1
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Harrahill NJ, Hadden MK. Small molecules that regulate the N 6-methyladenosine RNA modification as potential anti-cancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 274:116526. [PMID: 38805939 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Epitranscriptomics, the field of post-translational RNA modifications, is a burgeoning domain of research that has recently received significant attention for its role in multiple diseases, including cancer. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prominent post-translational RNA modification and plays a critical role in RNA transcription, processing, translation, and metabolism. The m6A modification is controlled by three protein classes known as writers (methyltransferases), erasers (demethylases), and readers (m6A-binding proteins). Each class of m6A regulatory proteins has been implicated in cancer initiation and progression. As such, many of these proteins have been identified as potential targets for anti-cancer chemotherapeutics. In this work, we provide an overview of the role m6A-regulating proteins play in cancer and discuss the current state of small molecule therapeutics targeting these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah J Harrahill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT, 06269-3092, United States
| | - M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N Eagleville Rd, Unit 3092, Storrs, CT, 06269-3092, United States.
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2
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Lai GQ, Li Y, Zhu H, Zhang T, Gao J, Zhou H, Yang CG. A covalent compound selectively inhibits RNA demethylase ALKBH5 rather than FTO. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:335-343. [PMID: 38576724 PMCID: PMC10989504 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00230f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent mRNA modification and is required for gene regulation in eukaryotes. ALKBH5, an m6A demethylase, is a promising target, particularly for anticancer drug discovery. However, the development of selective and potent inhibitors of ALKBH5 rather than FTO remains challenging. Herein, we used a targeted covalent inhibition strategy and identified a covalent inhibitor, TD19, which selectively inhibits ALKBH5 compared with FTO demethylase in protein-based and tumor cell-based assays. TD19 irreversibly modifies the residues C100 and C267, preventing ALKBH5 from binding to m6A-containing RNA. Moreover, TD19 displays good anticancer efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia and glioblastoma multiforme cell lines. Thus, the ALKBH5 inhibitor developed in this study, which selectively targets ALKBH5 compared with FTO, can potentially be used as a probe for investigating the biological functions of RNA demethylase and as a lead compound in anticancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan-Qiang Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Yali Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Heping Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024 China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Jing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Hu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery Yantai 264117 China
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3
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Shen T, Huang X, Zhang Y, Tong Y, Shi Y, Guo J, Zou X, Xu Y, Dai Z. Dephosphorylation Switch DNAzyme-RCA Circuit: A Robust Strategy for the Homogeneous and Reliable Detection of FTO Demethylase. Anal Chem 2024; 96:1686-1692. [PMID: 38118402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) plays a crucial role in regulating the dynamic modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in eukaryotic mRNA. Sensitive detection of the FTO level and efficient evaluation of the FTO demethylase activity are of great importance to early cancer diagnosis and anticancer drug discovery, which are currently challenged by limited sensitivity/precision and low throughput. Herein, a robust strategy based on the dephosphorylation switch DNAzyme-rolling circle amplification (RCA) circuit, termed DSD-RCA, is developed for highly sensitive detection of FTO and inhibitor screening. Initially, the catalytic activity of DNAzyme is silenced by engineering with an m6A modification in its catalytic core. Only in the presence of target FTO can the methyl group on DNAzyme be eliminated, resulting in the activation of the catalytic activity of DNAzyme and thus cleaving the hairpin substrate to release numerous primers. Different from the conventional methods that use the downstream cleavage primer with the original 3'-hydroxyl end directly as the RCA primer with the problem of high background signal, which should be compensated by additional separation and wash steps in heterogeneous format, our DSD-RCA assay uses the upstream cleavage primer with a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate terminus at the 3'-end serving as an intrinsically blocked 3' end. Only after a dephosphorylation reaction mediated by T4 polynucleotide kinase can the upstream cleavage primers with a resultant 3'-hydroxyl end be extended by RCA. With the high signal-to-noise ratio and homogeneous property, the proposed platform can sensitively detect FTO with a limit of detection of 31.4 pM, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs %) ranging from 0.8 to 2.0% were much lower than the heterogeneous methods. The DSD-RCA method was applied for analyzing FTO in cytoplasmic lysates from different cell lines and tissues of breast cancer patients and further used for screening FTO inhibitors without the need for separation or cleaning, providing an opportunity for achieving high throughput and demonstrating the potential applications of this strategy in disease diagnostics, drug discovery, and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taorong Shen
