1
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Takatsuka D, Tachinami H, Suzuki N, Yamazaki M, Yonesi A, Takaichi M, Imaue S, Yamada SI, Tanuma JI, Noguchi M, Tomihara K. PAK4 inhibition augments anti-tumour effect by immunomodulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14092. [PMID: 38890401 PMCID: PMC11189426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64126-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumours, warranting novel treatments. Here, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of inhibiting p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) in OSCC and determined its immunomodulatory effect by focusing on the enhancement of anti-tumour effects. We examined PAK4 expression in OSCC cells and human clinical samples and analysed the proliferation and apoptosis of OSCC cells following PAK4 inhibition in vitro. We also investigated the effects of in vivo administration of a PAK4 inhibitor on immune cell distribution and T-cell immune responses in OSCC tumour-bearing mice. PAK4 was detected in all OSCC cells and OSCC tissue samples. PAK4 inhibitor reduced the proliferation of OSCC cells and induced apoptosis. PAK4 inhibitor significantly attenuated tumour growth in mouse and was associated with increased proportions of IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T-cells. Furthermore, PAK4 inhibitor increased the number of dendritic cells (DCs) and up-regulated the surface expression of various lymphocyte co-stimulatory molecules, including MHC-class I molecules, CD80, CD83, CD86, and CD40. These DCs augmented CD8+ T-cell activation upon co-culture. Our results suggest that PAK4 inhibition in OSCC can have direct anti-tumour and immunomodulatory effects, which might benefit the treatment of this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danki Takatsuka
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Hidetake Tachinami
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Nihei Suzuki
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Manabu Yamazaki
- Divisions of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry and Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan
| | - Amirmoezz Yonesi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mayu Takaichi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shuichi Imaue
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yamada
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Tanuma
- Divisions of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry and Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan
| | - Makoto Noguchi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Kei Tomihara
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan.
- Divisions of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry and Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, 951-8514, Japan.
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2
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Green JR, Mahalingaiah PKS, Gopalakrishnan SM, Liguori MJ, Mittelstadt SW, Blomme EAG, Van Vleet TR. Off-target pharmacological activity at various kinases: Potential functional and pathological side effects. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 123:107468. [PMID: 37553032 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2023.107468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
In drug discovery, during the lead optimization and candidate characterization stages, novel small molecules are frequently evaluated in a battery of in vitro pharmacology assays to identify potential unintended, off-target interactions with various receptors, transporters, ion channels, and enzymes, including kinases. Furthermore, these screening panels may also provide utility at later stages of development to provide a mechanistic understanding of unexpected safety findings. Here, we present a compendium of the most likely functional and pathological outcomes associated with interaction(s) to a panel of 95 kinases based on an extensive curation of the scientific literature. This panel of kinases was designed by AbbVie based on safety-related data extracted from the literature, as well as from over 20 years of institutional knowledge generated from discovery efforts. For each kinase, the scientific literature was reviewed using online databases and the most often reported functional and pathological effects were summarized. This work should serve as a practical guide for small molecule drug discovery scientists and clinical investigators to predict and/or interpret adverse effects related to pharmacological interactions with these kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon R Green
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
| | | | - Sujatha M Gopalakrishnan
- Drug Discovery Science and Technology, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Michael J Liguori
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Scott W Mittelstadt
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Eric A G Blomme
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Terry R Van Vleet
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
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3
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Morello G, La Cognata V, Guarnaccia M, D'Agata V, Cavallaro S. Cracking the Code of Neuronal Cell Fate. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071057. [PMID: 37048129 PMCID: PMC10093029 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is fundamental to most biological processes and reverse-engineering programs can be used to decipher the underlying programs. In this review, we describe how genomics is offering a systems biology-based perspective of the intricate and temporally coordinated transcriptional programs that control neuronal apoptosis and survival. In addition to providing a new standpoint in human pathology focused on the regulatory program, cracking the code of neuronal cell fate may offer innovative therapeutic approaches focused on downstream targets and regulatory networks. Similar to computers, where faults often arise from a software bug, neuronal fate may critically depend on its transcription program. Thus, cracking the code of neuronal life or death may help finding a patch for neurodegeneration and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina La Cognata
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Guarnaccia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Velia D'Agata
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR-IRIB), 95126 Catania, Italy
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4
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Tang L, Gao Y, Li T. Pan-cancer analysis identifies the immunological and prognostic role of PAK4. Life Sci 2023; 312:121263. [PMID: 36470541 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
AIMS P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) belongs to the wider family of Serine/Threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs) and functions as a hub for signaling pathways in cancer progression. Numerous studies have indicated the significance of PAK4 for tumorigenesis, but no systematic pan-cancer analysis has been performed. MAIN METHODS The current study aimed to investigate the prognostic and immunological functions of PAK4 through bioinformatic analysis of datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, UALCAN, GEPIA2, cBioPortal, TIMER2, and Human Protein Atlas. PAK4 expression was correlated with prognosis, DNA methylation, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and immune cell infiltration. KEY FINDINGS PAK4 was highly expressed in various cancers but showed decreased expression in colon adenocarcinoma, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma, and thyroid carcinoma. PAK4 was found to have a positive or negative correlation with prognosis of different cancers. PAK4 expression was related to tumor mutational burden in 11 tumor types, and associated with microsatellite instability in 10 tumor types and was correlated with immune infiltration and immune checkpoint genes. SIGNIFICANCE PAK4 could be considered as a prognostic and immunotherapeutic marker for some types of malignant tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Tang
- Advanced Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450007, China.
| | - Yunling Gao
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
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5
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Chetty AK, Ha BH, Boggon TJ. Rho family GTPase signaling through type II p21-activated kinases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:598. [PMID: 36401658 PMCID: PMC10105373 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Signaling from the Rho family small GTPases controls a wide range of signaling outcomes. Key among the downstream effectors for many of the Rho GTPases are the p21-activated kinases, or PAK group. The PAK family comprises two types, the type I PAKs (PAK1, 2 and 3) and the type II PAKs (PAK4, 5 and 6), which have distinct structures and mechanisms of regulation. In this review, we discuss signal transduction from Rho GTPases with a focus on the type II PAKs. We discuss the role of PAKs in signal transduction pathways and selectivity of Rho GTPases for PAK family members. We consider the less well studied of the Rho GTPases and their PAK-related signaling. We then discuss the molecular basis for kinase domain recognition of substrates and for regulation of signaling. We conclude with a discussion of the role of PAKs in cross talk between Rho family small GTPases and the roles of PAKs in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin K Chetty
- Yale College, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Titus J Boggon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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6
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Mozibullah M, Junaid M. Biological Role of the PAK4 Signaling Pathway: A Prospective Therapeutic Target for Multivarious Cancers. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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7
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Li X, Li F. p21-Activated Kinase: Role in Gastrointestinal Cancer and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194736. [PMID: 36230657 PMCID: PMC9563254 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors with a high mortality rate worldwide. Numerous protein kinases have been studied in anticipation of finding viable tumor therapeutic targets, including PAK. PAK is a serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in the malignant phenotype of tumors. The function of PAK in tumors is highlighted in cell proliferation, survival, motility, tumor cell plasticity and the tumor microenvironment, therefore providing a new possible target for clinical tumor therapy. Based on the current research works of PAK, we summarize and analyze the PAK features and signaling pathways in cells, especially the role of PAK in gastrointestinal tumors, thereby hoping to provide a theoretical basis for both the future studies of PAK and potential tumor therapeutic targets. Abstract Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors, and they are leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but their mechanisms are still unclear, which need to be clarified to discover therapeutic targets. p21-activating kinase (PAK), a serine/threonine kinase that is downstream of Rho GTPase, plays an important role in cellular signaling networks. According to the structural characteristics and activation mechanisms of them, PAKs are divided into two groups, both of which are involved in the biological processes that are critical to cells, including proliferation, migration, survival, transformation and metabolism. The biological functions of PAKs depend on a large number of interacting proteins and the signaling pathways they participate in. The role of PAKs in tumors is manifested in their abnormality and the consequential changes in the signaling pathways. Once they are overexpressed or overactivated, PAKs lead to tumorigenesis or a malignant phenotype, especially in tumor invasion and metastasis. Recently, the involvement of PAKs in cellular plasticity, stemness and the tumor microenvironment have attracted attention. Here, we summarize the biological characteristics and key signaling pathways of PAKs, and further analyze their mechanisms in gastrointestinal tumors and others, which will reveal new therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.
