1
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Miao J, Chen S, Cao H, Ding Z, Li Y, Wang W, Nundlall K, Deng Y, Li J. Bruceantinol targeting STAT3 exerts promising antitumor effects in in vitro and in vivo osteosarcoma models. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1133-1145. [PMID: 38426797 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23714] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Bruceantinol (BOL) is a quassinoid compound found in the fruits of Brucea javanica. Previous research has highlighted the manifold physiological and pharmacological activities of BOL. Notably, BOL has demonstrated antitumor cytotoxic and antibacterial effects, lending support to its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for various diseases. Despite being recognized as a potent antitumor inhibitor in multiple cancer types, its efficacy against osteosarcoma (OS) has not been elucidated. In this work, we investigated the antitumor properties of BOL against OS. Our findings showed that BOL significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of OS cells, induced apoptosis, and caused cell death without affecting the cell cycle. We further confirmed that BOL potently suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanismly, we discovered that BOL directly bound to STAT3, and prevent the activation of STAT3 signaling at low nanomolar concentrations. Overall, our study demonstrated that BOL potently inhibited the growth and metastasis of OS, and efficiently suppressed STAT3 signaling pathway. These results suggest that BOL could be a promising therapeutic candidate for OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglei Miao
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Shijie Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Hongqing Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyu Ding
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Yuezhan Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Weiguo Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Keshav Nundlall
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Youwen Deng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
| | - Jinsong Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. China
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2
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Kowalik MA, Taguchi K, Serra M, Caddeo A, Puliga E, Bacci M, Koshiba S, Inoue J, Hishinuma E, Morandi A, Giordano S, Perra A, Yamamoto M, Columbano A. Metabolic reprogramming in Nrf2-driven proliferation of normal rat hepatocytes. Hepatology 2024; 79:829-843. [PMID: 37603610 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cancer cells reprogram their metabolic pathways to support bioenergetic and biosynthetic needs and to maintain their redox balance. In several human tumors, the Keap1-Nrf2 system controls proliferation and metabolic reprogramming by regulating the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). However, whether this metabolic reprogramming also occurs in normal proliferating cells is unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS To define the metabolic phenotype in normal proliferating hepatocytes, we induced cell proliferation in the liver by 3 distinct stimuli: liver regeneration by partial hepatectomy and hepatic hyperplasia induced by 2 direct mitogens: lead nitrate (LN) or triiodothyronine. Following LN treatment, well-established features of cancer metabolic reprogramming, including enhanced glycolysis, oxidative PPP, nucleic acid synthesis, NAD + /NADH synthesis, and altered amino acid content, as well as downregulated oxidative phosphorylation, occurred in normal proliferating hepatocytes displaying Nrf2 activation. Genetic deletion of Nrf2 blunted LN-induced PPP activation and suppressed hepatocyte proliferation. Moreover, Nrf2 activation and following metabolic reprogramming did not occur when hepatocyte proliferation was induced by partial hepatectomy or triiodothyronine. CONCLUSIONS Many metabolic changes in cancer cells are shared by proliferating normal hepatocytes in response to a hostile environment. Nrf2 activation is essential for bridging metabolic changes with crucial components of cancer metabolic reprogramming, including the activation of oxidative PPP. Our study demonstrates that matured hepatocytes exposed to LN undergo cancer-like metabolic reprogramming and offers a rapid and useful in vivo model to study the molecular alterations underpinning the differences/similarities of metabolic changes in normal and neoplastic hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Keiko Taguchi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Marina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Andrea Caddeo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Puliga
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Oncology Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Marina Bacci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Seizo Koshiba
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Jin Inoue
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eiji Hishinuma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Andrea Morandi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Oncology Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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3
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Adekiya TA, Moore M, Thomas M, Lake G, Hudson T, Adesina SK. Preparation, Optimization, and In-Vitro Evaluation of Brusatol- and Docetaxel-Loaded Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:114. [PMID: 38258124 PMCID: PMC10819281 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Challenges to docetaxel use in prostate cancer treatment include several resistance mechanisms as well as toxicity. To overcome these challenges and to improve the therapeutic efficacy in heterogeneous prostate cancer, the use of multiple agents that can destroy different subpopulations of the tumor is required. Brusatol, a multitarget inhibitor, has been shown to exhibit potent anticancer activity and play an important role in drug response and chemoresistance. Thus, the combination of brusatol and docetaxel in a nanoparticle platform for the treatment of prostate cancer is expected to produce synergistic effects. In this study, we reported the development of polymeric nanoparticles for the delivery of brusatol and docetaxel in the treatment of prostate cancer. The one-factor-at-a-time method was used to screen for formulation and process variables that impacted particle size. Subsequently, factors that had modifiable effects on particle size were evaluated using a 24 full factorial statistical experimental design followed by the optimization of drug loading. The optimization of blank nanoparticles gave a formulation with a mean size of 169.1 nm ± 4.8 nm, in agreement with the predicted size of 168.333 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed smooth spherical nanoparticles. The drug release profile showed that the encapsulated drugs were released over 24 h. Combination index data showed a synergistic interaction between the drugs. Cell cycle analysis and the evaluation of caspase activity showed differences in PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell responses to the agents. Additionally, immunoblots showed differences in survivin expression in LNCaP cells after treatment with the different agents and formulations for 24 h and 72 h. Therefore, the nanoparticles are potentially suitable for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayo Alex Adekiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Madison Moore
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Michael Thomas
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Gabriel Lake
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Tamaro Hudson
- Cancer Center, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - Simeon K. Adesina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
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4
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Ko M, Jung HY, Lee D, Jeon J, Kim J, Baek S, Lee JY, Kim JY, Kwon HJ. Inhibition of chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) ameliorates liver fibrosis phenotype by activating the Ca 2+-dependent Nrf2 pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115776. [PMID: 37924785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent damage to liver cells leads to liver fibrosis, which is characterized by the accumulation of scar tissue in the liver, ultimately leading to cirrhosis and serious complications. Because it is difficult to reverse cirrhosis once it has progressed, the primary focus has been on preventing the progression of liver fibrosis. However, studies on therapeutic agents for liver fibrosis are still lacking. Here, we investigated that the natural dipeptide cyclic histidine-proline (CHP, also known as diketopiperazine) shows promising potential as a therapeutic agent in models of liver injury by inhibiting the progression of fibrosis through activation of the Nrf2 pathway. To elucidate the underlying biological mechanism of CHP, we used the Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA)-LC-MS/MS, a label-free compound-based target identification platform. Chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) was identified as a target whose thermal stability is increased by CHP treatment. We analyzed the direct interaction of CHP with CLIC1 which revealed a potential interaction between CHP and the E228 residue of CLIC1. Biological validation experiments showed that knockdown of CLIC1 mimicked the antioxidant effect of CHP. Further investigation using a mouse model of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in wild-type and CLIC1 KO mice revealed the critical involvement of CLIC1 in mediating the effects of CHP. Taken together, our results provide evidence that CHP exerts its anti-fibrotic effects through specific binding to CLIC1. These insights into the mechanism of action of CHP may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for fibrosis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Ko
- Chemical Genomics Leader Research Lab, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoe-Yune Jung
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang 37668, Republic of Korea; School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohyun Lee
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang 37668, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongsu Jeon
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang 37668, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiho Kim
- Chemical Genomics Leader Research Lab, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyeong Baek
- R&D Center, NovMetaPharma Co., Ltd., Pohang 37668, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Yeon Lee
- Research Center of Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 28119, Republic of Korea; Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Research Center of Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 28119, Republic of Korea; Critical Diseases Diagnostics Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Jeong Kwon
- Chemical Genomics Leader Research Lab, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Mader MM, Rudolph J, Hartung IV, Uehling D, Workman P, Zuercher W. Which Small Molecule? Selecting Chemical Probes for Use in Cancer Research and Target Validation. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:2150-2165. [PMID: 37712569 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule chemical "probes" complement the use of molecular biology techniques to explore, validate, and generate hypotheses on the function of proteins in diseases such as cancer. Unfortunately, the poor selection and use of small-molecule reagents can lead to incorrect conclusions. Here, we illustrate examples of poor chemical tools and suggest best practices for the selection, validation, and use of high-quality chemical probes in cancer research. We also note the complexity associated with tools for novel drug modalities, exemplified by protein degraders, and provide advice and resources to facilitate the independent identification of appropriate small-molecule probes by researchers. SIGNIFICANCE Validation of biological targets and pathways will be aided by a shared understanding of the criteria of potency, selectivity, and target engagement associated with small-molecule reagents ("chemical probes") that enable that work. Interdisciplinary collaboration between cancer biologists, medicinal chemists, and chemical biologists and the awareness of available resources will reduce misleading data generation and interpretation, strengthen data robustness, and improve productivity in academic and industrial research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Mader
- Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joachim Rudolph
- Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | - Ingo V Hartung
- Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - David Uehling
- Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul Workman
- Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, The Institute of Cancer Research (London), Sutton, United Kingdom
- Chemical Probes Portal (www.chemicalprobes.org)
| | - William Zuercher
- Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
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6
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Li Y, Tuerxun H, Liu X, Zhao Y, Wen S, Li Y, Cao J, Zhao Y. Nrf2--a hidden bridge linking cancer stem cells to ferroptosis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 190:104105. [PMID: 37598896 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small population of stem cells existing in cancer cells, are considered as the "culprits" of tumor recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Ferroptosis is a promising new lead in anti-cancer therapy. Because of unique metabolic characteristics, CSCs' growth is more dependent on the iron and lipid than ordinary cancer cells. When the metabolism of iron/lipid is disordered, that is, imbalanced redox homeostasis, CSCs are more susceptible to ferroptosis. The expression of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a molecule playing a major regulatory role in redox homeostasis, determines whether the cells are under oxidative stress and ferroptosis occurs. Nrf2 expression level is higher in CSCs, indicating stronger dependence on Nrf2. Here we expound the unique biological and metabolic characteristics of CSCs, explore the mechanism of inducing ferroptosis by targeting Nrf2, thus providing promising new targets for eliminating aggressive tumors and achieving the goal of curing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Li
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Halahati Tuerxun
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Xingyu Liu
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Yixin Zhao
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Shuhui Wen
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Yaping Li
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Jingjing Cao
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- Cancer Center, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China.
