1
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Sabour-Takanlou M, Sabour-Takanlou L, Biray-Avci C. EZH2-associated tumor malignancy: A prominent target for cancer treatment. Clin Genet 2024. [PMID: 38881299 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The discussion in this review centers around the significant relationships between EZH2 and the initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immune regulation of cancer. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, which encompass two primary Polycomb repressor complexes (PRC1 and PRC2), have been categorized. PRC2 consists mainly of four subunits, namely EZH2, EED, SUZ12, and RbAp46/48. As the crucial catalytic component within the PRC2 complex, EZH2 plays a pivotal role in controlling a wide range of biological processes. Overexpression/mutations of EZH2 have been detected in a wide variety of tumors. Several mechanisms of EZH regulation have been identified, including regulation EZH2 mRNA by miRNAs, LncRNAs, accessibility to DNA via DNA-binding proteins, post-translational modifications, and transcriptional regulation. EZH2 signaling triggers cancer progression and may intervene with anti-tumor immunity; therefore it has charmed attention as an effective therapeutic target in cancer therapy. Numerouss nucleic acid-based therapies have been used in the modification of EZH2. In addition to gene therapy approaches, pharmaceutical compounds can be used to target the EZH2 signaling pathway in the treatment of cancer. EZH2-associated tumor cells and immune cells enhance the effects of the immune response in a variety of human malignancies. The combination of epigenetic modifying agents, such as anti-EZH2 compounds with immunotherapy, could potentially be efficacious even in the context of immunosuppressive tumors. Summary, understanding the mechanisms underlying resistance to EZH2 inhibitors may facilitate the development of novel drugs to prevent or treat relapse in treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cigir Biray-Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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2
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Bao Q, Kumar A, Wu D, Zhou J. Targeting EED as a key PRC2 complex mediator toward novel epigenetic therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103986. [PMID: 38642703 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103986] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
EED within the PRC2 complex is crucial for chromatin regulation particularly in tumor development, making its inhibition a promising epigenetic therapeutic strategy. Significant advancement in PRC2 inhibitor development has been achieved with an approved EZH2 inhibitor in the market and with others in the clinical trials. However, current EZH2 inhibitors are limited to specific blood cancers and encounter therapeutic resistance. EED stabilizes PRC2 complex and enhances its activity through unique allosteric mechanisms, thereby acting as both a scaffold protein and a recognizer of H3K27me3 making it an attractive drug target. This review provides an overview of epigenetic therapeutic strategies targeting EED, including allosteric inhibitors, PPI inhibitors, and PROTACs, together with brief discussions on the relevant challenges, opportunities, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichao Bao
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Daqing Wu
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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3
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Falkenstern L, Georgi V, Bunse S, Badock V, Husemann M, Roehn U, Stellfeld T, Fitzgerald M, Ferrara S, Stöckigt D, Stresemann C, Hartung IV, Fernández-Montalván A. A miniaturized mode-of-action profiling platform enables high throughput characterization of the molecular and cellular dynamics of EZH2 inhibition. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1739. [PMID: 38242973 PMCID: PMC10799085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50964-x] [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: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The market approval of Tazemetostat (TAZVERIK) for the treatment of follicular lymphoma and epithelioid sarcoma has established "enhancer of zeste homolog 2" (EZH2) as therapeutic target in oncology. Despite their structural similarities and common mode of inhibition, Tazemetostat and other EZH2 inhibitors display differentiated pharmacological profiles based on their target residence time. Here we established high throughput screening methods based on time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer, scintillation proximity and high content analysis microscopy to quantify the biochemical and cellular binding of a chemically diverse collection of EZH2 inhibitors. These assays allowed to further characterize the interplay between EZH2 allosteric modulation by methylated histone tails (H3K27me3) and inhibitor binding, and to evaluate the impact of EZH2's clinically relevant mutant Y641N on drug target residence times. While all compounds in this study exhibited slower off-rates, those with clinical candidate status display significantly slower target residence times in wild type EZH2 and disease-related mutants. These inhibitors interact in a more entropy-driven fashion and show the most persistent effects in cellular washout and antiproliferative efficacy experiments. Our work provides mechanistic insights for the largest cohort of EZH2 inhibitors reported to date, demonstrating that-among several other binding parameters-target residence time is the best predictor of cellular efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Falkenstern
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Rentschler Biopharma SE, Erwin-Rentschler-Straße 21, 88471, Laupheim, Germany
| | - Victoria Georgi
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bunse
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volker Badock
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Roehn
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Stellfeld
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mark Fitzgerald
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nested Therapeutics, 1030 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 410, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Steven Ferrara
- Broad Institute, Merkin Building, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Detlef Stöckigt
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carlo Stresemann
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Nuvisan Innovation Campus Berlin, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingo V Hartung
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Amaury Fernández-Montalván
- Bayer AG, Müllerstrasse 178, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88400, Biberach an der Riß, Germany.