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8
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Yuan Y, Zhang H, Li D, Li Y, Lin F, Wang Y, Song H, Liu X, Li F, Zhang J. PAK4 in cancer development: Emerging player and therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Lett 2022; 545:215813. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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9
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Yu X, Huang C, Liu J, Shi X, Li X. The significance of PAK4 in signaling and clinicopathology: A review. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:586-598. [PMID: 35800076 PMCID: PMC9210989 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) are thought to be at the center of tumor signaling pathways. As a representative member of the group II PAK family, P21-activated protein kinase 4 (PAK4) plays an important role in the development of tumors, with several biological functions such as participating in oncogenic transformation, promoting cell division, resisting aging and apoptosis, regulating cytoskeleton and adhesion, as well as suppressing antitumor immune responses. PAK4 is also crucial in biological processes, including the occurrence, proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and immune escape of tumor cells. It is closely related to poor prognosis and tumor-related pathological indicators, which have significant clinical and pathological significance. Therefore, this article offers a review of the structure, activation, and biological functions of PAK4 and its clinical and pathological importance. This overview should be of assistance for future research on PAK4 and tumors and provide new ideas for tumor treatment and prognostic evaluation of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Yu
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Changwei Huang
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Jiyuan Liu
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xinyu Shi
- The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
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10
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The Use of Nanomedicine to Target Signaling by the PAK Kinases for Disease Treatment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123565. [PMID: 34944073 PMCID: PMC8700304 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and the regulation of cell morphology. Some members of the PAK family are highly expressed in several types of cancer, and they have also been implicated in several other medical disorders. They are thus considered to be good targets for treatment of cancer and other diseases. Although there are several inhibitors of the PAKs, the utility of some of these inhibitors is reduced for several reasons, including limited metabolic stability. One way to overcome this problem is the use of nanoparticles, which have the potential to increase drug delivery. The overall goals of this review are to describe the roles for PAK kinases in cell signaling and disease, and to describe how the use of nanomedicine is a promising new method for administering PAK inhibitors for the purpose of disease treatment and research. We discuss some of the basic mechanisms behind nanomedicine technology, and we then describe how these techniques are being used to package and deliver PAK inhibitors.
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11
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Baskaran Y, Tay FPL, Ng EYW, Swa CLF, Wee S, Gunaratne J, Manser E. Proximity proteomics identifies PAK4 as a component of Afadin-Nectin junctions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5315. [PMID: 34493720 PMCID: PMC8423818 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25011-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human PAK4 is an ubiquitously expressed p21-activated kinase which acts downstream of Cdc42. Since PAK4 is enriched in cell-cell junctions, we probed the local protein environment around the kinase with a view to understanding its location and substrates. We report that U2OS cells expressing PAK4-BirA-GFP identify a subset of 27 PAK4-proximal proteins that are primarily cell-cell junction components. Afadin/AF6 showed the highest relative biotin labelling and links to the nectin family of homophilic junctional proteins. Reciprocally >50% of the PAK4-proximal proteins were identified by Afadin BioID. Co-precipitation experiments failed to identify junctional proteins, emphasizing the advantage of the BioID method. Mechanistically PAK4 depended on Afadin for its junctional localization, which is similar to the situation in Drosophila. A highly ranked PAK4-proximal protein LZTS2 was immuno-localized with Afadin at cell-cell junctions. Though PAK4 and Cdc42 are junctional, BioID analysis did not yield conventional cadherins, indicating their spatial segregation. To identify cellular PAK4 substrates we then assessed rapid changes (12') in phospho-proteome after treatment with two PAK inhibitors. Among the PAK4-proximal junctional proteins seventeen PAK4 sites were identified. We anticipate mammalian group II PAKs are selective for the Afadin/nectin sub-compartment, with a demonstrably distinct localization from tight and cadherin junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohendran Baskaran
- sGSK Group, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Felicia Pei-Ling Tay
- FB Laboratory, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Elsa Yuen Wai Ng
- sGSK Group, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Claire Lee Foon Swa
- Quantitative Proteomics Group, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sheena Wee
- Quantitative Proteomics Group, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jayantha Gunaratne
- Quantitative Proteomics Group, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Edward Manser
- sGSK Group, Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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12
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Wang H, Song P, Gao Y, Shen L, Xu H, Wang J, Cheng M. Drug discovery targeting p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4): a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2021; 31:977-987. [PMID: 34369844 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2021.1944100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The Ser/Thr protein kinase PAK4 is a downstream regulator of Cdc42, mediating cytoskeleton remodeling, and cell motility, and inhibiting apoptosis and transcriptional regulation. Nowadays, efforts in PAK4 inhibitor development are focusing on improving inhibitory selectivity, cellular potency, and in vivo pharmacokinetic properties, and identifying the feasibility of immunotherapy combination in oncology therapy.Areas covered: This review summarized the development of PAK4 inhibitors that reported on patents in the past two decades. According to their binding features, these inhibitors were classified into type I, type I 1/2, and PAMs. Their designing ideas and SAR were elucidated in this review. Moreover, synergistic therapy of PAK4 inhibitors with PD-1/PD-L1 or CAR-T were also summarized .Expert opinion: In the past years, preclinical and clinical studies of PAK4 inhibitors ended in failure due to poor selectivity, cellular activity, or pharmacokinetic issues. There are researchers questioning the reliability of PAK4 as a drug target, particularly PAK4-related therapy is concerned with the distinguishment of the non-kinase functions and catalytic functions triggered by PAK4 phosphorylation. Meanwhile, synergistic effects of PAK4 inhibitors with PD-1/PD-L1 and CAR-T immunotherapy shed light for the development of PAK4 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxun Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peilu Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yinli Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lanlan Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hanqin Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jian Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Maosheng Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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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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14
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Wright GM, Gimbrone NT, Sarcar B, Percy TR, Gordián ER, Kinose F, Sumi NJ, Rix U, Cress WD. CDK4/6 inhibition synergizes with inhibition of P21-Activated Kinases (PAKs) in lung cancer cell lines. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252927. [PMID: 34138895 PMCID: PMC8211232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Theoretically, small molecule CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) represent a logical therapeutic option in non-small cell lung cancers since most of these malignancies have wildtype RB, the key target of CDKs and master regulator of the cell cycle. Unfortunately, CDK4/6is are found to have limited clinical activity as single agents in non-small cell lung cancer. To address this problem and to identify effective CDK4/6i combinations, we screened a library of targeted agents for efficacy in four non-small cell lung cancer lines treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors Palbociclib or Abemaciclib. The pan-PAK (p21-activated kinase) inhibitor PF03758309 emerged as a promising candidate with viability ratios indicating synergy in all 4 cell lines and for both CDK4/6is. It is noteworthy that the PAKs are downstream effectors of small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 and are overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers. Individually the compounds primarily induced cell cycle arrest; however, the synergistic combination induced apoptosis, accounting for the synergy. Surprisingly, while the pan-PAK inhibitor PF03758309 synergizes with CDK4/6is, no synergy occurs with group I PAK inhibitors FRAX486 or FRAX597. Cell lines treated only with Ribociclib, FRAX486 or FRAX597 underwent G1/G0 arrest, whereas combination treatment with these compounds predominantly resulted in autophagy. Combining high concentrations of FRAX486, which weakly inhibits PAK4, and Ribociclib, mimics the autophagy and apoptotic effect of PF03758309 combined with Ribociclib. FRAX597, a PAKi that does not inhibit PAK4 did not reduce autophagy in combination with Ribociclib. Our results suggest that a unique combination of PAKs plays a crucial role in the synergy of PAK inhibitors with CDK4/6i. Targeting this unique PAK combination, could greatly improve the efficacy of CDK4/6i and broaden the spectrum of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M. Wright
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nick T. Gimbrone
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Bhaswati Sarcar
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Trent R. Percy
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Edna R. Gordián
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Fumi Kinose
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Natália J. Sumi
- Department of Drug Discovery, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Uwe Rix
- Department of Drug Discovery, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - W. Douglas Cress
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Cong C, Liang W, Zhang C, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang X, Wang S, Huo D, Wang H, Wang D, Feng H. PAK4 suppresses motor neuron degeneration in hSOD1 G93A -linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell and rat models. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13003. [PMID: 33615605 PMCID: PMC8016643 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MN). CREB pathway-mediated inhibition of apoptosis contributes to neuron protection, and PAK4 activates CREB signalling in diverse cell types. This study aimed to investigate PAK4's effect and mechanism of action in ALS. METHODS We analysed RNA levels by qRT-PCR, protein levels by immunofluorescence and Western blotting, and apoptosis by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Cell transfection was performed for in vitro experiment. Mice were injected intraspinally to evaluate PAK4 function in vivo experiment. Rotarod test was performed to measure motor function. RESULTS The expression and activation of PAK4 significantly decreased in the cell and mouse models of ALS as the disease progressed, which was caused by the negative regulation of miR-9-5p. Silencing of PAK4 increased the apoptosis of MN by inhibiting CREB-mediated neuroprotection, whereas overexpression of PAK4 protected MN from hSOD1G93A -induced degeneration by activating CREB signalling. The neuroprotective effect of PAK4 was markedly inhibited by CREB inhibitor. In ALS models, the PAK4/CREB pathway was inhibited, and cell apoptosis increased. In vivo experiments revealed that PAK4 overexpression in the spinal neurons of hSOD1G93A mice suppressed MN degeneration, prolonged survival and promoted the CREB pathway. CONCLUSIONS PAK4 protects MN from degeneration by activating the anti-apoptotic effects of CREB signalling, suggesting it may be a therapeutic target in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaohua Cong
