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Yuan Y, Li P, Li J, Zhao Q, Chang Y, He X. Protein lipidation in health and disease: molecular basis, physiological function and pathological implication. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:60. [PMID: 38485938 PMCID: PMC10940682 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01759-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications increase the complexity and functional diversity of proteins in response to complex external stimuli and internal changes. Among these, protein lipidations which refer to lipid attachment to proteins are prominent, which primarily encompassing five types including S-palmitoylation, N-myristoylation, S-prenylation, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor and cholesterylation. Lipid attachment to proteins plays an essential role in the regulation of protein trafficking, localisation, stability, conformation, interactions and signal transduction by enhancing hydrophobicity. Accumulating evidence from genetic, structural, and biomedical studies has consistently shown that protein lipidation is pivotal in the regulation of broad physiological functions and is inextricably linked to a variety of diseases. Decades of dedicated research have driven the development of a wide range of drugs targeting protein lipidation, and several agents have been developed and tested in preclinical and clinical studies, some of which, such as asciminib and lonafarnib are FDA-approved for therapeutic use, indicating that targeting protein lipidations represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we comprehensively review the known regulatory enzymes and catalytic mechanisms of various protein lipidation types, outline the impact of protein lipidations on physiology and disease, and highlight potential therapeutic targets and clinical research progress, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for future protein lipidation research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peiyuan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianghui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiu Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China.
| | - Ying Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xingxing He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, China.
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Stark M, Levin M, Ulitsky I, Assaraf YG. Folylpolyglutamate synthetase mRNA G-quadruplexes regulate its cell protrusion localization and enhance a cancer cell invasive phenotype upon folate repletion. BMC Biol 2023; 21:13. [PMID: 36721160 PMCID: PMC9889130 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01525-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folates are crucial for the biosynthesis of nucleotides and amino acids, essential for cell proliferation and development. Folate deficiency induces DNA damage, developmental defects, and tumorigenicity. The obligatory enzyme folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) mediates intracellular folate retention via cytosolic and mitochondrial folate polyglutamylation. Our previous paper demonstrated the association of the cytosolic FPGS (cFPGS) with the cytoskeleton and various cell protrusion proteins. Based on these recent findings, the aim of the current study was to investigate the potential role of cFPGS at cell protrusions. RESULTS Here we uncovered a central role for two G-quadruplex (GQ) motifs in the 3'UTR of FPGS mediating the localization of cFPGS mRNA and protein at cell protrusions. Using the MBSV6-loop reporter system and fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that following folate deprivation, cFPGS mRNA is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas upon 15 min of folate repletion, this mRNA is rapidly translocated to cell protrusions in a 3'UTR- and actin-dependent manner. The actin dependency of this folate-induced mRNA translocation is shown by treatment with Latrunculin B and inhibitors of the Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) pathway. Upon folate repletion, the FPGS 3'UTR GQs induce an amoeboid/mesenchymal hybrid cell phenotype during migration and invasion through a collagen gel matrix. Targeted disruption of the 3'UTR GQ motifs by introducing point mutations or masking them by antisense oligonucleotides abrogated cell protrusion targeting of cFPGS mRNA. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, the GQ motifs within the 3'UTR of FPGS regulate its transcript and protein localization at cell protrusions in response to a folate cue, inducing cancer cell invasive phenotype. These novel findings suggest that the 3'UTR GQ motifs of FPGS constitute an attractive druggable target aimed at inhibition of cancer invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Stark
- grid.6451.60000000121102151The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
| | - May Levin
- grid.6451.60000000121102151The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel ,grid.507132.2Present address: May Levin, MeMed Diagnostics Ltd, Tirat Carmel, Israel
| | - Igor Ulitsky
- grid.13992.300000 0004 0604 7563Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yehuda G. Assaraf
- grid.6451.60000000121102151The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
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Lamango NS, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Tawfeeq N. Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors: A Novel Approach to Controlling Cancers with Hyperactive Growth Signaling. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:3476-3489. [PMID: 33176634 PMCID: PMC9175089 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666201111140825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of monomeric G-protein signaling pathways drives some of the most aggressive cancers. Suppressing these hyperactivities has been the focus of efforts to obtain targeted therapies. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) is overexpressed in various cancers. Its inhibition induces the death of cancer cells that harbor the constitutively active K-Ras proteins. Furthermore, the viability of cancer cells driven by factors upstream of K-Ras, such as overexpressed growth factors and their receptors or the mutationally-activated receptors, is also susceptible to PMPMEase inhibition. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) were thus designed to target cancers with hyperactive signaling pathways involving the G-proteins. The PCAIs were, however, poor inhibitors of PMPMEase, with Ki values ranging from 3.7 to 20 μM. On the other hand, they inhibited cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, induced apoptosis in cells with mutant K-Ras and inhibited cell migration and invasion with EC50 values of 1 to 3 μM. HUVEC tube formation was inhibited at submicromolar concentrations through their disruption of actin filament organization. At the molecular level, the PCAIs at 2 to 5 μM depleted monomeric G-proteins such as K-Ras, RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1. The PCAIs also deplete vinculin and fascin that are involved in actin organization and function while disrupting vinculin punctates in the process. These demonstrate a polyisoprenylation-dependent mechanism that explains the observed PCAIs' inhibition of the proliferative, invasive and angiogenic processes that promote both tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazarius S. Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, USA