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4
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Ju J, Zhang H, Guan S, Liu C, Du J, Shen X, Wang S. Insight into the Inhibitory Mechanism of Embryonic Ectoderm Development Subunit by Triazolopyrimidine Derivatives as Inhibitors through Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Molecules 2023; 28:7997. [PMID: 38138487 PMCID: PMC10745707 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED) subunit in Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) can inhibit tumor growth. In this paper, we selected six experimentally designed EED competitive Inhibitors of the triazolopyrimidine derivatives class. We investigated the difference in the binding mode of the natural substrate to the Inhibitors and the effects of differences in the parent nuclei, heads, and tails of the Inhibitors on the inhibitory capacity. The results showed that the binding free energy of this class of Inhibitors was close to or lower compared to the natural substrate, providing an energetic basis for competitive inhibition. For the Inhibitors, the presence of a strong negatively charged group at the 6-position of the parent nucleus or the 8'-position of the head would make the hydrogen atom on the head imino group prone to flip, resulting in the vertical movement of the parent nucleus, which significantly decreased the inhibitory ability. When the 6-position of the parent nucleus was a nonpolar group, the parent nucleus would move horizontally, slightly decreasing the inhibitory ability. When the 8'-position of the head was methylene, it formed an intramolecular hydrophobic interaction with the benzene ring on the tail, resulting in a significant increase in inhibition ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Ju
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2 Liutiao Road, Changchun 130023, China; (J.J.); (H.Z.); (C.L.); (J.D.); (X.S.)
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2 Liutiao Road, Changchun 130023, China; (J.J.); (H.Z.); (C.L.); (J.D.); (X.S.)
| | - Shanshan Guan
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun 130052, China;
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition at Universities of Jilin Province, Changchun 130052, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2 Liutiao Road, Changchun 130023, China; (J.J.); (H.Z.); (C.L.); (J.D.); (X.S.)
| | - Juan Du
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2 Liutiao Road, Changchun 130023, China; (J.J.); (H.Z.); (C.L.); (J.D.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaoli Shen
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2 Liutiao Road, Changchun 130023, China; (J.J.); (H.Z.); (C.L.); (J.D.); (X.S.)
| | - Song Wang
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2 Liutiao Road, Changchun 130023, China; (J.J.); (H.Z.); (C.L.); (J.D.); (X.S.)
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5
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Negri A, Marozzi M, Trisciuoglio D, Rotili D, Mai A, Rizzi F. Simultaneous administration of EZH2 and BET inhibitors inhibits proliferation and clonogenic ability of metastatic prostate cancer cells. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2163242. [PMID: 36629431 PMCID: PMC9848337 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2163242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for recurrent prostate cancer (PC). However, after a certain period of responsiveness, ADT resistance occurs virtually in all patients and the disease progresses to lethal metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Aberrant expression and function of the epigenetic modifiers EZH2 and BET over activates c-myc, an oncogenic transcription factor critically contributing to mCRPC. In the present work, we tested, for the first time, the combination of an EZH2 inhibitor with a BET inhibitor in metastatic PC cells. The combination outperformed single drugs in inhibiting cell viability, cell proliferation and clonogenic ability, and concomitantly reduced both c-myc and NF-kB expression. Although these promising results will warrant further in vivo validation, they represent the first step to establishing the rationale that the proposed combination might be suitable for mCRPC treatment, by exploiting molecular targets different from androgen receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aide Negri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marina Marozzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IMBP), National Research Council (CNR) c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin,” Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Rizzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy,National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy,CONTACT Federica Rizzi Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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6
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VanDyke D, Xu L, Sargunas PR, Gilbreth RN, Baca M, Gao C, Hunt J, Spangler JB. Redirecting the specificity of tripartite motif containing-21 scaffolds using a novel discovery and design approach. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105381. [PMID: 37866632 PMCID: PMC10694607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105381] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hijacking the ubiquitin proteasome system to elicit targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to target and destroy intracellular proteins at the post-translational level. Small molecule-based TPD approaches, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues, have shown potential, with several agents currently in clinical trials. Biological PROTACs (bioPROTACs), which are engineered fusion proteins comprised of a target-binding domain and an E3 ubiquitin ligase, have emerged as a complementary approach for TPD. Here, we describe a new method for the evolution and design of bioPROTACs. Specifically, engineered binding scaffolds based on the third fibronectin type III domain of human tenascin-C (Tn3) were installed into the E3 ligase tripartite motif containing-21 (TRIM21) to redirect its degradation specificity. This was achieved via selection of naïve yeast-displayed Tn3 libraries against two different oncogenic proteins associated with B-cell lymphomas, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) and embryonic ectoderm development protein (EED), and replacing the native substrate-binding domain of TRIM21 with our evolved Tn3 domains. The resulting TRIM21-Tn3 fusion proteins retained the binding properties of the Tn3 as well as the E3 ligase activity of TRIM21. Moreover, we demonstrated that TRIM21-Tn3 fusion proteins efficiently degraded their respective target proteins through the ubiquitin proteasome system in cellular models. We explored the effects of binding domain avidity and E3 ligase utilization to gain insight into the requirements for effective bioPROTAC design. Overall, this study presents a versatile engineering approach that could be used to design and engineer TRIM21-based bioPROTACs against therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek VanDyke