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yueqing Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuyu Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Di Huo
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Honglin Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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16
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Chetty AK, Sexton JA, Ha BH, Turk BE, Boggon TJ. Recognition of physiological phosphorylation sites by p21-activated kinase 4. J Struct Biol 2020; 211:107553. [PMID: 32585314 PMCID: PMC7395882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many serine/threonine protein kinases discriminate between serine and threonine substrates as a filter to control signaling output. Among these, the p21-activated kinase (PAK) group strongly favors phosphorylation of Ser over Thr residues. PAK4, a group II PAK, almost exclusively phosphorylates its substrates on serine residues. The only well documented exception is LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1), which is phosphorylated on an activation loop threonine (Thr508) to promote its catalytic activity. To understand the molecular and kinetic basis for PAK4 substrate selectivity we compared its mode of recognition of LIMK1 (Thr508) with that of a known serine substrate, β-catenin (Ser675). We determined X-ray crystal structures of PAK4 in complex with synthetic peptides corresponding to its phosphorylation sites in LIMK1 and β-catenin to 1.9 Å and 2.2 Å resolution, respectively. We found that the PAK4 DFG + 1 residue, a key determinant of phosphoacceptor preference, adopts a sub-optimal orientation when bound to LIMK1 compared to β-catenin. In peptide kinase activity assays, we find that phosphoacceptor identity impacts catalytic efficiency but does not affect the Km value for both phosphorylation sites. Although catalytic efficiency of wild-type LIMK1 and β-catenin are equivalent, T508S mutation of LIMK1 creates a highly efficient substrate. These results suggest suboptimal phosphorylation of LIMK1 as a mechanism for controlling the dynamics of substrate phosphorylation by PAK4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin K. Chetty
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Joel A. Sexton
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Benjamin E. Turk
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Titus J. Boggon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,To whom correspondence should be addressed
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17
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Nichterwitz S, Nijssen J, Storvall H, Schweingruber C, Comley LH, Allodi I, Lee MVD, Deng Q, Sandberg R, Hedlund E. LCM-seq reveals unique transcriptional adaptation mechanisms of resistant neurons and identifies protective pathways in spinal muscular atrophy. Genome Res 2020; 30:1083-1096. [PMID: 32820007 PMCID: PMC7462070 DOI: 10.1101/gr.265017.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Somatic motor neurons are selectively vulnerable in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is caused by a deficiency of the ubiquitously expressed survival of motor neuron protein. However, some motor neuron groups, including oculomotor and trochlear (ocular), which innervate eye muscles, are for unknown reasons spared. To reveal mechanisms of vulnerability and resistance in SMA, we investigate the transcriptional dynamics in discrete neuronal populations using laser capture microdissection coupled with RNA sequencing (LCM-seq). Using gene correlation network analysis, we reveal a TRP53-mediated stress response that is intrinsic to all somatic motor neurons independent of their vulnerability, but absent in relatively resistant red nucleus and visceral motor neurons. However, the temporal and spatial expression analysis across neuron types shows that the majority of SMA-induced modulations are cell type-specific. Using Gene Ontology and protein network analyses, we show that ocular motor neurons present unique disease-adaptation mechanisms that could explain their resilience. Specifically, ocular motor neurons up-regulate (1) Syt1, Syt5, and Cplx2, which modulate neurotransmitter release; (2) the neuronal survival factors Gdf15, Chl1, and Lif; (3) Aldh4, that protects cells from oxidative stress; and (4) the caspase inhibitor Pak4. Finally, we show that GDF15 can rescue vulnerable human spinal motor neurons from degeneration. This confirms that adaptation mechanisms identified in resilient neurons can be used to reduce susceptibility of vulnerable neurons. In conclusion, this in-depth longitudinal transcriptomics analysis in SMA reveals novel cell type-specific changes that, alone and combined, present compelling targets, including Gdf15, for future gene therapy studies aimed toward preserving vulnerable motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jik Nijssen
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Storvall
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Laura Helen Comley
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilary Allodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mirjam van der Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rickard Sandberg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Zhang S, Yin Y, Li C, Zhao Y, Wang Q, Zhang X. PAK4 suppresses TNF-induced release of endothelial microparticles in HUVECs cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:12740-12749. [PMID: 32657762 PMCID: PMC7377857 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulated in many inflammatory diseases, and a potent inducer of endothelial cell-derived microparticle (EMP) formation. In this study, we identified the protein kinase PAK4 as a key regulator of the TNF-induced EMP release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF induces dose- and time-dependent EMP release and downregulation of PAK4 and upstream cdc42 in HUVECs. PAK4 suppression or inhibition of its kinase activity increases TNF-induced EMP release and apoptosis in HUVECs, while PAK4 overexpression reduces EMP release and apoptosis in TNF-stimulated cells. Collectively, these data indicate that PAK4 suppresses TNF-induced EMP generation occurring during apoptosis, and suggest that modulation of PAK4 activity may represent a novel approach to suppress the TNF-induced EMP levels in pro-inflammatory disorders and other pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouqin Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingjie Yin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Congye Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Qixing Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
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19
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Huang S, Zhu Y, Wang C, Li X, Cui X, Tu S, You L, Fu J, Chen Z, Hu W, Gong W. PAK5 facilitates the proliferation, invasion and migration in colorectal cancer cells. Cancer Med 2020; 9:4777-4790. [PMID: 32383357 PMCID: PMC7333859 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-most common cancer around the world, accounting for approximately 10% of cancer-related mortality. Deeper molecular understanding of colorectal carcinogenesis will provide evidences for identification of early diagnostic indicators and novel therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment. The p21cdc42/rac1 -activated kinase 5 (PAK5) has been reported to be involved in a variety of tumor-promoting behaviors, whereas the underlying mechanisms of PAK5 in CRC progression are still obscure. Our current study revealed an upregulated expression of PAK5 in human CRC tissues as compared with normal adjacent biopsies, which was associated with tumor progression and metastasis. We further unraveled that inhibition of PAK5 was correlated with restrained proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we showed an indispensable role of PAK5 in interacting with Cdc42 and Integrin β1, β3, thus, to facilitate the migration and invasion of CRC cells. Collectively, we pointed out a potential of PAK5 to serve as a novel therapeutic target in restricting CRC proliferation and metastasis. The uncovered mechanisms will deepen the comprehension with regard to the mechanisms of CRC progression, as well as providing new insights for therapeutic intervention in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silin Huang
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Chunfei Wang
- Endoscopy CenterThe Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Xiaxi Li
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Xiaobing Cui
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Sufang Tu
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Lijuan You
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - JingWen Fu
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Zemin Chen
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive CareThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Wei Gong
- Department of GastroenterologyShenzhen HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
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20
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Tian Y, Zhang MY, Li N, Wang JJ, Ge W, Tan SJ, Shen W, Li L. Zearalenone exposure triggered porcine granulosa cells apoptosis via microRNAs-mediated focal adhesion pathway. Toxicol Lett 2020; 330:80-89. [PMID: 32439583 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA), a metabolite of Fusarium, which is commonly found in moldy feed crops, is a well-known exogenous endocrine disruptor and has serious negative effects on animal reproduction. In order to understand the toxic effects of ZEA exposure on porcine granulosa cells (pGCs), which were exposed to 10 μM and 30 μM ZEA for 48 h in vitro, several methods were used for analysis. Flow cytometry and TUNEL analysis showed that the apoptosis of pGCs significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner after ZEA exposure compared with that of the control group. Whole transcriptome RNA-seq analysis was performed to reveal the mRNAs and miRNAs expression changes of pGCs after ZEA exposure and it was found that the expression of apoptosis-related genes was altered after ZEA exposure, and miRNAs were also significantly different among the experimental groups. In particular, ZEA exposure affected the expression of miRNAs associated with apoptosis-related pathways, such as miR-744, miR-1343 and miR-331-3p, as well as focal adhesion pathways related genes, Pak4 and Elk1, which were also involved in the apoptosis-related pathways. Moreover, the regulation networks between apoptosis-related mRNA and miRNAs were confirmed with the results of RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. In conclusion, our results here demonstrated that ZEA exposure impaired pGCs growth and apoptosis via miRNAs-mediated focal adhesion pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Ming-Yu Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Jun-Jie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Wei Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shao-Jing Tan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Lan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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21
