1
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El-Desoky AM, Ali YBM, Talaat RM. Cytotoxic effect of combining two antisense oligonucleotides against telomerase rna component (hTR and mRNA of centromere protein B (CENP-B) in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20200573. [PMID: 35894385 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120200573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that plays a crucial role in maintaining the malignancy and is responsible for cellular immortality and tumorigenesis. On another hand, Centromere protein B (CENP-B) plays an important role in cell cycle regulation and helping in the high rate proliferation of cancer cells. Our study is designed to evaluate the effect of using combined antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting (hTR) and mRNA of CENP-B on liver cancer cells. Compared with a single treatment, combination treatment with Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) ASO (hTR) and (CENP-B) (6.25 nM from each) exhibit the maximum synergistic cytotoxic effect. hTR and CENP-B mRNA was abrogated while hTERT expression was disappeared. Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were not detected, indicating caspase-independent cell death. A significant reduction in [Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and Transforming growth factor (TGF-β)] coincides with elevation in Nitric oxide (NO) secretions was observed. Taken together; our data suggest that combination treatment with LNA ASO (hTR) and (CENP-B) could provide a promising strategy for cancer treatment by controlling many pathways concurrently. This might open a new prospective application of antisense in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M El-Desoky
- University of Sadat City (USC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), Department of Molecular Biology, PO Box 79 / 22857 Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Yasser B M Ali
- University of Sadat City (USC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), Department of Molecular Biology, PO Box 79 / 22857 Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Roba M Talaat
- University of Sadat City (USC), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), Department of Molecular Biology, PO Box 79 / 22857 Sadat City, Egypt
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2
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Ghareghomi S, Ahmadian S, Zarghami N, Hemmati S. hTERT-molecular targeted therapy of ovarian cancer cells via folate-functionalized PLGA nanoparticles co-loaded with MNPs/siRNA/wortmannin. Life Sci 2021; 277:119621. [PMID: 34004255 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Effective telomerase-molecular targeted cancer therapy might be a promising approach for the efficient treatment of ovarian cancer. Therefore, folate-functionalized PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were co-loaded with hTERT siRNA, Wortmannin (Wtmn), as a potent PI3K inhibitor, and magnetic nanoparticle (MNPs) as a theranostic agent to gain a multifunctional NPs for targeted drug delivery as well as molecular targeted therapy. 1HNMR, FTIR, DLS, FE-SEM and TEM were applied to characterize the synthesized NPs. In vitro discharge pattern for siRNA and Wtmn from the dual drug-loaded NPs showed an early fast release followed by a constant release up to 200 h. According to the MRI analysis, by increasing the concentration of Fe3O4 in NPs, the weaker T2 signal intensity was enhanced, and a considerable contrast was detected in the MRI images. MTT assay and median-effect analysis showed that the Wtmn/siRNA-loaded MNPs-PLGA-F2 NPs display the most synergistic cytotoxicity on the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, the Wtmn/siRNA-loaded MNPs-PLGA-FA NPs could significantly reduce the expression of hTERT, AKT, and p-AKT than the single drug-encapsulated NPs (P < 0.05). Taken together, the findings showed that the multifunctional NPs relying on combinatorial therapy might have considerable potential for effective telomerase-molecular targeted therapy of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayyeh Ghareghomi
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Ahmadian
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nosratollah Zarghami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Salar Hemmati
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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3
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Diala I, Shiohama Y, Fujita T, Kotake Y, Demonacos C, Krstic-Demonacos M, Leva GD, Fujii M. Telomerase inhibition, telomere attrition and proliferation arrest of cancer cells induced by phosphorothioate ASO-NLS conjugates targeting hTERC and siRNAs targeting hTERT. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 39:407-425. [PMID: 32310030 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2020.1713357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase activity has been regarded as a critical step in cellular immortalization and carcinogenesis and because of this, regulation of telomerase represents an attractive target for anti-tumor specific therapeutics. Recently, one avenue of cancer research focuses on antisense strategy to target the oncogenes or cancer driver genes, in a sequence specific fashion to down-regulate the expression of the target gene. The protein catalytic subunit, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and the template RNA component (hTERC) are essential for telomerase function, thus theoretically, inhibition of telomerase activity can be achieved by interfering with either the gene expression of hTERT or the hTERC of the telomerase enzymatic complex. The present study showed that phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide (sASO)-nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide conjugates targeting hTERC could inhibit telomerase activity very efficiently at 5 μM concentration but less efficiently at 1 μM concentration. On the other hand, siRNA targeting hTERT mRNA could strongly suppress hTERT expression at 200 nM concentration. It was also revealed that siRNA targeting hTERT could induce telomere attrition and then irreversible arrest of proliferation of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irmina Diala
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Humanity Oriented Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Yasuo Shiohama
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Humanity Oriented Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Takashi Fujita
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Humanity Oriented Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Yojiro Kotake