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7
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Suwattanasophon C, Mistlberger-Reiner A, Alberdi-Cedeño J, Pignitter M, Somoza V, König J, Lamtha T, Wanaragthai P, Kiriwan D, Choowongkomon K. Identification of the Brucea javanica Constituent Brusatol as a EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in a Cell-Free Assay. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:28543-28552. [PMID: 37576644 PMCID: PMC10413460 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase (TK) activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are routinely used in cancer therapy. However, there is a need to discover a new TK inhibitor. This study evaluated extracts from Brucea javanica and its components for their potential as novel EGFR-TK inhibitors. The cytotoxic effect of a g aqueous extract and its fractions was assessed by MTT assays with A549 lung cancer cells. The two fractions with the highest cytotoxicity were analyzed by LC/MS and 1H NMR. Brusatol was identified as the main constituent of these fractions, and its cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic activities were confirmed in A549 cells. To elucidate the inhibitory activity of brusatol against EGFR-TK, a specific ADP-GloTM kinase assay was used. In this assay, the IC50 value for EGFR-TK inhibition was 333.1 nM. Molecular dynamic simulations and docking experiments were performed to identify the binding pocket of brusatol to be located in the intracellular TK-domain of EGFR. This study demonstrates that brusatol inhibits EGFR-TK and therefore harbors a potential as a new therapeutic drug for the therapy of EGFR-depending cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonticha Suwattanasophon
- Department
of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart
University, 10900 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Agnes Mistlberger-Reiner
- Department
of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jon Alberdi-Cedeño
- Department
of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Food
Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lascaray Research Center, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Paseo de la Universidad no 7, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Marc Pignitter
- Department
of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Somoza
- Department
of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Leibniz-Institute
for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
- Nutritional
Systems Biology, Technical University of
Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Jürgen König
- Department
of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomanai Lamtha
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart
University, 10900 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panatda Wanaragthai
- Interdisciplinary
Program of Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, 10900 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Duangnapa Kiriwan
- Interdisciplinary
Program of Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, 10900 Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kiattawee Choowongkomon
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart
University, 10900 Bangkok, Thailand
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8
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Ma TP, Izrael-Tomasevic A, Mroue R, Budayeva H, Malhotra S, Raisner R, Evangelista M, Rose CM, Kirkpatrick DS, Yu K. AzidoTMT Enables Direct Enrichment and Highly Multiplexed Quantitation of Proteome-Wide Functional Residues. J Proteome Res 2023. [PMID: 37285454 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in targeted covalent inhibitors have aroused significant interest for their potential in drug development for difficult therapeutic targets. Proteome-wide profiling of functional residues is an integral step of covalent drug discovery aimed at defining actionable sites and evaluating compound selectivity in cells. A classical workflow for this purpose is called IsoTOP-ABPP, which employs an activity-based probe and two isotopically labeled azide-TEV-biotin tags to mark, enrich, and quantify proteome from two samples. Here we report a novel isobaric 11plex-AzidoTMT reagent and a new workflow, named AT-MAPP, that significantly expands multiplexing power as compared to the original isoTOP-ABPP. We demonstrate its application in identifying cysteine on- and off-targets using a KRAS G12C covalent inhibitor ARS-1620. However, changes in some of these hits can be explained by modulation at the protein and post-translational levels. Thus, it would be crucial to interrogate site-level bona fide changes in concurrence to proteome-level changes for corroboration. In addition, we perform a multiplexed covalent fragment screening using four acrylamide-based compounds as a proof-of-concept. This study identifies a diverse set of liganded cysteine residues in a compound-dependent manner with an average hit rate of 0.07% in intact cell. Lastly, we screened 20 sulfonyl fluoride-based compounds to demonstrate that the AT-MAPP assay is flexible for noncysteine functional residues such as tyrosine and lysine. Overall, we envision that 11plex-AzidoTMT will be a useful addition to the current toolbox for activity-based protein profiling and covalent drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylur P Ma
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | | | - Rana Mroue
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Hanna Budayeva
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | | | - Ryan Raisner
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Marie Evangelista
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christopher M Rose
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Donald S Kirkpatrick
- Interline Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Kebing Yu
- Fuhong Biopharma, Inc., Shanghai 201206, China
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9
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Modi R, McKee N, Zhang N, Alwali A, Nelson S, Lohar A, Ostafe R, Zhang DD, Parkinson EI. Stapled Peptides as Direct Inhibitors of Nrf2-sMAF Transcription Factors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6184-6192. [PMID: 37097833 PMCID: PMC10184664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid-related 2-factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor traditionally thought of as a cellular protector. However, in many cancers, Nrf2 is constitutively activated and correlated with therapeutic resistance. Nrf2 heterodimerizes with small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma Maf (sMAF) transcription factors, allowing binding to the antioxidant responsive element (ARE) and induction of transcription of Nrf2 target genes. While transcription factors are historically challenging to target, stapled peptides have shown great promise for inhibiting these protein-protein interactions. Herein, we describe the first direct cell-permeable inhibitor of Nrf2/sMAF heterodimerization. N1S is a stapled peptide designed based on AlphaFold predictions of the interactions between Nrf2 and sMAF MafG. A cell-based reporter assay combined with in vitro biophysical assays demonstrates that N1S directly inhibits Nrf2/MafG heterodimerization. N1S treatment decreases the transcription of Nrf2-dependent genes and sensitizes Nrf2-dependent cancer cells to cisplatin. Overall, N1S is a promising lead for the sensitization of Nrf2-addicted cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Modi
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Nick McKee
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Amir Alwali
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Samantha Nelson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Aditi Lohar
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Raluca Ostafe
- Molecular
Evolution Protein Engineering and Production, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Donna D. Zhang
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Elizabeth I. Parkinson
- Department
of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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10
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Adinolfi S, Patinen T, Jawahar Deen A, Pitkänen S, Härkönen J, Kansanen E, Küblbeck J, Levonen AL. The KEAP1-NRF2 pathway: Targets for therapy and role in cancer. Redox Biol 2023; 63:102726. [PMID: 37146513 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The KEAP1-NRF2 pathway is the key regulator of cellular defense against both extrinsic and intrinsic oxidative and electrophilic stimuli. Since its discovery in the 1990s, its seminal role in various disease pathologies has become well appreciated, motivating research to elucidate the intricacies of NRF2 signaling and its downstream effects to identify novel targets for therapy. In this graphical review, we present an updated overview of the KEAP1-NRF2 signaling, focusing on the progress made within the past ten years. Specifically, we highlight the advances made in understanding the mechanism of activation of NRF2, resulting in novel discoveries in its therapeutic targeting. Furthermore, we will summarize new findings in the rapidly expanding field of NRF2 in cancer, with important implications for its diagnostics and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Adinolfi
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tommi Patinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ashik Jawahar Deen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sini Pitkänen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jouni Härkönen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Pathology, Hospital Nova of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, 40620, Finland
| | - Emilia Kansanen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland; Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jenni Küblbeck
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna-Liisa Levonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70210, Kuopio, Finland.
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11
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Rosenberg SC, Shanahan F, Yamazoe S, Kschonsak M, Zeng YJ, Lee J, Plise E, Yen I, Rose CM, Quinn JG, Gazzard LJ, Walters BT, Kirkpatrick DS, Staben ST, Foster SA, Malek S. Ternary complex dissociation kinetics contribute to mutant-selective EGFR degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:S2451-9456(23)00030-2. [PMID: 36773603 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Targeted degradation of proteins by chimeric heterobifunctional degraders has emerged as a major drug discovery paradigm. Despite the increased interest in this approach, the criteria dictating target protein degradation by a degrader remain poorly understood, and potent target engagement by a degrader does not strongly correlate with target degradation. In this study, we present the biochemical characterization of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) degrader that potently binds both wild-type and mutant EGFR, but only degrades EGFR mutant variants. Mechanistic studies reveal that ternary complex half-life strongly correlates with processive ubiquitination with purified components and mutant-selective degradation in cells. We present cryoelectron microscopy and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectroscopy data on wild-type and mutant EGFR ternary complexes, which demonstrate that potent target degradation can be achieved in the absence of stable compound-induced protein-protein interactions. These results highlight the importance of considering target conformation during degrader development as well as leveraging heterobifunctional ligand binding kinetics to achieve robust target degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Rosenberg
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Frances Shanahan
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sayumi Yamazoe
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Marc Kschonsak
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yi J Zeng
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - James Lee
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Emile Plise
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ivana Yen
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Christopher M Rose
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - John G Quinn
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Lewis J Gazzard
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Benjamin T Walters
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Donald S Kirkpatrick
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Steven T Staben
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Scott A Foster
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Shiva Malek
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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12
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Brusatol: A potential sensitizing agent for cancer therapy from Brucea javanica. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114134. [PMID: 36525821 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is currently the most important problem endangering human health. As antitumor drugs have always been the most common methods for treating cancers, searching for new antitumor agents is of great significance. Brusatol, a quassinoid from the seeds of Brucea javanica, exhibits a potent tumor-suppressing effect with improved disease outcome. Studies have shown that brusatol not only shows potential tumor inhibition through multiple pharmacological effects, such as promoting apoptosis and inhibiting metastasis but also exhibits significant synergistic antitumor effects in combination with chemotherapeutic agents and overcoming chemical resistance in a wide range of cancer types. In this paper, the antitumor effects and mechanisms of brusatol were reviewed to provide evidence that brusatol has the exact antitumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents and show the potential of brusatol to be developed as a promising antitumor drug.