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Exner EC, Geurts AM, Hoffmann BR, Casati M, Stodola T, Dsouza NR, Zimmermann M, Lombard JH, Greene AS. Interaction between Mas1 and AT1RA contributes to enhancement of skeletal muscle angiogenesis by angiotensin-(1-7) in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232067. [PMID: 32324784 PMCID: PMC7179868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) is protective in the cardiovascular system through its induction of vasodilator production and angiogenesis. Despite acting antagonistically to the effects of elevated, pathophysiological levels of angiotensin II (AngII), recent evidence has identified convergent and beneficial effects of low levels of both Ang-(1-7) and AngII. Previous work identified the AngII receptor type I (AT1R) as a component of the protein complex formed when Ang-(1-7) binds its receptor, Mas1. Importantly, pharmacological blockade of AT1R did not alter the effects of Ang-(1-7). Here, we use a novel mutation of AT1RA in the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat to test the hypothesis that interaction between Mas1 and AT1R contributes to proangiogenic Ang-(1-7) signaling. In a model of hind limb angiogenesis induced by electrical stimulation, we find that the restoration of skeletal muscle angiogenesis in SS rats by Ang-(1-7) infusion is impaired in AT1RA knockout rats. Enhancement of endothelial cell (EC) tube formation capacity by Ang-(1-7) is similarly blunted in AT1RA mutant ECs. Transcriptional changes elicited by Ang-(1-7) in SS rat ECs are altered in AT1RA mutant ECs, and tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics demonstrate that the protein complex formed upon binding of Ang-(1-7) to Mas1 is altered in AT1RA mutant ECs. Together, these data support the hypothesis that interaction between AT1R and Mas1 contributes to proangiogenic Ang-(1-7) signaling.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin I/metabolism
- Animals
- Electric Stimulation
- Male
- Mass Spectrometry
- Models, Animal
- Muscle, Skeletal/blood supply
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Mutation
- Neovascularization, Physiologic
- Peptide Fragments/metabolism
- Proteomics
- Proto-Oncogene Mas
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Inbred Dahl
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C. Exner
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Aron M. Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Brian R. Hoffmann
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Marc Casati
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Timothy Stodola
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nikita R. Dsouza
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michael Zimmermann
- Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Julian H. Lombard
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Andrew S. Greene
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
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22
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Boen JRA, Gevaert AB, De Keulenaer GW, Van Craenenbroeck EM, Segers VFM. The role of endothelial miRNAs in myocardial biology and disease. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 138:75-87. [PMID: 31756323 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.11.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The myocardium is a highly structured pluricellular tissue which is governed by an intricate network of intercellular communication. Endothelial cells are the most abundant cell type in the myocardium and exert crucial roles in both healthy myocardium and during myocardial disease. In the last decade, microRNAs have emerged as new actors in the regulation of cellular function in almost every cell type. Here, we review recent evidence on the regulatory function of different microRNAs expressed in endothelial cells, also called endothelial microRNAs, in healthy and diseased myocardium. Endothelial microRNA emerged as modulators of angiogenesis in the myocardium, they are implicated in the paracrine role of endothelial cells in regulating cardiac contractility and homeostasis, and interfere in the crosstalk between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jente R A Boen
- Research group Cardiovascular Diseases, GENCOR Department, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Andreas B Gevaert
- Research group Cardiovascular Diseases, GENCOR Department, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - Gilles W De Keulenaer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, ZNA Middelheim Hospital, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Emeline M Van Craenenbroeck
- Research group Cardiovascular Diseases, GENCOR Department, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - Vincent F M Segers
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, Belgium; Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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23
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Wang M, Gao Q, Chen Y, Li Z, Yue L, Cao Y. PAK4, a target of miR-9-5p, promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in colorectal cancer. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2019; 24:58. [PMID: 31728150 PMCID: PMC6842216 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-019-0182-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and miR-9-5p have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets in several tumor types, but in CRC, the regulation of their biological function and their target association remain unclear. Methods The expression of PAK4 in CRC tissues was determined using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses. The targeted regulation between miR-9-5p and PAK4 was predicted and confirmed with bioinformatics analysis and the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Functional experiments, including the MTT assay and flow cytometry, were performed to investigate the impact of PAK4 knockdown and miR-9-5p overexpression on cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC cells. Results We found that the expression of PAK4 was upregulated in CRC tissues. PAK4 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in cells of the CRC cell lines HCT116 and SW1116. We also found that miR-9-5p directly targeted the 3′-UTR of PAK4 mRNA and negatively regulated its expression. The degree of downregulation of miR-9-5p inversely correlated with PAK4 expression. Intriguingly, enforced expression of miR-9-5p suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. This could be partially reversed by PAK4 overexpression. Conclusion These results suggest that miR-9-5p targeting of PAK4 could have therapeutic potential for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Wang
- Department of Pathology, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 68 Honghe Road Changzhou, Changzhou, 213032 Jiangsu China
| | - Qianqian Gao
- Department of Pathology, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 68 Honghe Road Changzhou, Changzhou, 213032 Jiangsu China
| | - Yufang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 68 Honghe Road Changzhou, Changzhou, 213032 Jiangsu China
| | - Ziyan Li
- Department of Pathology, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 68 Honghe Road Changzhou, Changzhou, 213032 Jiangsu China
| | - Lingping Yue
- Department of Pathology, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 68 Honghe Road Changzhou, Changzhou, 213032 Jiangsu China
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Pathology, Changzhou Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, 68 Honghe Road Changzhou, Changzhou, 213032 Jiangsu China
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24
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Li Calzi S, Shaw LC, Moldovan L, Shelley WC, Qi X, Racette L, Quigley JL, Fortmann SD, Boulton ME, Yoder MC, Grant MB. Progenitor cell combination normalizes retinal vascular development in the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. JCI Insight 2019; 4:129224. [PMID: 31672944 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.129224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder of the developing retina of preterm infants. ROP can lead to blindness because of abnormal angiogenesis that is the result of suspended vascular development and vaso-obliteration leading to severe retinal stress and hypoxia. We tested the hypothesis that the use of the human progenitor cell combination, bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells and vascular wall-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), would synergistically protect the developing retinal vasculature in a mouse model of ROP, called oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). CD34+ cells alone, ECFCs alone, or the combination thereof were injected intravitreally at either P5 or P12 and pups were euthanized at P17. Retinas from OIR mice injected with ECFCs or the combined treatment revealed formation of the deep vascular plexus (DVP) while still in hyperoxia, with normal-appearing connections between the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and the DVP. In addition, the combination of cells completely prevented aberrant retinal neovascularization and was more effective anatomically and functionally at rescuing the ischemia phenotype than either cell type alone. We show that the beneficial effects of the cell combination are the result of their ability to orchestrate an acceleration of vascular development and more rapid ensheathment of pericytes on the developing vessels. Lastly, our proteomic and transcriptomic data sets reveal pathways altered by the dual cell therapy, including many involved in neuroretinal maintenance, and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that cell therapy restored OIR retinas to a state that was closely associated with age-matched normal retinas. Together, these data herein support the use of dual cell therapy as a promising preventive treatment for the development of ROP in premature infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Li Calzi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | | | - William C Shelley
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Xiaoping Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Lyne Racette
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Seth D Fortmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael E Boulton
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mervin C Yoder
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Maria B Grant
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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25
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Song PL, Wang G, Su Y, Wang HX, Wang J, Li F, Cheng MS. Strategy and validation of a structure-based method for the discovery of selective inhibitors of PAK isoforms and the evaluation of their anti-cancer activity. Bioorg Chem 2019; 91:103168. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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26
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He YT, Yang LL, Luo SM, Shen W, Yin S, Sun QY. PAK4 Regulates Actin and Microtubule Dynamics during Meiotic Maturation in Mouse Oocyte. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:2408-2418. [PMID: 31595158 PMCID: PMC6775323 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.34718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic maturation of oocyte is an important process for successful fertilization, in which cytoskeletal integrality takes a significant role. The p-21 activated kinases (PAKs) belong to serine/threonine kinases that affect wide range of processes that are crucial for cell motility, survival, cell cycle, and proliferation. In this study, we used a highly selective inhibitor of PAK4, PF-3758309, to investigate the functions of PAK4 during meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes. We found that PAK4 inhibition resulted in meiotic arrest by inducing abnormal microfilament and microtubule dynamics. PAK4 inhibition impaired the microtubule stability and led to the defective kinetochore-microtubule (K-M) attachment which inevitably resulted in aneuploidy. Also, PAK4 inhibition induced abnormal acentriolar centrosome assembly during meiotic maturation. In conclusion, all these combined results suggest that PAK4 is necessary for the oocyte meiosis maturation as a regulator of cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ting He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Lei-Lei Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Shi-Ming Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Shen Yin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Science, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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27
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Mohammad RM, Li Y, Muqbil I, Aboukameel A, Senapedis W, Baloglu E, Landesman Y, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Targeting Rho GTPase effector p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) suppresses p-Bad-microRNA drug resistance axis leading to inhibition of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma proliferation. Small GTPases 2019; 10:367-377. [PMID: 28641032 PMCID: PMC6748371 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1329694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive and therapy resistant malignancy. Mutant K-Ras, found in >90% of refractory PDAC, acts as a molecular switch activating Rho GTPase signaling that in turn promotes a plethora of pro-survival molecules and oncogenic microRNAs. We investigated the impact of Rho GTPase effector protein p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) inhibition on pro-survival p-Bad and oncogenic miRNA signaling. We demonstrate that the dual NAMPT and PAK4 modulators (KPT-9274 and KPT-9307) inhibit PDAC cell proliferation through downregulation of Bad phosphorylation and upregulation of tumor suppressive miRNAs (miR-145, let-7c, let-7d, miR-34c, miR320 and miR-100). These results suggest that targeting PAK4 could become a promising approach to restore pro-apoptotic function of Bad and simultaneously activate tumor suppressive miRNAs in therapy resistant PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi M. Mohammad
- Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yiwei Li
- Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Amro Aboukameel
- Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Philip A. Philip
- Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Asfar S. Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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28
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Castillo J, Knol JC, Korver CM, Piersma SR, Pham TV, de Goeij-de Haas RR, van Pelt AMM, Jimenez CR, Jansen BJH. Human Testis Phosphoproteome Reveals Kinases as Potential Targets in Spermatogenesis and Testicular Cancer. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:S132-S144. [PMID: 30683686 PMCID: PMC6427237 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.001278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex cell differentiation process that includes marked genetic, cellular, functional and structural changes. It requires tight regulation, because disturbances in any of the spermatogenic processes would lead to fertility deficiencies as well as disorders in offspring. To increase our knowledge of signal transduction during sperm development, we carried out a large-scale identification of the phosphorylation events that occur in the human male gonad. Metal oxide affinity chromatography using TiO2 combined with LC-MS/MS was conducted to profile the phosphoproteome of adult human testes with full spermatogenesis. A total of 8187 phosphopeptides derived from 2661 proteins were identified, resulting in the most complete report of human testicular phosphoproteins to date. Phosphorylation events were enriched in proteins functionally related to spermatogenesis, as well as to highly active processes in the male gonad, such as transcriptional and translational regulation, cytoskeleton organization, DNA packaging, cell cycle and apoptosis. Moreover, 174 phosphorylated kinases were identified. The most active human protein kinases in the testis were predicted both by the number of phosphopeptide spectra identified and the phosphorylation status of the kinase activation loop. The potential function of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) and p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) has been explored by in silico, protein-protein interaction analysis, immunodetection in testicular tissue, and a functional assay in a human embryonal carcinoma cell line. The colocalization of CDK12 with Golgi markers suggests a potential crucial role of this protein kinase during sperm formation. PAK4 has been found expressed in human spermatogonia, and a role in embryonal carcinoma cell response to apoptosis has been observed. Together, our protein discovery analysis confirms that phosphoregulation by protein kinases is highly active in sperm differentiation and opens a window to detailed characterization and validation of potential targets for the development of drugs modulating male fertility and tumor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Castillo
- Lead Pharma BV, Pivot Park, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands;.
| | - Jaco C Knol
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cindy M Korver
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander R Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thang V Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard R de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Connie R Jimenez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J H Jansen
- Lead Pharma BV, Pivot Park, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands;.
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29
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P21 activated kinase signaling in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 54:40-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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30
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Sheu CC, Chang WA, Tsai MJ, Liao SH, Chong IW, Kuo PL. Bioinformatic analysis of next‑generation sequencing data to identify dysregulated genes in fibroblasts of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Int J Mol Med 2019; 43:1643-1656. [PMID: 30720061 PMCID: PMC6414167 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal fibrotic lung disease with an increasing global burden. It is hypothesized that fibroblasts have a number of functions that may affect the development and progression of IPF. However, the present understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with fibroblasts in IPF remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the dysregulated genes in IPF fibroblasts, elucidate their functions and explore potential microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA interactions. mRNA and miRNA expression profiles were obtained from IPF fibroblasts and normal lung fibroblasts using a next-generation sequencing platform, and bioinformatic analyses were performed in a step-wise manner. A total of 42 dysregulated genes (>2 fold-change of expression) were identified, of which 5 were verified in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database analysis, including the upregulation of neurotrimin (NTM), paired box 8 (PAX8) and mesoderm development LRP chaperone, and the downregulation of ITPR interacting domain containing 2 and Inka box actin regulator 2 (INKA2). Previous data indicated that PAX8 and INKA2 serve roles in cell growth, proliferation and survival. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that the most significant function of these 42 dysregulated genes was associated with the composition and function of the extracellular matrix (ECM). A total of 60 dysregulated miRNAs were also identified, and 1,908 targets were predicted by the miRmap database. The integrated analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression data, combined with GEO verification, finally identified Homo sapiens (hsa)-miR-1254-INKA2 and hsa-miR-766-3p-INKA2 as the potential miRNA-mRNA interactions in IPF fibroblasts. In summary, the results of the present study suggest that dysregulation of PAX8, hsa-miR-1254-INKA2 and hsa-miR-766-3p-INKA2 may promote the proliferation and survival of IPF fibroblasts. In the functional analysis of the dysregulated genes, a marked association between fibroblasts and the ECM was identified. These data improve the current understanding of fibroblasts as key cells in the pathogenesis of IPF. As a screening study using bioinformatics approaches, the results of the present study require additional validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chau-Chyun Sheu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wei-An Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming-Ju Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ssu-Hui Liao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Inn-Wen Chong
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Po-Lin Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, R.O.C
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31
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Li XH, Zhou XM, Li XJ, Liu YY, Liu Q, Guo XL, Yang LQ, Chen JX. Effects of Xiaoyaosan on the Hippocampal Gene Expression Profile in Rats Subjected to Chronic Immobilization Stress. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:178. [PMID: 31031647 PMCID: PMC6474260 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study examined the effect of Xiaoyaosan and its anti-stress mechanism in rats subjected to chronic immobilization stress at the whole genome level. Methods: Rat whole genome expression chips (Illumina) were used to detect differences in hippocampal gene expression in rats from the control group (CN group), model group (M group) and Xiaoyaosan group (XYS group) that were subjected to chronic immobilization stress. The Gene Ontology terms and signaling pathways that were altered in the hippocampus gene expression profile were analyzed. The network regulating the transcription of the differentially expressed genes was also established. To verify the results from the gene chips, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression of the GABRA1, FADD, CRHR2, and CDK6 genes in hippocampal tissues. In situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression of the GABRA1 and CRHR2 genes and proteins, respectively. Results: Compared with the CN group, 566 differentially expressed genes were identified in the M group. Compared with the M group, 544 differentially expressed genes were identified in the XYS group. In the M and XYS groups, multiple significantly upregulated or downregulated genes functioned in various biological processes. The cytokine receptor interaction pathway was significantly inhibited in the hippocampus of the model group. The actin cytoskeleton regulation pathway was significantly increased in the hippocampus of the XYS group. The inhibition of hippocampal cell growth was the core molecular event of network regulating the transcription of the differentially expressed genes in the model group. Promotion of the regeneration of hippocampal neurons was the core molecular event of the transcriptional regulatory network in the XYS group. The levels of the GABRA1, FADD, CRHR2 and CDK6 mRNAs, and proteins were basically consistent with the results obtained from the gene chip. Conclusion: XYS may have the ability of resistance to stress, enhancement immunity and promotion nerve cell regeneration by regulating the expression of multiple genes in numerous pathways and repaired the stress-induced impairments in hippocampal structure and function by inducing cytoskeletal reorganization. These results may provide the possible target spots in the treatment of stress in rats with XYS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hong Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Xue-Ming Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao-Juan Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Yun Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qun Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Qiang Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Formula-pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Igbinigie E, Guo F, Jiang SW, Kelley C, Li J. Dkk1 involvement and its potential as a biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 488:226-234. [PMID: 30452897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1)'s dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of cancers. It is part of the Dkk family of proteins that includes Dkk2, Dkk3 and Dkk4. This family of secreted proteins shares similar conserved cysteine domains and inhibits the Wnt/b-catenin pathway by causing proteasomal B-catenin degradation, inducing apoptosis, and preventing cell proliferation. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States due to the late stage of diagnosis and the limited effectiveness of current therapy. Dkk1 is found increased in PADC patients' specimens and serum. Dkk1 can be a promising biomarker specific to PDAC, which has the potential to increase PDAC survival rates through improving early stage detection and monitoring progression compared to current biomarker gold standards. In addition, recent studies suggest that Dkk1 could be an excellent target for cancer immunotherapy. Interestingly, Dkk1-CKAP4-PI3K/AKT signal pathway also plays role in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. In this review, we present the multiple mechanisms of Dkk1 in PDAC studied thus far and explore its function, regulation, and clinical applications in gynecological cancers including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer. Further research into Dkk1's mechanism and use as a diagnostic tool, alone or in combination with other biomarkers, could prove clinically useful for better understanding the pathology of PDAC and improving its early detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eseosaserea Igbinigie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
| | - Fengbiao Guo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515000, China.