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xing Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yanfei Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yanli Tong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yakun Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jianhe Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zou
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuzhi Xu
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zong Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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4
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Zhang H, Yin M, Huang H, Zhao G, Lu M. METTL16 in human diseases: What should we do next? Open Med (Wars) 2023; 18:20230856. [PMID: 38045858 PMCID: PMC10693013 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
METTL16 is a class-I methyltransferase that is responsible for depositing a vertebrate-conserved S-adenosylmethionine site. Since 2017, there has been a growing body of research focused on METTL16, particularly in the field of structural studies. However, the role of METTL16 in cell biogenesis and human diseases has not been extensively studied, with limited understanding of its function in disease pathology. Recent studies have highlighted the complex and sometimes contradictory role that METTL16 plays in various diseases. In this work, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the current research on METTL16 in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Tongji Aerospace City Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430000, China
| | - Mengqi Yin
- Department of Neurology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430000, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 665000, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Gongfang Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 665000, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Mingliang Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149, PR China
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5
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Huang Y, Xia W, Dong Z, Yang CG. Chemical Inhibitors Targeting the Oncogenic m 6A Modifying Proteins. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:3010-3022. [PMID: 37889223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics is brought to RNA, introducing a new dimension to gene expression regulation. Among numerous RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant internal modification on eukaryote mRNA first identified in the 1970s. However, the significance of m6A modification in mRNA had been long neglected until the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) enzyme was identified as the first m6A demethylase almost 40 years later. The m6A modification influences nearly every step of RNA metabolism and thus broadly affects gene expression at multiple levels, playing a critical role in many biological processes, including cancer progression, metastasis, and immune evasion. The m6A level is dynamically regulated by RNA epigenetic machinery comprising methyltransferases such as methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3), demethylases FTO and AlkB human homologue 5 (ALKBH5), and multiple reader proteins. The understanding of the biology of RNA epigenetics and its translational drug discovery is still in its infancy. It is essential to further develop chemical probes and lead compounds for an in-depth investigation into m6A biology and the translational discovery of anticancer drugs targeting m6A modifying oncogenic proteins.In this Account, we present our work on the development of chemical inhibitors to regulate m6A in mRNA by targeting the FTO demethylase, and the elucidation of their mode of action. We reported rhein to be the first substrate competitive FTO inhibitor. Due to rhein's poor selectivity, we identified meclofenamic acid (MA) that selectively inhibits FTO compared with ALKBH5. Based on the structural complex of MA bound with FTO, we designed MA analogs FB23-2 and Dac51, which exhibit significantly improved activities compared with MA. For example, FB23-2 is specific to FTO inhibition in vitro among over 400 other oncogenic proteins, including kinases, proteases, and DNA and histone epigenetic proteins. Mimicking FTO depletion, FB23-2 promotes the differentiation/apoptosis of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and inhibits the progression of primary cells in xenotransplanted mice. Dac51 treatment impairs the glycolytic activity of tumor cells and restores the function of CD8+ T cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of solid tumors in vivo. These FTO inhibitors were and will continue to be used as probes to promote biological studies of m6A modification and as lead compounds to target FTO in anticancer drug discovery.Toward the end, we also include a brief review of ALKBH5 demethylase inhibitors and METTL3 methyltransferase modulators. Collectively, these small-molecule modulators that selectively target RNA epigenetic proteins will promote in-depth studies on the regulation of gene expression and potentially accelerate anticancer target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenyang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ze Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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6
