1
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Hammer A, Diakonova M. Prolactin-induced tyrosyl phosphorylation of PAK1 facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001136. [PMID: 38660565 PMCID: PMC11040397 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
PAK1 and prolactin (PRL) regulate breast cancer. Prolactin-activated JAK2 tyrosyl phosphorylates PAK1 (pTyr-PAK1). We demonstrate here that pTyr-PAK1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells. PRL treatment of T47D PAK1 WT cells leads to downregulation of E-cadherin surface expression and "ectodomain shedding" (extracellular cleavage of E-cadherin). pTyr-PAK1 increases mRNA levels of Snail, Slug, and Twist2, transcriptional factors implicated in E-cadherin repression. pTyr-PAK1 also significantly increases PRL-dependent Slug activity leading to expression of vimentin, a hallmark of EMT. Thus, our current data on pTyr-PAK1 regulation of EMT bring insight into the role of PAK1 and PRL in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Hammer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States
| | - Maria Diakonova
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States
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2
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Skjervold AH, Valla M, Ytterhus B, Bofin AM. PAK1 copy number in breast cancer-Associations with proliferation and molecular subtypes. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287608. [PMID: 37368917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is known to be overexpressed in several human tumour types, including breast cancer (BC). It is located on chromosome 11 (11q13.5-q14.1) and plays a significant role in proliferation in BC. In this study we aimed to assess PAK1 gene copy number (CN) in primary breast tumours and their corresponding lymph node metastases, and associations between PAK1 CN and proliferation status, molecular subtype, and prognosis. In addition, we aimed to study associations between CNs of PAK1 and CCND1. Both genes are located on the long arm of chromosome 11 (11q13). METHODS Fluorescence in situ hybridization for PAK1 and Chromosome enumeration probe (CEP)11 were used on tissue microarray sections from a series of 512 BC cases. Copy numbers were estimated by counting the number of fluorescent signals for PAK1 and CEP11 in 20 tumour cell nuclei. Pearson's x2 test was performed to assess associations between PAK1 CN and tumour features, and between PAK1 and CCND1 CNs. Cumulative risk of death from BC and hazard ratios were estimated in analysis of prognosis. RESULTS We found mean PAK1 CN ≥4<6 in 26 (5.1%) tumours, and CN ≥ 6 in 22 (4.3%) tumours. The proportion of cases with copy number increase (mean CN ≥4) was highest among HER2 type and Luminal B (HER2-) tumours. We found an association between PAK1 CN increase, and high proliferation, and high histological grade, but not prognosis. Of cases with PAK1 CN ≥ 6, 30% also had CCND1 CN ≥ 6. CONCLUSIONS PAK1 copy number increase is associated with high proliferation and high histological grade, but not with prognosis. PAK1 CN increase was most frequent in the HER2 type and Luminal B (HER2-) subtype. PAK1 CN increase is associated with CN increase of CCND1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette H Skjervold
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marit Valla
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Pathology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Borgny Ytterhus
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna M Bofin
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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3
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Somanath PR, Chernoff J, Cummings BS, Prasad SM, Homan HD. Targeting P21-Activated Kinase-1 for Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082236. [PMID: 37190165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has limited therapeutic options and a high mortality rate. The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family of proteins is important in cell survival, proliferation, and motility in physiology, and pathologies such as infectious, inflammatory, vascular, and neurological diseases as well as cancers. Group-I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3) are involved in the regulation of actin dynamics and thus are integral for cell morphology, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and cell motility. They also play prominent roles in cell survival and proliferation. These properties make group-I PAKs a potentially important target for cancer therapy. In contrast to normal prostate and prostatic epithelial cells, group-I PAKs are highly expressed in mPCA and PCa tissue. Importantly, the expression of group-I PAKs is proportional to the Gleason score of the patients. While several compounds have been identified that target group-I PAKs and these are active in cells and mice, and while some inhibitors have entered human trials, as of yet, none have been FDA-approved. Probable reasons for this lack of translation include issues related to selectivity, specificity, stability, and efficacy resulting in side effects and/or lack of efficacy. In the current review, we describe the pathophysiology and current treatment guidelines of PCa, present group-I PAKs as a potential druggable target to treat mPCa patients, and discuss the various ATP-competitive and allosteric inhibitors of PAKs. We also discuss the development and testing of a nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulation of group-I PAK inhibitors and its significant potential advantages as a novel, selective, stable, and efficacious mPCa therapeutic over other PCa therapeutics in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payaningal R Somanath
- Department of Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Brian S Cummings
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sandip M Prasad
- Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
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Rajendran S, Swaroop SS, Roy J, Inemai E, Murugan S, Rayala SK, Venkatraman G. p21 activated kinase-1 and tamoxifen - A deadly nexus impacting breast cancer outcomes. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1877:188668. [PMID: 34896436 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tamoxifen is a commonly used drug in the treatment of ER + ve breast cancers since 1970. However, development of resistance towards tamoxifen limits its remarkable clinical success. In this review, we have attempted to provide a brief overview of multiple mechanism that may lead to tamoxifen resistance, with a special emphasis on the roles played by the oncogenic kinase- PAK1. Analysing the genomic data sets available in the cBioPortal, we found that PAK1 gene amplification significantly affects the Relapse Free Survival of the ER + ve breast cancer patients. While PAK1 is known to promote tamoxifen resistance by phosphorylating ERα at Ser305, existing literature suggests that PAK1 can fuel up tamoxifen resistance obliquely by phosphorylating other substrates. We have summarised some of the approaches in the mass spectrometry based proteomics, which would enable us to study the tamoxifen resistance specific phosphoproteomic landscape of PAK1. We also propose that elucidating the multiple mechanisms by which PAK1 promotes tamoxifen resistance might help us discover druggable targets and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetha Rajendran
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Srikanth Swamy Swaroop
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Joydeep Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Ezhil Inemai
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Sowmiya Murugan
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Suresh K Rayala
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India.
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
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5
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Naїja A, Merhi M, Inchakalody V, Fernandes Q, Mestiri S, Prabhu KS, Uddin S, Dermime S. The role of PAK4 in the immune system and its potential implication in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Immunol 2021; 367:104408. [PMID: 34246086 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The p21 activated kinases (PAKs) are known to play a role in the regulation of cell morphology and functions. Among the various members of PAKs family, only the PAK4 protein has been shown to be overexpressed in cancer cells and its upregulation was associated with tumor development. Indeed, several studies have shown that PAK4 overexpression is implicated in carcinogenesis by different mechanisms including promotion of cell proliferation, invasion and migration, protection of cells from apoptosis, stimulation of the tumor-specific anchorage-independent cell growth and regulation of the cytoskeletal organisation and adhesion. Moreover, high PAK4 protein levels have been observed in several solid tumors and have been shown able to enhance cancer cell resistance to many treatments especially chemotherapy. Interestingly, it has been recently demonstrated that PAK4 downregulation can inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 immune regulatory pathway. Taken together, these findings not only implicate PAK4 in oncogenic transformation and in prediction of tumor response to treatment but also suggest its role as an attractive target for immunotherapy. In the current review we will summarize the different mechanisms of PAK4 implication in tumor development, describe its role as a regulator of the immune response and as a potential novel target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Naїja
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic health system, Hamad medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
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Habault J, Thonnart N, Pasquereau-Kotula E, Bagot M, Bensussan A, Villoutreix BO, Marie-Cardine A, Poyet JL. PAK1-Dependent Antitumor Effect of AAC-11‒Derived Peptides on Sézary Syndrome Malignant CD4 + T Lymphocytes. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:2261-2271.e5. [PMID: 33745910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sézary syndrome is an aggressive form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of a malignant CD4+ T-cell clone in both blood and skin. Its pathophysiology is still poorly understood, and the development of targeted therapies is hampered by the absence of specific target proteins. AAC-11 plays important roles in cancer cell progression and survival and thus has been considered as an anticancer therapeutic target. In this study, we show that a peptide called RT39, comprising a portion of AAC-11‒binding site to its protein partners coupled to the penetratin sequence, induces the specific elimination of the malignant T-cell clone both ex vivo on the circulating cells of patients with Sézary syndrome and in vivo in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. RT39 acts by direct binding to PAK1 that is overexpressed, located in the plasma membrane, and constitutively activated in Sézary cells, resulting in their selective depletion by membranolysis. Along with the absence of toxicity, our preclinical efficacy evidence suggests that RT39 might represent a promising alternative therapeutic tool for Sézary syndrome because it spares the nonmalignant immune cells and, contrary to antibody-based immunotherapies, does not require the mobilization of the cellular immunity that shows heavy deficiencies at advanced stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Habault
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Thonnart
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ewa Pasquereau-Kotula
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Martine Bagot
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Département de Dermatologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Armand Bensussan
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Bruno O Villoutreix
- INSERM U1141, NeroDiderot, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France; c-Dithem, Inserm Consortium for Discovery and Innovation in Therapy and Medicine, Paris, France
| | - Anne Marie-Cardine
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Poyet
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France; c-Dithem, Inserm Consortium for Discovery and Innovation in Therapy and Medicine, Paris, France.