| | - Shi-Wen Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
| | - Cullen Kelley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
| | - Jinping Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Florida Campus, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
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33
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Hao C, Li X, Song S, Guo B, Guo J, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Huang W, Wang J, Lin B, Cheng M, Li F, Zhao D. Advances in the 1-phenanthryl-tetrahydroisoquinoline series of PAK4 inhibitors: potent agents restrain tumor cell growth and invasion. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 14:7676-90. [PMID: 27454186 DOI: 10.1039/c6ob01072e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
A new series of novel 1-phenanthryl-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated for their PAK4 inhibitory activities and anti-proliferative effects against three cancer cell lines A549, MCF-7 and HT-1080. Among them, compound 12a exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against PAK4 with an IC50 value of 0.42 μM. Moreover, this compound inhibited the invasion of A549 tumor cells by regulating the PAK4-LIMK1-cofilin signaling pathway in vitro, and exhibited anti-tumor activity in vivo in the A549 tumor xenograft model. To further evaluate the binding mode of 12a with PAK4, the biotinylated 12a derivative has been synthesized and it was used for immunoprecipitation assay. Intriguingly, our observations suggest that 12a interacts with both the N- and C-termini of PAK4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenzhou Hao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Shuai Song
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Bingyu Guo
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Jing Guo
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Qiaoling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Wanxu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Jian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Bin Lin
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Maosheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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Won SY, Park MH, You ST, Choi SW, Kim HK, McLean C, Bae SC, Kim SR, Jin BK, Lee KH, Shin EY, Kim EG. Nigral dopaminergic PAK4 prevents neurodegeneration in rat models of Parkinson's disease. Sci Transl Med 2017; 8:367ra170. [PMID: 27903866 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf1629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra. No neuroprotective treatments have successfully prevented the progression of this disease. We report that p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a key survival factor for DA neurons. We observed PAK4 immunoreactivity in rat and human DA neurons in brain tissue, but not in microglia or astrocytes. PAK4 activity was markedly decreased in postmortem brain tissue from PD patients and in rodent models of PD. Expression of constitutively active PAK4S445N/S474E (caPAK4) protected DA neurons in both the 6-hydroxydopamine and α-synuclein rat models of PD and preserved motor function. This neuroprotective effect of caPAK4 was mediated by phosphorylation of CRTC1 [CREB (adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein)-regulated transcription coactivator] at S215. The nonphosphorylated form of CRTC1S215A compromised the ability of caPAK4 to induce the expression of the CREB target proteins Bcl-2, BDNF, and PGC-1α. Our results support a neuroprotective role for the PAK4-CRTC1S215-CREB signaling pathway and suggest that this pathway may be a useful therapeutic target in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Yoon Won
- Department of Biochemistry and Signaling Disorder Research Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Mee-Hee Park
- Department of Biochemistry and Signaling Disorder Research Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Soon-Tae You
- Department of Biochemistry and Signaling Disorder Research Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Seung-Won Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Signaling Disorder Research Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Hyong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Medicine and Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Catriona McLean
- Department of Pathology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Suk-Chul Bae
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Institute for Tumor Research, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Sang Ryong Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, South Korea.,Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, South Korea
| | - Byung Kwan Jin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration Control Research Center, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, South Korea
| | - Kun Ho Lee
- National Research Center for Dementia, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Science, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, South Korea
| | - Eun-Young Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Signaling Disorder Research Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea
| | - Eung-Gook Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Signaling Disorder Research Center, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, South Korea.
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Rane CK, Patel M, Cai L, Senapedis W, Baloglu E, Minden A. Decrypting the PAK4 transcriptome profile in mammary tumor forming cells using Next Generation Sequencing. Genomics 2017; 110:S0888-7543(17)30128-3. [PMID: 29055713 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The p-21 Activated Kinase 4 (PAK4) protein kinase is implicated in many cancers, including breast cancer. Overexpression of PAK4 is sufficient to cause mouse mammary epithelial cells (iMMECs) to become tumorigenic. To gain insight into the long-term gene expression changes that occur downstream to PAK4, we performed Next Generation Sequencing of RNA collected from PAK4 overexpressing iMMECs and wild-type iMMECs. We identified a list of genes whose expression levels were altered in response to PAK4 overexpression in iMMECs. Some of these genes, including FoxC2 and ParvB, are consistent with a role for PAK4 in cancer. In addition, PAK4 regulates many genes that are frequently associated with the inflammatory response, raising the possibility that there is a connection between PAK4, inflammation, and the tumor microenvironment. This study delineates the PAK4 transcriptome profile in transformed mammary cells and can provide translational utility in other types of cancers as well.
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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, 164 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Misaal Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Li Cai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - William Senapedis
- Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc., 85 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459, United States
| | - Erkan Baloglu
- Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc., 85 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459, United States
| | - 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, 164 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States.
