor frameworks. The selected humanized Zt/g4 subclone H1L3 was conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E using a dipeptide linker to form H-Zt/g4-MMAE. Pharmacokinetic analysis of H-Zt/g4-MMAE was determined using hydrophobic interaction chromatography and a MMAE ADC ELISA kit. Biochemical and biological assays were used for measuring RON expression, internalization, cell viability and death. Therapeutic efficacies of H-Zt/g4-MMAE were validated in vivo using three pancreatic cancer xenograft models. Toxicological activities of H-Zt/g4-MMAE were determined in mouse and cynomolgus monkey. RESULTS H-Zt/g4-MMAE had a drug to antibody ratio of 3.77:1 and was highly stable in human plasma with a dissociation rate less than 5% within a 20 day period. H-Zt/g4-MMAE displayed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in both mouse and cynomolgus monkey. In vitro, H-Zt/g4-MMAE induced RON internalization, which results in killing of pancreatic cancer cells with IC50 values at 10-20 nM. In vivo, H-Zt/g4-MMAE inhibited pancreatic cancer xenograft growth with tumoristatic concentrations at 1~3 mg/kg bodyweight. Significantly, H-Zt/g4-MMAE eradicated tumors across multiple xenograft models regardless their chemoresistant and metastatic statuses. Moreover, H-Zt/g4-MMAE inhibited and eradicated xenografts mediated by pancreatic cancer stem-like cells and by primary cells from patient-derived tumors. Toxicologically, H-Zt/g4-MMAE is well tolerated in mice up to 60 mg/kg. In cynomolgus monkey, H-Zt/g4-MMAE up to 30 mg/kg had a manageable and reversible toxicity profile. CONCLUSIONS H-Zt/g4-MMAE is superior in eradication of pancreatic cancer xenografts with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and manageable toxicological activities. These findings warrant the transition of H-Zt/g4-MMAE into clinical trials in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Feng
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Sreedhar Reddy Suthe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Ling-Hui Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Precision Diagnosis & Treatment of Hepatic & Pancreatic Oncology, Zhejiang Province, China.,Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Hao Weng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Eun Sung Jun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Zhi-Gang Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Precision Diagnosis & Treatment of Hepatic & Pancreatic Oncology, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei-Lin Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Precision Diagnosis & Treatment of Hepatic & Pancreatic Oncology, Zhejiang Province, China. .,Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Song Cheol Kim
- Biliary and Pancreatic Cancer Center at Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Xiang-Min Tong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ming-Hai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA. .,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Precision Diagnosis & Treatment of Hepatic & Pancreatic Oncology, Zhejiang Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Li C, Morvaridi S, Lam G, Chheda C, Kamata Y, Katsumata M, Edderkaoui M, Yuan X, Nissen N, Pandol SJ, Wang Q. MSP-RON Signaling Is Activated in the Transition From Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) to Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Front Physiol 2019; 10:147. [PMID: 30863319 PMCID: PMC6399467 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest epithelial malignancies and remains difficult to treat. Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) represent the majority of the pre-cancer lesions in the pancreas. The PDAC microenvironment consists of activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and immune cells, which are thought to contribute to neoplastic transformation. However, the signaling events involved in driving the transition from the neoplastic precursor to the more advanced and aggressive forms in the pancreas are not well understood. Recepteur d’Origine Nantais (RON) is a c-MET family receptor tyrosine kinase that is implicated in playing a role in cell proliferation, migration and other aspects of tumorigenesis. Macrophage stimulating protein (MSP) is the ligand for RON and becomes activated upon proteolytic cleavage by matriptase (also known as ST14), a type II transmembrane serine protease. In the current study, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of human pancreatic tissues, we found that the expression levels MSP and matriptase are drastically increased during the transition from the preneoplastic PanIN stages to the more advanced and aggressive PDAC. Moreover, RON is highly expressed in both PDAC and in cancer-associated stellate cells. In contrast, MSP, RON, and matriptase are expressed at low levels, if any, in normal pancreas. Our study underscores an emerging role of MSP-RON autocrine and paracrine signaling events in driving malignant progression in the pancreas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ce Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Susan Morvaridi
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Gloria Lam
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Chintan Chheda
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yoshiko Kamata
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Makoto Katsumata
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mouad Edderkaoui
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Xiaopu Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas Nissen
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Stephen J Pandol