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Duderstadt EL, McQuaide SA, Sanders MA, Samuelson DJ. Chemical carcinogen-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis is a potential model of p21-activated kinase positive female breast cancer. Physiol Genomics 2020; 53:61-68. [PMID: 33346690 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00112.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) gene encodes a serine/threonine kinase that is overexpressed in a subset of human breast carcinomas with poor prognosis. The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) orthologous gene is located at Mammary carcinoma susceptibility 3 (Mcs3) QTL on rat chromosome 1. We used quantitative PCR to determine effects of Mcs3 genotype and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) exposure on Pak1 expression. There was no effect of Mcs3 genotype; however, there was a 3.5-fold higher Pak1 level in DMBA-exposed mammary glands (MGs) than in unexposed glands (P < 0.05). Sequence variants in Pak1 exons did not alter amino acid sequence between Mcs3-susceptible and -resistant strains. Protein expression of PAK1/Pak1 in human breast carcinomas and DMBA-exposed rat mammary glands was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Rat mammary glands from 12-wk-old females unexposed to DMBA were negative for Pak1, whereas 24% of carcinogen-exposed mammary glands from age-matched females stained positive for Pak1. The positive mammary glands exposed to carcinogen had no pathological signs of disease. Human breast carcinomas, used as comparative controls, had a 22% positivity rats. This was consistent with other human breast cancer studies of PAK1 expression. Similar frequencies of human/rat PAK1/Pak1 expression in female breast carcinomas and carcinogen-induced rat mammary glands, showing no visible pathogenesis of disease, suggests aberrant PAK1 expression is an early event in development of some breast cancers. Laboratory rats will be a useful experimental organism for comparative studies of Pak1-mediated mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis. Future studies of PAK1 as a diagnostic marker of early breast disease are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Duderstadt
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Sarah A McQuaide
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Mary A Sanders
- Department of Pathology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - David J Samuelson
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky.,James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
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Liposomes Targeting P21 Activated Kinase-1 (PAK-1) and Selective for Secretory Phospholipase A 2 (sPLA 2) Decrease Cell Viability and Induce Apoptosis in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249396. [PMID: 33321758 PMCID: PMC7764208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
P21 activated kinases (or group I PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases whose expression is altered in prostate and breast cancers. PAK-1 activity is inhibited by the small molecule "Inhibitor targeting PAK-1 activation-3" (IPA-3), which has selectivity for PAK-1 but is metabolically unstable. Secretory Group IIA phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) expression correlates to increased metastasis and decreased survival in many cancers. We previously designed novel liposomal formulations targeting both PAK-1 and sPLA2, called Secretory Phospholipase Responsive liposomes or SPRL-IPA-3, and demonstrated their ability to alter prostate cancer growth. The efficacy of SPRL against other types of cancers is not well understood. We addressed this limitation by determining the ability of SPRL to induce cell death in a diverse panel of cells representing different stages of breast cancer, including the invasive but non-metastatic MCF-7 cells, and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells such as MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-435. We investigated the role of sPLA2 in the disposition of these liposomes by comparing the efficacy of SPRL-IPA-3 to IPA-3 encapsulated in sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL-IPA-3), a formulation shown to be less sensitive to sPLA2. Both SSL-IPA-3 and SPRL-IPA-3 induced time- and dose-dependent decreases in MTT staining in all cell lines tested, but SPRL-IPA-3-induced effects in metastatic TNBC cell lines were superior over SSL-IPA-3. The reduction in MTT staining induced by SPRL-IPA-3 correlated to the expression of Group IIA sPLA2. sPLA2 expression also correlated to increased induction of apoptosis in TNBC cell lines by SPRL-IPA-3. These data suggest that SPRL-IPA-3 is selective for metastatic TNBC cells and that the efficacy of SPRL-IPA-3 is mediated, in part, by the expression of Group IIA sPLA2.
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Coordinated dysregulation of cancer progression by the HER family and p21-activated kinases. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:583-601. [PMID: 32820388 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09922-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Most epithelial cancer types are polygenic in nature and are driven by coordinated dysregulation of multiple regulatory pathways, genes, and protein modifications. The process of coordinated regulation of cancer promoting pathways in response to extrinsic and intrinsic signals facilitates the dysregulation of several pathways with complementary functions, contributing to the hallmarks of cancer. Dysregulation and hyperactivation of cell surface human epidermal growth factor receptors (HERs) and cytoskeleton remodeling by p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are two prominent interconnected aspects of oncogenesis. We briefly discuss the discoveries and significant advances in the area of coordinated regulation of HERs and PAKs in the development and progression of breast and other epithelial cancers. We also discuss how initial studies involving heregulin signaling via HER3-HER2 axis and HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells not only discovered a mechanistic role of PAK1 in breast cancer pathobiology but also acted as a bridge in generating a broader cancer research interest in other PAK family members and cancer types and catalyzed establishing the role of PAKs in human cancer, at-large. In addition, growth factor stimulation of the PAK pathway also helped to recognize new facets of PAKs, connecting the PAK pathway to oncogenesis, nuclear signaling, gene expression, mitotic progression, DNA damage response, among other phenotypic responses, and shaped the field of PAK cancer research. Finally, we recount some of the current limitations of HER- and PAK-directed therapeutics in counteracting acquired therapeutic resistance and discuss how cancer's as a polygenic disease may be best targeted with a polygenic approach.
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Yao D, Ruhan A, Jiang J, Huang J, Wang J, Han W. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-indolinone derivatives as PAK1 inhibitors in MDA-MB-231 cells. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127355. [PMID: 32738980 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) plays a vital role in the proliferation, survival and migration of cancer cells, which has emerged as a promising drug target for cancer therapy. In this study, a series of 2-indolinone derivatives were designed and synthesized through a structure-based strategy. A potent PAK1 inhibitor (ZMF-005) was discovered, which presented an IC50 value of 0.22 μM against PAK1 with potent antiproliferative activity. Furthermore, we predicted the binding mode of ZMF-005 and PAK1 by molecule docking and dynamic (MD) simulation. In addition, ZMF-005 was documented to induce significant apoptosis and suppress migration in MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, these findings revealed that ZMF-005 is a novel potent PAK1 inhibitor for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahong Yao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen university, Shenzhen 518118, PR China
| | - A Ruhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China.
| | - Weina Han
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China.
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11
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Huang J, Huang A, Poplawski A, DiPino F, Traugh JA, Ling J. PAK2 activated by Cdc42 and caspase 3 mediates different cellular responses to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118645. [PMID: 31926209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
p21-activated protein kinase (PAK2) is a unique member of the PAK family kinases that plays important roles in stress signaling. It can be activated by binding to the small GTPase, Cdc42 and Rac1, or by caspase 3 cleavage. Cdc42-activated PAK2 mediates cytostasis, whereas caspase 3-cleaved PAK2 contributes to apoptosis. However, the relationship between these two states of PAK2 activation remains elusive. In this study, through protein biochemical analyses and various cell-based assays, we demonstrated that full-length PAK2 activated by Cdc42 was resistant to the cleavage by caspase 3 in vitro and within cells. When mammalian cells were treated by oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide, PAK2 was highly activated through caspase 3 cleavage that led to apoptosis. However, when PAK2 was pre-activated by Cdc42 or by mild stress such as serum deprivation, it was no longer able to be cleaved by caspase 3 upon hydrogen peroxide treatment, and the subsequent apoptosis was also largely inhibited. Furthermore, cells expressing active mutants of full-length PAK2 became more resistant to hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis than inactive mutants. Taken together, this study identified two states of PAK2 activation, wherein Cdc42- and autophosphorylation-dependent activation inhibited the constitutive activation of PAK2 by caspase cleavage. The regulation between these two states of PAK2 activation provides a new molecular mechanism to support PAK2 as a molecular switch for controlling cytostasis and apoptosis in response to different types and levels of stress with broad physiological and pathological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States of America
| | - Allen Huang
- Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA 92130, United States of America
| | - Amelia Poplawski
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, United States of America; Misericordia University, Dallas, PA 18612, United States of America
| | - Frank DiPino
- Misericordia University, Dallas, PA 18612, United States of America
| | - Jolinda A Traugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States of America
| | - Jun Ling
- California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, CA 92324, United States of America; Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States of America.