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Li Z, Li X, Xu L, Tao Y, Yang C, Chen X, Fang F, Wu Y, Ding X, Zhao H, Li M, Qian G, Xu Y, Ren J, Du W, Wang J, Lu J, Hu S, Pan J. Inhibition of neuroblastoma proliferation by PF-3758309, a small-molecule inhibitor that targets p21-activated kinase 4. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:2705-2716. [PMID: 29048629 PMCID: PMC5780023 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid childhood tumor. Despite the availability of advanced multimodal therapy, high-risk patients still have low survival rates. p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) has been shown to regulate many cellular processes in cancer cells, including migration, polarization and proliferation. However, the role of PAK4 in neuroblastoma remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that PAK4 was overexpressed in neuroblastoma tissues and was correlated with tumor malignance and prognosis. To investigate the function of PAK4 in neuroblastoma, we used a small-molecule inhibitor that targets PAK4, that is, PF-3758309. Our results showed that PF-3758309 significantly induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell lines. Meanwhile, the inhibition of PAK4 by PF-3758309 increased the expression of CDKN1A, BAD and BAK1 and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. In addition, we screened the target genes of PAK4 by PCR array and found that 23 genes were upregulated (including TP53I3, TBX3, EEF1A2, CDKN1A, IFNB1 and MAPK8IP2) and 20 genes were downregulated (including TNFSF8, Bcl2-A1, Bcl2L1, SOCS3, BIRC3 and NFKB1) after PAK4 inhibition by PF-3758309. Moreover, PAK4 was found to regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis via the ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated, for the first time, the expression and function of PAK4 in neuroblastomas and the inhibitory effect of PF-3758309, which deserves further investigation as an alternative strategy for neuroblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiheng Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Lixiao Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xin Ding
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - He Zhao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Guanghui Qian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yunyun Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Junli Ren
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Du
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
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Thillai K, Lam H, Sarker D, Wells CM. Deciphering the link between PI3K and PAK: An opportunity to target key pathways in pancreatic cancer? Oncotarget 2017; 8:14173-14191. [PMID: 27845911 PMCID: PMC5355171 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of personalised therapies has ushered in a new and exciting era of cancer treatment for a variety of solid malignancies. Yet pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has failed to benefit from this paradigm shift, remaining notoriously refractory to targeted therapies. Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of management but can offer only modest survival benefits of a few months with 5-year survival rates rarely exceeding 3%. Despite these disappointing statistics, significant strides have been made towards understanding the complex biology of pancreatic cancer, with deep genomic sequencing identifying novel genetic aberrations and key signalling pathways. The PI3K-PDK1-AKT pathway has received great attention due to its prominence in carcinogenesis. However, efforts to target several components of this network have resulted in only a handful of drugs demonstrating any survival benefit in solid tumors; despite promising pre-clinical results. p-21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a gene that is recurrently amplified or overexpressed in PDAC and both PAK4 and related family member PAK1, have been linked to aberrant RAS activity, a common feature in pancreatic cancer. As regulators of PI3K, PAKs have been highlighted as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the biology of pancreatic cancer and the close interaction between PAKs and the PI3K pathway. We also suggest proposals for future research that may see the development of effective targeted therapies that could finally improve outcomes for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiruthikah Thillai
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hoyin Lam
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debashis Sarker
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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38
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Pdx1-Cre-driven conditional gene depletion suggests PAK4 as dispensable for mouse pancreas development. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7031. [PMID: 28765528 PMCID: PMC5539201 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07322-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Constitutive depletion of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) in the mouse causes embryonic lethality associated with heart and brain defects. Given that conventional gene depletion of PAK1 or PAK3 caused functional deficits in the mouse pancreas, while gene depletion of PAK5 or PAK6 did not, we asked if PAK4 might have a functional role in pancreas development. We therefore introduced conditional, Pdx1-Cre-mediated, pancreatic PAK4 gene depletion in the mouse, verified by loss of PAK4 protein expression in the pancreas. PAK4 knock-out (KO) mice were born at Mendelian ratios in both genders. Further, morphological and immunohistochemical examinations and quantifications indicated that exocrine, endocrine and ductal compartments retained the normal proportions and distributions upon PAK4 gene depletion. In addition, body weight records and a glucose tolerance test revealed no differences between WT and PAK4 KO mice. Together, this suggests that PAK4 is dispensable for mouse pancreas development. This will facilitate future use of our Pdx1-Cre-driven conditional PAK4 KO mouse model for testing in vivo potential functions of PAK4 in pancreatic disease models such as for pancreatitis and different pancreatic cancer forms.
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39
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Li X, Li J, Li F. P21 activated kinase 4 binds translation elongation factor eEF1A1 to promote gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. Oncol Rep 2017; 37:2857-2864. [PMID: 28393218 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
P21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4), as an effector of Cdc42, playing important roles in regulating the processes of cytoskeleton organization. PAK4 has been considered to be an oncogenic protein, which has strong relationship with gastric cancer metastasis. However, the mechanism of PAK4 in regulating gastric cancer metastasis is still not fully understood. In this study, using yeast two-hybrid system, we identified that the eukaryotic elongation factor 1 α1 (eEF1A1) is a new binding partner of PAK4. The interaction between PAK4 and eEF1A1 was confirmed by GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation. PAK4 co-localized with eEF1A1 in the cytoplasm of gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of PAK4 enhanced the expression level of eEF1A1 and vice versa. PAK4 and eEF1A1 could cooperate to promote gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the expression of PAK4 and eEF1A1 in clinical gastric cancer samples were examined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis indicated that there was positive correlation between the expression of PAK4 and eEF1A1. This study demonstrated for the first time that PAK4 interacted with eEF1A1 to promote migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, thereby providing new insights into the function of PAK4 and eEF1A1 in the progression of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Jiabin Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
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40
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He LF, Xu HW, Chen M, Xian ZR, Wen XF, Chen MN, Du CW, Huang WH, Wu JD, Zhang GJ. Activated-PAK4 predicts worse prognosis in breast cancer and promotes tumorigenesis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling. Oncotarget 2017; 8:17573-17585. [PMID: 28407679 PMCID: PMC5392270 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is sufficient to transform noncancerous mammary epithelial cells and to form tumors in the mammary glands of mice. The accumulated information suggests that PAK4 might be an oncogenic protein in breast cancer. In this study, we sought to identify the role for PAK4 in breast cancer progression. Immunohistochemical study revealed that high PAK4 expression is associated with larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and advanced stage cancer in 93 invasive breast carcinoma patients. Moreover, high PAK4 expression was significantly associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. PAK4 remained an independent adverse prognosticator after univariate and multivariate analysis. Ectopic expression of wild-type PAK4 in MDA-MB-231 cells activated PI3K/AKT signaling and resulted in the enhancement of the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas PAK4-induced effects were blocked by the PAK4 kinase inhibitor PF- 3758309, PAK4 siRNAs or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Furthermore, a kinase-active PAK4 (S474E) strongly induced PI3K/AKT activation, and promoted proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cells. A kinase-inactive PAK4 KD (K350A/K351A) did partially upregulate PI3K/AKT, and promoted invasive phenotype. Taken together, these findings suggest that PAK4-activated PI3K/AKT signaling is both kinase-dependent and -independent, which contributes to breast cancer progression. Thus, our results imply that dual inhibition of PAK4 and PI3K/AKT signaling might be a potential therapeutic approach for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Fang He
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Wu Xu
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou, University Medical College, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Chen
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Rong Xian
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Fen Wen
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Min-Na Chen
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Cai-Wen Du
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-He Huang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun-Dong Wu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Guo-Jun Zhang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
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41
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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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Pozhitkov AE, Neme R, Domazet-Lošo T, Leroux BG, Soni S, Tautz D, Noble PA. Tracing the dynamics of gene transcripts after organismal death. Open Biol 2017; 7:160267. [PMID: 28123054 PMCID: PMC5303275 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In life, genetic and epigenetic networks precisely coordinate the expression of genes-but in death, it is not known if gene expression diminishes gradually or abruptly stops or if specific genes and pathways are involved. We studied this by identifying mRNA transcripts that apparently increase in relative abundance after death, assessing their functions, and comparing their abundance profiles through postmortem time in two species, mouse and zebrafish. We found mRNA transcript profiles of 1063 genes became significantly more abundant after death of healthy adult animals in a time series spanning up to 96 h postmortem. Ordination plots revealed non-random patterns in the profiles by time. While most of these transcript levels increased within 0.5 h postmortem, some increased only at 24 and 48 h postmortem. Functional characterization of the most abundant transcripts revealed the following categories: stress, immunity, inflammation, apoptosis, transport, development, epigenetic regulation and cancer. The data suggest a step-wise shutdown occurs in organismal death that is manifested by the apparent increase of certain transcripts with various abundance maxima and durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex E Pozhitkov
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, PO Box 357444, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Ploen, Germany
| | - Rafik Neme
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Ploen, Germany
| | - Tomislav Domazet-Lošo
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
- Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Brian G Leroux
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington, PO Box 357444, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Shivani Soni
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36101-0271, USA
| | - Diethard Tautz
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Ploen, Germany
| | - Peter A Noble
- Department of Periodontics, University of Washington, PO Box 357444, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36101-0271, USA
- PhD Program in Microbiology, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36101-0271, USA
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43