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13
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Hou Z, Lockwood L, Zhang D, Occhiuto CJ, Mo L, Aldrich KE, Stoub HE, Gallo KA, Liby KT, Odom AL. Exploring structural effects in a new class of NRF2 inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:74-84. [PMID: 36760735 PMCID: PMC9891093 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00211f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NRF2 is a transcription factor that controls the cellular response to various stressors, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. As such, it plays a key role in the suppression of carcinogenesis, but constitutive NRF2 expression in cancer cells leads to resistance to chemotherapeutics and promotes metastasis. As a result, inhibition of the NRF2 pathway is a target for new drugs, especially for use in conjunction with established chemotherapeutic agents like carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil. A new class of NRF2 inhibitors has been discovered with substituted nicotinonitriles, such as MSU38225. In this work, the effects on NRF2 inhibition with structural changes were explored. Through these studies, we identified a few compounds with as good or better activity than the initial hit but with greatly improved solubility. The syntheses involved a variety of metal-catalyzed reactions, including titanium multicomponent coupling reactions and various Pd and Cu coupling reactions. In addition to inhibiting NRF2 activity, these new compounds inhibited the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells in which the NRF2 pathway is constitutively activated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S. Shaw Ln. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Lizbeth Lockwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University 1355 Bogue St. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University 1355 Bogue St. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Christopher J Occhiuto
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University 1355 Bogue St. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Linqing Mo
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S. Shaw Ln. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Kelly E Aldrich
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S. Shaw Ln. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Hayden E Stoub
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University 567 Wilson Rd. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Kathleen A Gallo
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University 567 Wilson Rd. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Karen T Liby
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University 1355 Bogue St. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
| | - Aaron L Odom
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University 578 S. Shaw Ln. East Lansing Michigan 48824 USA
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14
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Hu M, Sun D, Yu J, Fu Y, Qin Z, Huang B, Zhang Q, Chen X, Wei Y, Zhu H, Wang Y, Feng Y, Zheng W, Liao H, Li J, Wu S, Zhang Z. Brusatol sensitizes endometrial hyperplasia and cancer to progestin by suppressing NRF2-TET1-AKR1C1-mediated progestin metabolism. J Transl Med 2022; 102:1335-1345. [PMID: 36038734 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-022-00816-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Progestin resistance is the main obstacle for the conservative therapy to maintain fertility in women with endometrial cancer. Brusatol was identified as an inhibitor of the NRF2 pathway; however, its impact on progestin resistance and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found that brusatol sensitized endometrial cancer to progestin by suppressing NRF2-TET1-AKR1C1-mediated progestin metabolism. Brusatol transcriptionally suppressed AKR1C1 via modifying the hydroxymethylation status in its promoter region through TET1 inhibition. Suppression of AKR1C1 by brusatol resulted in decreased progesterone catabolism and maintained potent progesterone to inhibit endometrial cancer growth. This inhibition pattern has also been found in the established xenograft mouse and organoid models. Aberrant overexpression of AKR1C1 was found in paired endometrial hyperplasia and cancer samples from the same individuals with progestin resistance, whereas attenuated or loss of AKR1C1 was observed in post-treatment samples with well progestin response as compared with paired pre-treatment tissues. Our findings suggest that AKR1C1 expression pattern may serve as an important biomarker of progestin resistance in endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyan Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital Wusong Branch, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201900, China
| | - Di Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation Program, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yue Fu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zuoshu Qin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Baozhu Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Qiuju Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital Wusong Branch, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201900, China
| | - Xiong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital Wusong Branch, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201900, China
| | - Youheng Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huiting Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Henan Province People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Youji Feng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Wenxin Zheng
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Hong Liao
- Department of Lab Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jingjie Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| | - Sufang Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| | - Zhenbo Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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15
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Kryszczuk M, Kowalczuk O. Significance of NRF2 in physiological and pathological conditions an comprehensive review. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 730:109417. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Srivastava R, Fernández-Ginés R, Encinar JA, Cuadrado A, Wells G. The current status and future prospects for therapeutic targeting of KEAP1-NRF2 and β-TrCP-NRF2 interactions in cancer chemoresistance. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 192:246-260. [PMID: 36181972 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is one of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment and limits the potential to cure patients. In many tumors, sustained activation of the protein NRF2 makes tumor cells resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy. Thus, blocking inappropriate NRF2 activity in cancers has been shown to reduce resistance in models of the disease. There is a growing scientific interest in NRF2 inhibitors. However, the compounds developed so far are not target-specific and are associated with a high degree of toxicity, hampering clinical applications. Compounds that can enhance the binding of NRF2 to its ubiquitination-facilitating regulator proteins, either KEAP1 or β-TrCP, have the potential to increase NRF2 degradation and may be of value as potential chemosensitising agents in cancer treatment. Approaches based on molecular glue-type mechanisms, in which ligands stabilise a ternary complex between a protein and its binding partner have shown to enhance β-catenin degradation by stabilising its interaction with β-TrCP. This strategy could be applied to rationally discover degradative β-TrCP-NRF2 and KEAP1-NRF2 protein-protein interaction enhancers. We are proposing a novel approach to selectively suppress NRF2 activity in tumors. It is based on recent methodology and has the potential to be a promising new addition to the arsenal of anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Srivastava
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Raquel Fernández-Ginés
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Department of Biochemistry and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols UAM-CSIC, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Antonio Encinar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), Miguel Hernández University (UMH), Avda. Universidad s/n, Elche, 03202, Spain
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Department of Biochemistry and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols UAM-CSIC, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Geoff Wells
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK.
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17
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Ballout F, Lu H, Chen Z, Hu T, Chen L, Washington MK, El-Rifai W, Peng D. Targeting NRF2 Sensitizes Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells to Cisplatin through Induction of Ferroptosis and Apoptosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1859. [PMID: 36290582 PMCID: PMC9598457 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), the predominant type of esophageal cancer in the United States, develops through Barrett's esophagus (BE)-dysplasia-carcinoma cascade. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, where acidic bile salts refluxate into the esophagus, is the main risk factor for the development of BE and its progression to EAC. The NFE2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is the master cellular antioxidant regulator. We detected high NRF2 protein levels in the EAC cell lines and primary tissues. Knockdown of NRF2 significantly enhanced acidic bile salt-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inhibited EAC cell growth. Brusatol, an NRF2 inhibitor, significantly inhibited NRF2 transcriptional activity and downregulated the NRF2 target genes. We discovered that in addition to inducing apoptosis, Brusatol alone or in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) induced significant lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis, as evidenced by reduced xCT and GPX4 expression, two known ferroptosis markers. The combination of Brusatol and CDDP significantly inhibited EAC tumor xenograft growth in vivo and confirmed the in vitro data showing ferroptosis as an important mechanism in the tumors treated with Brusatol or Brusatol and CDDP combination. Our data support the role of NRF2 in protecting against stress-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in EACs. Targeting NRF2 in combination with platinum therapy can be an effective strategy for eliminating cancer cells in EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Ballout
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Tianling Hu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Mary Kay Washington
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Dunfa Peng
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami Healthcare System, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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18
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Jorge J, Magalhães N, Alves R, Lapa B, Gonçalves AC, Sarmento-Ribeiro AB. Antitumor Effect of Brusatol in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Models Is Triggered by Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092207. [PMID: 36140308 PMCID: PMC9496058 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the most common hematological malignancies at pediatric ages and is characterized by different chromosomal rearrangements and genetic abnormalities involved in the differentiation and proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells. Brusatol is a quassinoid plant extract extensively studied due to its antineoplastic effect through global protein synthesis and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF2) signaling inhibition. NRF2 is the main regulator of cellular antioxidant response and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in oxidative stress regulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of brusatol in in vitro models of ALL. KOPN-8 (B-ALL), CEM (T-ALL), and MOLT-4 (T-ALL) cell lines were incubated with increasing concentrations of brusatol, and the metabolic activity was evaluated using the resazurin assay. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate cell death, cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψmit), and to measure ROS and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Our results show that brusatol promoted a decrease in metabolic activity in ALL cell lines in a time-, dose-, and cell-line-dependent manner. Brusatol induced a cytostatic effect by cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 in all cell lines; however, cell death mediated by apoptosis was only observed in T-ALL cells. Brusatol leads to an oxidative stress imbalance by the increase in ROS levels, namely, superoxide anion. Redox imbalance and cellular apoptosis induced by brusatol are highly modulated by mitochondria disruption as a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential is detected. These data suggest that brusatol might represent a new therapeutic approach for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, particularly for ALL T-cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Jorge
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinic of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)—Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-061 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Nisa Magalhães
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinic of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Raquel Alves
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinic of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)—Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-061 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Lapa
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinic of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)—Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinic of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)—Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-061 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: (A.C.G.); (A.B.S.-R.); Tel.: +351-239-480-024 (A.C.G.)
| | - Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology (LOH) and University Clinic of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)—Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine University of Coimbra (FMUC), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-061 Coimbra, Portugal
- Hematology Service, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), 3000-061 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: (A.C.G.); (A.B.S.-R.); Tel.: +351-239-480-024 (A.C.G.)