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Graves-Deal R, Bogatcheva G, Rehman S, Lu Y, Higginbotham JN, Singh B. Broad-spectrum receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors overcome de novo and acquired modes of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2019; 10:1320-1333. [PMID: 30863492 PMCID: PMC6407678 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly appreciated that 3D cultures are more predictive of in vivo therapeutic efficacy than 2D cultures. Using in vitro 3D type I collagen cultures of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCA-7 derivatives CC, SC, and CC-CR, we previously identified that activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) MET and RON contributed to resistance to the EGF receptor (EGFR)-directed therapeutic antibody cetuximab. The de novo mode of cetuximab resistance in SC cells could be overcome by crizotinib, a multi-RTK inhibitor that also targets MET and RON. We now show that crizotinib also overcomes acquired cetuximab resistance in CC-CR cells. Phospho-RTK array analysis showed increased phosphorylation of several RTKs, including MET and RON, in SC and CC-CR cells compared to cetuximab-sensitive CC counterparts. Furthermore, other multi-RTK inhibitors cabozantinib and BMS-777607 helped overcome cetuximab resistance, as measured by 3D colony growth and activation state of key signaling molecules. Conversely, addition of RTK ligands HGF and NRG1 induced cetuximab resistance in CC cells, which could be blocked by addition of crizotinib. We further determined the mechanism of the cooperative effect of cetuximab and crizotinib by FACS analysis and observed increased cell cycle arrest in G1 phase in cetuximab-resistant CRC 3D cultures. Finally, we show that crizotinib overcomes cetuximab resistance in vivo in SC nude mice xenografts. Thus, our work shows that multi-RTK inhibition strategy is a potent, broadly applicable strategy to overcome resistance to EGFR-targeted therapeutics in CRC and highlights the relevance of 3D cultures in these studies. Statement of implication: Using in vitro 3D CRC cultures and in vivo CRC xenografts, we show that parallel inhibition of multiple RTKs with small molecule inhibitors overcomes de novo and acquired resistance to EGFR-directed therapies in CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Graves-Deal
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Galina Bogatcheva
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Saba Rehman
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Lu
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James N Higginbotham
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bhuminder Singh
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Maniscalco L, Guil-Luna S, Iussich S, Gattino F, Trupia C, Millan Y, de Las Mulas JM, Cespedez RS, Saeki K, Accornero P, De Maria R. Expression of the Short Form of RON/STK in Feline Mammary Carcinoma. Vet Pathol 2018; 56:220-229. [PMID: 30558510 DOI: 10.1177/0300985818806967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RON is a tyrosine kinase receptor activated by the macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) ligand that is overexpressed in human breast cancer. In humans, RON protein can be present in different isoforms, and the most studied isoform is represented by the short form of RON ( sf-RON), which is generated by an alternative promoter located in intron 10 of the RON complementary DNA (cDNA). It plays an important role in breast cancer progression. Considering the many similarities between feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) and human breast cancer, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of both RON and MSP in FMCs and to identify the presence of the sf-RON transcript. Tissue samples of spontaneous mammary tumors were collected from 60 queens (10 benign lesions, 50 carcinomas). All of the samples were tested for RON and MSP expression by immunohistochemistry; moreover, RNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue samples, and the cDNA was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to identify the presence of sf-RON. Immunohistochemistry detected the expression of RON and MSP in 34 of 50 (68%) and 29 of 50 (58%) FMCs, respectively. RT-PCR revealed the presence of the short-form in 18 of 47 (38%) FMCs. This form originates, as in humans, from an alternative promoter (P2), and it codes for the proper feline short form ( sf-RON). sf-RON expression was associated with poorly differentiated tumors and with a shorter disease-free ( P < .05; hazard ratio [HR], 2.2) period and a shorter survival ( P < .05; HR, 2.2). These results support FMC as a suitable model in comparative oncology and identify sf-RON expression as potential predictor of outcomes for this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Maniscalco
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Silvia Guil-Luna
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,3 Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, IMIBIC, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Selina Iussich
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Francesca Gattino
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Calogero Trupia
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Yolanda Millan
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juana Martín de Las Mulas
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez Cespedez
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - K Saeki
- 4 Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paolo Accornero
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Raffaella De Maria
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Krishnaswamy S, Bukhari I, Mohammed AK, Amer OE, Tripathi G, Alokail MS, Al-Daghri NM. Identification of the splice variants of Recepteur d'Origine nantais (RON) in lung cancer cell lines. Gene 2018; 679:335-340. [PMID: 30223007 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a transmembrane protein directly involved in suppression of inflammation and its aberrant expression linked to cancers and metastasis. Efforts to block deregulated RON signaling in tumors using small molecule kinase inhibitors or antibodies have been complicated by the presence of unknown number/types of isoforms of RON, which, despite being structurally similar, localize differently and mediate varied functions. Current study was designed to identify the splice variants of RON transcripts formed by skipping of sequences between exons 9 and 14 for better understanding of isoform specific RON signaling in cancers. PCR amplification and bi-directional sequencing of a 901 bp cDNA sequence located between exons 9 to 14 of RON from lung cancer cell lines revealed the presence of two splicing variants formed by skipping of exons 11 and 11-13. Each of these transcripts was found in more than one cell line. Expressed sequence tag (EST) database search indicated that the splicing variant lacking exons 11-13 was a novel one. Here we conclude that the splice variants of RON lacking exon 11 and exons 11-13 were detected in several lung cancer cell lines. Novel variant formed by skipping exons 11-13, the sequence of which code for transmembrane region, is predicted to code for a truncated isoform that may be secreted out. Tumors may antagonize the ligand dependent anti-inflammatory function of wild-type RON by secreting out the ligand binding isoforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soundararajan Krishnaswamy