| | - Augustine T. Nkembo
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ntantie
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, USA
| | - Nada Tawfeeq
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee FL32307, USA
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Borini Etichetti CM, Arel Zalazar E, Cocordano N, Girardini J. Beyond the Mevalonate Pathway: Control of Post-Prenylation Processing by Mutant p53. Front Oncol 2020; 10:595034. [PMID: 33224889 PMCID: PMC7674641 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.595034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Missense mutations in the TP53 gene are among the most frequent alterations in human cancer. Consequently, many tumors show high expression of p53 point mutants, which may acquire novel activities that contribute to develop aggressive tumors. An unexpected aspect of mutant p53 function was uncovered by showing that some mutants can increase the malignant phenotype of tumor cells through alteration of the mevalonate pathway. Among metabolites generated through this pathway, isoprenoids are of particular interest, since they participate in a complex process of posttranslational modification known as prenylation. Recent evidence proposes that mutant p53 also enhances this process through transcriptional activation of ICMT, the gene encoding the methyl transferase responsible for the last step of protein prenylation. In this way, mutant p53 may act at different levels to promote prenylation of key proteins in tumorigenesis, including several members of the RAS and RHO families. Instead, wild type p53 acts in the opposite way, downregulating mevalonate pathway genes and ICMT. This oncogenic circuit also allows to establish potential connections with other metabolic pathways. The demand of acetyl-CoA for the mevalonate pathway may pose limitations in cell metabolism. Likewise, the dependence on S-adenosyl methionine for carboxymethylation, may expose cells to methionine stress. The involvement of protein prenylation in tumor progression offers a novel perspective to understand the antitumoral effects of mevalonate pathway inhibitors, such as statins, and to explore novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evelyn Arel Zalazar
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Nabila Cocordano
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Javier Girardini
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, IDICER, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
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Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Salako OO, Amissah F, Poku RA, Latinwo LM, Lamango NS. The antiangiogenic effects of polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors in HUVEC, chick embryo and zebrafish is dependent on the polyisoprenyl moiety. Oncotarget 2018; 7:68194-68205. [PMID: 27626690 PMCID: PMC5356549 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is essential for solid tumor growth, therapeutic resistance and metastasis, the latest accounting for 90% of cancer deaths. Although angiogenesis is essential for the malignant transformations in solid tumors and therefore is an attractive target, few drugs are available that block tumor angiogenesis. The focus has been to block signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), whose activation abrogate apoptosis and promote angiogenesis. The polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) were designed to modulate aberrant polyisoprenylated small G-proteins such as mutant Ras whose constitutive activation promotes RTKs signaling. Since polyisoprenylation is essential for protein-protein interactions and functions of G-proteins, we hypothesized that the PCAIs would disrupt the monomeric G-protein signaling thereby effectively inhibiting angiogenesis. In this study we determined the effects of PCAIs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) tube formation, cell viability, cell migration and invasion as well as in vivo using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and zebrafish models. At sub- to low micromolar concentrations, the PCAIs inhibit the native and VEGF-stimulated cell migration and invasion as well as tube formation and angiogenesis in CAM and zebrafish embryos. The concentrations that block the angiogenic processes were lower than those that induce cell death. Since angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth but otherwise limited to wound healing, feeding fat cells and uterine wall repair in adults, it is conceivable that these compounds can be developed into safer therapeutics for cancers and retinal neovascularization that leads to loss of vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine T Nkembo
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ntantie
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Olufisayo O Salako
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Felix Amissah
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Rosemary A Poku
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Lekan M Latinwo
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Nazarius S Lamango
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
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Cansado J. To finish things well: cysteine methylation ensures selective GTPase membrane localization and signalling. Curr Genet 2017; 64:341-344. [PMID: 28929213 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0756-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Isoprenylcysteine-O-Carboxyl Methyltransferase (ICMT) catalyzes the final step in the prenylation process of different proteins including members of the Ras superfamily of GTPases. While cysteine methylation is essential in mammalian cells for growth, membrane association, and signalling by Ras and Rho GTPases, its role during signal transduction events in simple eukaryotes like yeasts appears irrelevant. By using a multidisciplinary approach our group has recently shown that, contrary to this initial assumption, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe ICMT activity encoded by the Mam4 gene is not only important to promote selective plasma membrane targeting of Ras and specific Rho GTPases, but also to allow precise downstream signalling to the mitogen-activated protein kinase and target of rapamycin pathways in response to diverse environmental cues. Thus, the dynamic regulation of in vivo methylation as a modulator of GTPase localization and function is an evolutionary conserved mechanism, making fission yeast an appealing model organism to study the regulation of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Cansado
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain.