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19
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Hormesis and Oxidative Distress: Pathophysiology of Reactive Oxygen Species and the Open Question of Antioxidant Modulation and Supplementation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081613. [PMID: 36009331 PMCID: PMC9405171 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations of redox homeostasis leads to a condition of resilience known as hormesis that is due to the activation of redox-sensitive pathways stimulating cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, and angiogenesis. Instead, supraphysiological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds antioxidant defence and leads to oxidative distress. This condition induces damage to biomolecules and is responsible or co-responsible for the onset of several chronic pathologies. Thus, a dietary antioxidant supplementation has been proposed in order to prevent aging, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases as well as carcinogenesis. However, this approach has failed to demonstrate efficacy, often leading to harmful side effects, in particular in patients affected by cancer. In this latter case, an approach based on endogenous antioxidant depletion, leading to ROS overproduction, has shown an interesting potential for enhancing susceptibility of patients to anticancer therapies. Therefore, a deep investigation of molecular pathways involved in redox balance is crucial in order to identify new molecular targets useful for the development of more effective therapeutic approaches. The review herein provides an overview of the pathophysiological role of ROS and focuses the attention on positive and negative aspects of antioxidant modulation with the intent to find new insights for a successful clinical application.
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20
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Mazumder K, Aktar A, Roy P, Biswas B, Hossain ME, Sarkar KK, Bachar SC, Ahmed F, Monjur-Al-Hossain ASM, Fukase K. A Review on Mechanistic Insight of Plant Derived Anticancer Bioactive Phytocompounds and Their Structure Activity Relationship. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27093036. [PMID: 35566385 PMCID: PMC9102595 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27093036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disorder that rigorously affects the human population worldwide. There is a steady demand for new remedies to both treat and prevent this life-threatening sickness due to toxicities, drug resistance and therapeutic failures in current conventional therapies. Researchers around the world are drawing their attention towards compounds of natural origin. For decades, human beings have been using the flora of the world as a source of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Currently, clinically approved anticancer compounds are vincristine, vinblastine, taxanes, and podophyllotoxin, all of which come from natural sources. With the triumph of these compounds that have been developed into staple drug products for most cancer therapies, new technologies are now appearing to search for novel biomolecules with anticancer activities. Ellipticine, camptothecin, combretastatin, curcumin, homoharringtonine and others are plant derived bioactive phytocompounds with potential anticancer properties. Researchers have improved the field further through the use of advanced analytical chemistry and computational tools of analysis. The investigation of new strategies for administration such as nanotechnology may enable the development of the phytocompounds as drug products. These technologies have enhanced the anticancer potential of plant-derived drugs with the aim of site-directed drug delivery, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced toxicity. This review discusses mechanistic insights into anticancer compounds of natural origins and their structural activity relationships that make them targets for anticancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor Mazumder
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (A.A.); (P.R.); (B.B.); (M.E.H.); (K.K.S.)
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Correspondence: or (K.M.); (K.F.)
| | - Asma Aktar
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (A.A.); (P.R.); (B.B.); (M.E.H.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Priyanka Roy
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (A.A.); (P.R.); (B.B.); (M.E.H.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Biswajit Biswas
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (A.A.); (P.R.); (B.B.); (M.E.H.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Md. Emran Hossain
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (A.A.); (P.R.); (B.B.); (M.E.H.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Kishore Kumar Sarkar
- Department of Pharmacy, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (A.A.); (P.R.); (B.B.); (M.E.H.); (K.K.S.)
| | - Sitesh Chandra Bachar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (S.C.B.); (F.A.)
| | - Firoj Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (S.C.B.); (F.A.)
| | - A. S. M. Monjur-Al-Hossain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh;
| | - Koichi Fukase
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
- Correspondence: or (K.M.); (K.F.)
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21
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Xing S, Nong F, Wang Y, Huang D, Qin J, Chen YF, He DH, Wu PE, Huang H, Zhan R, Xu H, Liu YQ. Brusatol has therapeutic efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting Skp1 to inhibit cancer growth and metastasis. Pharmacol Res 2022; 176:106059. [PMID: 34998973 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein (SCF) ubiquitin E3 ligases play important roles in cancer development and serve as a promising therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Brusatol (Bru), a known Nrf2 inhibitor, holds promise for treating a wide range of tumors; however, the direct targets of Bru and its anticancer mode of action remain unclear. In our study, 793 Bru-binding candidate proteins were identified by using a biotin-brusatol conjugate (Bio-Bru) followed by streptavidin-affinity pull down-based mass spectrometry. We found that Bru can directly bind to Skp1 and disrupt the interactions of Skp1 with the F-box protein Skp2, leading to the inhibition of the Skp2-SCF E3 ligase. Bru inhibited both proliferation and migration via promoting the accumulation of the substrates p27 and E-cadherin; Skp1 overexpression attenuated while Skp1 knockdown enhanced these effects of Bru in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Moreover, Bru binding to Skp1 also inhibited the β-TRCP-SCF E3 ligase. In both subcutaneous and orthotopic NSCLC xenografts, Bru significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of NSCLC through targeting SCF complex and upregulating p27 and E-cadherin protein levels. These data demonstrate that Bru is a Skp1-targeting agent that may have therapeutic potentials in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangping Xing
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Feifei Nong
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yaqin Wang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Da Huang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jialiang Qin
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu-Fei Chen
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dan-Hua He
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Pei-En Wu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huicai Huang
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ruoting Zhan
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Liu
- Research Center of Chinese Herbal Resources Science and Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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22
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Wang B, Wu H, Hu C, Wang H, Liu J, Wang W, Liu Q. An overview of kinase downregulators and recent advances in discovery approaches. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:423. [PMID: 34924565 PMCID: PMC8685278 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the clinical approval of imatinib, the discovery of protein kinase downregulators entered a prosperous age. However, challenges still exist in the discovery of kinase downregulator drugs, such as the high failure rate during development, side effects, and drug-resistance problems. With the progress made through multidisciplinary efforts, an increasing number of new approaches have been applied to solve the above problems during the discovery process of kinase downregulators. In terms of in vitro and in vivo drug evaluation, progress was also made in cellular and animal model platforms for better and more clinically relevant drug assessment. Here, we review the advances in drug design strategies, drug property evaluation technologies, and efficacy evaluation models and technologies. Finally, we discuss the challenges and perspectives in the development of kinase downregulator drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beilei Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Hu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Haizhen Wang
- Hefei PreceDo pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China.
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Hanssen KM, Haber M, Fletcher JI. Targeting multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1)-expressing cancers: Beyond pharmacological inhibition. Drug Resist Updat 2021; 59:100795. [PMID: 34983733 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2021.100795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapy remains one of the most significant obstacles to successful cancer treatment. While inhibiting drug efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is a seemingly attractive and logical approach to combat multidrug resistance (MDR), small molecule inhibition of ABC transporters has so far failed to confer clinical benefit, despite considerable efforts by medicinal chemists, biologists, and clinicians. The long-sought treatment to eradicate cancers displaying ABC transporter overexpression may therefore lie within alternative targeting strategies. When aberrantly expressed, the ABC transporter multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1, ABCC1) confers MDR, but can also shift cellular redox balance, leaving the cell vulnerable to select agents. Here, we explore the physiological roles of MRP1, the rational for targeting this transporter in cancer, the development of small molecule MRP1 inhibitors, and the most recent developments in alternative therapeutic approaches for targeting cancers with MRP1 overexpression. We discuss approaches that extend beyond simple MRP1 inhibition by exploiting the collateral sensitivity to glutathione depletion and ferroptosis, the rationale for targeting the shared transcriptional regulators of both MRP1 and glutathione biosynthesis, advances in gene silencing, and new molecules that modulate transporter activity to the detriment of the cancer cell. These strategies illustrate promising new approaches to address multidrug resistant disease that extend beyond the simple reversal of MDR and offer exciting routes for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley M Hanssen
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jamie I Fletcher
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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24
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Shen PC, Chou SH, Lu CC, Huang HT, Chien SH, Huang PJ, Liu ZM, Shih CL, Su SJ, Chen LM, Tien YC. Shockwave Treatment Enhanced Extracellular Matrix Production in Articular Chondrocytes Through Activation of the ROS/MAPK/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway. Cartilage 2021; 13:238S-253S. [PMID: 34238028 PMCID: PMC8804851 DOI: 10.1177/19476035211012465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Shockwave application is a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Oxidative stress and a counterbalancing antioxidant system might be the key to understanding this mechanism. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),which is an important regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, are plausible elements. DESIGN Porcine chondrocytes were cultured in a 3-dimensional pellet model and subjected to shockwaves. The effects of shockwaves with various energy-flux densities on optimal extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis were assessed. ROS, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and the redox activity of Nrf2 were measured. To investigate the signaling mechanism involved in the shockwave treatment in chondrocytes, specific inhibitors of ROS, MAPK signaling, and Nrf2 activity were targeted. RESULTS Shockwaves increased ECM synthesis without affecting cell viability or proliferation. Furthermore, they induced transient ROS production mainly through xanthine oxidase. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 were activated by shockwaves. By contrast, suppression of ROS signaling mitigated shockwave-induced MAPK phosphorylation, Nrf2 nuclear translocation, and ECM synthesis. Pretreatment of chondrocytes with the specific inhibitors of MEK1/2 and p38, respectively, mitigated the shockwave-induced nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and ECM synthesis. Nrf2 inhibition by both small hairpin RNA knockdown and brusatol reduced the shockwave-enhanced ECM synthesis. CONCLUSIONS Shockwaves activated Nrf2 activity through the induction of transient ROS signaling and subsequently enhanced ECM synthesis in chondrocytes. This study provided fundamental evidence confirming the potential of shockwaves for OA management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chih Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College
of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung
| | - Shih-Hsiang Chou
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Cheng-Chang Lu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College
of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Municipal Siaoqang Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Hsuan-Ti Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Song-Hsiung Chien
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Peng-Ju Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Zi-Miao Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Chia-Lung Shih
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung
| | - Shu-Jem Su
- Department of Medical Laboratory
Science and Biotechnology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fooyin
University, Kaohsiung
| | - Li-Min Chen
- Departments of Pediatrics, E-DA
Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City
| | - Yin-Chun Tien
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College
of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,Yin-Chun Tien, Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Tzu-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung
807.