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Zhuang T, Zhu J, Li Z, Lorent J, Zhao C, Dahlman-Wright K, Strömblad S. p21-activated kinase group II small compound inhibitor GNE-2861 perturbs estrogen receptor alpha signaling and restores tamoxifen-sensitivity in breast cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:43853-68. [PMID: 26554417 PMCID: PMC4791272 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is highly expressed in most breast cancers. Consequently, ERα modulators, such as tamoxifen, are successful in breast cancer treatment, although tamoxifen resistance is commonly observed. While tamoxifen resistance may be caused by altered ERα signaling, the molecular mechanisms regulating ERα signaling and tamoxifen resistance are not entirely clear. Here, we found that PAK4 expression was consistently correlated to poor patient outcome in endocrine treated and tamoxifen-only treated breast cancer patients. Importantly, while PAK4 overexpression promoted tamoxifen resistance in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, pharmacological treatment with a group II PAK (PAK4, 5, 6) inhibitor, GNE-2861, sensitized tamoxifen resistant MCF-7/LCC2 breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Mechanistically, we identified a regulatory positive feedback loop, where ERα bound to the PAK4 gene, thereby promoting PAK4 expression, while PAK4 in turn stabilized the ERα protein, activated ERα transcriptional activity and ERα target gene expression. Further, PAK4 phosphorylated ERα-Ser305, a phosphorylation event needed for the PAK4 activation of ERα-dependent transcription. In conclusion, PAK4 may be a suitable target for perturbing ERα signaling and tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhuang
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Zhilun Li
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Julie Lorent
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Chunyan Zhao
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Karin Dahlman-Wright
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Staffan Strömblad
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Novum, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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44
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Park JK, Kim S, Han YJ, Kim SH, Kang NS, Lee H, Park S. The discovery and the structural basis of an imidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine-based p21-activated kinase 4 inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:2580-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Dart AE, Box GM, Court W, Gale ME, Brown JP, Pinder SE, Eccles SA, Wells CM. PAK4 promotes kinase-independent stabilization of RhoU to modulate cell adhesion. J Cell Biol 2016; 211:863-79. [PMID: 26598620 PMCID: PMC4657161 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201501072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PAK4, via a novel kinase-independent mechanism, protects RhoU from a Rab40A/Cullin 5 ubiquitin ligase complex–driven K48 ubiquitination to regulate breast cancer cell adhesion. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a Cdc42 effector protein thought to regulate cell adhesion disassembly in a kinase-dependent manner. We found that PAK4 expression is significantly higher in high-grade human breast cancer patient samples, whereas depletion of PAK4 modifies cell adhesion dynamics of breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, systematic analysis of PAK4 functionality revealed that PAK4-driven adhesion turnover is neither dependent on Cdc42 binding nor kinase activity. Rather, reduced expression of PAK4 leads to a concomitant loss of RhoU expression. We report that RhoU is targeted for ubiquitination by the Rab40A–Cullin 5 complex and demonstrate that PAK4 protects RhoU from ubiquitination in a kinase-independent manner. Overexpression of RhoU rescues the PAK4 depletion phenotype, whereas loss of RhoU expression reduces cell adhesion turnover and migration. These data support a new kinase-independent mechanism for PAK4 function, where an important role of PAK4 in cellular adhesions is to stabilize RhoU protein levels. Thus, PAK4 and RhoU cooperate to drive adhesion turnover and promote cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Dart
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - Gary M Box
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - William Court
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - Madeline E Gale
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - John P Brown
- Breast Research Pathology, Department of Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, England, UK
| | - Sarah E Pinder
- Breast Research Pathology, Department of Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, England, UK
| | - Suzanne A Eccles
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
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GUO BINGYU, LI XIAODONG, SONG SHUAI, CHEN MENG, CHENG MAOSHENG, ZHAO DONGMEI, LI FENG. (−)-β-hydrastine suppresses the proliferation and invasion of human lung adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting PAK4 kinase activity. Oncol Rep 2016; 35:2246-56. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Shao YG, Ning K, Li F. Group II p21-activated kinases as therapeutic targets in gastrointestinal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:1224-1235. [PMID: 26811660 PMCID: PMC4716033 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.1224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are central players in various oncogenic signaling pathways. The six PAK family members are classified into group I (PAK1-3) and group II (PAK4-6). Focus is currently shifting from group I PAKs to group II PAKs. Group II PAKs play important roles in many fundamental cellular processes, some of which have particular significance in the development and progression of cancer. Because of their important functions, group II PAKs have become popular potential drug target candidates. However, few group II PAKs inhibitors have been reported, and most do not exhibit satisfactory kinase selectivity and “drug-like” properties. Isoform- and kinase-selective PAK inhibitors remain to be developed. This review describes the biological activities of group II PAKs, the importance of group II PAKs in the development and progression of gastrointestinal cancer, and small-molecule inhibitors of group II PAKs for the treatment of cancer.
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Kim SH, Cho S, Ihm HJ, Oh YS, Heo SH, Chun S, Im H, Chae HD, Kim CH, Kang BM. Possible Role of Phthalate in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis: In Vitro, Animal, and Human Data. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:E1502-11. [PMID: 26439087 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2015-2478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Although phthalates were shown to have several negative effects on reproductive function in animals, its role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and to compare the urinary levels of several phthalate metabolites between women with and without endometriosis. DESIGN For experimental studies, we used endometrial cell culture and nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mouse models. We also performed a prospective case-control study for human sample analyses. SETTING The study was conducted at an academic center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 9, cellular invasiveness, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), and expression of p21-activated kinase 4 were analyzed in endometrial cells treated with DEHP. The implant size was compared between NOD/SCID mice fed with and without DEHP. Urinary concentrations of several phthalate metabolites were compared between women with and without endometriosis. RESULTS In vitro treatment of endometrial cells with DEHP led to significant increases of MMP-2 and 9 activities, cellular invasiveness, Erk phosphorylation, and p21-activated kinase 4 expression. The size of the endometrial implant was significantly larger in the NOD/SCID mice fed with DEHP compared with those fed with vehicle. The urinary concentration of mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate, mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, and mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxyphentyl) phthalate were significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared with controls. CONCLUSION These findings strongly suggest that exposure to phthalate may lead to establishment of endometriosis by enhancing invasive and proliferative activities of endometrial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - SiHyun Cho
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Hyo Jin Ihm
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Young Sang Oh
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Seung-Ho Heo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Sail Chun
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Hosub Im
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Hee Dong Chae
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Chung-Hoon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
| | - Byung Moon Kang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.H.K., H.J.I., Y.S.O., H.D.C., C.-H.K., B.M.K.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (S.Cho.), Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea; Asan Institute for Life Sciences (S.-H.H.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 138-736, Korea; Department of Laboratory Medicine (S.Chu.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea; and Center for Life & Environmental Science (H.I.), Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 138-828, Korea
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Tyagi N, Bhardwaj A, Singh AP, McClellan S, Carter JE, Singh S. p-21 activated kinase 4 promotes proliferation and survival of pancreatic cancer cells through AKT- and ERK-dependent activation of NF-κB pathway. Oncotarget 2015; 5:8778-89. [PMID: 25238288 PMCID: PMC4226721 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of novel molecular targets and understanding the mechanisms underlying the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer (PC) remain prime focus areas of research. Here, we investigated the expression and pathobiological significance of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a gene that was earlier shown to be amplified in a sub-set of PC. Our data demonstrate PAK4 overexpression in PC tissues and cell lines with little or no expression in the normal pancreas. PAK4 silencing in two PC cell lines, MiaPaCa and T3M4, by RNA interference causes suppression of growth and clonogenic ability due to decreased cell cycle progression and apoptosis-resistance. PAK4-silenced PC cells exhibit altered expression of proliferation- and survival-associated proteins. Moreover, we observe decreased nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of NF-κB in PAK4-silenced PC cells associated with stabilization of its inhibitory protein, IκBα. Transfection of PAK4-silenced PC cells with constitutively-active mutant of IKKβ, an upstream kinase of IκBα, leads to restoration of NF-κB activity and PC cell growth. Furthermore, we show that PAK4-induced NF-κB activity is mediated through activation and concerted action of ERK and Akt kinases. Together, these findings suggest that PAK4 is a regulator of NF-κB pathway in PC cells and can serve as a novel target for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Tyagi
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Arun Bhardwaj
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Ajay P Singh
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Steven McClellan
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - James E Carter
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
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Transcriptional Response to Acute Thermal Exposure in Juvenile Chinook Salmon Determined by RNAseq. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2015; 5:1335-49. [PMID: 25911227 PMCID: PMC4502368 DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.017699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thermal exposure is a serious and growing challenge facing fish species worldwide. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) living in the southern portion of their native range are particularly likely to encounter warmer water due to a confluence of factors. River alterations have increased the likelihood that juveniles will be exposed to warm water temperatures during their freshwater life stage, which can negatively impact survival, growth, and development and pose a threat to dwindling salmon populations. To better understand how acute thermal exposure affects the biology of salmon, we performed a transcriptional analysis of gill tissue from Chinook salmon juveniles reared at 12° and exposed acutely to water temperatures ranging from ideal to potentially lethal (12° to 25°). Reverse-transcribed RNA libraries were sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq2000 platform and a de novo reference transcriptome was created. Differentially expressed transcripts were annotated using Blast2GO and relevant gene clusters were identified. In addition to a high degree of downregulation of a wide range of genes, we found upregulation of genes involved in protein folding/rescue, protein degradation, cell death, oxidative stress, metabolism, inflammation/immunity, transcription/translation, ion transport, cell cycle/growth, cell signaling, cellular trafficking, and structure/cytoskeleton. These results demonstrate the complex multi-modal cellular response to thermal stress in juvenile salmon.
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