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Humanity Oriented Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Constantinos Demonacos
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marija Krstic-Demonacos
- College of Science & Technology, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Gianpiero Di Leva
- College of Science & Technology, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Humanity Oriented Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
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4
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Maggisano V, Celano M, Lepore SM, Sponziello M, Rosignolo F, Pecce V, Verrienti A, Baldan F, Mio C, Allegri L, Maranghi M, Falcone R, Damante G, Russo D, Bulotta S. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase in papillary thyroid cancer: gene expression, effects of silencing and regulation by BET inhibitors in thyroid cancer cells. Endocrine 2019; 63:545-553. [PMID: 30661164 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-01836-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mutations in TERT promoter have been detected in the more aggressive papillary thyroid cancers (PTCs). To elucidate the role of TERT as an eligible molecular target in these tumors, the expression of hTERT was analyzed in a series of PTCs and the effects of both pharmacological and RNA-interference-induced hTERT silencing were investigated in two human PTC cell lines (K1 and BCPAP). METHODS The expression levels of hTERT mRNA and protein were evaluated by real-time PCR and western blot assays, respectively. Effects of hTERT silencing on PTC cell lines were analyzed by MTT, migration and western blot assays. Pharmacological inhibition of hTERT was performed using two bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors, JQ1 and I-BET762. RESULTS hTERT expression results increased in 20 out of 48 PTCs, including tumors either positive or negative for the presence of hTERT promoter and/or BRAF mutations. In K1 and BCPAP cells, hTERT silencing determined a reduction in cell viability (~50% for K1 and ~70%, for BCPAP, vs control) and migration properties that were associated with a decrease of AKT phosphorylation and β-Catenin expression. Moreover, hTERT mRNA levels were down-regulated by two BET inhibitors, JQ1 and I-BET762, which at the same dosage (0.5 and 5 µM) reduced the growth of these thyroid cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that hTERT may represent an excellent therapeutic target in subgroups of aggressive PTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Maggisano
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marilena Celano
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Saverio Massimo Lepore
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Sponziello
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rosignolo
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Pecce
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Verrienti
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Baldan
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Catia Mio
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Allegri
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Marianna Maranghi
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Falcone
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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5
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Baena-Del Valle JA, Zheng Q, Esopi DM, Rubenstein M, Hubbard GK, Moncaliano MC, Hruszkewycz A, Vaghasia A, Yegnasubramanian S, Wheelan SJ, Meeker AK, Heaphy CM, Graham MK, De Marzo AM. MYC drives overexpression of telomerase RNA (hTR/TERC) in prostate cancer. J Pathol 2017; 244:11-24. [PMID: 28888037 DOI: 10.1002/path.4980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase consists of at least two essential elements, an RNA component hTR or TERC that contains the template for telomere DNA addition and a catalytic reverse transcriptase (TERT). While expression of TERT has been considered the key rate-limiting component for telomerase activity, increasing evidence suggests an important role for the regulation of TERC in telomere maintenance and perhaps other functions in human cancer. By using three orthogonal methods including RNAseq, RT-qPCR, and an analytically validated chromogenic RNA in situ hybridization assay, we report consistent overexpression of TERC in prostate cancer. This overexpression occurs at the precursor stage (e.g. high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or PIN) and persists throughout all stages of disease progression. Levels of TERC correlate with levels of MYC (a known driver of prostate cancer) in clinical samples and we also show the following: forced reductions of MYC result in decreased TERC levels in eight cancer cell lines (prostate, lung, breast, and colorectal); forced overexpression of MYC in PCa cell lines, and in the mouse prostate, results in increased TERC levels; human TERC promoter activity is decreased after MYC silencing; and MYC occupies the TERC locus as assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Finally, we show that knockdown of TERC by siRNA results in reduced proliferation of prostate cancer cell lines. These studies indicate that TERC is consistently overexpressed in all stages of prostatic adenocarcinoma and that its expression is regulated by MYC. These findings nominate TERC as a novel prostate cancer biomarker and therapeutic target. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A Baena-Del Valle
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fundacion Santa Fe De Bogota University Hospital, Bogota, DC, Colombia
| | - Qizhi Zheng
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David M Esopi
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Rubenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gretchen K Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria C Moncaliano
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Hruszkewycz
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ajay Vaghasia
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Departments of Urology and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Brady Urological Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah J Wheelan
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Departments of Urology and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Brady Urological Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alan K Meeker
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Brady Urological Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher M Heaphy
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Brady Urological Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mindy K Graham