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25
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Rodriguez S, Skeet K, Mehmetoglu-Gurbuz T, Goldfarb M, Karri S, Rocha J, Shahinian M, Yazadi A, Poudel S, Subramani R. Phytochemicals as an Alternative or Integrative Option, in Conjunction with Conventional Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225753. [PMID: 34830907 PMCID: PMC8616323 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is globally ranked as the sixth most diagnosed cancer, and the second most deadly cancer. To worsen matters, there are only limited therapeutic options currently available; therefore, it is necessary to find a reservoir from which new HCC treatments may be acquired. The field of phytomedicine may be the solution to this problem, as it offers an abundance of plant-derived molecules, which show capabilities of being effective against HCC proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. In our review, we collect and analyze current evidence regarding these promising phytochemical effects on HCC, and delve into their potential as future chemotherapies. Additionally, information on the signaling behind these numerous phytochemicals is provided, in an attempt to understand their mechanisms. This review makes accessible the current body of knowledge pertaining to phytochemicals as HCC treatments, in order to serve as a reference and inspiration for further research into this subject. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most abundant form of liver cancer. It accounts for 75–85% of liver cancer cases and, though it ranks globally as the sixth most common cancer, it ranks second in cancer-related mortality. Deaths from HCC are usually due to metastatic spread of the cancer. Unfortunately, there are many challenges and limitations with the latest HCC therapies and medications, making it difficult for patients to receive life-prolonging care. As there is clearly a high demand for alternative therapy options for HCC, it is prudent to turn to plants for the solution, as their phytochemicals have long been used and revered for their many medicinal purposes. This review explores the promising phytochemical compounds identified from pre-clinical and clinical trials being used either independently or in conjunction with already existing cancer therapy treatments. The phytochemicals discussed in this review were classified into several categories: lipids, polyphenols, alkaloids, polysaccharides, whole extracts, and phytochemical combinations. Almost 80% of the compounds failed to progress into clinical studies due to lack of information regarding the toxicity to normal cells and bioavailability. Although large obstacles remain, phytochemicals can be used either as an alternative or integrative therapy in conjunction with existing HCC chemotherapies. In conclusion, phytochemicals have great potential as treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheryl Rodriguez
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer Research, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (S.R.); (T.M.-G.); (S.P.)
| | - Kristy Skeet
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (K.S.); (J.R.); (M.S.); (A.Y.)
| | - Tugba Mehmetoglu-Gurbuz
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer Research, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (S.R.); (T.M.-G.); (S.P.)
| | - Madeline Goldfarb
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (M.G.); (S.K.)
| | - Shri Karri
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (M.G.); (S.K.)
| | - Jackelyn Rocha
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (K.S.); (J.R.); (M.S.); (A.Y.)
| | - Mark Shahinian
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (K.S.); (J.R.); (M.S.); (A.Y.)
| | - Abdallah Yazadi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (K.S.); (J.R.); (M.S.); (A.Y.)
| | - Seeta Poudel
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer Research, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (S.R.); (T.M.-G.); (S.P.)
| | - Ramadevi Subramani
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer Research, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (S.R.); (T.M.-G.); (S.P.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; (K.S.); (J.R.); (M.S.); (A.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-915-215-6851
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26
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Torrente L, DeNicola GM. Targeting NRF2 and Its Downstream Processes: Opportunities and Challenges. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 62:279-300. [PMID: 34499527 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052220-104025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor NRF2 coordinates the expression of a vast array of cytoprotective and metabolic genes in response to various stress inputs to restore cellular homeostasis. Transient activation of NRF2 in healthy tissues has been long recognized as a cellular defense mechanism and is critical to prevent cancer initiation by carcinogens. However, cancer cells frequently hijack the protective capability of NRF2 to sustain the redox balance and meet their metabolic requirements for proliferation. Further, aberrant activation of NRF2 in cancer cells confers resistance to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy. During the last decade, many research groups have attempted to block NRF2 activity in tumors to counteract the survival and proliferative advantage of cancer cells and reverse resistance to treatment. In this review, we highlight the role of NRF2 in cancer progression and discuss the past and current approaches to disable NRF2 signaling in tumors. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 62 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Torrente
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA;
| | - Gina M DeNicola
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA;
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27
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Zhang D, Hou Z, Aldrich KE, Lockwood L, Odom AL, Liby KT. A Novel Nrf2 Pathway Inhibitor Sensitizes Keap1-Mutant Lung Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1692-1701. [PMID: 34158350 PMCID: PMC9936621 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Keap1-ARE pathway, a master regulator of oxidative stress, has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy. Mutations in NFE2L2, KEAP1, and related genes have been found in many human cancers, especially lung cancer. These mutations lead to constitutive activation of the Nrf2 pathway, which promotes proliferation of cancer cells and their resistance to chemotherapies. Small molecules that inhibit the Nrf2 pathway are needed to arrest tumor growth and overcome chemoresistance in Nrf2-addicted cancers. Here, we identified a novel small molecule, MSU38225, which can suppress Nrf2 pathway activity. MSU38225 downregulates Nrf2 transcriptional activity and decreases the expression of Nrf2 downstream targets, including NQO1, GCLC, GCLM, AKR1C2, and UGT1A6. MSU38225 strikingly decreases the protein level of Nrf2, which can be blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Ubiquitination of Nrf2 is enhanced following treatment with MSU38225. By inhibiting production of antioxidants, MSU38225 increases the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when cells are stimulated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). MSU38225 also inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells in both two-dimensional cell culture and soft agar. Cancer cells addicted to Nrf2 are more susceptible to MSU38225 for suppression of cell proliferation. MSU38225 also sensitizes human lung cancer cells to chemotherapies both in vitro and in vivo Our results suggest that MSU38225 is a novel Nrf2 pathway inhibitor that could potentially serve as an adjuvant therapy to enhance the response to chemotherapies in patients with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Zhilin Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Kelly E. Aldrich
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Lizbeth Lockwood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Aaron L. Odom
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
| | - Karen T. Liby
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
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Amara N, Cooper MP, Voronkova MA, Webb BA, Lynch EM, Kollman JM, Ma T, Yu K, Lai Z, Sangaraju D, Kayagaki N, Newton K, Bogyo M, Staben ST, Dixit VM. Selective activation of PFKL suppresses the phagocytic oxidative burst. Cell 2021; 184:4480-4494.e15. [PMID: 34320407 PMCID: PMC8802628 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In neutrophils, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) generated via the pentose phosphate pathway fuels NADPH oxidase NOX2 to produce reactive oxygen species for killing invading pathogens. However, excessive NOX2 activity can exacerbate inflammation, as in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here, we use two unbiased chemical proteomic strategies to show that small-molecule LDC7559, or a more potent designed analog NA-11, inhibits the NOX2-dependent oxidative burst in neutrophils by activating the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 liver type (PFKL) and dampening flux through the pentose phosphate pathway. Accordingly, neutrophils treated with NA-11 had reduced NOX2-dependent outputs, including neutrophil cell death (NETosis) and tissue damage. A high-resolution structure of PFKL confirmed binding of NA-11 to the AMP/ADP allosteric activation site and explained why NA-11 failed to agonize phosphofructokinase-1 platelet type (PFKP) or muscle type (PFKM). Thus, NA-11 represents a tool for selective activation of PFKL, the main phosphofructokinase-1 isoform expressed in immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neri Amara
- Physiological Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Madison P Cooper
- Biochemistry Department, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Maria A Voronkova
- Biochemistry Department, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Bradley A Webb
- Biochemistry Department, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Eric M Lynch
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Justin M Kollman
- Biochemistry Department, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Taylur Ma
- Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Kebing Yu
- Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Zijuan Lai
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Dewakar Sangaraju
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Kayagaki
- Physiological Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Kim Newton
- Physiological Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Pathology Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven T Staben
- Discovery Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Vishva M Dixit
- Physiological Chemistry Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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Abstract
The gene expression program induced by NRF2 transcription factor plays a critical role in cell defense responses against a broad variety of cellular stresses, most importantly oxidative stress. NRF2 stability is fine-tuned regulated by KEAP1, which drives its degradation in the absence of oxidative stress. In the context of cancer, NRF2 cytoprotective functions were initially linked to anti-oncogenic properties. However, in the last few decades, growing evidence indicates that NRF2 acts as a tumor driver, inducing metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. Constitutive activation of NRF2 has been found to be frequent in several tumors, including some lung cancer sub-types and it has been associated to the maintenance of a malignant cell phenotype. This apparently contradictory effect of the NRF2/KEAP1 signaling pathway in cancer (cell protection against cancer versus pro-tumoral properties) has generated a great controversy about its functions in this disease. In this review, we will describe the molecular mechanism regulating this signaling pathway in physiological conditions and summarize the most important findings related to the role of NRF2/KEAP1 in lung cancer. The focus will be placed on NRF2 activation mechanisms, the implication of those in lung cancer progression and current therapeutic strategies directed at blocking NRF2 action.