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Linda Xu
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul R Sargunas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ryan N Gilbreth
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Manuel Baca
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Changshou Gao
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - James Hunt
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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7
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Fields JK, Hicks CW, Wolberger C. Diverse modes of regulating methyltransferase activity by histone ubiquitination. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102649. [PMID: 37429149 PMCID: PMC10527252 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modification of histones plays a central role in regulating transcription. Methylation of histone H3 at lysines 4 (H3K4) and 79 (H3K79) play roles in activating transcription whereas methylation of H3K27 is a repressive mark. These modifications, in turn, depend upon prior monoubiquitination of specific histone residues in a phenomenon known as histone crosstalk. Earlier work had provided insights into the mechanism by which monoubiquitination histone H2BK120 stimulates H3K4 methylation by COMPASS/MLL1 and H3K79 methylation by DOT1L, and monoubiquitinated H2AK119 stimulates methylation of H3K27 by the PRC2 complex. Recent studies have shed new light on the role of individual subunits and paralogs in regulating the activity of PRC2 and how additional post-translational modifications regulate yeast Dot1 and human DOT1L, as well as provided new insights into the regulation of MLL1 by H2BK120ub.
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Affiliation(s)
- James K Fields
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Chad W Hicks
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Cynthia Wolberger
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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8
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Naiyer S, Dwivedi L, Singh N, Phulera S, Mohan V, Kamran M. Role of Transcription Factor BEND3 and Its Potential Effect on Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3685. [PMID: 37509346 PMCID: PMC10377563 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BEND3 is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression in mammals. While there is limited research on the role of BEND3 as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene and its potential role in cancer therapy is still emerging, several studies suggest that it may be involved in both the processes. Its interaction and regulation with multiple other factors via p21 have already been reported to play a significant role in cancer development, which serves as an indication of its potential role in oncogenesis. Its interaction with chromatin modifiers such as NuRD and NoRC and its role in the recruitment of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) are some of the additional events indicative of its potential role in cancer development. Moreover, a few recent studies indicate BEND3 as a potential target for cancer therapy. Since the specific mechanisms by which BEND3 may contribute to cancer progression are not yet fully elucidated, in this review, we have discussed the possible pathways BEND3 may take to serve as an oncogenic driver or suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Naiyer
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lalita Dwivedi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Invertis University, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Nishant Singh
- Cell and Gene Therapy Division Absorption System, Exton, PA 19341, USA
| | - Swastik Phulera
- Initium Therapeutics, 22 Strathmore Rd., STE 453, Natick, MA 01760, USA
| | - Vijay Mohan
- Department of Biosciences, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, UP, India
| | - Mohammad Kamran
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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9
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Long Y, Wang Y, Qu M, Zhang D, Zhang X, Zhang J. Combined inhibition of EZH2 and the autotaxin-LPA-LPA2 axis exerts synergistic antitumor effects on colon cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2023; 566:216226. [PMID: 37230222 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Autotaxin (ATX), also known as ENPP2, is the key enzyme in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) production. LPA acts on its receptors on the cell membrane to promote cell proliferation and migration, and thus, the ATX-LPA axis plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. Clinical data analysis indicated that in colon cancer, there is a strong negative correlation between the expression of ATX and EZH2, the enzymatic catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Here, we demonstrated that ATX expression was epigenetically silenced by PRC2, which was recruited by MTF2 and catalyzed H3K27me3 modification in the ATX promoter region. EZH2 inhibition is a promising strategy for cancer treatment, and ATX expression is induced in colon cancer cells by EZH2 inhibitors. With both EZH2 and ATX as targets, their combined inhibition exerted synergistic antitumor effects on colon cancer cells. In addition, LPA receptor 2 (LPA2) deficiency significantly enhanced the sensitivity to EZH2 inhibitors in colon cancer cells. In summary, our study identified ATX as a novel PRC2 target gene and found that cotargeting EZH2 and the ATX-LPA-LPA2 axis may be a potential combination therapy strategy for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Long
- The Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yuqin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Mengxia Qu
- The Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Di Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Junjie Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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10