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ihtisham Bukhari
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Translational Research Institute, School of Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Abdul Khader Mohammed
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Osama Emam Amer
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gyanendra Tripathi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Majed S Alokail
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser M Al-Daghri
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
El Marabti E, Younis I. The Cancer Spliceome: Reprograming of Alternative Splicing in Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:80. [PMID: 30246013 PMCID: PMC6137424 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing allows for the expression of multiple RNA and protein isoforms from one gene, making it a major contributor to transcriptome and proteome diversification in eukaryotes. Advances in next generation sequencing technologies and genome-wide analyses have recently underscored the fact that the vast majority of multi-exon genes under normal physiology engage in alternative splicing in tissue-specific and developmental-specific manner. On the other hand, cancer cells exhibit remarkable transcriptome alterations partly by adopting cancer-specific splicing isoforms. These isoforms and their encoded proteins are not insignificant byproducts of the abnormal physiology of cancer cells, but either drivers of cancer progression or small but significant contributors to specific cancer hallmarks. Thus, it is paramount that the pathways that regulate alternative splicing in cancer, including the splicing factors that bind to pre-mRNAs and modulate spliceosome recruitment. In this review, we present a few distinct cases of alternative splicing in cancer, with an emphasis on their regulation as well as their contribution to cancer cell phenotype. Several categories of splicing aberrations are highlighted, including alterations in cancer-related genes that directly affect their pre-mRNA splicing, mutations in genes encoding splicing factors or core spliceosomal subunits, and the seemingly mutation-free disruptions in the balance of the expression of RNA-binding proteins, including components of both the major (U2-dependent) and minor (U12-dependent) spliceosomes. Given that the latter two classes cause global alterations in splicing that affect a wide range of genes, it remains a challenge to identify the ones that contribute to cancer progression. These challenges necessitate a systematic approach to decipher these aberrations and their impact on cancer. Ultimately, a sufficient understanding of splicing deregulation in cancer is predicted to pave the way for novel and innovative RNA-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ettaib El Marabti
- Biological Sciences Program, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ihab Younis
- Biological Sciences Program, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Braun S, Enculescu M, Setty ST, Cortés-López M, de Almeida BP, Sutandy FXR, Schulz L, Busch A, Seiler M, Ebersberger S, Barbosa-Morais NL, Legewie S, König J, Zarnack K. Decoding a cancer-relevant splicing decision in the RON proto-oncogene using high-throughput mutagenesis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3315. [PMID: 30120239 PMCID: PMC6098099 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05748-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations causing aberrant splicing are frequently implicated in human diseases including cancer. Here, we establish a high-throughput screen of randomly mutated minigenes to decode the cis-regulatory landscape that determines alternative splicing of exon 11 in the proto-oncogene MST1R (RON). Mathematical modelling of splicing kinetics enables us to identify more than 1000 mutations affecting RON exon 11 skipping, which corresponds to the pathological isoform RON∆165. Importantly, the effects correlate with RON alternative splicing in cancer patients bearing the same mutations. Moreover, we highlight heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H (HNRNPH) as a key regulator of RON splicing in healthy tissues and cancer. Using iCLIP and synergy analysis, we pinpoint the functionally most relevant HNRNPH binding sites and demonstrate how cooperative HNRNPH binding facilitates a splicing switch of RON exon 11. Our results thereby offer insights into splicing regulation and the impact of mutations on alternative splicing in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Braun
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mihaela Enculescu
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Samarth T Setty
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Bernardo P de Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | | | - Laura Schulz
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anke Busch
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Seiler
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Nuno L Barbosa-Morais
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Stefan Legewie
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Julian König
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Kathi Zarnack