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7
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Franco A, Soto T, Martín-García R, Madrid M, Vázquez-Marín B, Vicente-Soler J, Coll PM, Gacto M, Pérez P, Cansado J. Distinct functional relevance of dynamic GTPase cysteine methylation in fission yeast. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6057. [PMID: 28729673 PMCID: PMC5519673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06053-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The final step in post-translational processing of Ras and Rho GTPases involves methylation of the prenylated cysteine residue by an isoprenylcysteine-O-carboxyl methyltransferase (ICMT). ICMT activity is essential for cell growth and development in higher eukaryotes, and inhibition of GTPase methylation has become an attractive target in cancer therapy to inactivate prenylated oncoproteins. However, the specificity and dynamics of the GTPase methylation process remain to be fully clarified. Notably, cells lacking Mam4, the ICMT ortholog in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, are viable. We have exploited this feature to analyze the role of methylation on GTPase localization and function. We show that methylation differentially affects GTPase membrane localization, being particularly relevant for plasma membrane tethering and downstream signaling of palmitoylated and farnesylated GTPases Ras1 and Rho2 lacking C-terminal polybasic motifs. Indeed, Ras1 and Rho2 cysteine methylation is required for proper regulation of differentiation elicited by MAPK Spk1 and for stress-dependent activation of the cell integrity pathway (CIP) and its main effector MAPK Pmk1. Further, Mam4 negatively regulates TORC2 signaling by a cross-inhibitory mechanism relying on Rho GTPase methylation. These results highlight the requirement for a tight control of GTPase methylation in vivo to allow adequate GTPase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Franco
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Teresa Soto
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Martín-García
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marisa Madrid
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Vázquez-Marín
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jero Vicente-Soler
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro M Coll
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mariano Gacto
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Pérez
- Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José Cansado
- Yeast Physiology Group, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30071, Murcia, Spain.
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Poku RA, Salako OO, Amissah F, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Lamango NS. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors induce caspase 3/7- and 8-mediated apoptosis and inhibit migration and invasion of metastatic prostate cancer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1515-1527. [PMID: 28744401 PMCID: PMC5523032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is the most aggressive and deadly form of prostate cancer. It is characterized by the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptors whose signals are mediated by small monomeric G proteins of the Ras superfamily. These require polyisoprenylation for functional activity. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) were developed as potential targeted therapies to mitigate excessive growth signaling in mCRPC either by inhibiting PMPMEase and/or perturbing the polyisoprenylation-dependent functional interactions. We investigated the effects of PCAIs on the viability of prostate cancer PC 3, DU 145, MDA PCa 2b, LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells, determined the effect of the PCAIs on PC 3 cell proliferation, survival and caspase-mediated apoptotic cell death. Metastatic PC 3 and DU 145 cell migration and invasion in the presence of NSL-BA-040 were determined using the scratch and matrigel invasion assays. We further investigated the effect of NSL-BA-040 on F-actin organization in TagRFP F-actin marker-transfected metastatic PC 3 cells. The PCAIs suppress mCRPC cell viability with EC50 values ranging from 1.3 to 4.0 µM for the most potent of the PCAIs against PC 3, DU 145, MDA PCa 2b, LNCaP and 22Rv cells. PCAIs induced apoptotic cell death in PC 3 and DU 145 cells as determined by annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry analysis through the activation of caspases 3 and 8 while also inhibiting migration and invasion through the disruption of F-actin organization. Taken together, our studies show the anti-cancer effects on mCRPC cells through induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis and F-actin-mediated inhibition of cell motility and invasion thereby indicating the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic potential of the PCAIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary A Poku
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Olufisayo O Salako
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Felix Amissah
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Augustine T Nkembo
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ntantie
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Nazarius S Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M UniversityTallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