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Zhu Y, Zhang L, Song X, Zhang Q, Wang T, Xiao H, Yu L. Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 by ZLD1039 suppresses tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis in melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 210:115493. [PMID: 36898415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality rate of malignant melanoma are increasing worldwide. Metastasis reduces the efficacy of current melanoma therapies and leads to poor prognosis for patients. EZH2 is a methyltransferase that promotes the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumor cells by regulating transcriptional activity. EZH2 inhibitors could be effective in melanoma therapies. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether the pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 by ZLD1039, a potent and selective S-adenosyl-l-methionine-EZH2 inhibitor, suppresses tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis in melanoma cells. Results showed that ZLD1039 selectively reduced H3K27 methylation in melanoma cells by inhibiting EZH2 methyltransferase activity. Additionally, ZLD1039 exerted excellent antiproliferative effects on melanoma cells in 2D and 3D culture systems. Administration of ZLD1039 (100 mg/kg) by oral gavage caused antitumor effects in the A375 subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. RNA sequencing and GSEA revealed that the ZLD1039-treated tumors exhibited changes in the gene sets enriched from the "Cell Cycle" and "Oxidative Phosphorylation", whereas the "ECM receptor interaction" gene set had a negative enrichment score. Mechanistically, ZLD1039 induced G0/G1 phase arrest by upregulating p16 and p27 and inhibiting the functions of the cyclin D1/CDK6 and cyclin E/CDK2 complexes. Moreover, ZLD1039 induced apoptosis in melanoma cells via the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species apoptotic pathway, consistent with the changes in transcriptional signatures. ZLD1039 also exhibited excellent antimetastatic effects on melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data highlight that ZLD1039 may be effective against melanoma growth and pulmonary metastasis and thus could serve as a therapeutic agent for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lidan Zhang
- Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xuejiao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiangsheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Luoting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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11
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Zhang Q, Chen X, Cao J, Yang W, Wan G, Feng Q, Zhou S, Yang H, Wang N, Liu Z, Xiao H, Zhu Y, Yu L. Discovery of a Novel Covalent EZH2 Inhibitor Based on Tazemetostat Scaffold for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1725-1741. [PMID: 36692394 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) is the enzymatic catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which plays an important role in post-translational modifications of histones. In this study, we designed and synthesized a new series EZH2 covalent inhibitors that have rarely been reported. Biochemical studies and mass spectrometry provide information that SKLB-03220 could covalently bind to the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) pocket of EZH2. Besides, SKLB-03220 was highly potent for EZH2MUT, while exhibiting weak activities against other tested histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and kinases. Moreover, SKLB-03220 displayed noteworthy potency against ovarian cancer cell lines and continuously abolished H3K27me3 after washing out. Furthermore, oral administration of SKLB-03220 significantly inhibited tumor growth in PA-1 xenograft model without obvious adverse effects. Taken together, SKLB-03220 is a potent, selective EZH2 covalent inhibitor with noteworthy anticancer efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangsheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Jiaying Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Wan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Guoquan Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Feng
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Chengdu Normal University, Chengdu 611130, P. R. China
| | - Shuyan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Hongling Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Ningyu Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest JiaoTong University, Chengdu 611756, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Hongtao Xiao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Luoting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, 17#3rd Section, Ren Min South Road, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
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12
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EZH2 interacts with HP1BP3 to epigenetically activate WNT7B that promotes temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma. Oncogene 2023; 42:461-470. [PMID: 36517590 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor in adults and harbors a subpopulation of glioma stem cells (GSCs). Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone lysine methyltransferase, deeply involves in the stemness maintenance of GSC. However, the precise mechanism and therapeutic potential remain elusive. We postulated that the interactome of EZH2 in GSC is unique. Therefore, we performed proteomic and transcriptomic research to unveil the oncogenic mechanism of EZH2. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins that co-precipitate with EZH2. We show that EZH2 binds to heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 (HP1BP3) in GSCs and impairs the methylation of H3K9. Overexpression of HP1BP3 enhances the proliferation, self-renewal and temozolomide (TMZ) resistance of GBM cells. Furthermore, EZH2 and HP1BP3 co-activate WNT7B expression thereby increasing TMZ resistance and stemness of GBM cells. Importantly, inhibition of WNT7B autocrine via LGK974 effectively reverses the TMZ resistance. Our work clarifies a new oncogenic mechanism of EZH2 by which it interacts with HP1BP3 and epigenetically activates WNT7B thereby promoting TMZ resistance in GSCs. Our results provide a rationale for targeting WNT/β-catenin pathway as a promising strategy to overcome TMZ resistance in GSCs.