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Najahi‐Missaoui W, Quach ND, Jenkins A, Dabke I, Somanath PR, Cummings BS. Effect of P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK-1) inhibition on cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2019; 7:e00518. [PMID: 31516713 PMCID: PMC6728842 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase-1 (PAK-1) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in multiple signaling pathways that mediate cellular functions such as cytoskeletal motility, cell proliferation, and survival. PAK-1 expression is altered in various cancers, including prostate and breast. Our recent studies showed that prostate cancer cells expressing higher levels of PAK-1 were resistant to the cytotoxic effects of the PAK-1 inhibitor, inhibitor targeting PAK-1 activation-3 (IPA-3), compared to those with lower expression. This study expanded these findings to other cancers (breast and melanoma) by testing the hypothesis that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PAK-1 alters cell growth, migration, and invasion in prostate, breast, and skin cancer cell lines. We also tested the specificity of IPA-3 for PAK-1 and the hypothesis that gene silencing of PAK-1 altered the efficacy of sterically stabilized liposomes (SSL) containing IPA-3 (SSL-IPA-3). PAK-1 expression was identified in four different breast cancer cell lines, and in a melanoma cell line. The expression of PAK-1 correlated to the IC50 of IPA-3 as measured by MTT staining. PAK-1 inhibition using shRNA correlated with decreased cell migration and invasion in prostate cancer DU-145 and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Decreased migration and invasion also correlated to decreased expression of E-cadherin and alterations in C-X-C Chemokine Receptor type 4 and Homing Cell Adhesion Molecule expression. PAK-1 inhibition increased the cytotoxicity of IPA-3, and the cytotoxicity of SSL-IPA-3 to levels comparable to that of free drug. These data demonstrate that both pharmacological and molecular inhibition of PAK-1 decreased growth in prostate, breast, and melanoma cancer cell lines, and increased the toxicity of IPA-3 and its liposomal formulation. These data also show the specificity of IPA-3 for PAK-1, are some of the first data suggesting that IPA-3 is a therapeutic treatment for breast cancer and melanoma, and demonstrate the efficacy of liposome-encapsulated IPA-3 in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wided Najahi‐Missaoui
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
| | - Nhat D. Quach
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & BiotechnologyBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Amber Jenkins
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
- Present address:
Cancer Center of Middle GeorgiaDublinGAUSA
| | - Isha Dabke
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
- Present address:
Medical College of GeorgiaAugustaGAUSA
| | - Payaningal R. Somanath
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of PharmacyUniversity of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical CenterAugustaGAUSA
- Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center and Cancer CenterGeorgia Regents UniversityAugustaGAUSA
| | - Brian S. Cummings
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology ProgramUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGAUSA
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13
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Costa TDF, Zhuang T, Lorent J, Turco E, Olofsson H, Masia-Balague M, Zhao M, Rabieifar P, Robertson N, Kuiper R, Sjölund J, Spiess M, Hernández-Varas P, Rabenhorst U, Roswall P, Ma R, Gong X, Hartman J, Pietras K, Adams PD, Defilippi P, Strömblad S. PAK4 suppresses RELB to prevent senescence-like growth arrest in breast cancer. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3589. [PMID: 31399573 PMCID: PMC6689091 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11510-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Overcoming cellular growth restriction, including the evasion of cellular senescence, is a hallmark of cancer. We report that PAK4 is overexpressed in all human breast cancer subtypes and associated with poor patient outcome. In mice, MMTV-PAK4 overexpression promotes spontaneous mammary cancer, while PAK4 gene depletion delays MMTV-PyMT driven tumors. Importantly, PAK4 prevents senescence-like growth arrest in breast cancer cells in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo, but is not needed in non-immortalized cells, while PAK4 overexpression in untransformed human mammary epithelial cells abrogates H-RAS-V12-induced senescence. Mechanistically, a PAK4 – RELB - C/EBPβ axis controls the senescence-like growth arrest and a PAK4 phosphorylation residue (RELB-Ser151) is critical for RELB-DNA interaction, transcriptional activity and expression of the senescence regulator C/EBPβ. These findings establish PAK4 as a promoter of breast cancer that can overcome oncogene-induced senescence and reveal a selective vulnerability of cancer to PAK4 inhibition. Oncogene induced senescence protects cells from unrestricted growth and cancer. Here, the authors show that PAK4 overrides this senescence in breast cancer cells through phosphorylation of RELB, thereby inhibiting transcription of the senescence regulator C/EBPβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia D F Costa
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Ting Zhuang
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.,Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Julie Lorent
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Emilia Turco
- Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Helene Olofsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Miriam Masia-Balague
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Miao Zhao
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Parisa Rabieifar
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Neil Robertson
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Raoul Kuiper
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jonas Sjölund
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Matthias Spiess
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Pablo Hernández-Varas
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Uta Rabenhorst
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Roswall
- Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ran Ma
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Xiaowei Gong
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Johan Hartman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-223 81, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Peter D Adams
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.,Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Paola Defilippi
- Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Staffan Strömblad
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.
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14
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Biswal J, Jayaprakash P, Suresh Kumar R, Venkatraman G, Poopandi S, Rangasamy R, Jeyaraman J. Identification of Pak1 inhibitors using water thermodynamic analysis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:13-31. [PMID: 30661460 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1567393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (Paks) play an integral component in various cellular diverse processes. The full activation of Pak is dependent upon several serine residues present in the N-terminal region, a threonine present at the activation loop, and finally the phosphorylation of these residues ensure the complete activation of Pak1. The present study deals with the identification of novel potent candidates of Pak1 using computational methods as anti-cancer compounds. A diverse energy based pharmacophore (e-pharmacophore) was developed using four co-crystal inhibitors of Pak1 having pharmacophore features of 5 (DRDRR), 6 (DRHADR), and 7 (RRARDRP and DRRDADH) hypotheses. These models were used for rigorous screening against e-molecule database. The obtained hits were filtered using ADME/T and molecular docking to identify the high affinity binders. These hits were subjected to hierarchical clustering using dendritic fingerprint inorder to identify structurally diverse molecules. The diverse hits were scored against generated water maps to obtain WM/MM ΔG binding energy. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory calculations were performed on the final hits to understand the stability of the complexes. Five structurally diverse novel Pak1 inhibitors (4835785, 32198676, 32407813, 76038049, and 32945545) were obtained from virtual screening, water thermodynamics and WM/MM ΔG binding energy. All hits revealed similar mode of binding pattern with the hinge region residues replacing the unstable water molecules in the binding site. The obtained novel hits could be used as a platform to design potent drugs that could be experimentally tested against cancer patients having increased Pak1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Biswal
- Department of Bioinformatics, Science Block Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Prajisha Jayaprakash
- Department of Bioinformatics, Science Block Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rayala Suresh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Human Genetics College of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Saritha Poopandi
- Department of Bioinformatics, Science Block Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Raghu Rangasamy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Science Block Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jeyakanthan Jeyaraman
- Department of Bioinformatics, Science Block Alagappa University, Karaikudi Tamil Nadu, India
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15
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Yuanxin Y, Yanhong Z, Qin Z, Sishi T, Yang D, Yi Z, Minjin W, Juan Z, Xiaojun L, Lanlan W, Binwu Y. Pak1 gene functioned differentially in different BCR-ABL subtypes in leukemiagenesis and treatment response through STAT5 pathway. Leuk Res 2019; 79:6-16. [PMID: 30784762 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The BCR-ABL fusion gene (BCR-ABL) has different subtypes such as p210 and p190 with p190 appear to lead to a worse prognosis. To explore the mechanism of difference in pathogenesis and prognosis in different BCR-ABL subtype-related leukemia, expression profile microarray analysis was conducted between p190 and p210 patients and verified by RT-PCR. The p21-activated kinase (PAK1) gene was chosen and regulation of the PAK1-STAT5 biological axis and its influence on proliferation and apoptosis in leukemia cells were also analyzed. The results showed that PAK1 might be an important molecular mechanism of the pathogenic difference between different BCR-ABL subtypes. In P210 (+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), down-regulated PAK1 gene expressions may lead to the suppression of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis through phosphorylation of STAT5, with a reverse effect in P190 (+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL), especially acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Additionally, in P210 (+) CML, down-regulated PAK1 expression may enhance the effect of TKI, whereas the reverse is true in P190 (+) B-ALL, demonstrating that PAK1 might also be an important therapeutic target between different BCR-ABL subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yuanxin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhou Yanhong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zheng Qin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tang Sishi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dai Yang
- Department of hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhou Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wang Minjin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhou Juan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lu Xiaojun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wang Lanlan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Binwu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Bustelo XR. RHO GTPases in cancer: known facts, open questions, and therapeutic challenges. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:741-760. [PMID: 29871878 PMCID: PMC7615761 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RHO GTPases have been traditionally associated with protumorigenic functions. While this paradigm is still valid in many cases, recent data have unexpectedly revealed that RHO proteins can also play tumor suppressor roles. RHO signaling elements can also promote both pro- and antitumorigenic effects using GTPase-independent mechanisms, thus giving an extra layer of complexity to the role of these proteins in cancer. Consistent with these variegated roles, both gain- and loss-of-function mutations in RHO pathway genes have been found in cancer patients. Collectively, these observations challenge long-held functional archetypes for RHO proteins in both normal and cancer cells. In this review, I will summarize these data and discuss new questions arising from them such as the functional and clinical relevance of the mutations found in patients, the mechanistic orchestration of those antagonistic functions in tumors, and the pros and cons that these results represent for the development of RHO-based anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xosé R Bustelo
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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17
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Pérez-Yépez EA, Saldívar-Cerón HI, Villamar-Cruz O, Pérez-Plasencia C, Arias-Romero LE. p21 Activated kinase 1: Nuclear activity and its role during DNA damage repair. DNA Repair (Amst) 2018; 65:42-46. [PMID: 29597073 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a serine/threonine kinase activated by the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. It is located in the chromosome 11q13 and is amplified and/or overexpressed in several human cancer types including 25-30% of breast tumors. This enzyme plays a pivotal role in the control of a number of fundamental cellular processes by phosphorylating its downstream substrates. In addition to its role in the cytoplasm, it is well documented that PAK1 also plays crucial roles in the nucleus participating in mitotic events and gene expression through its association and/or phosphorylation of several transcription factors, transcriptional co-regulators and cell cycle-related proteins, including Aurora kinase A (AURKA), polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), the forkhead transcription factor (FKHR), estrogen receptor α (ERα), and Snail. More recently, PAK signaling has emerged as a component of the DNA damage response (DDR) as PAK1 activity influences the cellular sensitivity to ionizing radiation and promotes the expression of several genes involved in the Fanconi Anemia/BRCA pathway. This review will focus on the nuclear functions of PAK1 and its role in the regulation of DNA damage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloy Andrés Pérez-Yépez
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México 54090, Mexico; Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Héctor Iván Saldívar-Cerón
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Apartado postal 14-740, 07360 México, D. F., México
| | - Olga Villamar-Cruz
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México 54090, Mexico
| | - Carlos Pérez-Plasencia
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México 54090, Mexico
| | - Luis Enrique Arias-Romero
- UBIMED, Facultad de Estudios Superiores-Iztacala, UNAM, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México 54090, Mexico.