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Ford HR, Busato S, Bionaz M. In vitro–In vivo Hybrid Approach for Studying Modulation of NRF2 in Immortalized Bovine Mammary Cells. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.674355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) plays a key role in the response to oxidative stress. Diets containing known NRF2 modulators could be used to minimize oxidative stress in dairy cows. Currently, studies evaluating the activity of NRF2 in bovine have used the classical in vitro approach using synthetic media, which is very different than in vivo conditions. Furthermore, studies carried out in vivo cannot capture the short-term and dynamic response of NRF2. Thus, there is a need to develop new approaches to study NRF2 modulation. The aim of the present study was to establish an in vitro–in vivo hybrid system to investigate activation of NRF2 in bovine cells that can serve as an intermediate model with results closer to what is expected in vivo. To accomplish the aim, we used a combination of a gene reporter assay in immortalized bovine mammary cells, synthetic NRF2 modulators, and blood serum from periparturient cows. Synthetic agonist tert-butylhydroquinone and sulforaphane confirmed to be effective activators of bovine NRF2 with acute and large effect at 30 and 5 μM, respectively, with null response after the above doses due to cytotoxicity. When the agonists were added to blood serum the response was more linear with maximum activation of NRF2 at 100 and 30 μM, respectively, and the cytotoxicity was prevented. High concentration of albumin in blood serum plays an important role in such an effect. Brusatol (100 nM) was observed to be an effective NRF2 inhibitor while also displaying general protein synthesis inhibition and cytotoxicity when added to synthetic media. A consistent inhibition of NRF2 was observed when brusatol was added to the blood serum but the cytotoxicity was reduced. The synthetic inhibitor ML385 had no effect on modulation of bovine NRF2. Hydrogen peroxide activates NRF2 in bovine mammary cells starting from 100 μM; however, strong cytotoxicity was detected starting at 250 μM when cells were cultivated in the synthetic media, while blood serum prevented cytotoxicity. Overall, our data indicated that the use of synthetic media can be misleading in the study of NRF2 in bovine and the use of blood serum appears necessary.
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Panieri E, Saso L. Inhibition of the NRF2/KEAP1 Axis: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy to Alter Redox Balance of Cancer Cells. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:1428-1483. [PMID: 33403898 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significance: The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (NRF2/KEAP1) pathway is a crucial and highly conserved defensive system that is required to maintain or restore the intracellular homeostasis in response to oxidative, electrophilic, and other types of stress conditions. The tight control of NRF2 function is maintained by a complex network of biological interactions between positive and negative regulators that ultimately ensure context-specific activation, culminating in the NRF2-driven transcription of cytoprotective genes. Recent Advances: Recent studies indicate that deregulated NRF2 activation is a frequent event in malignant tumors, wherein it is associated with metabolic reprogramming, increased antioxidant capacity, chemoresistance, and poor clinical outcome. On the other hand, the growing interest in the modulation of the cancer cells' redox balance identified NRF2 as an ideal therapeutic target. Critical Issues: For this reason, many efforts have been made to identify potent and selective NRF2 inhibitors that might be used as single agents or adjuvants of anticancer drugs with redox disrupting properties. Despite the lack of specific NRF2 inhibitors still represents a major clinical hurdle, the researchers have exploited alternative strategies to disrupt NRF2 signaling at different levels of its biological activation. Future Directions: Given its dualistic role in tumor initiation and progression, the identification of the appropriate biological context of NRF2 activation and the specific clinicopathological features of patients cohorts wherein its inactivation is expected to have clinical benefits, will represent a major goal in the field of cancer research. In this review, we will briefly describe the structure and function of the NRF2/ KEAP1 system and some of the most promising NRF2 inhibitors, with a particular emphasis on natural compounds and drug repurposing. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 34, 1428-1483.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Panieri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer," University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer," University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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32
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Sivinski J, Zhang DD, Chapman E. Targeting NRF2 to treat cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 76:61-73. [PMID: 34102289 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
NRF2 is a basic leucine zipper (bZip) transcription factor that is the master regulator of redox homeostasis. Under basal conditions, the cellular level of NRF2 is low due to a posttranslational regulation by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). But, when an organism is challenged with oxidative or xenobiotic stress, the NRF2 pathway is activated by inhibition of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that normally marks NRF2 for destruction. For several decades, researchers have searched for molecules that can intentionally activate NRF2, as this was shown to be a means to prevent certain diseases, at least in animal models. In the present era, there are many compounds known to activate the NRF2 pathway including natural products and synthetic compounds, covalent and non-covalent compounds, and others. However, it was also revealed that like many protective pathways, the NRF2 pathway has a dark side. Just as NRF2 can protect normal cells from damage, it can protect malignant cells from damage. As cells transform, they are exposed to many stressors and aberrant upregulation of NRF2 can facilitate transformation and it can help cancer cells to grow, to spread, and to resist treatment. For this reason, researchers are also interested in the discovery and development of NRF2 inhibitors. In the present review, we will begin with a general discussion of NRF2 structure and function, we will discuss the latest in NRF2 non-covalent activators, and we will discuss the current state of NRF2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Sivinski
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Donna D Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Eli Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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Kim CW, Oh E, Park HJ. A strategy to prevent atherosclerosis via TNF receptor regulation. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21391. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000764r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Woo Kim
- Department of Microbiology College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
- Department of Preclinical Trial Laboratory Animal Center Osong Medical Innovation Foundation Cheongju Republic of Korea
| | - Eun‐Taex Oh
- Hypoxia‐related Disease Research Center College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
| | - Heon Joo Park
- Department of Microbiology College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
- Hypoxia‐related Disease Research Center College of Medicine Inha University Incheon Republic of Korea
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Cai H, Qi S, Yan Q, Ling J, Du J, Chen L. Global proteome profiling of human livers upon ischemia/reperfusion treatment. Clin Proteomics 2021; 18:3. [PMID: 33407080 PMCID: PMC7788958 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-020-09310-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury represents a major risk factor for liver transplantation and is related to graft dysfunction and acute/chronic rejection. However, a significant part of these processes remain poorly characterized. To reveal differences in the proteome during liver I/R injury, we collected human liver biopsy samples during hepatectomy before and after the Pringle maneuver and conducted a TMT-based proteomic analysis through quantitative high-throughput mass spectrometry. We used a fold-change threshold of 1.3 and a t-test p-value < 0.05 as the criteria to identify 5,257 total quantifiable proteins. The levels of 142 proteins were increased, while the levels of 103 proteins were decreased in response to hepatic I/R treatment. Bioinformatic analysis further revealed that these differentially expressed proteins are mainly involved in multiple biological functions and enzyme-regulated metabolic pathways. Most proteins whose expression was changed are related to the defense, immune and inflammatory responses as well as lipid and steroid metabolic processes. Based on this finding, we developed a panel for targeted proteomic analysis and used the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) method, qPCR and western blotting experiments to validate alterations in the expression of some of the identified proteins. The upregulated proteins were found to be involved in immunity and inflammatory responses, and downregulated proteins were enriched in metabolic pathways. This study therefore may provide a research direction for the design of new therapeutic strategies for hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijian Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Shunli Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhu, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Ling
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhu, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China. .,The Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Lijian Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhu, 230032, People's Republic of China.
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35
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Wang T, Dou Y, Lin G, Li Q, Nie J, Chen B, Xie J, Su Z, Zeng H, Chen J, Xie Y. The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of Brucea javanica oil in ascitic tumor-bearing mice: The detection of brusatol and its role. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 134:111122. [PMID: 33341052 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucea javanica oil (BJO), one of the main products of Brucea javanica, has been widely used in treating different kinds of malignant tumors. Quassinoids are the major category of anticancer phytochemicals of B. javanica. However, current researches on the anti-cancer effect of BJO mainly focused on oleic acid and linoleic acid, the common major components of dietary edible oils, essential and characteristic components of B. javanica like quassinoids potentially involved remained unexplored. In the current investigation, we developed an efficient HPLC method to detect brusatol, a characteristic quassinoid, and comparatively scrutinized the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (anti-HCC) effect of BJO, brusatol-free BJO (BF-BJO), and brusatol-enriched BJO (BE-BJO) against hepatoma 22 (H22) in mice. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to identify the components in BJO. BE-BJO was extracted with 95 % ethanol. The anti-tumor effect of BJO, BF-BJO and BE-BJO was comparatively investigated, and the potential underlying mechanism was explored in H22 ascites tumor-bearing mice. The results indicated that BJO and BE-BJO significantly prolonged the survival time of H22 ascites tumor-bearing mice, while BF-BJO exhibited no obvious effect. BJO and BE-BJO exhibited pronounced anti-HCC activity by suppressing the growth of implanted hepatoma H22 in mice, including ascending weight, abdominal circumference, ascites volume and cancer cell viability, with a relatively wide margin of safety. BJO and BE-BJO significantly induced H22 cell apoptosis by upregulating the miRNA-29b gene level and p53 expression. Furthermore, BJO and BE-BJO treatment substantially downregulated Bcl-2 and mitochondrial Cytochrome C protein expression, and upregulated expression levels of Bax, Bad, cytosol Cytochrome C, caspase-3 (cleaved), caspase‑9 (cleaved), PARP and PARP (cleaved) to induce H22 cells apoptosis. Brusatol was detected in BJO and found to be one of its major active anti-HCC components, rather than fatty acids including oleic acid and linoleic acid. The anti-HCC effect of BJO and BE-BJO was intimately associated with the activation of miRNA-29b, p53-associated apoptosis and mitochondrial-related pathways. Our study gained novel insight into the material basis of BJO in the treatment of HCC, and laid a foundation for a novel specific standard for the quality evaluation of BJO and its commercial products in terms of its anti-cancer application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China; Shandong Qingdao No. 2 Health School, Qingdao, PR China
| | - Yaoxing Dou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Guoshu Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Qiaoping Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Juan Nie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Baoyi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Jianhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ziren Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Huifang Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Jiannan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Youliang Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.