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Brady Urological Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Angelo M De Marzo
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Departments of Urology and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Brady Urological Research Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Maggisano V, Celano M, Lombardo GE, Lepore SM, Sponziello M, Rosignolo F, Verrienti A, Baldan F, Puxeddu E, Durante C, Filetti S, Damante G, Russo D, Bulotta S. Silencing of hTERT blocks growth and migration of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 448:34-40. [PMID: 28288903 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the hTERT promoter responsible for constitutive telomerase activity are the most frequent genetic alteration detected in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), and proposed as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in these tumours. In this study we analyzed hTERT expression in a series of human ATCs and investigated the effects of small-interfering RNA-mediated silencing of hTERT on viability and migration and invasive properties of three human ATC cell lines. Expression of hTERT mRNA resulted increased in 8/10 ATCs compared to normal thyroid tissues. Silencing of hTERT in CAL-62, 8505C and SW1736 cells did not modify telomere length but determined a significant decrease (about 50%) of cell proliferation in all cell lines and a great reduction (about 50%) of migration and invasion capacity. These finding demonstrate that hTERT may be considered as a molecular target for ATC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Maggisano
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marilena Celano
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Saverio Massimo Lepore
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Sponziello
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rosignolo
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Verrienti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Baldan
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Efisio Puxeddu
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
| | - Cosimo Durante
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Filetti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Damante
- Department of Medical Area, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Stefania Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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7
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Berardinelli F, Coluzzi E, Sgura A, Antoccia A. Targeting telomerase and telomeres to enhance ionizing radiation effects in in vitro and in vivo cancer models. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2017; 773:204-219. [PMID: 28927529 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of cancer consists in the ability of tumor cells to divide indefinitely, and to maintain stable telomere lengths throughout the activation of specific telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM). Therefore in the last fifteen years, researchers proposed to target telomerase or telomeric structure in order to block limitless replicative potential of cancer cells providing a fascinating strategy for a broad-spectrum cancer therapy. In the present review, we report in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding the use of chemical agents targeting both telomerase or telomere structure and showing promising antitumor effects when used in combination with ionizing radiation (IR). RNA interference, antisense oligonucleotides (e.g., GRN163L), non-nucleoside inhibitors (e.g., BIBR1532) and nucleoside analogs (e.g., AZT) represent some of the most potent strategies to inhibit telomerase activity used in combination with IR. Furthermore, radiosensitizing effects were demonstrated also for agents acting directly on the telomeric structure such as G4-ligands (e.g., RHPS4 and Telomestatin) or telomeric-oligos (T-oligos). To date, some of these compounds are under clinical evaluation (e.g., GRN163L and KML001). Advantages of Telomere/Telomerase Targeting Compounds (T/TTCs) coupled with radiotherapy may be relevant in the treatment of radioresistant tumors and in the development of new optimized treatment plans with reduced dose adsorbed by patients and consequent attenuation of short- end long-term side effects. Pros and cons of possible future applications in cancer therapy based on the combination of T/TCCs and radiation treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Berardinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Sezione di Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Coluzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy
| | - A Sgura
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Sezione di Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - A Antoccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, INFN, Sezione di Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
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8
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RNA interference mediated downregulation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in LN18 cells. Cytotechnology 2016; 68:2311-2321. [PMID: 27757712 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-016-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene is a biomarker for the targeted therapy in various cancers. Presence of increased telomerase activity is a common feature of all cancers including glioblastoma. Both RNA and catalytic subunits of hTERT are the target sites for blocking its activity. The current study focuses on the expression of hTERT in glioblastoma and its regulation using two different novel siRNAs (small interfering RNA). Our patient data demonstrated increased expression of hTERT, which could be correlated with carcinogenesis in glioma. In vitro studies in siRNA transfected LN18 cells confirmed significant cell death (p < 0.05) as evidenced by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assay. These results were further supported by flow cytometry data, which showed significant increase in early and late apoptosis. The hTERT mRNA expression was effectively downregulated by 45 and 39 % with siRNA1 and siRNA2, respectively. These results were further confirmed by immunoblotting analysis (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that both the siRNAs effectively down regulated the expression of hTERT at mRNA and protein levels, thereby decreasing cell viability and proliferation rate. Hence siRNA mediated downregulation of hTERT could be a potential therapeutic avenue in glioblastoma.