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18
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Lv Z, Hu M, Fan M, Li X, Lin J, Zhen J, Wang Z, Jin H, Wang R. Podocyte-specific Rac1 deficiency ameliorates podocyte damage and proteinuria in STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:342. [PMID: 29497040 PMCID: PMC5832796 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0353-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Activation of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) has been implicated in diverse kidney diseases, yet its in vivo significance in diabetic nephropathy (DN) is largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated a podocyte-specific Rac1-deficient mouse strain and showed that specific inhibition of Rac1 was able to attenuate diabetic podocyte injury and proteinuria by the blockade of Rac1/PAK1/p38/β-catenin signaling cascade, which reinstated the integrity of podocyte slit diaphragms (SD), rectified the effacement of foot processes (FPs), and prevented the dedifferentiation of podocytes. In vitro, we showed Rac1/PAK1 physically bound to β-catenin and had a direct phosphorylation modification on its C-terminal Ser675, leading to less ubiquitylated β-catenin, namely more stabilized β-catenin, and its nuclear migration under high-glucose conditions; further, p38 activation might be responsible for β-catenin nuclear accumulation via potentiating myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2c) phosphorylation. These findings provided evidence for a potential renoprotective and therapeutic strategy of cell-specific Rac1 deficiency for DN and other proteinuric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimei Lv
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mengsi Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Minghua Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaobing Li
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Jiangong Lin
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Junhui Zhen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ziyang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Haijun Jin
- Department of Internal Medicine Clinic, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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19
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Wang Y, Gu X, Li W, Zhang Q, Zhang C. PAK1 overexpression promotes cell proliferation in cutaneous T cell lymphoma via suppression of PUMA and p21. J Dermatol Sci 2018; 90:60-67. [PMID: 29307600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) comprises a heterogeneous group of skin-homing T cell tumors. The small guanosine triphosphate effector p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) plays an important role in many fundamental cellular functions, including cell motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. The expression of PAK1 is up-regulated in several types of human cancers. However, little is known about the role of PAK1 in the pathogenesis of CTCL. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern and underlying mechanism of PAK1 in CTCL. METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) was used to detect PAK1 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with CTCL. The expression of PAK1 protein in CTCL tumor tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. CTCL cell lines were treated with a small molecule inhibitor of PAK1, p21-activated kinase inhibitor III (IPA3), at concentrations of 2, 3.5 and 5 μM for 24 h. Hut 78 and HH CTCL cells were transfected with lentiviral-based PAK1 gene knockdown vectors. We determined the effects of PAK1 knockdown on cell proliferation and apoptosis in CTCL cells by MTS assay and flow cytometry. Animal experiments were performed to investigate the effects of PAK1 knockdown on the growth of tumors in vivo. Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to detect the direct downstream targets of PAK1 silencing. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were applied to verify the results of the transcriptomic analysis. RESULTS We detected PAK1 overexpression in PBMCs and skin lesions from patients with CTCL compared with benign inflammatory dermatoses (BID). Knockdown of PAK1 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted spontaneous apoptosis. In addition, the inhibitory effect of IPA3 was validated in the CTCL cell lines. Additionally, mice injected with PAK1-silenced cells presented with a decreased rate of tumor growth compared with the control groups. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of PUMA (BBC3) and p21 (CDKN1A) were increased in PAK1-silenced Hut 78 and HH cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated that PAK1 is upregulated in CTCL. PAK1 silencing induced apoptosis and inhibited cell growth by stimulating the expression of PUMA and p21. Thus, PAK1 may be a potential tumor marker and therapeutic target of CTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Gu
- Department of Dermatology, Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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20
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Cloning and functional characterization of human Pak1 promoter by steroid hormones. Gene 2017; 646:120-128. [PMID: 29274909 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) is known to be involved in a plethora of functions including cell growth, survival and can lead to cell transformation and tumor progression especially in breast tissue. Multiple studies have shown Pak1 dysregulation as a change in DNA copy number as well as gene expression levels, suggesting many regulatory mechanisms at transcriptional and translational level. However, very little is known about the transcriptional regulation of the human Pak1 promoter. Here, we focus on Pak1 promoter regulation by steroid hormones along with their respective receptors that are also crucial players in breast tissue function and tumorigenesis. Our results show high Pak1 expression in breast cancer cell lines and in breast tumor tissue. It also suggests that Pak1 is hormone responsive, whose expression can be modulated by steroid hormones namely, estrogen in the form of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). Sequence analysis of a 3.2kb Pak1 proximal promoter region shows the presence of PRE (progesterone response element) and ERE (estrogen response element) half sites, that were further cloned and characterized. Results from promoter analysis showed that Pak1 promoter activity is mediated by PR via its binding to PRE present on the Pak1 promoter that was further reaffirmed in vitro by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP). Our results together suggest that it is the PR isoform B regulates Pak1 promoter. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the detailed characterization and transcriptional regulation of the human Pak1 promoter by steroid hormones.
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21
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Tunduguru R, Zhang J, Aslamy A, Salunkhe VA, Brozinick JT, Elmendorf JS, Thurmond DC. The actin-related p41ARC subunit contributes to p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1)-mediated glucose uptake into skeletal muscle cells. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:19034-19043. [PMID: 28972183 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.801340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects in translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 are associated with peripheral insulin resistance, preclinical diabetes, and progression to type 2 diabetes. GLUT4 recruitment to the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle cells requires F-actin remodeling. Insulin signaling in muscle requires p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1), whose downstream signaling triggers actin remodeling, which promotes GLUT4 vesicle translocation and glucose uptake into skeletal muscle cells. Actin remodeling is a cyclic process, and although PAK1 is known to initiate changes to the cortical actin-binding protein cofilin to stimulate the depolymerizing arm of the cycle, how PAK1 might trigger the polymerizing arm of the cycle remains unresolved. Toward this, we investigated whether PAK1 contributes to the mechanisms involving the actin-binding and -polymerizing proteins neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), cortactin, and ARP2/3 subunits. We found that the actin-polymerizing ARP2/3 subunit p41ARC is a PAK1 substrate in skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that insulin stimulates p41ARC phosphorylation and increases its association with N-WASP coordinately with the associations of N-WASP with cortactin and actin. Importantly, all of these associations were ablated by the PAK inhibitor IPA3, suggesting that PAK1 activation lies upstream of these actin-polymerizing complexes. Using the N-WASP inhibitor wiskostatin, we further demonstrated that N-WASP is required for localized F-actin polymerization, GLUT4 vesicle translocation, and glucose uptake. These results expand the model of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells by implicating p41ARC as a new component of the insulin-signaling cascade and connecting PAK1 signaling to N-WASP-cortactin-mediated actin polymerization and GLUT4 vesicle translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragadeepthi Tunduguru
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and.,the Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute and Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, and
| | - Jing Zhang
- the Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute and Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, and
| | - Arianne Aslamy
- the Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute and Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, and.,Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases,Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Vishal A Salunkhe
- the Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute and Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, and
| | | | - Jeffrey S Elmendorf
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and.,Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases,Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Debbie C Thurmond
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and .,the Department of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute and Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, and.,Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases,Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
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22
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Physical Confirmation and Comparative Genomics of the Rat Mammary carcinoma susceptibility 3 Quantitative Trait Locus. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017; 7:1767-1773. [PMID: 28391240 PMCID: PMC5473756 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.039388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Human breast and rat mammary cancer susceptibility are complex phenotypes where complete sets of risk associated loci remain to be identified for both species. We tested multiple congenic rat strains to physically confirm and positionally map rat Mammary carcinoma susceptibility 3 (Mcs3)-a mammary cancer resistance allele previously predicted at Rattus norvegicus chromosome 1 (RNO1). The mammary cancer susceptible Wistar Furth (WF) strain was the recipient, and the mammary cancer resistant Copenhagen (Cop) strain was the RNO1-segment donor for congenics. Inbred WF females averaged 6.3 carcinogen-induced mammary carcinomas per rat. Two WF.Cop congenic strains averaged 2.8 and 3.4 mammary carcinomas per rat, which confirmed Mcs3 as an independently acting allele. Two other WF.Cop congenic strains averaged 6.6 and 8.1 mammary carcinomas per rat, and, thus, did not contain Mcs3 Rat Mcs3 was delimited to 27.8 Mb of RNO1 from rs8149408 to rs105131702 (RNO1:143700228-171517317 of RGSC 6.0/rn6). Human genetic variants with p values for association to breast cancer risk below 10-7 had not been reported for Mcs3 orthologous loci; however, human variants located in Mcs3-orthologous regions with potential association to risk (10-7 < p < 10-3) were listed in some population-based studies. Further, rat Mcs3 contains sequence orthologous to human 11q13/14-a region frequently amplified in female breast cancer. We conclude that Mcs3 is an independently acting mammary carcinoma resistance allele. Human population-based, genome-targeted association studies interrogating Mcs3 orthologous loci may yield novel breast cancer risk associated variants and genes.