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Nkembo AT, Salako O, Poku RA, Amissah F, Ntantie E, Flores-Rozas H, Lamango NS. Disruption of actin filaments and suppression of pancreatic cancer cell viability and migration following treatment with polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amides. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:2532-2546. [PMID: 27904769 PMCID: PMC5126271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by K-Ras mutations in over 90% of the cases. The mutations make the tumors aggressive and resistant to current therapies resulting in very poor prognoses. Valiant efforts to drug mutant K-Ras and related proteins for the treatment of cancers with Ras mutations have been elusive. The need thus persists for therapies to target and suppress the hyperactive K-Ras mutant proteins to normal levels of activity. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) were designed to disrupt polyisoprenylated protein metabolism and/or functions. The potential for PCAIs to serve as targeted anticancer agents for pancreatic cancer was evaluated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines expressing mutant (MIAPaCa-2 and Panc-1) and wild type (BxPC-3) K-Ras proteins. The PCAIs inhibited MIAPaCa-2 and BxPC-3 cell viability and induced apoptosis with EC50 values as low as 1.9 µM. The PCAIs, at 0.5 µM, inhibited MIAPaCa-2 cell migration by 50%, inhibited colony formation and disrupted F-actin filament organization. The PCAIs blocked MIAPaCa-2 cell progression at the G0/G1 phase. These results reveal that the PCAIs disrupt pertinent biological processes that lead to pancreatic cancer progression and thus have the potential to act as targeted effective treatments for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine T Nkembo
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
| | - Olufisayo Salako
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
| | - Rosemary A Poku
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
| | - Felix Amissah
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ntantie
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
| | - Hernan Flores-Rozas
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
| | - Nazarius S Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee Florida 32307, USA
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Rasmussen HB, Bjerre D, Linnet K, Jürgens G, Dalhoff K, Stefansson H, Hankemeier T, Kaddurah-Daouk R, Taboureau O, Brunak S, Houmann T, Jeppesen P, Pagsberg AK, Plessen K, Dyrborg J, Hansen PR, Hansen PE, Hughes T, Werge T. Individualization of treatments with drugs metabolized by CES1: combining genetics and metabolomics. Pharmacogenomics 2015; 16:649-65. [PMID: 25896426 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.15.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
CES1 is involved in the hydrolysis of ester group-containing xenobiotic and endobiotic compounds including several essential and commonly used drugs. The individual variation in the efficacy and tolerability of many drugs metabolized by CES1 is considerable. Hence, there is a large interest in individualizing the treatment with these drugs. The present review addresses the issue of individualized treatment with drugs metabolized by CES1. It describes the composition of the gene encoding CES1, reports variants of this gene with focus upon those with a potential effect on drug metabolism and provides an overview of the protein structure of this enzyme bringing notice to mechanisms involved in the regulation of enzyme activity. Subsequently, the review highlights drugs metabolized by CES1 and argues that individual differences in the pharmacokinetics of these drugs play an important role in determining drug response and tolerability suggesting prospects for individualized drug therapies. Our review also discusses endogenous substrates of CES1 and assesses the potential of using metabolomic profiling of blood to identify proxies for the hepatic activity of CES1 that predict the rate of drug metabolism. Finally, the combination of genetics and metabolomics to obtain an accurate prediction of the individual response to CES1-dependent drugs is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Berg Rasmussen
- Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Sct. Hans, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2 Boserupvej, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Poku RA, Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Kiros GE, Lamango NS. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase as a putative drug target for androgen-insensitive prostate cancer. Ecancermedicalscience 2014; 8:459. [PMID: 25228915 PMCID: PMC4154947 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2014.459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in US men, with an estimated 236,590 new cases and 29,720 deaths in 2013. There exists the need to identify biomarkers/therapeutic targets for the early/companion diagnosis and development of novel therapies against the recalcitrant disease. Mutation and overexpression-induced abnormal activities of polyisoprenylated proteins have been implicated in CaP. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) catalyses the only reversible and terminal reaction of the polyisoprenylation pathway and may promote the effects of G proteins on cell viability. In this review, the potential role of PMPMEase to serve as a new drug target for androgen-insensitive CaP was determined. Specific PMPMEase activities were found to be 3.5- and 4.5-fold higher in androgen-sensitive 22Rv1 and androgen-dependent LNCaP and 1.5- and 9.8-fold higher in castration-resistant DU 145 and PC-3 CaP cells compared to normal WPE1-NA22 prostate cells. The PMPMEase inhibitor, L-28, induced apoptosis with EC50 values ranging from 1.8 to 4.6 μM. The PMPMEase activity in the cells following treatment with L-28 followed a similar profile, with IC50 ranging from 2.3 to 130 μM. L-28 disrupted F-actin filament organisation at 5 μM and inhibited cell migration 4-fold at 2 μM. Analysis of a CaP tissue microarray for PMPMEase expression revealed intermediate, strong, and very strong staining in 94.5% of the 92 adenocarcinoma cases compared to trace and weak staining in the normal and normal-adjacent tissue controls. The data are an indication that effective targeting of PMPMEase through the development of more potent agents may lead to the successful treatment of metastatic CaP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary A Poku