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Robertson H, Dinkova-Kostova AT, Hayes JD. NRF2 and the Ambiguous Consequences of Its Activation during Initiation and the Subsequent Stages of Tumourigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3609. [PMID: 33276631 PMCID: PMC7761610 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2, encoded in the human by NFE2L2) mediates short-term adaptation to thiol-reactive stressors. In normal cells, activation of NRF2 by a thiol-reactive stressor helps prevent, for a limited period of time, the initiation of cancer by chemical carcinogens through induction of genes encoding drug-metabolising enzymes. However, in many tumour types, NRF2 is permanently upregulated. In such cases, its overexpressed target genes support the promotion and progression of cancer by suppressing oxidative stress, because they constitutively increase the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and they support cell proliferation by increasing ribonucleotide synthesis, serine biosynthesis and autophagy. Herein, we describe cancer chemoprevention and the discovery of the essential role played by NRF2 in orchestrating protection against chemical carcinogenesis. We similarly describe the discoveries of somatic mutations in NFE2L2 and the gene encoding the principal NRF2 repressor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) along with that encoding a component of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex Cullin 3 (CUL3), which result in permanent activation of NRF2, and the recognition that such mutations occur frequently in many types of cancer. Notably, mutations in NFE2L2, KEAP1 and CUL3 that cause persistent upregulation of NRF2 often co-exist with mutations that activate KRAS and the PI3K-PKB/Akt pathway, suggesting NRF2 supports growth of tumours in which KRAS or PKB/Akt are hyperactive. Besides somatic mutations, NRF2 activation in human tumours can occur by other means, such as alternative splicing that results in a NRF2 protein which lacks the KEAP1-binding domain or overexpression of other KEAP1-binding partners that compete with NRF2. Lastly, as NRF2 upregulation is associated with resistance to cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we describe strategies that might be employed to suppress growth and overcome drug resistance in tumours with overactive NRF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Robertson
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
| | - John D. Hayes
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
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Nrf2 in Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Liver Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102932. [PMID: 33053665 PMCID: PMC7599585 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102932] [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: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway represents a powerful cell defense mechanism against a variety of toxic insults, its role in acute or chronic liver damage and tumor development is not completely understood. This review addresses how Nrf2 is involved in liver pathophysiology and critically discusses the contrasting results emerging from the literature. The aim of the present report is to stimulate further investigation on the role of Nrf2 that could lead to define the best strategies to therapeutically target this pathway. Abstract Activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, the most important cell defense signal, triggered to neutralize the harmful effects of electrophilic and oxidative stress, plays a crucial role in cell survival. Therefore, its ability to attenuate acute and chronic liver damage, where oxidative stress represents the key player, is not surprising. On the other hand, while Nrf2 promotes proliferation in cancer cells, its role in non-neoplastic hepatocytes is a matter of debate. Another topic of uncertainty concerns the nature of the mechanisms of Nrf2 activation in hepatocarcinogenesis. Indeed, it remains unclear what is the main mechanism behind the sustained activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in hepatocarcinogenesis. This raises doubts about the best strategies to therapeutically target this pathway. In this review, we will analyze and discuss our present knowledge concerning the role of Nrf2 in hepatic physiology and pathology, including hepatocellular carcinoma. In particular, we will critically examine and discuss some findings originating from animal models that raise questions that still need to be adequately answered.
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Yu XQ, Shang XY, Huang XX, Yao GD, Song SJ. Brusatol: A potential anti-tumor quassinoid from Brucea javanica. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2020; 12:359-366. [PMID: 36120179 PMCID: PMC9476775 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Brusatol, a triterpene lactone compound mainly from Brucea javanica, sensitizes a broad spectrum of cancer cells. It is known as a specific inhibitor of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the antitumor effect and molecular mechanisms of brusatol in vitro and in vivo. This review also covers pharmacokinetics studies, modification of dosages forms of brusatol. Increasing evidences have validated the value of brusatol as a chemotherapeutic agent in cancers, which may contribute to drug development and clinical application.
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Han S, Zhuang H, Lee PY, Li M, Yang L, Nigrovic PA, Reeves WH. NF-E2-Related Factor 2 Regulates Interferon Receptor Expression and Alters Macrophage Polarization in Lupus. Arthritis Rheumatol 2020; 72:1707-1720. [PMID: 32500632 DOI: 10.1002/art.41383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pristane-induced lupus is associated with nonresolving inflammation and deficiency of proresolving macrophages. Proresolving nonclassic macrophages (NCMs) are less responsive to type I interferon (IFN) than classic macrophages (CMs; which are proinflammatory), reflecting their relative expression levels of the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR). This study was undertaken to investigate the regulation of IFNAR expression in macrophages. METHODS We carried out gene expression profiling of purified CMs and NCMs from mice treated with pristane (which develop lupus) or mineral oil (non-lupus controls). Macrophage differentiation and IFNAR expression were examined in mice treated with NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activators and inhibitors and in Nrf2-deficient mice. Nrf2 activity was also assessed in blood cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Significant differences were determined by Student's t-test. RESULTS RNA sequencing revealed increased expression of genes regulated by the transcription factor Nrf2 in NCMs from mineral oil-treated versus pristane-treated mice and in NCMs versus CMs. The Nrf2 activator CDDO-imidazole (CDDO-Im) decreased CMs (P < 0.0001) and promoted the development of proresolving NCMs (P = 0.06), whereas the Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol increased CMs (P < 0.05) and decreased NCMs (P < 0.001). CDDO-Im decreased Ifnar1 (P < 0.001) and IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in macrophages and alleviated oxidative stress (P < 0.05), whereas brusatol had the opposite effect (P < 0.01). Moreover, Ifnar1 and ISG expression levels were higher in Nrf2-knockout mice than controls (P < 0.05). As seen in mice with lupus, SLE patients showed evidence of low Nrf2 activity. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that Nrf2 activation favors the resolution of chronic inflammation in lupus. Since autoantibody production and lupus nephritis depend on IFNAR signaling, the ability of Nrf2 activators to repolarize macrophages and reduce the INF signature suggests that these agents may warrant consideration for treating lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pui Y Lee
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Peter A Nigrovic
- Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Brusatol suppresses STAT3-driven metastasis by downregulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Adv Res 2020; 26:83-94. [PMID: 33133685 PMCID: PMC7584682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process of transdifferentiation where epithelial cells attain mesenchymal phenotype to gain invasive properties and thus, can contribute to metastasis of tumor cells. Objectives The antimetastatic and antitumor efficacy of brusatol (BT) was investigated in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model. Methods We evaluated the action of BT on EMT process using various biological assays in HCC cell lines and its effect on tumorigenesis in an orthotopic mouse model. Results We found that BT treatment restored the expression of Occludin, E-cadherin (epithelial markers) while suppressing the levels of different mesenchymal markers in HCC cells and tumor tissues. Moreover, we observed a decline in the expression of transcription factors (Snail, Twist). Since the expression of these two factors can be regulated by STAT3 signaling, we deciphered the influence of BT on modulation of this pathway. BT suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3Y705 and STAT3 depletion using siRNA resulted in the restoration of epithelial markers. Importantly, BT (1mg/kg) reduced the tumor burden in orthotopic mouse model with a concurrent decline in lung metastasis. Conclusions Overall, our results demonstrate that BT interferes with STAT3 induced metastasis by altering the expression of EMT-related proteins in HCC model.
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Quassinoid analogs with enhanced efficacy for treatment of hematologic malignancies target the PI3Kγ isoform. Commun Biol 2020; 3:267. [PMID: 32461675 PMCID: PMC7253423 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of novel PI3K inhibitors is an important strategy to overcome their resistance and poor tolerability in clinical trials. The quassinoid family member Brusatol shows specific inhibitory activity against hematologic malignancies. However, the mechanism of its anti-cancer activity is unknown. We investigated the anti-cancer activity of Brusatol on multiple hematologic malignancies derived cell lines. The results demonstrated that the PI3Kγ isoform was identified as a direct target of Brusatol, and inhibition was dramatically reduced on cells with lower PI3Kγ levels. Novel synthetic analogs were also developed and tested in vitro and in vivo. They shared comparable or superior potency in their ability to inhibit malignant hematologic cell lines, and in a xenograft transplant mouse model. One unique analog had minimal toxicity to normal human cells and in a mouse model. These new analogs have enhanced potential for development as a new class of PI3K inhibitors for treatment of hematologic malignancies. Pei et al. demonstrate that PI3Kγ isoform is a direct target of Brusatol, a natural compound with inhibitory activity against hematologic malignancies. They further develop several Brusatol analogs with superior in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activity.