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13
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EZH2: An Accomplice of Gastric Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020425. [PMID: 36672374 PMCID: PMC9856299 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Understanding the factors influencing the therapeutic effects in gastric cancer patients and the molecular mechanism behind gastric cancer is still facing challenges. In addition to genetic alterations and environmental factors, it has been demonstrated that epigenetic mechanisms can also induce the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2), which trimethylates histone 3 at Lys-27 and regulates the expression of downstream target genes through epigenetic mechanisms. It has been found that EZH2 is overexpressed in the stomach, which promotes the progression of gastric cancer through multiple pathways. In addition, targeted inhibition of EZH2 expression can effectively delay the progression of gastric cancer and improve its resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Given the many effects of EZH2 in gastric cancer, there are no studies to comprehensively describe this mechanism. Therefore, in this review, we first introduce EZH2 and clarify the mechanisms of abnormal expression of EZH2 in cancer. Secondly, we summarize the role of EZH2 in gastric cancer, which includes the association of the EZH2 gene with genetic susceptibility to GC, the correlation of the EZH2 gene with gastric carcinogenesis and invasive metastasis, the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs of gastric cancer mediated by EZH2 and the high expression of EZH2 leading to poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Finally, we also clarify some of the current statuses of drug development regarding targeted inhibition of EZH2/PRC2 activity.
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14
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Gonzalez ME, Naimo GD, Anwar T, Paolì A, Tekula SR, Kim S, Medhora N, Leflein SA, Itkin J, Trievel R, Kidwell KM, Chen YC, Mauro L, Yoon E, Andò S, Kleer CG. EZH2 T367 phosphorylation activates p38 signaling through lysine methylation to promote breast cancer progression. iScience 2022; 25:104827. [PMID: 35992062 PMCID: PMC9389258 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are frequently poorly differentiated with high propensity for metastasis. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the lysine methyltransferase of polycomb repressive complex 2 that mediates transcriptional repression in normal cells and in cancer through H3K27me3. However, H3K27me3-independent non-canonical functions of EZH2 are incompletely understood. We reported that EZH2 phosphorylation at T367 by p38α induces TNBC metastasis in an H3K27me3-independent manner. Here, we show that cytosolic EZH2 methylates p38α at lysine 139 and 165 leading to enhanced p38α stability and that p38 methylation and activation require T367 phosphorylation of EZH2. Dual inhibition of EZH2 methyltransferase and p38 kinase activities downregulates pEZH2-T367, H3K27me3, and p-p38 pathways in vivo and reduces TNBC growth and metastasis. These data uncover a cooperation between EZH2 canonical and non-canonical mechanisms and suggest that inhibition of these pathways may be a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Giuseppina Daniela Naimo
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Talha Anwar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alessandro Paolì
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Shilpa R. Tekula
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Suny Kim
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natasha Medhora
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shoshana A. Leflein
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jacob Itkin
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Raymond Trievel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kelley M. Kidwell
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yu-Chih Chen
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Department of Computational and Systems Biology, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Loredana Mauro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Euisik Yoon
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
| | - Celina G. Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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15
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Xia J, Li J, Tian L, Ren X, Liu C, Liang C. Targeting Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 for the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors: Candidate Structure–Activity Relationships Insights and Evolution Prospects. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7016-7043. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xia
- Laboratory of Hematologic Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
| | - Lei Tian
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Ren
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, P. R. China
| | - Chang Liu
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhuhai 519030, P. R. China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
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16
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Webb T, Craigon C, Ciulli A. Targeting epigenetic modulators using PROTAC degraders: Current status and future perspective. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 63:128653. [PMID: 35257896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modulators perform critical functions in gene expression for rapid adaption to external stimuli and are prevalent in all higher-order organisms. The establishment of a link between dysregulation of epigenetic processes and disease pathogenesis, particularly in cancer, has led to much interest in identifying drug targets. This prompted the development of small molecule inhibitors, primarily in haematological malignancies. While there have been epigenetic-targeting drugs to receive FDA approval for the treatment of cancers, many suffer from limited applicability, toxicity and the onset of drug resistance, as our understanding of the biology remains incomplete. The recent advent of genome-wide RNAi and CRISPR screens has shed new light on loss of specific proteins causing vulnerabilities of specific cancer types, highlighting the potential for exploiting synthetic lethality as a therapeutic approach. However, small molecule inhibitors have largely been unable to recapitulate phenotypic effects observed using genome-wide knockdown approaches. This mechanistic disconnect and gap are set to be addressed by targeted protein degradation. Degraders such as PROTACs targeting epigenetic proteins recapitulate CRISPR mediated genetic knockdown at the post-translational level and therefore can better exploit target druggability. Here, we review the current landscape of epigenetic drug discovery, the rationale behind and progress made in the development of PROTAC degraders, and look at future perspectives for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Webb
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Conner Craigon
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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17
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Identification of SET/EED dual binders as innovative PRC2 inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2022; 14:609-621. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2022-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The inhibition of PRC2, implicated in the pathogenesis of several tumors, can be a useful therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. In the literature, two types of PRC2 modulators are reported: competitive inhibitors of S-adenosyl methionine binding to the catalytic subunit EZH2; and allosteric ligands that prevent the interaction of the trimethylated H3K27 lysine in histone 3 to the EED subunit. The lack of dual EZH2/EED modulators drove us to search for compounds capable of recognizing both domains. Materials & methods: This goal was pursued by combining pharmacophore- and docking-based virtual screening of the Multi-Target Ligand Chemotheca database. Prediction tools for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion and pan-assay interference compounds were also applied. Results: Finally, five 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were identified as promising dual EZH2/EED modulators. Conclusion: Our multistage screening protocol highlighted the great potential of Chemotheca for identifying polypharmacological agents.