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9
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Fekri Aval S, Akbarzadeh A, Yamchi MR, Zarghami F, Nejati-Koshki K, Zarghami N. Gene silencing effect of SiRNA-magnetic modified with biodegradable copolymer nanoparticles on hTERT gene expression in lung cancer cell line. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 44:188-93. [DOI: 10.3109/21691401.2014.934456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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10
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Shi YA, Zhao Q, Zhang LH, Du W, Wang XY, He X, Wu S, Li YL. Knockdown of hTERT by siRNA inhibits cervical cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:1216-24. [PMID: 24920549 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the catalytic component of telomerase that facilitates tumor cell invasion and proliferation. It has been reported that telomerase and hTERT are significantly upregulated in majority of cancers including cervical cancer, thus, downregulation of hTERT is a promising target in malignant tumor treatment. We established a short interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting hTERT, and transfected it into HeLa cells (a cervical cancer cell line) to investi-gate the effect of cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in cervical cancer cells. The results showed that siRNA targeting hTERT could effectively knock down hTERT expression, remarkably suppress telomerase activity, cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis of cervical cancers cells in vitro. In addition, we evaluated whether siRNA targeting hTERT affects tumor growth in nude mice, and found that it dramatically inhibited tumorigenesis and growth of mice injected with siRNA targeting hTERT. Furthermore, we also found that knockdown of hTERT was able to significantly suppress constitutive phosphorylation of Akt, PI3K, which might imply that reduction of hTERT inhibited tumor growth via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to some extent. These results suggest that the suppression of hTERT expression by siRNA inhibits cervical cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and may provide a novel target for anticancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ai Shi
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Li-Hong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Wei Du
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Yao Wang
- Norman Bethune College of Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xu He
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Shan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P.R. China
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11
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Sekaran V, Soares J, Jarstfer MB. Telomere Maintenance as a Target for Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2013; 57:521-38. [DOI: 10.1021/jm400528t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Sekaran
- Division of Chemical Biology
and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Joana Soares
- Division of Chemical Biology
and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Michael B. Jarstfer
- Division of Chemical Biology
and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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12
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13
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Telomerase downregulation induces proapoptotic genes expression and initializes breast cancer cells apoptosis followed by DNA fragmentation in a cell type dependent manner. Mol Biol Rep 2013; 40:4995-5004. [PMID: 23677713 PMCID: PMC3723976 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-013-2600-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the consequence of silencing genes coding for the key subunits of the telomerase complex, i.e. TERT, TERC and TP1 in human breast cancer MCF7 and MDA-MB-231cells. The transfection was performed using Lipofectamine2000 and pooled siRNAs. The cytotoxic and/or antiproliferative effect of siRNA was measured by the SRB assay, the cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation by TUNEL analysis. Telomerase activity was assessed by TRAP, followed by PAGE and ELISA assays. Telomerase downregulation was also assessed using qPCR in order to estimate the changes in the expression profile of genes engaged in apoptosis. It was revealed that treatment of breast cancer cells with different siRNAs (100 nM) resulted in a cell type and time-dependent effects. The downregulation of telomerase subunits was followed by reduction of telomerase activity down to almost 60% compared to control cells. However, a significant effect was only observed when the TERT subunit was downregulated. Its silencing resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase of apoptosis (over 10% in MCF7 and about 5% in MDA-MB-231 cells, corresponding to the Annexin V assay) and DNA fragmentation (almost 30% in MCF7 and over 25% in MDA-MB-231 cells). Interestingly, also several proapoptotic genes were induced after the downregulation of the key telomerase subunit, including Bax, Bik or caspase-1 and caspase-14, as well as NGFR and TNFSF10 which were upregulated twice and more.