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Urbanski L, Leclair N, Anczuków O. Alternative-splicing defects in cancer: Splicing regulators and their downstream targets, guiding the way to novel cancer therapeutics. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2018; 9:e1476. [PMID: 29693319 PMCID: PMC6002934 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Defects in alternative splicing are frequently found in human tumors and result either from mutations in splicing-regulatory elements of specific cancer genes or from changes in the regulatory splicing machinery. RNA splicing regulators have emerged as a new class of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors, and contribute to disease progression by modulating RNA isoforms involved in the hallmark cancer pathways. Thus, dysregulation of alternative RNA splicing is fundamental to cancer and provides a potentially rich source of novel therapeutic targets. Here, we review the alterations in splicing regulatory factors detected in human tumors, as well as the resulting alternatively spliced isoforms that impact cancer hallmarks, and discuss how they contribute to disease pathogenesis. RNA splicing is a highly regulated process and, as such, the regulators are themselves tightly regulated. Differential transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of splicing factors modulates their levels and activities in tumor cells. Furthermore, the composition of the tumor microenvironment can also influence which isoforms are expressed in a given cell type and impact drug responses. Finally, we summarize current efforts in targeting alternative splicing, including global splicing inhibition using small molecules blocking the spliceosome or splicing-factor-modifying enzymes, as well as splice-switching RNA-based therapeutics to modulate cancer-specific splicing isoforms. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ling Y, Kuang Y, Chen LL, Lao WF, Zhu YR, Wang LQ, Wang D. A novel RON splice variant lacking exon 2 activates the PI3K/AKT pathway via PTEN phosphorylation in colorectal carcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:39101-39116. [PMID: 28388571 PMCID: PMC5503598 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expression of the Recepteur d'Origine Nantais (RON) receptor tyrosine kinase is accompanied by the generation of multiple splice or truncated variants, which mediate many critical cellular functions that contribute to tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we report a new RON splice variant in the human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HT29. This variant is a 165 kda protein generated by alternative pre-mRNA splicing that eliminates exon 2, causing an in-frame deletion of 63 amino acids in the extracellular domain of the RON β chain. The deleted transcript was a single chain expressed in the intracellular compartment. Although it lacked tyrosine phosphorylation activity, the RONΔ165E2 variant could phosphorylate phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), thereby activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. In addition, in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the RONΔ165E2 promoted cell migration and tumor growth. Finally, in an investigation of 67 clinical CRC samples, the variant was highly expressed in about 58% of the samples, and was positively correlated with the invasive depth of the tumor (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the novel RONΔ165E2 variant promoted tumor progression while activating the PI3K/AKT pathway via PTEN phosphorylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ling
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeye Kuang
- Biomedical Center, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Lin Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Feng Lao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao-Ru Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, People's Republic of China
| | - Le-Qi Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chakedis J, French R, Babicky M, Jaquish D, Mose E, Cheng P, Holman P, Howard H, Miyamoto J, Porras P, Walterscheid Z, Schultz-Fademrecht C, Esdar C, Schadt O, Eickhoff J, Lowy AM. Characterization of RON protein isoforms in pancreatic cancer: implications for biology and therapeutics. Oncotarget 2018; 7:45959-45975. [PMID: 27323855 PMCID: PMC5216774 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The RON tyrosine kinase receptor is under investigation as a novel target in pancreatic cancer. While RON mutations are uncommon, RON isoforms are produced in cancer cells via a variety of mechanisms. In this study we sought to: 1) characterize RON isoform expression in pancreatic cancer, 2) investigate mechanisms that regulate isoform expression, and 3) determine how various isoforms effect gene expression, oncogenic phenotypes and responses to RON directed therapies. We quantified RON transcripts in human pancreatic cancer and found expression levels 2500 fold that of normal pancreas with RON isoform expression comprising nearly 50% of total transcript. RNA seq studies revealed that the short form (sfRON) and P5P6 isoforms which have ligand independent activity, induce markedly different patterns of gene expression than wild type RON. We found that transcription of RON isoforms is regulated by promoter hypermethylation as the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine decreased all RON transcripts in a subset of pancreatic cancer cell lines. The viability of sfRON-expressing HPDE cells was reduced by a RON specific small molecule inhibitor, while a therapeutic monoclonal antibody had no demonstrable effects. In summary, RON isoforms may comprise half of total RON transcript in human pancreatic cancer and their expression is regulated at least in part by promoter hypermethylation. RON isoforms activate distinct patterns of gene expression, have transforming activity and differential responses to RON directed therapies. These findings further our understanding of RON biology in pancreatic cancer and have implications for therapeutic strategies to target RON activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery Chakedis
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Randall French
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michele Babicky
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dawn Jaquish
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Evangeline Mose
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Peter Cheng
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Holman
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Haleigh Howard
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jaclyn Miyamoto
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paula Porras
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zakk Walterscheid