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Ren X, Tang X, Huang T, Hu Z, Wang Y, Zhou Y. FTO plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal cancer and may be a target for immunotherapy: an updated review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1241357. [PMID: 37916161 PMCID: PMC10616962 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1241357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancer is a common malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis. Therefore, developing novel effective markers and therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal cancer is currently a challenging and popular topic in oncology research. Accumulating studies have reported that N6-methyladenosine is the most abundant epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. N6-methyladenosine plays an essential role in regulating RNA expression and metabolism, including splicing, translation, stability, decay, and transport. FTO, the earliest demethylase discovered to maintain the balance of N6-adenosine methylation, is abnormally expressed in many tumors. In this review, we discuss the molecular structure and substrate selectivity of FTO. we focus on the role of FTO in gastrointestinal tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, autophagy, immune microenvironment, and its molecular mechanisms. We also discuss its potential in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqing Ren
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Tian Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zenan Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongning Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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7
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Tanaka K, Suda A, Uesugi M, Futaki S, Imanishi M. Xanthine derivatives inhibit FTO in an L-ascorbic acid-dependent manner. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:10809-10812. [PMID: 37599611 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02484a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Xanthine derivatives were identified as inhibitors of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase activity of fat-mass-and-obesity-associated protein (FTO) by activity-based high-throughput screening using the m6A-sensitive ribonuclease MazF. Pentoxifylline exhibited L-ascorbic acid concentration-dependent inhibitory activity against FTO, an unprecedented mode of inhibition, indicating that L-ascorbic acid is a promising key for designing FTO-specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamui Tanaka
- Institute for Chemical Research, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Akiyo Suda
- Institute for Chemical Research, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Motonari Uesugi
- Institute for Chemical Research, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute for Chemical Research, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
| | - Miki Imanishi
- Institute for Chemical Research, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
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8
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Qiu L, Jing Q, Li Y, Han J. RNA modification: mechanisms and therapeutic targets. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2023; 4:25. [PMID: 37612540 PMCID: PMC10447785 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-023-00139-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modifications are dynamic and reversible chemical modifications on substrate RNA that are regulated by specific modifying enzymes. They play important roles in the regulation of many biological processes in various diseases, such as the development of cancer and other diseases. With the help of advanced sequencing technologies, the role of RNA modifications has caught increasing attention in human diseases in scientific research. In this review, we briefly summarized the basic mechanisms of several common RNA modifications, including m6A, m5C, m1A, m7G, Ψ, A-to-I editing and ac4C. Importantly, we discussed their potential functions in human diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, genetic and developmental diseases, as well as immune disorders. Through the "writing-erasing-reading" mechanisms, RNA modifications regulate the stability, translation, and localization of pivotal disease-related mRNAs to manipulate disease development. Moreover, we also highlighted in this review all currently available RNA-modifier-targeting small molecular inhibitors or activators, most of which are designed against m6A-related enzymes, such as METTL3, FTO and ALKBH5. This review provides clues for potential clinical therapy as well as future study directions in the RNA modification field. More in-depth studies on RNA modifications, their roles in human diseases and further development of their inhibitors or activators are needed for a thorough understanding of epitranscriptomics as well as diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qian Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yanbo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Junhong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics and Genomics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P.R. China.