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18
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Pei H, Guo W, Peng Y, Xiong H, Chen Y. Targeting key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation for cancer therapy: Current strategies and future prospective. Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1607-1660. [PMID: 35312190 DOI: 10.1002/med.21886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation play convergent roles in cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction mediates aberrant gene expressions that underline the hallmarks of tumorigenesis. As tumor progression is dependent on such abnormal regulation of transcription, it is important to discover novel chemical entities as antitumor drugs that target key tumor-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. Despite most key proteins (especially transcription factors) involved in transcriptional regulation are historically recognized as undruggable targets, multiple targeting approaches at diverse levels of transcriptional regulation, such as epigenetic intervention, inhibition of DNA-binding of transcriptional factors, and inhibition of the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), have been established in preclinically or clinically studies. In addition, several new approaches have recently been described, such as targeting proteasomal degradation and eliciting synthetic lethality. This review will emphasize on accentuating these developing therapeutic approaches and provide a thorough conspectus of the drug development to target key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and their impact on future oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Pei
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weikai Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yangrui Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Xiong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Zhao Y, Guan YY, Zhao F, Yu T, Zhang SJ, Zhang YZ, Duan YC, Zhou XL. Recent strategies targeting Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED) for cancer therapy: Allosteric inhibitors, PPI inhibitors, and PROTACs. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 231:114144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Vijayanathan M, Trejo-Arellano MG, Mozgová I. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 in Eukaryotes-An Evolutionary Perspective. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:3. [PMID: 35076495 PMCID: PMC8788455 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) represents a group of evolutionarily conserved multi-subunit complexes that repress gene transcription by introducing trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3). PRC2 activity is of key importance for cell identity specification and developmental phase transitions in animals and plants. The composition, biochemistry, and developmental function of PRC2 in animal and flowering plant model species are relatively well described. Recent evidence demonstrates the presence of PRC2 complexes in various eukaryotic supergroups, suggesting conservation of the complex and its function. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of PRC2-mediated repression in different representatives of eukaryotic supergroups with a focus on the green lineage. By comparison of PRC2 in different eukaryotes, we highlight the possible common and diverged features suggesting evolutionary implications and outline emerging questions and directions for future research of polycomb repression and its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallika Vijayanathan
- Biology Centre, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (M.G.T.-A.)
| | - María Guadalupe Trejo-Arellano
- Biology Centre, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (M.G.T.-A.)
| | - Iva Mozgová
- Biology Centre, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.V.); (M.G.T.-A.)
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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21
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Wang L, Chen C, Song Z, Wang H, Ye M, Wang D, Kang W, Liu H, Qing G. EZH2 depletion potentiates MYC degradation inhibiting neuroblastoma and small cell carcinoma tumor formation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:12. [PMID: 35013218 PMCID: PMC8748958 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to therapeutically target EZH2 have generally focused on inhibition of its methyltransferase activity, although it remains less clear whether this is the central mechanism whereby EZH2 promotes cancer. In the current study, we show that EZH2 directly interacts with both MYC family oncoproteins, MYC and MYCN, and promotes their stabilization in a methyltransferase-independent manner. By competing against the SCFFBW7 ubiquitin ligase to bind MYC and MYCN, EZH2 counteracts FBW7-mediated MYC(N) polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Depletion, but not enzymatic inhibition, of EZH2 induces robust MYC(N) degradation and inhibits tumor cell growth in MYC(N) driven neuroblastoma and small cell lung carcinoma. Here, we demonstrate the MYC family proteins as global EZH2 oncogenic effectors and EZH2 pharmacologic degraders as potential MYC(N) targeted cancer therapeutics, pointing out that MYC(N) driven cancers may develop inherent resistance to the canonical EZH2 enzymatic inhibitors currently in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chan Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zemin Song
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Honghong Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Minghui Ye
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Donghai Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wenqian Kang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hudan Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guoliang Qing
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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22
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Bagal SK, Gregson C, O' Donovan DH, Pike KG, Bloecher A, Barton P, Borodovsky A, Code E, Fillery SM, Hsu JHR, Kawatkar SP, Li C, Longmire D, Nai Y, Nash SC, Pike A, Robinson J, Read JA, Rawlins PB, Shen M, Tang J, Wang P, Woods H, Williamson B. Diverse, Potent, and Efficacious Inhibitors That Target the EED Subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 Methyltransferase. J Med Chem 2021; 64:17146-17183. [PMID: 34807608 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activity of the histone methyltransferase polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) has been linked to several cancers, with small-molecule inhibitors of the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) being recently approved for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma (ES) and follicular lymphoma (FL). Compounds binding to the EED subunit of PRC2 have recently emerged as allosteric inhibitors of PRC2 methyltransferase activity. In contrast to orthosteric inhibitors that target EZH2, small molecules that bind to EED retain their efficacy in EZH2 inhibitor-resistant cell lines. In this paper we disclose the discovery of potent and orally bioavailable EED ligands with good solubilities. The solubility of the EED ligands was optimized through a variety of design tactics, with the resulting compounds exhibiting in vivo efficacy in EZH2-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharan K Bagal