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew M Lowy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Batth I, Yun H, Hussain S, Meng P, Osmulski P, Huang THM, Bedolla R, Profit A, Reddick R, Kumar A. Crosstalk between RON and androgen receptor signaling in the development of castration resistant prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:14048-63. [PMID: 26872377 PMCID: PMC4924697 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the fatal form of prostate cancer. Although reactivation of androgen receptor (AR) occurs following androgen deprivation, the precise mechanism involved is unclear. Here we show that the receptor tyrosine kinase, RON alters mechanical properties of cells to influence epithelial to mesenchymal transition and functions as a transcription factor to differentially regulate AR signaling. RON inhibits AR activation and subset of AR-regulated transcripts in androgen responsive LNCaP cells. However in C4-2B, a castrate-resistant sub-line of LNCaP and AR-negative androgen independent DU145 cells, RON activates subset of AR-regulated transcripts. Expression of AR in PC-3 cells leads to activation of RON under androgen deprivation but not under androgen proficient conditions implicating a role for RON in androgen independence. Consistently, RON expression is significantly elevated in castrate resistant prostate tumors. Taken together our results suggest that RON activation could aid in promoting androgen independence and that inhibition of RON in combination with AR antagonist(s) merits serious consideration as a therapeutic option during hormone deprivation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izhar Batth
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Current address: Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Huiyoung Yun
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Suleman Hussain
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Peng Meng
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Current address: Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Berkley, CA, USA
| | - Pawel Osmulski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tim Hui-Ming Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Roble Bedolla
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Amanda Profit
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Robert Reddick
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Addanki Kumar
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,Cancer Therapy and Research Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.,The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Krishnaswamy S, Mohammed AK, Tripathi G, Alokail MS, Al-Daghri NM. Splice variants of the extracellular region of RON receptor tyrosine kinase in lung cancer cell lines identified by PCR and sequencing. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:738. [PMID: 29121914 PMCID: PMC5679369 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3747-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Altered expression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is a major driver of growth and metastasis of cancers. Recepteur d’origine nantais (RON) receptor is a single-pass transmembrane RTK aberrantly expressed in a number of cancers. Efforts to block deregulated RON signaling in tumors using small molecule kinase inhibitors or antibodies are complicated by the presence of unknown number/types of isoforms of RON, which, despite having similar sequences, are localized differently and mediate varied functions. The objective of this study was to identify splice variants of RON transcripts between exons 1 and 10 that code for the extracellular region. Methods Direct cDNA sequencing was performed for the transcript between exons 1–10 of RON by Sanger sequencing in various lung cancer cell lines. Results PCR amplification and bi-directional sequencing of cDNA for section between exons 1 and 10 from lung cancer cell lines revealed the presence of several splice variants of RON transcripts; the variants were formed by skipping of exons 2, 2–3, 5–6, 6 and 8–9. Each of these transcript variants were found in one or more cell lines. While the variants formed by skipping of exons 2, 2–3 and 5–6 resulted in loss of 63, 106 and 109 amino acids, respectively, and didn’t cause reading-frameshift, the transcripts formed by skipping of exons 6 and 8–9 caused reading-frameshift. Splice variant lacking exons 8–9 was found in 13 out of 23 cell lines tested. Conclusion Lung cancer cell lines contain several splice variants of RON which involve skipping of exons coding for extracellular region. Some of the splicing changes result in reading-frameshift and the N-terminally truncated isoforms are expected to be secreted out. The ubiquitous nature of alternative splicing events in RON suggests the need for isoform specific approaches to functional analysis and therapeutic targeting of RON. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3747-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soundararajan Krishnaswamy
- Biomarkers Research Program, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.,Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Box 2455, Riyadh, PO, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Khader Mohammed
- Biomarkers Research Program, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.,Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Box 2455, Riyadh, PO, 11451, Saudi Arabia.,Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gyanendra Tripathi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, W1W 6UW, London, UK
| | - Majed S Alokail
- Biomarkers Research Program, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.,Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Box 2455, Riyadh, PO, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser M Al-Daghri
- Biomarkers Research Program, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia. .,Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Riyadh Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Box 2455, Riyadh, PO, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Yang SY, Nguyen TT, Ung TT, Jung YD. Role of Recepteur D'origine Nantais on Gastric Cancer Development and Progression. Chonnam Med J 2017; 53:178-186. [PMID: 29026705 PMCID: PMC5636756 DOI: 10.4068/cmj.2017.53.3.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) is a receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the subfamily of which c-MET is the prototype. Large epidemiologic studies have confirmed the strong association between RON and gastric cancer development. Constitutive activation of RON signaling directly correlates with tumorigenic phenotypes of gastric cancer and a poor survival rate in advanced gastric cancer patients. In this review, we focus on recent evidence of the aberrant expression and activation of RON in gastric cancer tumors and provide insights into the mechanism of RON signaling associated with gastric cancer progression and metastasis. Current therapeutics against RON in gastric cancer are summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Yeul Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Thi Thinh Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Trong Thuan Ung