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9
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Deng X, Qing Y, Horne D, Huang H, Chen J. The roles and implications of RNA m 6A modification in cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:507-526. [PMID: 37221357 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00774-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic mRNA, has been extensively and increasingly studied over the past decade. Dysregulation of RNA m6A modification and its associated machinery, including writers, erasers and readers, is frequently observed in various cancer types, and the dysregulation profiles might serve as diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers. Dysregulated m6A modifiers have been shown to function as oncoproteins or tumour suppressors with essential roles in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, therapy resistance and immune evasion as well as in cancer stem cell self-renewal and the tumour microenvironment, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the dysregulated m6A machinery for cancer treatment. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which m6A modifiers determine the fate of target RNAs and thereby influence protein expression, molecular pathways and cell phenotypes. We also describe the state-of-the-art methodologies for mapping global m6A epitranscriptomes in cancer. We further summarize discoveries regarding the dysregulation of m6A modifiers and modifications in cancer, their pathological roles, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we discuss m6A-related prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers in cancer as well as the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting oncogenic m6A modifiers and their activity in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA.
| | - Ying Qing
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA
| | - David Horne
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Huilin Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research & City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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10
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Xiao P, Duan Z, Liu Z, Chen L, Zhang D, Liu L, Zhou C, Gan J, Dong Z, Yang CG. Rational Design of RNA Demethylase FTO Inhibitors with Enhanced Antileukemia Drug-Like Properties. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37418628 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is an RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase highly expressed in diverse cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To improve antileukemia drug-like properties, we have designed 44/ZLD115, a flexible alkaline side-chain-substituted benzoic acid FTO inhibitor derived from FB23. A combination of structure-activity relationship analysis and lipophilic efficiency-guided optimization demonstrates that 44/ZLD115 exhibits better drug-likeness than the previously reported FTO inhibitors, FB23 and 13a/Dac85. Then, 44/ZLD115 shows significant antiproliferative activity in leukemic NB4 and MOLM13 cell lines. Moreover, 44/ZLD115 treatment noticeably increases m6A abundance on the AML cell RNA, upregulates RARA gene expression, and downregulates MYC gene expression in MOLM13 cells, which are consistent with FTO gene knockdown. Lastly, 44/ZLD115 exhibits antileukemic activity in xenograft mice without substantial side effects. This FTO inhibitor demonstrates promising properties that can be further developed for antileukemia applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zongliang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Deyan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Analytical Research Center for Organic and Biological Molecules, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jianhua Gan
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ze Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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11
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Zhang R, Wang P, Wei B, Chen L, Song X, Pan Y, Li J, Gan J, Zhang T, Yang CG. Assessment of the structure-activity relationship and antileukemic activity of diacylpyramide compounds as human ClpP agonists. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115577. [PMID: 37352796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Human caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) is required for the regulatory hydrolysis of mitochondrial proteins. Allosteric ClpP agonists dysfunctionally activate mitochondrial ClpP in antileukemic therapies. We previously developed ZG111, a potent ClpP agonist derived from ICG-001, inhibits the proliferation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo by degrading respiratory chain complex proteins. Herein, we studied the structure-activity relationships of ICG-001 analogs as antileukemia agents. Compound ZG36 exhibited improved stabilization effects on the thermal stability of ClpP in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines compared with the stabilization effects of ZG111, indicating a direct binding between ZG36 and ClpP. Indeed, the resolved ZG36/ClpP structural complex reveals the mode of action of ZG36 during ClpP binding. Compound ZG36 nonselectively degrades respiratory chain complexes and decreases the mitochondrial DNA, eventually leading to the collapse of mitochondrial function and leukemic cell death. Finally, ZG36 treatment inhibited 3-D cell growth in vitro and suppressed the tumorigenesis of AML cells in xenografted mice models. Collectively, we developed a new class of human ClpP agonists that can be used as potential antileukemic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Pengyu Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Bingyan Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaomin Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yihui Pan
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianhua Gan
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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12
