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Mutlu M, Schmidt I, Morrison AI, Goretzki B, Freuler F, Begue D, Simic O, Pythoud N, Ahrne E, Kapps S, Roest S, Bonenfant D, Jeanpierre D, Tran TTT, Maher R, An S, Rietsch A, Nigsch F, Hofmann A, Reece-Hoyes J, Parker CN, Guerini D. Small molecule induced STING degradation facilitated by the HECT ligase HERC4. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4584. [PMID: 38811577 PMCID: PMC11137104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48922-w] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a central component of the cytosolic nucleic acids sensing pathway and as such master regulator of the type I interferon response. Due to its critical role in physiology and its' involvement in a variety of diseases, STING has been a focus for drug discovery. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a promising pharmacology for targeting previously considered undruggable proteins by hijacking the cellular ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) with small molecules. Here, we identify AK59 as a STING degrader leveraging HERC4, a HECT-domain E3 ligase. Additionally, our data reveals that AK59 is effective on the common pathological STING mutations, suggesting a potential clinical application of this mechanism. Thus, these findings introduce HERC4 to the fields of TPD and of compound-induced degradation of STING, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Mutlu
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Andrew I Morrison
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology & Immunology, Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Damien Begue
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Simic
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Erik Ahrne
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Kapps
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Susan Roest
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Debora Bonenfant
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Rob Maher
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shaojian An
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - John Reece-Hoyes
- Novartis BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Vector Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Zhu Q, Yang X, Lv Y. HERC4 modulates ovarian cancer cell proliferation by regulating SMO-elicited hedgehog signaling. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130557. [PMID: 38181892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130557] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HERC4 has been reported to have functions in several types of tumors, but its roles in ovarian cancer have not been studied yet. METHODS Primary tissues from ovarian cancer patients and cell lines were collected for real-time PCR. Kaplan-Meier Plotter was used to predict the prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. HERC4 was overexpressed in cells by lentivirus, and CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. Real-time PCR and Western blot were carried out to analyze the mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Xenograft tumor models were established to analyze HERC4 function in vivo. RESULTS Firstly, we found that HERC4 was significantly downregulated in ovarian cancer. We then found that ovarian cancer patients with high HERC4 expression had significantly higher overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared with patients with low expression. Then, HERC4 was overexpressed in ovarian cancer cells, and we found that overexpression of HERC4 significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell growth, as well as the expression of the target protein SMO, and the key proteins in the downstream hedgehog signaling pathway. Finally, the xenograft tumor models revealed that overexpression of HERC4 significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results indicate that overexpression of HERC4 inhibits cell proliferation of ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that HERC4 may serve as an effective target for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjuan Zhu
- N19 District Gynecology, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou First Hospital, Anji Road, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian, China.
| | - Xin Yang
- N19 District Gynecology, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou First Hospital, Anji Road, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian, China
| | - Yuchun Lv
- N19 District Gynecology, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou First Hospital, Anji Road, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian, China.
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Sala-Gaston J, Martinez-Martinez A, Pedrazza L, Lorenzo-Martín LF, Caloto R, Bustelo XR, Ventura F, Rosa JL. HERC Ubiquitin Ligases in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061653. [PMID: 32580485 PMCID: PMC7352365 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HERC proteins are ubiquitin E3 ligases of the HECT family. The HERC subfamily is composed of six members classified by size into large (HERC1 and HERC2) and small (HERC3-HERC6). HERC family ubiquitin ligases regulate important cellular processes, such as neurodevelopment, DNA damage response, cell proliferation, cell migration, and immune responses. Accumulating evidence also shows that this family plays critical roles in cancer. In this review, we provide an integrated view of the role of these ligases in cancer, highlighting their bivalent functions as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors, depending on the tumor type. We include a discussion of both the molecular mechanisms involved and the potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Sala-Gaston
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Institut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.-G.); (A.M.-M.); (L.P.); (F.V.)
| | - Arturo Martinez-Martinez
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Institut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.-G.); (A.M.-M.); (L.P.); (F.V.)
| | - Leonardo Pedrazza
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Institut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.-G.); (A.M.-M.); (L.P.); (F.V.)
| | - L. Francisco Lorenzo-Martín
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and CIBERONC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.F.L.-M.); (R.C.); (X.R.B.)
| | - Rubén Caloto
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and CIBERONC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.F.L.-M.); (R.C.); (X.R.B.)
| | - Xosé R. Bustelo
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer and CIBERONC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (L.F.L.-M.); (R.C.); (X.R.B.)
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Institut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.-G.); (A.M.-M.); (L.P.); (F.V.)
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Institut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.-G.); (A.M.-M.); (L.P.); (F.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Wang Y, Argiles-Castillo D, Kane EI, Zhou A, Spratt DE. HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases - emerging insights into their biological roles and disease relevance. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/7/jcs228072. [PMID: 32265230 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.228072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ubiquitin ligases play a critical role in various cellular pathways, including but not limited to protein trafficking, subcellular localization, innate immune response, viral infections, DNA damage responses and apoptosis. To date, 28 HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases have been identified in humans, and recent studies have begun to reveal how these enzymes control various cellular pathways by catalyzing the post-translational attachment of ubiquitin to their respective substrates. New studies have identified substrates and/or interactors with different members of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase family, particularly for E6AP and members of the neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 4 (NEDD4) family. However, there still remains many unanswered questions about the specific roles that each of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases have in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The present Review discusses our current understanding on the biological roles of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases in the cell and how they contribute to disease development. Expanded investigations on the molecular basis for how and why the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases recognize and regulate their intracellular substrates will help to clarify the biochemical mechanisms employed by these important enzymes in ubiquitin biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaya Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shanxi, China 710054.,Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Diana Argiles-Castillo
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Emma I Kane
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610, USA
| | - Anning Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shanxi, China 710054
| | - Donald E Spratt
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610, USA
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Xu Y, Ji K, Wu M, Hao B, Yao KT, Xu Y. A miRNA-HERC4 pathway promotes breast tumorigenesis by inactivating tumor suppressor LATS1. Protein Cell 2019; 10:595-605. [PMID: 30710319 PMCID: PMC6626598 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-019-0607-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The E3 ligase HERC4 is overexpressed in human breast cancer and its expression levels correlated with the prognosis of breast cancer patients. However, the roles of HERC4 in mammary tumorigenesis remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that the knockdown of HERC4 in human breast cancer cells dramatically suppressed their proliferation, survival, migration, and tumor growth in vivo, while the overexpression of HERC4 promoted their aggressive tumorigenic activities. HERC4 is a new E3 ligase for the tumor suppressor LATS1 and destabilizes LATS1 by promoting the ubiquitination of LATS1. miRNA-136-5p and miRNA-1285-5p, expression of which is decreased in human breast cancers and is inversely correlated with the prognosis of breast cancer patients, are directly involved in suppressing the expression of HERC4. In summary, we discover a miRNA-HERC4-LATS1 pathway that plays important roles in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and represents new therapeutic targets for human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youqin Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kaiyuan Ji
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Bingtao Hao
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Kai-Tai Yao
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Yang Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510632, China. .,Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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