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Chen M, Xing LN. siRNA-mediated Inhibition of hTERC Enhances Radiosensitivity of Cervical Cancer. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2012; 13:5975-9. [DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.12.5975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Gladych M, Wojtyla A, Rubis B. Human telomerase expression regulation. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 89:359-76. [DOI: 10.1139/o11-037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since telomerase has been recognized as a relevant factor distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells, it has become a very promising target for anti-cancer therapy. A correlation between short telomere length and increased mortality was revealed in many studies. The telomerase expression/activity appears to be one of the most crucial factors to study to improve cancer therapy and prevention. However, this multisubunit enzymatic complex can be regulated at various levels. Thus, several strategies have been proposed to control telomerase in cancer cells such as anti-sense technology against TR and TERT, ribozymes against TERT, anti-estrogens, progesterone, vitamin D, retinoic acid, quadruplex stabilizers, telomere and telomerase targeting agents, modulation of interaction with other proteins involved in the regulation of telomerase and telomeres, etc. However, the transcription control of key telomerase subunits seems to play the crucial role in whole complexes activity and cancer cells immortality. Thus, the research of telomerase regulation can bring significant insight into the knowledge concerning stem cells metabolism but also ageing. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of numerous telomerase regulation mechanisms at the transcription level in human that might become attractive anti-cancer therapy targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gladych
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Przybyszewskiego 49 St., 60-355 Poznan, Poland
| | - Aneta Wojtyla
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Przybyszewskiego 49 St., 60-355 Poznan, Poland
| | - Blazej Rubis
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Przybyszewskiego 49 St., 60-355 Poznan, Poland
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Li Y, Li M, Yao G, Geng N, Xie Y, Feng Y, Zhang P, Kong X, Xue J, Cheng S, Zhou J, Xiao L. Telomerase inhibition strategies by siRNAs against either hTR or hTERT in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Gene Ther 2011; 18:318-25. [PMID: 21233858 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2010.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) are considered effective molecular targets for current anticancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of targeting hTR and hTERT individually or in combination by recombinant adenovirus-delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Tca8113. Further, we screened the optimal strategy for RNA interference. Our results show that these different recombinant adenoviruses specifically reduced the levels of hTR mRNA, hTERT mRNA, hTERT protein and telomerase activity in Tca8113 cells. Moreover, they successfully inhibited xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. The potency of their antitumor activities was ranked as follows: anti-hTR >anti-hTR+anti-hTERT >anti-hTERT. Therefore, we demonstrated that the siRNA-expressing recombinant adenoviruses were an effective anticancer tool for treatment of OSCC. Furthermore, the anticancer effect of solely targeting hTR was more direct and efficient, compared with the effect of targeting hTR and hTERT in combination, or hTERT exclusively. The mechanism of this anticancer effect in OSCC was not only related to the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of cell apoptosis, but might also involve the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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siRNA inhibition of telomerase enhances the anti-cancer effect of doxorubicin in breast cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:133. [PMID: 19416503 PMCID: PMC2691745 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Accepted: 05/05/2009] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Doxorubicin is an effective breast cancer drug but is hampered by a severe, dose-dependent toxicity. Concomitant administration of doxorubicin and another cancer drug may be able to sensitize tumor cells to the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin and lowers the therapeutic dosage. In this study, we examined the combined effect of low-dose doxorubicin and siRNA inhibition of telomerase on breast cancer cells. We found that when used individually, both treatments were rapid and potent apoptosis inducers; and when the two treatments were combined, we observed an enhanced and sustained apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells. Methods siRNA targeting the mRNA of the protein component of