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Gregson
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel H O' Donovan
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Kurt G Pike
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Bloecher
- AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Peter Barton
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | | | - Erin Code
- AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Shaun M Fillery
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Jessie Hao-Ru Hsu
- AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Sameer P Kawatkar
- AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Chengzhi Li
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - David Longmire
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Youfeng Nai
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Samuel C Nash
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Pike
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - James Robinson
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Jon A Read
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip B Rawlins
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Minhui Shen
- AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Jia Tang
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Peng Wang
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., 6 Taihe Road, BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Haley Woods
- AstraZeneca, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
| | - Beth Williamson
- AstraZeneca, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
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23
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Rej RK, Wang C, Lu J, Wang M, Petrunak E, Zawacki KP, McEachern D, Yang CY, Wang L, Li R, Chinnaswamy K, Wen B, Sun D, Stuckey JA, Zhou Y, Chen J, Tang G, Wang S. Discovery of EEDi-5273 as an Exceptionally Potent and Orally Efficacious EED Inhibitor Capable of Achieving Complete and Persistent Tumor Regression. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14540-14556. [PMID: 34613724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic ectoderm development (EED) is a promising therapeutic target for human cancers and other diseases. We report herein the discovery of exceptionally potent and efficacious EED inhibitors. By conformational restriction of a previously reported EED inhibitor, we obtained a potent lead compound. Further optimization of the lead yielded exceptionally potent EED inhibitors. The best compound EEDi-5273 binds to EED with an IC50 value of 0.2 nM and inhibits the KARPAS422 cell growth with an IC50 value of 1.2 nM. It demonstrates an excellent PK and ADME profile, and its oral administration leads to complete and persistent tumor regression in the KARPAS422 xenograft model with no signs of toxicity. Co-crystal structures of two potent EED inhibitors with EED provide a solid structural basis for their high-affinity binding. EEDi-5273 is a promising EED inhibitor for further advanced preclinical development for the treatment of human cancer and other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chao-Yie Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yunlong Zhou
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215216, China
| | - Jianyong Chen
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215216, China
| | - Guozhi Tang
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215216, China
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24
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Campillo-Marcos I, Monte-Serrano E, Navarro-Carrasco E, García-González R, Lazo PA. Lysine Methyltransferase Inhibitors Impair H4K20me2 and 53BP1 Foci in Response to DNA Damage in Sarcomas, a Synthetic Lethality Strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:715126. [PMID: 34540832 PMCID: PMC8446283 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.715126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chromatin is dynamically remodeled to adapt to all DNA-related processes, including DNA damage responses (DDR). This adaptation requires DNA and histone epigenetic modifications, which are mediated by several types of enzymes; among them are lysine methyltransferases (KMTs). Methods KMT inhibitors, chaetocin and tazemetostat (TZM), were used to study their role in the DDR induced by ionizing radiation or doxorubicin in two human sarcoma cells lines. The effect of these KMT inhibitors was tested by the analysis of chromatin epigenetic modifications, H4K16ac and H4K20me2. DDR was monitored by the formation of γH2AX, MDC1, NBS1 and 53BP1 foci, and the induction of apoptosis. Results Chaetocin and tazemetostat treatments caused a significant increase of H4K16 acetylation, associated with chromatin relaxation, and increased DNA damage, detected by the labeling of free DNA-ends. These inhibitors significantly reduced H4K20 dimethylation levels in response to DNA damage and impaired the recruitment of 53BP1, but not of MDC1 and NBS1, at DNA damaged sites. This modification of epigenetic marks prevents DNA repair by the NHEJ pathway and leads to cell death. Conclusion KMT inhibitors could function as sensitizers to DNA damage-based therapies and be used in novel synthetic lethality strategies for sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raúl García-González
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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25
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Tomassi S, Romanelli A, Zwergel C, Valente S, Mai A. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 Modulation through the Development of EZH2-EED Interaction Inhibitors and EED Binders. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11774-11797. [PMID: 34351144 PMCID: PMC8404197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Epigenetics is nowadays
a well-accepted area of research. In the
last years, tremendous progress was made regarding molecules targeting
EZH2, directly or indirectly. Recently tazemetostat hit the market