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Young Do Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
RON as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer. Meta Gene 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
40
|
Zarei O, Benvenuti S, Ustun-Alkan F, Hamzeh-Mivehroud M, Dastmalchi S. Identification of a RON tyrosine kinase receptor binding peptide using phage display technique and computational modeling of its binding mode. J Mol Model 2017; 23:267. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-017-3437-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
41
|
Han DH, Kang CM, Lee SW, Hwang HK, Lee WJ. A missing link between RON expression and oncological outcomes in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:4225-4230. [PMID: 28943931 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alteration and activation of recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) expression is known to be associated with cancer progression and decreased survival in various types of human cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Therefore, in the present study, RON expression levels were determined in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer to evaluate the potential oncological role of RON in the clinical setting of distal pancreatic cancer. From January 2005 to December 2011, a total of 57 patients underwent radical distal pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer. Ductal adenocarcinoma was confirmed in all patients. Among these patients, 17 patients who received preoperative neoadjuvant treatment and 7 patients without available paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were excluded from the present study. RON expression in a the pancreatic cancer cell lines ASPC-1, BxPC-3, MiaPaCa-3 and Panc-1, as well as in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer specimens was determined by Western blot analysis. RON and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry using pre-diluted anti-RON and anti-VEGF antibodies. An association was identified between the oncological outcome and RON overexpression. Increased levels of RON expression were observed in two pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1 and BxPC-3. RON overexpression was detected in specimens from 15/33 patients (45.5%) using immunohistochemistry. No significant association was identified between RON overexpression and VEGF overexpression (25.5 vs. 87.9%; P=0.667). No significant differences in disease-free survival or disease-specific survival associated with RON overexpression were identified. Although the results of previous studies have suggested that RON is a potential target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, in the present study no association between RON overexpression and any adverse oncological effect was identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dai Hoon Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Moo Kang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Whan Lee
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Kyoung Hwang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jung Lee
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Fukuhara S, Nomoto J, Kim SW, Taniguchi H, Miyagi Maeshima A, Tobinai K, Kobayashi Y. Partial deletion of the ALK gene in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Hematol Oncol 2017; 36:150-158. [PMID: 28665006 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein is an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase that is constitutively activated by aberrant translocations of the ALK gene in anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive and several other cancers. Additionally, aberrant mutation and amplification of the ALK gene, resulting in ALK kinase activation, were detected mainly in neuroblastoma. Recently, truncated ALK protein was also reported in neuroblastoma. Here, we describe a novel truncated form of the ALK transcript with in-frame skipping through exons 2 to 17 (ALKΔ2-17) in anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-positive. The ALKΔ2-17 showed ligand-independent deregulated phosphorylation that initiated strong STAT3 signalling in NIH3T3 cells. The ALKΔ2-17-transduced NIH3T3 cells showed oncogenic potential in a colony formation assay. Our data indicate that the aberrant deletion of the ALK gene might be oncogenic, providing a novel insight into the oncogenic role of the ALK pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suguru Fukuhara
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Nomoto
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sung-Won Kim
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Kensei Tobinai
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukio Kobayashi
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mthembu NN, Mbita Z, Hull R, Dlamini Z. Abnormalities in alternative splicing of angiogenesis-related genes and their role in HIV-related cancers. HIV AIDS-RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2017; 9:77-93. [PMID: 28694706 PMCID: PMC5490432 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s124911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of mRNA leads to an increase in proteome biodiversity by allowing the generation of multiple mRNAs, coding for multiple protein isoforms of various structural and functional properties from a single primary pre-mRNA transcript. The protein isoforms produced are tightly regulated in normal development but are mostly deregulated in various cancers. In HIV-infected individuals with AIDS, there is an increase in aberrant alternative splicing, resulting in an increase in HIV/AIDS-related cancers, such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cervical cancer. This aberrant splicing leads to abnormal production of protein and is caused by mutations in cis-acting elements or trans-acting factors in angiogenesis-related genes. Restoring the normal regulation of alternative splicing of angiogenic genes would alter the expression of protein isoforms and may confer normal cell physiology in patients with these cancers. This review highlights the abnormalities in alternative splicing of angiogenesis-related genes and their implication in HIV/AIDS-related cancers. This allows us to gain an insight into the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS-related cancer and in turn elucidate the therapeutic potential of alternatively spliced genes in HIV/AIDS-related malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zukile Mbita