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Zhang LL, Guo J, Jiang XM, Chen XP, Wang YT, Li A, Lin LG, Li H, Lu JJ. Identification of nagilactone E as a protein synthesis inhibitor with anticancer activity. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:698-705. [PMID: 32047261 PMCID: PMC7470872 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Norditerpenoids and dinorditerpenoids represent diterpenoids widely distributed in the genus Podocarpus with notable chemical structures and biological activities. We previously reported that nagilactone E (NLE), a dinorditerpenoid isolated from Podocarpus nagi, possessed anticancer effects against lung cancer cells in vitro. In this study we investigated the in vivo effect of NLE against lung cancer as well as the underlying mechanisms. We administered NLE (10 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) to CB-17/SCID mice bearing human lung cancer cell line A549 xenograft for 3 weeks. We found that NLE administration significantly suppressed the tumor growth without obvious adverse effects. Thereafter, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis was performed to study the mechanisms of NLE. The effects of NLE on A549 cells have been illustrated by GO and pathway enrichment analyses. CMap dataset analysis supported NLE to be a potential protein synthesis inhibitor. The inhibitory effect of NLE on synthesis of total de novo protein was confirmed in Click-iT assay. Using the pcDNA3-RLUC-POLIRES-FLUC luciferase assay we further demonstrated that NLE inhibited both cap-dependent and cap-independent translation. Finally, molecular docking revealed the low-energy binding conformations of NLE and its potential target RIOK2. In conclusion, NLE is a protein synthesis inhibitor with anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le-le Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
- School of Medicine, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yi-Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Ao Li
- College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Li-Gen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
| | - Hua Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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Potential Applications of NRF2 Modulators in Cancer Therapy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9030193. [PMID: 32106613 PMCID: PMC7139512 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9030193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) regulatory pathway plays an essential role in protecting cells and tissues from oxidative, electrophilic, and xenobiotic stress. By controlling the transactivation of over 500 cytoprotective genes, the NRF2 transcription factor has been implicated in the physiopathology of several human diseases, including cancer. In this respect, accumulating evidence indicates that NRF2 can act as a double-edged sword, being able to mediate tumor suppressive or pro-oncogenic functions, depending on the specific biological context of its activation. Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms that control NRF2 functions and the most appropriate context of its activation is a prerequisite for the development of effective therapeutic strategies based on NRF2 modulation. In line of principle, the controlled activation of NRF2 might reduce the risk of cancer initiation and development in normal cells by scavenging reactive-oxygen species (ROS) and by preventing genomic instability through decreased DNA damage. In contrast however, already transformed cells with constitutive or prolonged activation of NRF2 signaling might represent a major clinical hurdle and exhibit an aggressive phenotype characterized by therapy resistance and unfavorable prognosis, requiring the use of NRF2 inhibitors. In this review, we will focus on the dual roles of the NRF2-KEAP1 pathway in cancer promotion and inhibition, describing the mechanisms of its activation and potential therapeutic strategies based on the use of context-specific modulation of NRF2.
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Chaperone mediated detection of small molecule target binding in cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:465. [PMID: 31974362 PMCID: PMC6978363 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14033-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to quantitatively measure a small molecule’s interactions with its protein target(s) is crucial for both mechanistic studies of signaling pathways and in drug discovery. However, current methods to achieve this have specific requirements that can limit their application or interpretation. Here we describe a complementary target-engagement method, HIPStA (Heat Shock Protein Inhibition Protein Stability Assay), a high-throughput method to assess small molecule binding to endogenous, unmodified target protein(s) in cells. The methodology relies on the change in protein turnover when chaperones, such as HSP90, are inhibited and the stabilization effect that drug-target binding has on this change. We use HIPStA to measure drug binding to three different classes of drug targets (receptor tyrosine kinases, nuclear hormone receptors, and cytoplasmic protein kinases), via quantitative fluorescence imaging. We further demonstrate its utility by pairing the method with quantitative mass spectrometry to identify previously unknown targets of a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Quantitative profiling of small molecule-protein binding in cells can aid basic biochemical research and drug discovery. Here, the authors develop the Heat Shock Protein Inhibition Protein Stability Assay (HIPStA) as a high-throughput method to assess cellular target engagement and identify new drug targets.
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Abstract
The basic leucine zipper transcription factor Nrf2 is the primary regulator of cellular oxidative stress. Activation of Nrf2 is regarded as a potential preventive and therapeutic strategy. However, aberrant hyperactivation of Nrf2 is found in a variety of cancers and promotes cancer progression and metastasis. Moreover, constitutive activation of Nrf2 confers cancer cells resistance to chemo- and radio-therapy. Thus, inhibiting Nrf2 could be a new therapeutic strategy for cancer. With the aim of accelerating the discovery and development of novel Nrf2 inhibitors, we summarize the biological and pathological functions of Nrf2 in cancer. Furthermore, the recent studies of small molecular Nrf2 inhibitors and potential Nrf2 inhibitory mechanisms are also summarized in this review.
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Brusatol, a Nrf2 Inhibitor Targets STAT3 Signaling Cascade in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100550. [PMID: 31575007 PMCID: PMC6843503 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
STAT3 is a latent transcription factor that plays a vital role in the transmission of extracellular signal from receptors to the nucleus. It has been regarded as a master transcription factor due to its role in the regulation of a broad spectrum of genes, which can contribute to oncogenesis. Persistent activation of STAT3 and deregulation of its signaling has been observed in various human cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present work, we identified brusatol (BT) as a potential blocker of STAT3 signaling pathway in diverse HNSCC cells. The data from the cell-based experiments suggested that BT-induced cytotoxicity and abrogated the activation of STAT3 and that of upstream kinases such as JAK1, JAK2, and Src. It reduced the levels of nuclear STAT3 and its DNA binding ability. BT treatment increased annexin-V-positive cells, promoted procaspase-3 and PARP cleavage, and downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of diverse proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, survivin) in HNSCC cells. Taken together, brusatol can function as a promising inhibitor targeting STAT3 signaling pathway in HNSCC.
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Hammad A, Namani A, Elshaer M, Wang XJ, Tang X. "NRF2 addiction" in lung cancer cells and its impact on cancer therapy. Cancer Lett 2019; 467:40-49. [PMID: 31574294 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of the antioxidant enzymes and the detoxification proteins that play major roles in redox homeostasis. Although it plays a protective role against tumorigenesis, emerging evidence has shown that the NRF2 pathway is frequently altered in different types of cancer, including lung cancer. NRF2 activation influences many of the hallmarks of cancer and their signaling pathways, mainly apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and metabolic reprogramming to establish cellular metabolic processes leading to "NRF2 addiction" in lung cancer cells. Intriguingly, constitutive activation of NRF2 promotes cancer development as well as resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and these malignant phenotypes lead to a poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Therefore, targeted inhibition of the NRF2 together with traditional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, may be a promising approach to improving the survival rates of the NRF2-addicted lung cancer cases. Here we summarize the recent advances in NRF2-addicted lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Hammad
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Akhileshwar Namani
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Mohamed Elshaer
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China
| | - Xiu Jun Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Xiuwen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, PR China.
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Ji L, Zhang R, Chen J, Xue Q, Moghal N, Tsao MS. PIDD interaction with KEAP1 as a new mutation-independent mechanism to promote NRF2 stabilization and chemoresistance in NSCLC. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12437. [PMID: 31455821 PMCID: PMC6712044 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48763-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy resistance is a major problem in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. A major mechanism of chemoresistance involves stabilization of the NRF2 transcription factor. NRF2 levels are normally tightly regulated through interaction with KEAP1, an adaptor that targets NRF2 to the CUL3 E3 ubiquitin ligase for proteolysis. In NSCLC, aberrant NRF2 stabilization is best understood through mutations in NRF2, KEAP1, or CUL3 that disrupt their interaction. Biochemical studies, however, have revealed that NRF2 can also be stabilized through expression of KEAP1-interacting proteins that competitively sequester KEAP1 away from NRF2. Here, we have identified PIDD, as a novel KEAP1-interactor in NSCLC that regulates NRF2. We show that this interaction allows PIDD to reduce NRF2 ubiquitination and increase its stability. We also demonstrate that PIDD promotes chemoresistance in NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo, and that this effect is dependent on NRF2. Finally, we report that NRF2 protein expression in a NSCLC cohort exceeds the typical incidence of combined NRF2, KEAP1, and CUL3 mutations, and that NRF2 expression in this cohort is correlated with PIDD levels. Our data identify PIDD as a new NRF2 regulator, and suggest that variations in PIDD levels contribute to differential chemosensitivities among NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Ji
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, China. .,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Tuberculosis, the Sixth Hospital of Nantong, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226000, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Oncology, Jiangyin People's Hospital, Jiangyin, China
| | - Qun Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nadeem Moghal
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ming-Sound Tsao
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
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Activators and Inhibitors of NRF2: A Review of Their Potential for Clinical Development. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:9372182. [PMID: 31396308 PMCID: PMC6664516 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9372182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) triggers the first line of homeostatic responses against a plethora of environmental or endogenous deviations in redox metabolism, proteostasis, inflammation, etc. Therefore, pharmacological activation of NRF2 is a promising therapeutic approach for several chronic diseases that are underlined by oxidative stress and inflammation, such as neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. A particular case is cancer, where NRF2 confers a survival advantage to constituted tumors, and therefore, NRF2 inhibition is desired. This review describes the electrophilic and nonelectrophilic NRF2 activators with clinical projection in various chronic diseases. We also analyze the status of NRF2 inhibitors, which at this time provide proof of concept for blocking NRF2 activity in cancer therapy.
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Cai SJ, Liu Y, Han S, Yang C. Brusatol, an NRF2 inhibitor for future cancer therapeutic. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:45. [PMID: 31183074 PMCID: PMC6554866 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-019-0309-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural products from herbal medicines have long been investigated for their potentials as cancer therapeutics. Besides the development of several herbal medicine-derived anti-cancer agents, such as paclitaxel, vincristine and podophyllotoxin, many recent laboratory findings demonstrated that brusatol, a quassinoid from the seeds of Brucea sumatrana, exhibits potent tumor suppressing effect with improved disease outcome. Our recent finding further demonstrated that brusatol synergizes with the intrinsic metabolic burden in cancer cells. Main body Here, we summarized the recent investigations of brusatol as an experimental therapeutic for human malignancies, such as leukemia, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and brain tumor. We also discussed the molecular target brusatol, with a focus on the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-guided gene transcription, as well as glutathione de novo synthesis. Further, we discussed the challenges and future applications of brusatol for cancer therapy. Conclusion In conclusion, we believe increasing evidences have shown the value of brusatol as a novel strategy for cancer treatment, which may indicate future drug development and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina J Cai
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Building 37, Room 1142E, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Building 37, Room 1142E, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Sue Han
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Building 37, Room 1142E, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Chunzhang Yang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Building 37, Room 1142E, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
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