after FDA-approval for the treatment of lymphoma. However, the impairment
of EZH2 activity by orthosteric intervention has proven to be effective
only in a limited subset of cancers. Considering the multiproteic
nature of the PRC2 complex and the marked dependence of EZH2 functions
on the other core subunits such as EED, in recent years, a new targeting
approach ascended to prominence. The possibility to cripple the function
of the PRC2 complex by interfering with its multimeric integrity fueled
the interest in developing EZH2–EED protein–protein
interaction and EED inhibitors as indirect modulators of PRC2-dependent
methyltransferase activity. In this Perspective, we aim to summarize
the latest findings regarding the development and the biological activity
of these emerging classes of PRC2 modulators from a medicinal chemist’s
viewpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Development of Machine Learning Models for Accurately Predicting and Ranking the Activity of Lead Molecules to Inhibit PRC2 Dependent Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070699. [PMID: 34358125 PMCID: PMC8308948 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of epigenetic processes to eradicate tumor cells is among the most promising interventions for cancer control. EZH2 (Enhancer of zeste homolog 2), a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), methylates lysine 27 of histone H3 to promote transcriptional silencing and is an important drug target for controlling cancer via epigenetic processes. In the present study, we have developed various predictive models for modeling the inhibitory activity of EZH2. Binary and multiclass models were built using SVM, random forest and XGBoost methods. Rigorous validation approaches including predictiveness curve, Y-randomization and applicability domain (AD) were employed for evaluation of the developed models. Eighteen descriptors selected from Boruta methods have been used for modeling. For binary classification, random forest and XGBoost achieved an accuracy of 0.80 and 0.82, respectively, on external test set. Contrastingly, for multiclass models, random forest and XGBoost achieved an accuracy of 0.73 and 0.75, respectively. 500 Y-randomization runs demonstrate that the models were robust and the correlations were not by chance. Evaluation metrics from predictiveness curve show that the selected eighteen descriptors predict active compounds with total gain (TG) of 0.79 and 0.59 for XGBoost and random forest, respectively. Validated models were further used for virtual screening and molecular docking in search of potential hits. A total of 221 compounds were commonly predicted as active with above the set probability threshold and also under the AD of training set. Molecular docking revealed that three compounds have reasonable binding energy and favorable interactions with critical residues in the active site of EZH2. In conclusion, we highlighted the potential of rigorously validated models for accurately predicting and ranking the activities of lead molecules against cancer epigenetic targets. The models presented in this study represent the platform for development of EZH2 inhibitors.
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Heterochromatin and Polycomb as regulators of haematopoiesis. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:805-814. [PMID: 33929498 PMCID: PMC8106494 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Haematopoiesis is the process by which multipotent haematopoietic stem cells are transformed into each and every type of terminally differentiated blood cell. Epigenetic silencing is critical for this process by regulating the transcription of cell-cycle genes critical for self-renewal and differentiation, as well as restricting alternative fate genes to allow lineage commitment and appropriate differentiation. There are two distinct forms of transcriptionally repressed chromatin: H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin and H3K27me3/H2AK119ub1-marked Polycomb (often referred to as facultative heterochromatin). This review will discuss the role of these distinct epigenetic silencing mechanisms in regulating normal haematopoiesis, how these contribute to age-related haematopoietic dysfunction, and the rationale for therapeutic targeting of these pathways in the treatment of haematological malignancies.
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The Role of Epigenetics in the Progression of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and the Basis for Future Epigenetic Treatments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092071. [PMID: 33922974 PMCID: PMC8123355 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The accumulated evidence on the role of epigenetic markers of prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is reviewed, as well as state of the art on epigenetic treatments for this malignancy. Several epigenetic markers are likely candidates for clinical use, but still have not passed the test of prospective validation. Development of epigenetic therapies, either alone or in combination with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, are still in their infancy. Abstract Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is curable when diagnosed at an early stage, but when disease is non-confined it is the urologic cancer with worst prognosis. Antiangiogenic treatment and immune checkpoint inhibition therapy constitute a very promising combined therapy for advanced and metastatic disease. Many exploratory studies have identified epigenetic markers based on DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNA expression that epigenetically regulate gene expression in ccRCC. Additionally, epigenetic modifiers genes have been proposed as promising biomarkers for ccRCC. We review and discuss the current understanding of how epigenetic changes determine the main molecular pathways of ccRCC initiation and progression, and also its clinical implications. Despite the extensive research performed, candidate epigenetic biomarkers are not used in clinical practice for several reasons. However, the accumulated body of evidence of developing epigenetically-based biomarkers will likely allow the identification of ccRCC at a higher risk of progression. That will facilitate the establishment of firmer therapeutic decisions in a changing landscape and also monitor active surveillance in the aging population. What is more, a better knowledge of the activities of chromatin modifiers may serve to develop new therapeutic opportunities. Interesting clinical trials on epigenetic treatments for ccRCC associated with well established antiangiogenic treatments and immune checkpoint inhibitors are revisited.
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