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
| | - Rodney Hull
- Research, Innovation and Engagements, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban
| | - Zodwa Dlamini
- Research, Innovation and Engagements, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Development of a two-stage gene selection method that incorporates a novel hybrid approach using the cuckoo optimization algorithm and harmony search for cancer classification. J Biomed Inform 2017; 67:11-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2017.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
45
|
Abou-Fayçal C, Hatat AS, Gazzeri S, Eymin B. Splice Variants of the RTK Family: Their Role in Tumour Progression and Response to Targeted Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020383. [PMID: 28208660 PMCID: PMC5343918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) belong to a family of transmembrane receptors that display tyrosine kinase activity and trigger the activation of downstream signalling pathways mainly involved in cell proliferation and survival. RTK amplification or somatic mutations leading to their constitutive activation and oncogenic properties have been reported in various tumour types. Numerous RTK-targeted therapies have been developed to counteract this hyperactivation. Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA has recently emerged as an important contributor to cancer development and tumour maintenance. Interestingly, RTKs are alternatively spliced. However, the biological functions of RTK splice variants, as well as the upstream signals that control their expression in tumours, remain to be understood. More importantly, it remains to be determined whether, and how, these splicing events may affect the response of tumour cells to RTK-targeted therapies, and inversely, whether these therapies may impact these splicing events. In this review, we will discuss the role of alternative splicing of RTKs in tumour progression and response to therapies, with a special focus on two major RTKs that control proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis, namely, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR1).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cherine Abou-Fayçal
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| | - Anne-Sophie Hatat
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| | - Sylvie Gazzeri
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| | - Beatrice Eymin
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
LoRusso PM, Gounder M, Jalal SI, André V, Kambhampati SRP, Loizos N, Hall J, Holzer TR, Nasir A, Cosaert J, Kauh J, Chiorean EG. Phase 1 study of narnatumab, an anti-RON receptor monoclonal antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumors. Invest New Drugs 2017; 35:442-450. [PMID: 28161886 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-016-0413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Macrophage-stimulating 1-receptor (RON) is expressed on macrophages, epithelial cells, and a variety of tumors. Narnatumab (IMC-RON8; LY3012219) is a neutralizing monoclonal antibody that blocks RON binding to its ligand, macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP). This study assessed safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of narnatumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. Methods Narnatumab was administered intravenously weekly at 5, 10, 15, or 20 mg/kg or every 2 weeks at 15, 20, 30, or 40 mg/kg in 4-week cycles. Results Thirty-nine patients were treated, and 1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) (grade 3 hyponatremia, 5 mg/kg) was reported. The most common narnatumab-related adverse events (AEs) were fatigue (20.5%) and decreased appetite, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (10.3% each). Except for 2 treatment-related grade 3 AEs (hyponatremia, hypokalemia), all treatment-related AEs were grade 1 or 2. Narnatumab had a short half-life (<7 days). After Cycle 2, no patients had concentrations above 140 μg/mL (concentration that demonstrated antitumor activity in animal models), except for 1 patient receiving 30 mg/kg biweekly. Eleven patients had a best response of stable disease, ranging from 6 weeks to 11 months. Despite only 1 DLT, due to suboptimal drug exposure, the dose was not escalated beyond 40 mg/kg biweekly. This decision was based on published data reporting that mRNA splice variants of RON are highly prevalent in tumors, accumulate in cytoplasm, and are not accessible by large-molecule monoclonal antibodies. Conclusions Narnatumab was well tolerated and showed limited antitumor activity with this dosing regimen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M LoRusso
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Mrinal Gounder
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shadia I Jalal
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Nick Loizos
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jennifer Hall
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, CT, USA
| | | | - Aejaz Nasir
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jan Cosaert
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - John Kauh
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - E Gabriela Chiorean
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