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Xu ZY, Jing X, Xiong XD. Emerging Role and Mechanism of the FTO Gene in Cardiovascular Diseases. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050850. [PMID: 37238719 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene was the first obesity-susceptibility gene identified through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A growing number of studies have suggested that genetic variants of FTO are strongly associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and acute coronary syndrome. In addition, FTO was also the first N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase, suggesting the reversible nature of m6A modification. m6A is dynamically deposited, removed, and recognized by m6A methylases, demethylases, and m6A binding proteins, respectively. By catalyzing m6A demethylation on mRNA, FTO may participate in various biological processes by modulating RNA function. Recent studies demonstrated that FTO plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial fibrosis, heart failure, and atherosclerosis and may hold promise as a potential therapeutic target for treating or preventing a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Here, we review the association between FTO genetic variants and cardiovascular disease risk, summarize the role of FTO as an m6A demethylase in cardiovascular disorders, and discuss future research directions and possible clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yang Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Xia Jing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Xing-Dong Xiong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
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13
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Orsolic I, Carrier A, Esteller M. Genetic and epigenetic defects of the RNA modification machinery in cancer. Trends Genet 2023; 39:74-88. [PMID: 36379743 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer was initially considered to be an exclusively genetic disease, but an interplay of dysregulated genetic and epigenetic mechanisms is now known to contribute to the cancer phenotype. More recently, chemical modifications of RNA molecules - the so-called epitranscriptome - have been found to regulate various aspects of RNA function and homeostasis. Specific enzymes, known as RNA-modifying proteins (RMPs), are responsible for depositing, removing, and reading chemical modifications in RNA. Intensive investigations in the epitranscriptomic field in recent years, in conjunction with great technological advances, have revealed the critical role of RNA modifications in regulating numerous cellular pathways. Furthermore, growing evidence has revealed that RNA modification machinery is often altered in human cancers, highlighting the enormous potential of RMPs as pharmacological targets or diagnostic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Orsolic
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Arnaud Carrier
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cancer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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14
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Qin B, Bai Q, Yan D, Yin F, Zhu Z, Xia C, Yang Y, Zhao Y. Discovery of novel mRNA demethylase FTO inhibitors against esophageal cancer. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1995-2003. [PMID: 35833378 PMCID: PMC9291647 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2098954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of 1,2,3-triazole analogues as novel fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) inhibitors were synthesised in this study. Among all 1,2,3-triazoles, compound C6 exhibited the most robust inhibition of FTO with an IC50 value of 780 nM. It displayed the potent antiproliferative activity against KYSE-150, KYSE-270, TE-1, KYSE-510, and EC109 cell lines with IC50 value of 2.17, 1.35, 0.95, 4.15, and 0.83 μM, respectively. In addition, C6 arrested the cell cycle at G2 phase against TE-1 and EC109 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Analysis of cellular mechanisms demonstrated that C6 concentration-dependently regulated epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway and PI3K/AKT pathway against TE-1 and EC109 cells. Molecular docking studies that C6 formed important hydrogen-bond interaction with Lys107, Asn110, Tyr108, and Leu109 of FTO. These findings suggested that C6 as a novel FTO inhibitor and orally antitumor agent deserves further investigation to treat esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Qin
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Qian Bai
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Dan Yan
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Fanxiang Yin
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Zhu Zhu
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Chaoyuan Xia
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yang Yang
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Translational Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China
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15
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Zhang D, Wornow S, Peehl DM, Rankin EB, Brooks JD. The controversial role and therapeutic development of the m6A demethylase FTO in renal cell carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2022; 25:101518. [PMID: 36037557 PMCID: PMC9440419 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein, the first m6A demethylase identified in 2011, regulates multiple aspects of RNA biology including splicing, localization, stability, and translation. Accumulating data show that FTO is involved in numerous physiological processes and is implicated in multiple cancers including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the exact role of FTO in RCC remains controversial. Some studies demonstrated that decreased FTO expression was associated with aggressive clinical features and shorter overall survival in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) patients, while others found that FTO inhibition selectively reduced the growth and survival of VHL-deficient ccRCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we review the evidence supporting either a promoting or suppressive role of FTO in kidney cancers, the mechanisms of action of FTO, and recent progress in developing FTO inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalin Zhang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sarah Wornow