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Yang Z, Wang H, Xia L, Oyang L, Zhou Y, Zhang B, Chen X, Luo X, Liao Q, Liang J. Overexpression of PAK1 Correlates with Aberrant Expression of EMT Markers and Poor Prognosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. J Cancer 2017; 8:1484-1491. [PMID: 28638464 PMCID: PMC5479255 DOI: 10.7150/jca.18553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases. PAK1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are key therapeutic targets in cancer. The clinical significance of PAK1 and its potential association with EMT phenotype in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of PAK1, and mesenchymal and epithelial markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin) in 186 cases of NSCLC tissues and 50 cases of tumor-adjacent normal tissues. The correlation of PAK1 with the clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and mesenchymal and epithelial markers in NSCLC were analyzed. Results: Compared with the non-tumor tissues, PAK1, vimentin, and N-cadherin levels were markedly elevated in NSCLC tissues, whereas the E-cadherin levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The aberrant expression of PAK1 was significantly associated with TNM stage and metastasis (P<0.001). Patients who displayed high expression of PAK1 may achieve a poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), compared to those with low expression of PAK1 (P=0.001 and P<0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that high expression of PAK1 was an independent predictor of poor prognosis [hazard ratio (HR) =2.121, P<0.001, HR=1.928, P=0.001, respectively]. In addition, significant correlations were observed between the EMT markers and OS or PFS (P<0.01). Interestingly, PAK1 expression was positively correlated with vimentin and N-cadherin levels (r=0.473, P<0.001; r=0.526, P<0.001, respectively) and negatively correlated with E-cadherin levels (r=-0.463, P<0.001) in NSCLC tissues. Conclusion: PAK1 may promote NSCLC progression and metastasis through EMT, thereby exhibiting the potential of an efficient prognostic predictor in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Hunan normal University, Changsha 410013, PR China
| | - Heran Wang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Longzheng Xia
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Linda Oyang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Baihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xia Luo
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jianping Liang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
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A novel orally bioavailable compound KPT-9274 inhibits PAK4, and blocks triple negative breast cancer tumor growth. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42555. [PMID: 28198380 PMCID: PMC5309789 DOI: 10.1038/srep42555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease consisting of several subtypes. Among these subtypes, triple negative breast cancer is particularly difficult to treat. This is due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms behind the disease, and consequently a lack of druggable targets. PAK4 plays critical roles in cell survival, proliferation, and morphology. PAK4 protein levels are high in breast cancer cells and breast tumors, and the gene is often amplified in basal like breast cancers, which are frequently triple negative. PAK4 is also overexpressed in other types of cancer, making it a promising drug target. However, its inhibition is complicated by the fact that PAK4 has both kinase-dependent and -independent functions. Here we investigate a new clinical compound KPT-9274, which has been shown to inhibit PAK4 and NAMPT. We find that KPT-9274 (and its analog, KPT-8752) can reduce the steady state level of PAK4 protein in triple negative breast cancer cells. These compounds also block the growth of the breast cancer cells in vitro, and stimulate apoptosis. Most importantly, oral administration of KPT-9274 reduces tumorigenesis in mouse models of human triple negative breast cancer. Our results indicate that KPT-9274 is a novel therapeutic option for triple negative breast cancer therapy.
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25
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Cx26 knockout predisposes the mammary gland to primary mammary tumors in a DMBA-induced mouse model of breast cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:37185-99. [PMID: 26439696 PMCID: PMC4741923 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Down-regulation of the gap junction protein connexin26 (Cx26) is an early event following breast cancer onset and has led to Cx26 being classically described as a tumor suppressor. Interestingly, mutations in theCx26 gene (GJB2) reduce or ablate Cx26 gap junction channel function and are the most common cause of genetic deafness. It is unknown if patients with loss-of-function GJB2 mutations have a greater susceptibility to breast tumorigenesis or aggressive breast cancer progression. To investigate these possibilities, 7, 12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA)-induced tumor development was evaluated in BLG-Cre; Cx26fl/fl mice expressing Cre under the β-Lactoglobulin promoter (Cre+) compared to Cx26fl/fl controlmice (Cre-) following pituitary isograft driven Cx26 knockout. A significantly increased number of DMBA-treated Cre+ mice developed primary mammary tumors, as well as developed multiple tumors, compared to Cre- mice. Primary tumors of Cre+ mice were of multiple histological subtypes and had similar palpable tumour onset and growth rate compared to tumors from Cre- mice. Lungs were evaluated for evidence of metastases revealing a similar percentage of lung metastases in Cre+ and Cre- mice. Together, our results suggest that loss of Cx26 predisposes the mammary gland to chemically induced mammary tumour formation which may have important implications to patients with GJB2 mutations.
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26
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Hammer A, Diakonova M. Prolactin-induced PAK1 tyrosyl phosphorylation promotes FAK dephosphorylation, breast cancer cell motility, invasion and metastasis. BMC Cell Biol 2016; 17:31. [PMID: 27542844 PMCID: PMC4992334 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-016-0109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The serine/threonine kinase PAK1 is an important regulator of cell motility. Both PAK1 and the hormone/cytokine prolactin (PRL) have been implicated in breast cancer cell motility, however, the exact mechanisms guiding PRL/PAK1 signaling in breast cancer cells have not been fully elucidated. Our lab has previously demonstrated that PRL-activated tyrosine kinase JAK2 phosphorylates PAK1 on tyrosines 153, 201, and 285, and that tyrosyl phosphorylated PAK1 (pTyr-PAK1) augments migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. RESULTS Here we further investigate the mechanisms by which pTyr-PAK1 enhances breast cancer cell motility in response to PRL. We demonstrate a distinct reduction in PRL-induced FAK auto-phosphorylation in T47D and TMX2-28 breast cancer cells overexpressing wild-type PAK1 (PAK1 WT) when compared to cells overexpressing either GFP or phospho-tyrosine-deficient mutant PAK1 (PAK1 Y3F). Furthermore, pTyr-PAK1 phosphorylates MEK1 on Ser298 resulting in subsequent ERK1/2 activation. PRL-induced FAK auto-phosphorylation is rescued in PAK1 WT cells by inhibiting tyrosine phosphatases and tyrosine phosphatase inhibition abrogates cell motility and invasion in response to PRL. siRNA-mediated knockdown of the tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST rescues FAK auto-phosphorylation in PAK1 WT cells and reduces both cell motility and invasion. Finally, we provide evidence that PRL-induced pTyr-PAK1 stimulates tumor cell metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSION These data provide insight into the mechanisms guiding PRL-mediated breast cancer cell motility and invasion and highlight a significant role for pTyr-PAK1 in breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Hammer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, 43606-3390, OH, USA
| | - Maria Diakonova
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, 43606-3390, OH, USA.
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Xu HT, Lai WL, Liu HF, Wong LLY, Ng IOL, Ching YP. PAK4 Phosphorylates p53 at Serine 215 to Promote Liver Cancer Metastasis. Cancer Res 2016; 76:5732-5742. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-3373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Study on the expression of PAK4 and P54 protein in breast cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2016; 14:160. [PMID: 27297086 PMCID: PMC4906770 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-016-0913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous evidence have demonstrated that p21-activated kinase PAK4 was correlated with breast cancer. The aim of this paper is to study the expression and interaction of p21-activated kinase (pAK)-4 and P54 protein in breast cancer. Methods A total of 80 patients were enrolled in our study (breast fibroma n = 20, breast noninvasive cancer n = 20, early breast invasive cancer n = 20, and advanced breast invasive cancer). The expression of PAK4 was detected by immunohistochemical S-P method, and the relationship between them and the different pathological characteristics were compared. The subcellular localization of P54 and PAK4 in vitro was observed by immunofluorescence assay. Results The expression of both PAK4 and P54 in breast cancer was much higher than that in breast fibroma. Meanwhile, we found that both PAK4 and P54 increased gradually as breast cancer progressed (advanced invasive > early invasive > noninvasive). The positive staining of P54 were mainly located in the cytoplasm, especially around the nucleus. There was no significant stained region in the cell matrix. The P54 localization in the cytoplasm was verified by confocal experiment, and the PAK4 was co-localized. Conclusions PAK4 and P54 proteins may be used as molecular markers for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
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29
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Ahern TP, Cronin-Fenton DP, Lash TL, Sørensen HT, Ording AG, Hamilton-Dutoit SJ, Hellberg Y. Pak1, adjuvant tamoxifen therapy, and breast cancer recurrence risk in a Danish population-based study. Acta Oncol 2016; 55:734-41. [PMID: 27056567 DOI: 10.3109/0284186x.2016.1150606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Adjuvant tamoxifen therapy approximately halves the risk of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer recurrence, but many women do not respond to therapy. Observational studies nested in clinical trial populations suggest that overexpression or nuclear localization of p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) in primary tumors predicts tamoxifen failure. Material and methods We measured the association between Pak1 expression and breast cancer recurrence in a Danish population-based case-control study. Pak1 cytoplasmic expression level and nuclear positivity were determined by immunohistochemical staining of primary breast tumors from recurrence cases and matched controls from two breast cancer populations; women diagnosed with ER-positive tumors who received at least one year of tamoxifen therapy (ER+/TAM+), and women diagnosed with ER-negative tumors who survived for at least one year (ER-/TAM-). Pak1 staining was assessed by a single, blinded pathologist, and associations were estimated with conditional logistic regression models. Results We included 541 recurrence cases and 1:1 matched controls from the ER+/TAM + group and 300 recurrence cases and 1:1 matched controls from the ER-/TAM - group. Pak1 cytoplasmic intensity was not associated with breast cancer recurrence in either group (ER+/TAM + ORadj for strong vs. no cytoplasmic staining = 0.91, 95% CI 0.57, 1.5; ER-/TAM - ORadj for strong vs. no cytoplasmic staining = 0.74, 95% CI 0.39, 1.4). Associations between Pak1 nuclear positivity and breast cancer recurrence were similarly near null in both groups. Conclusion Pak1 positivity in primary breast tumors was neither predictive nor prognostic in this prospective, population-based study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P. Ahern
- Department of Surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | | | - Timothy L. Lash
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Henrik Toft Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Gulbech Ording
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ylva Hellberg
- Institute of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Pathology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre Municipality, Denmark