EMT and stemness: flexible processes tuned by alternative splicing in development and cancer progression. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:8. [PMID: 28137272 PMCID: PMC5282733 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-016-0579-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with metastasis formation as well as with generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells. In this way, EMT contributes to tumor invasion, heterogeneity and chemoresistance. Morphological and functional changes involved in these processes require robust reprogramming of gene expression, which is only partially accomplished at the transcriptional level. Alternative splicing is another essential layer of gene expression regulation that expands the cell proteome. This step in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression tightly controls cell identity between epithelial and mesenchymal states and during stem cell differentiation. Importantly, dysregulation of splicing factor function and cancer-specific splicing isoform expression frequently occurs in human tumors, suggesting the importance of alternative splicing regulation for cancer biology. In this review, we briefly discuss the role of EMT programs in development, stem cell differentiation and cancer progression. Next, we focus on selected examples of key factors involved in EMT and stem cell differentiation that are regulated post-transcriptionally through alternative splicing mechanisms. Lastly, we describe relevant oncogenic splice-variants that directly orchestrate cancer stem cell biology and tumor EMT, which may be envisioned as novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
|
48
|
Moon H, Zheng X, Loh TJ, Jang HN, Liu Y, Jung DW, Williams DR, Shen H. Effects of PTCs on nonsense-mediated mRNA decay are dependent on PTC location. Oncol Lett 2017; 13:1944-1948. [PMID: 28454348 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.5627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The récepteur d'origine nantais (RON) gene is a proto-oncogene that is responsible for encoding the human macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) 1 receptor. MSP activation induces RON-mediated cell dissociation, migration and matrix invasion. Isoforms of RON that exclude exons 5 and 6 encode the RONΔ160 protein, which promotes cell transformation in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo. Premature termination codons (PTCs) in exons activate the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) signaling pathway. The present study demonstrated that PTCs at various locations in the alternative exons 5 and 6 could induce NMD of the majority of the spliced, or partially spliced, isoforms. However, the isoforms that excluded exon 6 or exons 5 and 6 were markedly increased when produced from mutated minigenes with inserted PTCs. Furthermore, the unspliced isoform of intron 5 was not observed to be decreased by the presence of PTCs. Notably, these effects may be dependent on the location of the PTCs. The current study demonstrated a novel mechanism underlying the regulation of NMD in alternative splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heegyum Moon
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Xuexiu Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Tiing Jen Loh
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Na Jang
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongchao Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Woon Jung
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Darren R Williams
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Haihong Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Faham N, Welm AL. RON Signaling Is a Key Mediator of Tumor Progression in Many Human Cancers. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2017; 81:177-188. [PMID: 28057847 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2016.81.031377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing body of literature covering RON receptor tyrosine kinase function in different types of human cancers, it is becoming clear that RON has prominent roles in both cancer cells and in the tumor-associated microenvironment. RON not only activates several oncogenic signaling pathways in cancer cells, leading to more aggressive behavior, but also promotes an immunosuppressive, alternatively activated phenotype in macrophages and limits the antitumor immune response. These two unique functions of this oncogene, the strong correlation between RON expression and poor outcomes in cancer, and the high tolerability of a new RON inhibitor make it an exciting therapeutic target, the blocking of which offers an advantage toward improving the survival of cancer patients. Here, we discuss recent findings on the role of RON signaling in cancer progression and its potential in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Najme Faham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
| | - Alana L Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Xu P, Ding S, Zhu L, Le F, Huang X, Tian Y, Zhang X. Elevated RON protein expression in endometriosis and disease-associated ovarian cancers. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2016; 295:631-639. [PMID: 27888297 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-016-4248-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) protein expression has been demonstrated to correlate with tumor progression, metastasis, and prognosis, and its mRNA expression increases in deeply infiltrating endometriotic lesions. However, it remains unclear whether RON protein expression also increases in endometriotic lesions, and may be a risk factor of malignant transformation in endometriotic lesions. METHODS The protein expression of RON in control (n = 19), eutopic (n = 16), and ectopic (n = 51) endometria, as well as in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers (EAOC, n = 16) was determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS Endometriotic lesions expressed low levels of RON protein, but no RON protein expression appeared in matched eutopic or control endometrium. EAOC exhibited high levels of RON protein. The frequency and IHC score of RON protein expression were both significantly higher in EAOC [100.0% (14/14), 5.37 ± 0.74] than those in endometriotic lesions [51.0% (26/51), 2.15 ± 1.12; P = 0.002, 0.001]. Multivariate analysis of covariance only revealed a correlation of RON protein expression and EAOC (P = 0.006), but no correlations of RON protein expression and clinical parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These obtained results suggest that increased RON expression might be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and disease-associated ovarian cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ping Xu
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaojie Ding
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China
| | - Libo Zhu
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Le
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiufeng Huang
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghong Tian
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinmei Zhang
- The Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|