- Undergraduate Student Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Donna M Peehl
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - James D Brooks
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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16
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Jiang T, He X, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Wang T, Jia L. RNA m6A reader IGF2BP3 promotes metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via SLIT2 repression. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22618. [PMID: 36250924 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200751rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a group of fatal malignancies characterized by high metastatic capacity, the underlying mechanisms of which remain largely elusive. We have found here that insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) is highly expressed in TNBC and correlates clinically with distant metastasis-free survival of TNBC patients. IGF2BP3 promotes the migration and invasion capabilities of TNBC cells dependent upon cellular RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Mechanistically, IGF2BP3 binds to and destabilizes m6A-methylated mRNA of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein, SLIT2, impairs its downstream signaling via the cognate receptor ROBO1, and consequently triggers the activation of canonical PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK pathways. The IGF2BP3/SLIT2 axis is critically involved in the regulation of TNBC metastasis in vivo. These findings shed light into the regulatory network of distant metastasis of breast cancer and provide rationale for targeting the m6A machinery in the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhining Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xijing 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lintao Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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17
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Huff S, Kummetha IR, Zhang L, Wang L, Bray W, Yin J, Kelley V, Wang Y, Rana TM. Rational Design and Optimization of m 6A-RNA Demethylase FTO Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10920-10937. [PMID: 35939803 PMCID: PMC9421652 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Aberrant regulation of N6-methyladenosine
(m6A) RNA modification has been implicated in the progression
of multiple diseases, including cancer. Previously, we identified
a small molecule inhibitor of the m6A demethylase fat mass-
and obesity-associated protein (FTO), which removes both m6A and N6,2′-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am) RNA modifications.
In this work, we describe the rational design and optimization of
a new class of FTO inhibitors derived from our previous lead FTO-04
with nanomolar potency and high selectivity against the homologous
m6A RNA demethylase ALKBH5. The oxetanyl class of compounds
comprise competitive inhibitors of FTO with potent antiproliferative
effects in glioblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and gastric cancer
models where lead FTO-43 demonstrated potency comparable to clinical
chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. Furthermore, FTO-43 increased m6A and m6Am levels in a manner comparable
to FTO knockdown in gastric cancer cells and regulated Wnt/PI3K-Akt
signaling pathways. The oxetanyl class contains significantly improved
anticancer agents with a variety of applications beyond glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Huff
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Indrasena Reddy Kummetha
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lingzhi Zhang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lingling Wang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - William Bray
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jiekai Yin
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program and Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Vanessa Kelley
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program and Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Tariq M Rana
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, Program in Immunology, Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0762, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.,San Diego Center for Precision Immunotherapy, Moores Cancer Center 3855 Health Sciences Drive, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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18
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Viral Phase Separation and Epitranscriptomics in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8122. [PMID: 35897696 PMCID: PMC9368024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The relentless, protracted evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus imposes tremendous pressure on herd immunity and demands versatile adaptations by the human host genome to counter transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic alterations associated with a wide range of short- and long-term manifestations during acute infection and post-acute recovery, respectively. To promote viral replication during active infection and viral persistence, the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein regulates host cell microenvironment including pH and ion concentrations to maintain a high oxidative environment that supports template switching, causing extensive mitochondrial damage and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling cascades. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial distress induce dynamic changes to both the host and viral RNA m6A methylome, and can trigger the derepression of long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE1), resulting in global hypomethylation, epigenetic changes, and genomic instability. The timely application of melatonin during early infection enhances host innate antiviral immune responses by preventing the formation of "viral factories" by nucleocapsid liquid-liquid phase separation that effectively blockades viral genome transcription and packaging, the disassembly of stress granules, and the sequestration of DEAD-box RNA helicases, including DDX3X, vital to immune signaling. Melatonin prevents membrane depolarization and protects cristae morphology to suppress glycolysis via antioxidant-dependent and -independent mechanisms. By restraining the derepression of LINE1 via multifaceted strategies, and maintaining the balance in m6A RNA modifications, melatonin could be the quintessential ancient molecule that significantly influences the outcome of the constant struggle between virus and host to gain transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic dominance over the host genome during acute infection and PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA;