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Parvathy M, Sreeja S, Kumar R, Pillai MR. Potential role of p21 Activated Kinase 1 (PAK1) in the invasion and motility of oral cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2016; 16 Suppl 1:293. [PMID: 27229476 PMCID: PMC4896241 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral cancer malignancy consists of uncontrolled division of cells primarily in and around the floor of the oral cavity, gingiva, oropharynx, lower lip and base of the tongue. According to GLOBOCAN 2012 report, oral cancer is one of the most common cancers among males and females in India. Even though significant advancements have been made in the field of oral cancer treatment modalities, the overall prognosis for the patients has not improved in the past few decades and hence, this demands a new thrust for the identification of novel therapeutic targets in oral cancer. p21 Activated Kinases (PAKs) are potential therapeutic targets that are involved in numerous physiological functions. PAKs are serine-threonine kinases and they serve as important regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics and cell motility, transcription through MAP kinase cascades, death and survival signalling, and cell-cycle progression. Although PAKs are known to play crucial roles in cancer progression, the role and clinical significance of PAKs in oral cancer remains poorly understood. RESULTS Our results suggest that PAK1 is over-expressed in oral cancer cell lines. Stimulation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) cells with serum growth factors leads to PAK1 re-localization and might cause a profound cytoskeletal remodelling. PAK1 was also found to be involved in the invasion, migration and cytoskeletal remodelling of OSCC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that PAK1 may play a crucial role in the progression of OSCC. Studying the role of PAK1 and its substrates is likely to enhance our understanding of oral carcinogenesis and potential therapeutic value of PAKs in oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muraleedharan Parvathy
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Sreeharshan Sreeja
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
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Kumar R, Li DQ. PAKs in Human Cancer Progression: From Inception to Cancer Therapeutic to Future Oncobiology. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 130:137-209. [PMID: 27037753 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Since the initial recognition of a mechanistic role of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in breast cancer invasion, PAK1 has emerged as one of the widely overexpressed or hyperactivated kinases in human cancer at-large, allowing the PAK family to make in-roads in cancer biology, tumorigenesis, and cancer therapeutics. Much of our current understanding of the PAK family in cancer progression relates to a central role of the PAK family in the integration of cancer-promoting signals from cell membrane receptors as well as function as a key nexus-modifier of complex, cytoplasmic signaling network. Another core aspect of PAK signaling that highlights its importance in cancer progression is through PAK's central role in the cross talk with signaling and interacting proteins, as well as PAK's position as a key player in the phosphorylation of effector substrates to engage downstream components that ultimately leads to the development cancerous phenotypes. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances in PAK cancer research and its downstream substrates in the context of invasion, nuclear signaling and localization, gene expression, and DNA damage response. We discuss how a deeper understanding of PAK1's pathobiology over the years has widened research interest to the PAK family and human cancer, and positioning the PAK family as a promising cancer therapeutic target either alone or in combination with other therapies. With many landmark findings and leaps in the progress of PAK cancer research since the infancy of this field nearly 20 years ago, we also discuss postulated advances in the coming decade as the PAK family continues to shape the future of oncobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kumar
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States; Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
| | - D-Q Li
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetics in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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NOTCH1 intracellular domain negatively regulates PAK1 signaling pathway through direct interaction. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1863:179-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 11/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Zuo Y, Oh W, Ulu A, Frost JA. Minireview: Mouse Models of Rho GTPase Function in Mammary Gland Development, Tumorigenesis, and Metastasis. Mol Endocrinol 2015; 30:278-89. [PMID: 26677753 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog (Rho) family small GTPases are critical regulators of actin cytoskeletal organization, cell motility, proliferation, and survival. Surprisingly, the large majority of the studies underlying our knowledge of Rho protein function have been carried out in cultured cells, and it is only recently that researchers have begun to assess Rho GTPase regulation and function in vivo. The purpose of this review is to evaluate our current knowledge of Rho GTPase function in mouse mammary gland development, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although our knowledge is still incomplete, these studies are already uncovering important themes as to the physiological roles of Rho GTPase signaling in normal mammary gland development and function. Essential contributions of Rho proteins to breast cancer initiation, tumor progression, and metastatic dissemination have also been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zuo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Wonkyung Oh
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Arzu Ulu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jeffrey A Frost
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
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34
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Oladimeji P, Kubohara Y, Kikuchi H, Oshima Y, Rusch C, Skerl R, Diakonova M. A Derivative of Differentiation-Inducing Factor-3 Inhibits PAK1 Activity and Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 2:1-6. [PMID: 26688830 PMCID: PMC4682050 DOI: 10.23937/2378-3419/2/4/1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation-inducing factors 1-3 (DIFs 1-3), chlorinated alkylphenones identified in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, are considered anti-tumor agents because they inhibit proliferation of a variety of mammalian tumor cells in vitro. Although the anti-proliferative effects of DIF-1 and DIF-3 are well-documented, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of DIFs have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of DIFs and their derivatives on PAK1, a key serine-threonine kinase, which is activated by multiple ligands and regulates cell proliferation. We examined the effect of DIF derivatives on PAK1 kinase activity in cells. We also examined the effect of DIF-3(+1) derivative on PAK1 kinase activity in vitro, cyclin D1 promoter activity and breast cancer cell proliferation. It was found that some derivatives strongly inhibited PAK1 kinase activity in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells stably over expressing PAK1. Among the derivatives, DIF-3(+1) was most potent, which directly inhibited kinase activity of recombinant purified PAK1 in an in vitro kinase assay. Furthermore, DIF-3(+1) strongly inhibited both cyclin D1 promoter activity and proliferation of MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells stably over expressing PAK1 in response to prolactin, estrogen, epidermal growth factor and heregulin. In the present study we propose PAK1 as DIF-3(+1) target mediating its anti-proliferative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Oladimeji
- The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Yuzuru Kubohara
- Institute for Molecular & Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan ; Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Haruhisa Kikuchi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshiteru Oshima
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Courtney Rusch
- The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Rebekah Skerl
- The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Maria Diakonova
- The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
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Siu MKY, Kong DSH, Ngai SYP, Chan HY, Jiang L, Wong ESY, Liu SS, Chan KKL, Ngan HYS, Cheung ANY. p21-Activated Kinases 1, 2 and 4 in Endometrial Cancers: Effects on Clinical Outcomes and Cell Proliferation. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26218748 PMCID: PMC4517872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (Paks) are serine/threonine protein kinases involved in biological events linked to malignant tumor progression. In this study, expression of Pak1, p-Pak2 Ser20, Pak4, pPak4 Ser474 in 21 normal endometrium, 16 hyperplastic endometrium without atypia, 17 atypical complex hyperplasia and 67 endometrial cancers was assessed by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. We also accessed the proliferative role and downstream targets of Pak1 in endometrial cancer. Pak1 was expressed in cytoplasm whereas Pak4 and p-Pak4 were expressed in both cytoplasm and nucleus of endometrial tissues. In normal endometrium, significantly higher Pak1 (P = 0.028) and cytoplasmic p-Pak2 (P = 0.048) expression was detected in proliferative endometrium than secretory endometrium. Pak1, cytoplasmic and nuclear Pak4 and nuclear p-Pak4 was significantly overexpressed in endometrial cancer when compared to atrophic endometrium (all P<0.05). Moreover, type I endometrioid carcinomas showed significantly higher Pak1 expression than type II non-endometrioid carcinomas (P<0.001). On the other hand, Pak1, Pak4 and p-Pak4 expression negatively correlated with histological grade (all P<0.05) while p-Pak2 and cytoplasmic Pak4 expression inversely correlated with myometrial invasion (all P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with endometrial cancers with lower cytoplasmic Pak4 expression showed poorer survival (P = 0.026). Multivariate analysis showed cytoplasmic Pak4 is an independent prognostic factor. Functionally, knockdown of Pak1, but not Pak4, in endometrial cancer cell line led to reduced cell proliferation along with reduced cyclin D1, estrogen receptor (ERα) and progestogen receptor (PR) expression. Significant correlation between Pak1 and PR expression was also detected in clinical samples. Our findings suggest that Pak1 and cytoplasmic p-Pak2 may promote cell proliferation in normal endometrium during menstral cycle. Pak1, cytoplasmic and nuclear Pak4 and nuclear p-Pak4 are involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer especially in postmenopausal women. Pak1 promote endometrial cancer cell proliferation, particular in type I endometrioid carcinoma. Cytoplasmic Pak4 can be potential prognostic marker in endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle K. Y. Siu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- * E-mail: (MKYS); (ANYC)
| | - Daniel S. H. Kong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Sheila Y. P. Ngai
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Hoi Yan Chan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Lili Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Esther S. Y. Wong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Stephanie S. Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Karen K. L. Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Hextan Y. S. Ngan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
| | - Annie N. Y. Cheung
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- * E-mail: (MKYS); (ANYC)
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Gan J, Zhang Y, Ke X, Tan C, Ren H, Dong H, Jiang J, Chen S, Zhuang Y, Zhang H. Dysregulation of PAK1 Is Associated with DNA Damage and Is of Prognostic Importance in Primary Esophageal Small Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:12035-50. [PMID: 26023713 PMCID: PMC4490427 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160612035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary esophageal small cell carcinoma (PESCC) is a rare, but fatal subtype of esophageal carcinoma. No effective therapeutic regimen for it. P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is known to function as an integrator and an indispensable node of major growth factor signaling and the molecular therapy targeting PAK1 has been clinical in pipeline. We thus set to examine the expression and clinical impact of PAK1 in PESCC. The expression of PAK1 was detected in a semi-quantitative manner by performing immunohistochemistry. PAK1 was overexpressed in 22 of 34 PESCC tumors, but in only 2 of 18 adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Overexpression of PAK1 was significantly associated with tumor location (p = 0.011), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.026) and patient survival (p = 0.032). We also investigated the association of PAK1 with DNA damage, a driven cause for malignancy progression. γH2AX, a DNA damage marker, was detectable in 18 of 24 (75.0%) cases, and PAK1 expression was associated with γH2AX (p = 0.027). Together, PAK1 is important in metastasis and progression of PESCC. The contribution of PAK1 to clinical outcomes may be involved in its regulating DNA damage pathway. Further studies are worth determining the potentials of PAK1 as prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for PESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Gan
- Cancer Research Centre, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515063, China.
| | - Yuling Zhang
- Department of Information, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
| | - Xiurong Ke
- Cancer Research Centre, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515063, China.
- Department of Biotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
| | - Chong Tan
- Department of General Surgery, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China.
| | - Hongzheng Ren
- Department of Pathology, Central Hospital of Kaifeng, Kaifeng 475000, China.
| | - Hongmei Dong
- Cancer Research Centre, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515063, China.
| | - Jiali Jiang
- Cancer Research Centre, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515063, China.