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Felix Amissah
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Randolph Duverna
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Byron J Aguilar
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Gebre-Egziabher Kiros
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Nazarius S Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
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Aguilar BJ, Nkembo AT, Duverna R, Poku RA, Amissah F, Ablordeppey SY, Lamango NS. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase: a putative biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 81:323-33. [PMID: 24852279 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the most deadly neoplasm with a 5-year survival rate of less than 6%. Over 90% of cases harbor K-Ras mutations, which are the most challenging to treat due to lack of effective therapies. Here, we reveal that polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) is overexpressed in 93% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We further present polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) as novel compounds designed with structural elements for optimal in vivo activities and selective disruption of polyisoprenylation-mediated protein functions. The PCAIs inhibited PMPMEase with Ki values ranging from 3.7 to 20 μM. The 48 h EC50 values for pancreatic cancer Mia PaCa-2 and BxPC-3 cell lines were as low as 1.9 μM while salirasib and farnesylthiosalicylamide were ineffective at 20 μM. The PCAIs thus have the potential to serve as effective therapies for pancreatic and other cancers with hyperactive growth signaling pathways mediated by Ras and related G-proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron J Aguilar
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Augustine T Nkembo
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Randolph Duverna
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Rosemary A Poku
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Felix Amissah
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Seth Y Ablordeppey
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Nazarius S Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA.
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14
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Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Poku RA, Kiros GE, Lamango NS. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase overexpression and hyperactivity promotes lung cancer progression. Am J Cancer Res 2014; 4:116-134. [PMID: 24660102 PMCID: PMC3960450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The involvement of hyperactive polyisoprenylated proteins in cancers has stimulated the search for drugs to target and suppress their excessive activities. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) inhibition has been shown to modulate polyisoprenylated protein function. For PMPMEase inhibition to be effective against cancers, polyisoprenylated proteins, the signaling pathways they mediate and/or PMPMEase must be overexpressed, hyperactive and be involved in at least some cases of cancer. PMPMEase activity in lung cancer cells and its expression in lung cancer cells and cancer tissues were investigated. PMPMEase was found to be overexpressed and significantly more active in lung cancer A549 and H460 cells than in normal lung fibroblasts. In a tissue microarray study, PMPMEase immunoreactivity was found to be significantly higher in lung cancer tissues compared to the normal controls (p < 0.0001). The mean scores ± SEM were 118.8 ± 7.7 (normal), 232.1 ± 25.1 (small-cell lung carcinomas), 352.1 ± 9.4 (squamous cell carcinomas), 311.7 ± 9.8 (adenocarcinomas), 350.0 ± 24.2 (papillary adenocarcinomas), 334.7 ± 30.1 (adenosquamous carcinomas), 321.9 ± 39.7 (bronchioloalveolar carcinomas), and 331.3 ± 85.0 (large-cell carcinomas). Treatment of lung cancer cells with L-28, a specific PMPMEase inhibitor, resulted in concentration-dependent cell death (EC50 of 8.5 μM for A549 and 2.8 μM for H460 cells). PMPMEase inhibition disrupted actin filament assembly, significantly inhibited cell migration and altered the transcription of cancer-related genes. These results indicate that elevated PMPMEase activity spur cell growth and migration, implying the possible use of PMPMEase as a protein biomarker and drug target for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Amissah
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Randolph Duverna
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Byron J Aguilar
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Rosemary A Poku
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Gebre-Egziabher Kiros
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
| | - Nazarius S Lamango
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307, USA
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