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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19
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Liu L, Chen J, Wang MM, Huang Y, Qian Y, Xue X, Su Z, Liu HK. The cyclometalated iridium (III) complex based on 9-Anthracenecarboxylic acid as a lysosomal-targeted anticancer agent. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 235:111913. [PMID: 35905643 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
9-Anthracenecarboxylic acid (9-Ac) was reported early as a chloride channel inhibitor and was found to exhibit significant anti-proliferative activity on leukemic cells, but has not been researched in solid tumor cells. Herein, a 9-anthraceneic acid derivative was introduced into the cyclometalated Iridium (III) species to construct a novel Iridium (Ir) complex Ir-9-Ac, [Ir(ppy)2(9-Ac-L)]PF6 (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, 9-Ac-L = N-((4'-methyl-[2,2'-bipyridin]-4-yl)methyl)anthracene-9-carboxamide), which could accumulated in lysosomes. Ir-9-Ac showed good cytotoxic activity against several tumor cell lines, notably on A549 cells. Besides Ir-9-Ac could inhibit the cell colony formation and growth of the 3D cell spheroids, demonstrating the potential to suppress tumors in vivo. This design provided a platform for the design of cyclometalated Iridium (III) anticancer complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jun Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Meng-Meng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuanlei Huang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yong Qian
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xuling Xue
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Zhi Su
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Hong-Ke Liu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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20
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Liu Z, Duan Z, Zhang D, Xiao P, Zhang T, Xu H, Wang CH, Rao GW, Gan J, Huang Y, Yang CG, Dong Z. Structure-Activity Relationships and Antileukemia Effects of the Tricyclic Benzoic Acid FTO Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10638-10654. [PMID: 35793358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase FTO is overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and promotes leukemogenesis. We previously developed tricyclic benzoic acid FB23 as a highly potent FTO inhibitor in vitro. However, it showed a moderate antiproliferative effect on AML cells. In this work, we performed a structure-activity relationship study of tricyclic benzoic acids as FTO inhibitors. The analog 13a exhibited excellent inhibitory effects on FTO similar to that of FB23 in vitro. In contrast to FB23, 13a exerted a strong antiproliferative effect on AML cells. Like FTO knock down, 13a upregulated ASB2 and RARA expression and increased the protein abundance while it downregulated MYC expression and decreased MYC protein abundance. These genes are key FTO targets in AML cells. Finally, 13a treatment improved the survival rate of MONOMAC6-transplanted NSG mice. Collectively, our data suggest that targeting FTO with tricyclic benzoic acid inhibitors may be a potential strategy for treating AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zongliang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Deyan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Pan Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongjiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chuan-Hui Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Guo-Wu Rao
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jianhua Gan
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ze Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Centre for the Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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21
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Xia Z, Kong F, Wang K, Zhang X. Role of N6-Methyladenosine Methylation Regulators in the Drug Therapy of Digestive System Tumours. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:908079. [PMID: 35754499 PMCID: PMC9218687 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.908079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Digestive system tumours, including stomach, colon, esophagus, liver and pancreatic tumours, are serious diseases affecting human health. Although surgical treatment and postoperative chemoradiotherapy effectively improve patient survival, current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for digestive system tumours lack sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the tumour's tolerance to drug therapy is enhanced owing to tumour cell heterogeneity. Thus, primary or acquired treatment resistance is currently the main hindrance to chemotherapy efficiency. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has various biological functions in RNA modification. m6A modification, a key regulator of transcription expression, regulates RNA metabolism and biological processes through the interaction of m6A methyltransferase ("writers") and demethylase ("erasers") with the binding protein decoding m6A methylation ("readers"). Additionally, m6A modification regulates the occurrence and development of tumours and is a potential driving factor of tumour drug resistance. This review systematically summarises the regulatory mechanisms of m6A modification in the drug therapy of digestive system malignancies. Furthermore, it clarifies the related mechanisms and therapeutic prospects of m6A modification in the resistence of digestive system malignancies to drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhelin Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Fanhua Kong