- Department of Biotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
| | - Shaobin Chen
- Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
| | - Yixuan Zhuang
- Tumor Tissue Bank, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
| | - Hao Zhang
- Cancer Research Centre, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515063, China.
- Department of Biotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
- Tumor Tissue Bank, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515031, China.
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Ong CC, Gierke S, Pitt C, Sagolla M, Cheng CK, Zhou W, Jubb AM, Strickland L, Schmidt M, Duron SG, Campbell DA, Zheng W, Dehdashti S, Shen M, Yang N, Behnke ML, Huang W, McKew JC, Chernoff J, Forrest WF, Haverty PM, Chin SF, Rakha EA, Green AR, Ellis IO, Caldas C, O'Brien T, Friedman LS, Koeppen H, Rudolph J, Hoeflich KP. Small molecule inhibition of group I p21-activated kinases in breast cancer induces apoptosis and potentiates the activity of microtubule stabilizing agents. Breast Cancer Res 2015; 17:59. [PMID: 25902869 PMCID: PMC4445529 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-015-0564-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide among women, is a molecularly and clinically heterogeneous disease. Extensive genetic and epigenetic profiling of breast tumors has recently revealed novel putative driver genes, including p21-activated kinase (PAK)1. PAK1 is a serine/threonine kinase downstream of small GTP-binding proteins, Rac1 and Cdc42, and is an integral component of growth factor signaling networks and cellular functions fundamental to tumorigenesis. METHODS PAK1 dysregulation (copy number gain, mRNA and protein expression) was evaluated in two cohorts of breast cancer tissues (n=980 and 1,108). A novel small molecule inhibitor, FRAX1036, and RNA interference were used to examine PAK1 loss of function and combination with docetaxel in vitro. Mechanism of action for the therapeutic combination, both cellular and molecular, was assessed via time-lapse microscopy and immunoblotting. RESULTS We demonstrate that focal genomic amplification and overexpression of PAK1 are associated with poor clinical outcome in the luminal subtype of breast cancer (P=1.29×10(-4) and P=0.015, respectively). Given the role for PAK1 in regulating cytoskeletal organization, we hypothesized that combination of PAK1 inhibition with taxane treatment could be combined to further interfere with microtubule dynamics and cell survival. Consistent with this, administration of docetaxel with either a novel small molecule inhibitor of group I PAKs, FRAX1036, or PAK1 small interfering RNA oligonucleotides dramatically altered signaling to cytoskeletal-associated proteins, such as stathmin, and induced microtubule disorganization and cellular apoptosis. Live-cell imaging revealed that the duration of mitotic arrest mediated by docetaxel was significantly reduced in the presence of FRAX1036, and this was associated with increased kinetics of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings further support PAK1 as a potential target in breast cancer and suggest combination with taxanes as a viable strategy to increase anti-tumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy C Ong
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Sarah Gierke
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Cameron Pitt
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
- New address: University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Meredith Sagolla
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Christine K Cheng
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Adrian M Jubb
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Laura Strickland
- Department of Diagnostics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Maike Schmidt
- Department of Diagnostics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Sergio G Duron
- Afraxis, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- New address: COI Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - David A Campbell
- Afraxis, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- New address: COI Pharmaceuticals, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Seameen Dehdashti
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- New address: Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Min Shen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Nora Yang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Mark L Behnke
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Wenwei Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - John C McKew
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- New address: aTyr Pharma, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | | | - William F Forrest
- Department of Biostatistics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Peter M Haverty
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Emad A Rakha
- Histopathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Andrew R Green
- Histopathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Ian O Ellis
- Histopathology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Cancer Research UK, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Thomas O'Brien
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Lori S Friedman
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Hartmut Koeppen
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Joachim Rudolph
- Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Klaus P Hoeflich
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
- New address: Blueprint Medicines, Cambridge, MA, UK.
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Li Z, Zou X, Xie L, Chen H, Chen Y, Yeung SCJ, Zhang H. Personalizing risk stratification by addition of PAK1 expression to TNM staging: improving the accuracy of clinical decision for gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Int J Cancer 2015; 136:1636-45. [PMID: 25159681 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJA) is an aggressive malignancy with an alarmingly rising incidence. TNM staging is widely used by oncologists to stratify prognosis as well as direct therapeutic strategies. However, inadequate lymphadenectomy is frequently encountered for GEJA and largely confounds prognosis resulting from TNM staging. Thus, a molecular biomarker, which can accurately forecast the risk of nodal metastasis in patients with inadequate lymphadenectomy, is required to guide precisely clinical decision. In this study, bioinformatics and pathological analysis identified that p21 protein-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is associated with lymph nodal metastasis of GEJA. The PAK1 H-score was lower in the patients with negative lymph nodes than that in patients with positive (metastatic) lymph nodes (6.865 ± 3.376, 9.370 ± 2.530, respectively; p < 0.001). The PAK1 H-score in lymph nodes was positively correlated with that in primary tumors (PTs; p < 0.001; r = 0.475). PAK1 H-scores in PTs had the best performance based on its area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve compared with PAK1 H-scores in lymph nodes, histological grade, lymph nodal metastasis status, tumor size, depth of tumor, TNM stage and number of resected lymph nodes. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard and Fine and Gray models showed that histological grade 3, Charlson comorbidity index > 7 and high PAK1 expression in PTs were associated with significantly increased risk of recurrence and cancer-related death. In conclusion, high PAK1 expression in PTs is predictive of node metastasis and can be easily integrated in the clinical decision process for personalized therapeutics of GEJA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongtai Li
- Department of Biotherapy and Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China; Department of Oncological Radiotherapy, The People's Hospital of Gaozhou, Gaozhou, Guangdong, China; Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
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Rudolph J, Crawford JJ, Hoeflich KP, Wang W. Inhibitors of p21-activated kinases (PAKs). J Med Chem 2014; 58:111-29. [PMID: 25415869 DOI: 10.1021/jm501613q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases plays important roles in cytoskeletal organization, cellular morphogenesis, and survival, and members of this family have been implicated in many diseases including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. Owing to their large and flexible ATP binding cleft, PAKs, particularly group I PAKs (PAK1, -2, and -3), are difficult to drug; hence, few PAK inhibitors with satisfactory kinase selectivity and druglike properties have been reported to date. Examples are a recently discovered group II PAK (PAK4, -5, -6) selective inhibitor series based on a benzimidazole core, a group I PAK selective series based on a pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-7-one core, and an allosteric dibenzodiazepine PAK1 inhibitor series. Only one compound, an aminopyrazole based pan-PAK inhibitor, entered clinical trials but did not progress beyond phase I trials. Clinical proof of concept for pan-group I, pan-group II, or PAK isoform selective inhibition has yet to be demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Rudolph
- Discovery Chemistry, and ‡Structural Biology, Genentech , 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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Arias-Romero LE, Chernoff J. p21-activated kinases in Erbb2-positive breast cancer: A new therapeutic target? Small GTPases 2014; 1:124-128. [PMID: 21686266 DOI: 10.4161/sgtp.1.2.14109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Revised: 10/27/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of receptor tyrosine kinases, particularly ErbB2, has been linked to the genesis and progression of breast cancer. Two of the central signaling pathways activated by ErbB2 are the Ras/Raf-1/Mek/Erk pathway, which plays an important role in tumor cell growth and migration, and the PI3K/Akt pathway, which plays an important role in cell survival. Recently, we and others have shown that signaling through the Ras-Erk pathway can be influenced by p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1), an effector of the Rho family GTP ases Rac and Cdc42. Expression of activated forms of Rac promotes activation of Erk through mechanisms involving Pak1 phosphorylation of Raf-1 and Mek1. In addition, Pak1 has also been implicated in the activation of Akt. However, our understanding regarding the degree to which Rho GTPases, and their effectors such as Pak1, contribute to ErbB2-mediated signaling is very limited.Recent results from our laboratory indicate that ErbB2 expression correlates with Pak activation in estrogen receptor negative human breast tumor samples. Using a three-dimensional (3D) culture of human MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells, we found that activation of Rac-Pak pathway by ErbB2 induces growth factor independent proliferation and promotes disruption of acini-like structures through the activation of the Erk and Akt pathways. We also observed that blocking Pak1 activity by small molecule inhibitors impeded the ability of activated ErbB2 to transform these cells and to activate its associated downstream signaling targets. In addition, we found that suppressing Pak activity in ErbB2-amplified breast cancer cells delayed tumor formation and downregulated Erk and Akt signaling in vivo. These results support a model in which Pak, by activating Erk and Akt, cooperates with ErbB2 in transforming mammary epithelial cells.
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Abstract
Transformation of a normal cell to a cancer cell is caused by mutations in genes that regulate proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. Small GTPases such as Ras, Rho, Rac and Cdc42 orchestrate many of the signals that are required for malignant transformation. The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are effectors of Rac and Cdc42. PAKs are a family of serine/threonine protein kinases comprised of six isoforms (PAK1–6), and they play important roles in cytoskeletal dynamics, cell survival and proliferation. They act as key signal transducers in several cancer signaling pathways, including Ras, Raf, NFκB, Akt, Bad and p53. Although PAKs are not mutated in cancers, they are overexpressed, hyperactivated or amplified in several human tumors and their role in cell transformation make them attractive therapeutic targets. This review discusses the evidence that PAK is important for cell transformation and some key signaling pathways it regulates. This review primarily discusses Group I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2 and PAK3) as Group II PAKs (PAK4, PAK5 and PAK6) are discussed elsewhere in this issue (by Minden).