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, National Quality Control Center for Donated Organ Procurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantation, Hubei Clinical Research Center for Natural Polymer Biological Liver, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymer-based Medical Materials, Wuhan, China
| | - Kunpeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University, Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
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22
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Shan HJ, Gu WX, Duan G, Chen HL. Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO)-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification of Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) promotes osteosarcoma progression. Bioengineered 2022; 13:8038-8050. [PMID: 35311620 PMCID: PMC9161850 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2051785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most common and abundant methylation modification of eukaryotic mRNAs, which is involved in tumor initiation and progression. The study aims to explore the potential role and the regulatory mechanism of fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) in osteosarcoma (OS) progression. In this study, we detected the expressions of Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) in OS cells and tissues and found that the mRNA and protein levels of KLF3 were increased in OS cells and tissues and significantly related to tumor size, metastasis, and TNM stage and poor prognosis of OS patients. FTO promoted the proliferation and invasion and suppressed apoptosis of OS cells through cell experiments in vitro. Further mechanism dissection revealed that FTO and YTHDF2 enforced the decay of KLF3 mRNA and decreased its expression. FTO-mediated mRNA demethylation inhibited KLF3 expression in the YTHDF2-dependent manner. Moreover, KLF3 overexpression abrogated FTO-induced oncogenic effects on the proliferation and invasion of OS cells. Overall, our findings showed that FTO-mediated m6A modification of KLF3 promoted OS progression, which may provide a therapeutic target for OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jian Shan
- Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.,Department of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Jiangning Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, P. R. China
| | - Wen-Xiang Gu
- Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Gang Duan
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Liang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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Ke WL, Huang ZW, Peng CL, Ke YP. m 6A demethylase FTO regulates the apoptosis and inflammation of cardiomyocytes via YAP1 in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Bioengineered 2022; 13:5443-5452. [PMID: 35176940 PMCID: PMC8974143 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2030572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Reperfusion therapy after acute myocardial infarction can induce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Novel evidence has illustrated that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification modulates the myocardial IRI progression. Here, our study focuses on the role of m6A methyltransferase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) in myocardial ischemia/reoxygenation injury and explores potential regulatory mechanisms. Results discovered that FTO down-expressed in myocardial IRI mice and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes. Functionally, FTO overexpression attenuated the H/R-induced apoptosis and inflammation of cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MeRIP-qPCR) assay and RIP assay revealed that Yap1 mRNA acted as the target of FTO in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, FTO uninstalled the methylation of Yap1 mRNA, and enforced the stability of Yap1 mRNA. Taken together, our study reveals the role of FTO in H/R-induced myocardial cell injury via m6A-dependent manner, which may provide a new approach to improve myocardial IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Liang Ke
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Wen Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Ling Peng
- Physical Examination Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Ping Ke
- Physical Examination Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, P.R. China
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24
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Liu L, Kong Y, He L, Wang X, Wang M, Xu H, Yang C, Su Z, Zhao J, Mao Z, Huang Y, Liu H. A Rhein‐based Rh(
III
) Arene complex with anti‐tumor cell proliferative activity inhibits
RNA
demethylase
FTO. CHINESE J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202100901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University Jiangsu 210023 China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Yaqiong Kong
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Liang He
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Xiuxiu Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Meng‐Meng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Hongjiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
| | - Cai‐Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024
| | - Zhi Su
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Jing Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University Jiangsu 210023 China
| | - Zong‐Wan Mao
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Yue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Hangzhou 310024
| | - Hong‐Ke Liu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University Jiangsu 210023 China
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