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Zi Ye
- Department of Pharmacology; Perelman School of Medicine; University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA USA
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Abstract
PAKs 4, 5 and 6 are members of the group B family of p21-activated kinases. Among this group, PAK4 has been most extensively studied. While it has essential roles in embryonic development, in adults high levels of PAK4 are frequently associated with cancer. PAK4 is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and the Pak4 gene is amplified in some cancers. PAK4 overexpression is sufficient to cause oncogenic transformation in cells and in mouse models. The tight connection between PAK4 and cancer make it a promising diagnostic tool as well as a potential drug target. The group B PAKs also have important developmental functions. PAK4 is important for many early developmental processes, while PAK5 and PAK6 play roles in learning and memory in mice. This chapter provides an overview of the roles of the group B PAKs in cancer as well as development, and includes a discussion of PAK mediated signaling pathways and cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Minden
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research; Department of Chemical Biology; Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Piscataway, NJ USA
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Kim E, Youn H, Kwon T, Son B, Kang J, Yang HJ, Seong KM, Kim W, Youn B. PAK1 Tyrosine Phosphorylation Is Required to Induce Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Radioresistance in Lung Cancer Cells. Cancer Res 2014; 74:5520-31. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-0735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Park J, Kim JM, Park JK, Huang S, Kwak SY, Ryu KA, Kong G, Park J, Koo BS. Association of p21-activated kinase-1 activity with aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis of head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2014; 37:953-63. [PMID: 24634274 DOI: 10.1002/hed.23695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the role of p21-activated kinase (PAK)-1 in progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS We examined PAK isoforms and explored whether PAK activation enhanced in vitro invasion of the HNSCC cell line. We analyzed the relationship between PAK1 expression and various clinicopathological features and investigated the effect of PAK1 overexpression on survival in 119 patients with HNSCC. RESULTS PAK1 and PAK2 are predominantly expressed in HNSCC cells and patient tissues. Particularly, PAK1 makes the dominant contribution to increase in cell migration and invasion. There was a statistically significant correlation between PAK1 overexpression and aggressive cancer behavior. Moreover, PAK1 seemed to be a prognostic factor for overall and disease-specific survival in patients. Interestingly, enhancement of PAK1 expression was found in the invasive front of cancer. CONCLUSION PAK1 is associated with the aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis of head and neck cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jin-Man Kim
- Department of Pathology, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jeong Kyu Park
- Department of Microbiology, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Songmei Huang
- Department of Pathology, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seo Young Kwak
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kyeung A Ryu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Gyeyeong Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jongsun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Laboratory, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Bon Seok Koo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
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Kuželová K, Grebeňová D, Holoubek A, Röselová P, Obr A. Group I PAK inhibitor IPA-3 induces cell death and affects cell adhesivity to fibronectin in human hematopoietic cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92560. [PMID: 24664099 PMCID: PMC3963893 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are involved in the regulation of multiple processes including cell proliferation, adhesion and migration. However, the current knowledge about their function is mainly based on results obtained in adherent cell types. We investigated the effect of group I PAK inhibition using the compound IPA-3 in a variety of human leukemic cell lines (JURL-MK1, MOLM-7, K562, CML-T1, HL-60, Karpas-299, Jurkat, HEL) as well as in primary blood cells. IPA-3 induced cell death with EC50 ranging from 5 to more than 20 μM. Similar range was found for IPA-3-mediated dephosphorylation of a known PAK downstream effector, cofilin. The cell death was associated with caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage and apoptotic DNA fragmentation. In parallel, 20 μM IPA-3 treatment induced rapid and marked decrease of the cell adhesivity to fibronectin. Per contra, partial reduction of PAK activity using lower dose IPA-3 or siRNA resulted in a slight increase in the cell adhesivity. The changes in the cell adhesivity were also studied using real-time microimpedance measurement and by interference reflection microscopy. Significant differences in the intracellular IPA-3 level among various cell lines were observed indicating that an active mechanism is involved in IPA-3 transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Kuželová
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Dana Grebeňová
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Holoubek
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Röselová
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Obr
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Prague, Czech Republic
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Abstract
The p21 activated kinases (Paks) are well known effector proteins for the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. The Paks contain 6 members, which fall into 2 families of proteins. The first family consists of Paks 1, 2, and 3, and the second consists of Paks 4, 5, and 6. While some of the Paks are ubiquitously expressed, others have more restrictive tissue specificity. All of them are found in the nervous system. Studies using cell culture, transgenic mice, and knockout mice, have revealed important roles for the Paks in cytoskeletal organization and in many aspects of cell growth and development. This review discusses the basic structures of the Paks, and their roles in cell growth, development, and in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetan K Rane
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research; Department of Chemical Biology; Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy; Rutgers The State University of New Jersey; Piscataway, NJ USA
| | - Audrey Minden
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research; Department of Chemical Biology; Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy; Rutgers The State University of New Jersey; Piscataway, NJ USA
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Role of p-21-activated kinases in cancer progression. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 309:347-87. [PMID: 24529727 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800255-1.00007-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The p-21-activated kinases (PAKs) are downstream effectors of Rho GTPases Rac and Cdc42. The PAK family consists of six members which are segregated into two subgroups (Group I and Group II) based on sequence homology. Group I PAKs (PAK1-3) are the most extensively studied but there is increasing interest in the functionality of Group II PAKs (PAK4-6). The PAK family proteins are thought to play an important role in many different cellular processes, some of which have particular significance in the context of cancer progression. This review explores established and more recent data, linking the PAK family kinases to cancer progression including expression profiles, evasion of apoptosis, promotion of cell survival, and regulation of cell invasion. Finally, we discuss attempts to therapeutically target the PAK family and outline the major obstacles that still need to be overcome.
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PAK-dependent STAT5 serine phosphorylation is required for BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis. Leukemia 2013; 28:629-41. [PMID: 24263804 PMCID: PMC3948164 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) is frequently activated in hematological malignancies and represents an essential signaling node downstream of the BCR-ABL oncogene. STAT5 can be phosphorylated at three positions, on a tyrosine and on the two serines S725 and S779. We have investigated the importance of STAT5 serine phosphorylation for BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis. In cultured bone marrow cells, expression of a STAT5 mutant lacking the S725 and S779 phosphorylation sites (STAT5(SASA)) prohibits transformation and induces apoptosis. Accordingly, STAT5(SASA) BCR-ABL(+) cells display a strongly reduced leukemic potential in vivo, predominantly caused by loss of S779 phosphorylation that prevents the nuclear translocation of STAT5. Three distinct lines of evidence indicate that S779 is phosphorylated by group I p21-activated kinase (PAK). We show further that PAK-dependent serine phosphorylation of STAT5 is unaffected by BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. Interfering with STAT5 phosphorylation could thus be a novel therapeutic approach to target BCR-ABL-induced malignancies.
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Licciulli S, Maksimoska J, Zhou C, Troutman S, Kota S, Liu Q, Duron S, Campbell D, Chernoff J, Field J, Marmorstein R, Kissil JL. FRAX597, a small molecule inhibitor of the p21-activated kinases, inhibits tumorigenesis of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-associated Schwannomas. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:29105-14. [PMID: 23960073 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.510933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are immediate downstream effectors of the Rac/Cdc42 small G-proteins and implicated in promoting tumorigenesis in various types of cancer including breast and lung carcinomas. Recent studies have established a requirement for the PAKs in the pathogenesis of Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a dominantly inherited cancer disorder caused by mutations at the NF2 gene locus. Merlin, the protein product of the NF2 gene, has been shown to negatively regulate signaling through the PAKs and the tumor suppressive functions of Merlin are mediated, at least in part, through inhibition of the PAKs. Knockdown of PAK1 and PAK2 expression, through RNAi-based approaches, impairs the proliferation of NF2-null schwannoma cells in culture and inhibits their ability to form tumors in vivo. These data implicate the PAKs as potential therapeutic targets. High-throughput screening of a library of small molecules combined with a structure-activity relationship approach resulted in the identification of FRAX597, a small-molecule pyridopyrimidinone, as a potent inhibitor of the group I PAKs. Crystallographic characterization of the FRAX597/PAK1 complex identifies a phenyl ring that traverses the gatekeeper residue and positions the thiazole in the back cavity of the ATP binding site, a site rarely targeted by kinase inhibitors. FRAX597 inhibits the proliferation of NF2-deficient schwannoma cells in culture and displayed potent anti-tumor activity in vivo, impairing schwannoma development in an orthotopic model of NF2. These studies identify a novel class of orally available ATP-competitive Group I PAK inhibitors with significant potential for the treatment of NF2 and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Licciulli
- From the Department of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458
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Shin YJ, Kim YB, Kim JH. Protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates and activates p21-activated kinase 1. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:2990-9. [PMID: 23885116 PMCID: PMC3771959 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e13-04-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is achieved through a conformational change that converts an inactive PAK1 dimer to an active monomer. In this paper, we show that this change is necessary but not sufficient to activate PAK1 and that it is, rather, required for CK2-dependent PAK1(S223) phosphorylation that converts a monomeric PAK1 into a catalytically active form. This phosphorylation appears to be essential for autophosphorylation at specific residues and overall activity of PAK1. A phosphomimetic mutation (S223E) bypasses the requirement for GTPases in PAK1 activation, whereas the constitutive activity of the PAK1 mutant (PAK1(H83,86L)), postulated to mimic GTPase-induced structural changes, is abolished by inhibition of S223 phosphorylation. Thus, S223 is likely accessible to CK2 upon conformational changes of PAK1 induced by GTPase-dependent and GTPase-independent stimuli, suggesting that S223 phosphorylation may play a key role in the final step of the PAK1 activation process. The physiological significance of this phosphorylation is reinforced by the observations that CK2 is responsible for epidermal growth factor-induced PAK1 activation and that inhibition of S223 phosphorylation abrogates PAK1-mediated malignant transformation of prostate epithelial cells. Taken together, these findings identify CK2 as an upstream activating kinase of PAK1, providing a novel mechanism for PAK1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jae Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037
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