telomerase, the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), was transfected into two breast cancer cell lines. The siRNA inhibition was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blot on hTERT mRNA and protein levels, respectively, and by measuring the activity level of telomerase using the TRAP assay. The effect of the hTERT siRNA on the tumorigenicity of the breast cancer cells was also studied in vivo by injection of the siRNA-transfected breast cancer cells into nude mice. The effects on cell viability, apoptosis and senescence of cells treated with hTERT siRNA, doxorubicin, and the combined treatment of doxorubicin and hTERT siRNA, were examined in vitro by MTT assay, FACS and SA-β-galactosidase staining. Results The hTERT siRNA effectively knocked down the mRNA and protein levels of hTERT, and reduced the telomerase activity to 30% of the untreated control. In vivo, the tumors induced by the hTERT siRNA-transfected cells were of reduced sizes, indicating that the hTERT siRNA also reduced the tumorigenic potential of the breast cancer cells. The siRNA treatment reduced cell viability by 50% in breast cancer cells within two days after transfection, while 0.5 μM doxorubicin treatment had a comparable effect but with a slower kinetics. The combination of hTERT siRNA and 0.5 μM doxorubicin killed twice as many cancer cells, showing a cumulative effect of the two treatments. Conclusion The study demonstrated the potential of telomerase inhibition as an effective treatment for breast cancer. When used in conjunction to doxorubicin, it could potentiate the cytotoxic effect of the drug to breast cancer cells.
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Tang J, Wang Z, Li X, Li J, Shi H. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression correlates with vascular endothelial growth factor-promoted tumor cell proliferation in prostate cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 36:83-93. [PMID: 18437586 DOI: 10.1080/10731190801932074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the correlation between the expressions of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to determine if hTERT was correlated with VEGF-promoted tumor cell proliferation in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expressions of hTERT and VEGF in 60 cases of PCa and 60 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Then their correlation in PCa was analyzed by Spearman correlative analysis. RESULTS The expressions of hTERT were detected in 38 cases of PCa and 10 cases of BPH. The expressions of VEGF were detected in 46 cases of PCa and 28 cases of BPH. The expressions of hTERT and VEGF in PCa were significantly higher than those in BPH (P < 0.05). As a result of correlation analysis, it was found that with an increase of the expression of VEGF, the expression of hTERT also increased in PCa. Significant correlation was observed between the expressions of hTERT and VEGF in PCa (r = 0.8333, P < 0.05). But there was no significant correlation between the expressions of hTERT and VEGF in BPH (r = 0.3156, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS All experiences above indicate that hTERT was one of the important proteins in the proliferation-promoting effect of VEGF on tumor cells in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Tang
- Department of Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P R China.
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Ji XM, Xie CH, Fang MH, Zhou FX, Zhang WJ, Zhang MS, Zhou YF. Efficient inhibition of human telomerase activity by antisense oligonucleotides sensitizes cancer cells to radiotherapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2006; 27:1185-91. [PMID: 16923339 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00417.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the effect of the antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) specific for human telomerase RNA (hTR) on radio sensitization and proliferation inhibition in human neurogliocytoma cells (U251). METHODS U251 cells were transfected with hTR ASODN or nonspecific oligonucleotides (NSODN). Before and after irradiation of (60)Co- gamma ray, telomerase activity was assayed by telomeric repeat amplification protocol ( TRAP-PCR-ELISA), and DNA damage and repair were examined by the comet assay. The classical colony assay was used to plot the cell-survival curve, to detect the D(0 )value. RESULTS hTR antisense oligonucleotides could downregulate the telomerase activity, increase radiation induced DNA damage and reduce the subsequent repair. Furthermore, it could inhibit the proliferation and decrease the D(0 ) value which demonstrates rising radiosensitivity. However, telomere length was unchanged over a short period of time. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that an ASODN-based strategy may be used to develop telomerase inhibitors, which can efficiently sensitize radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-mei Ji
- Department of Chemotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when potentially curative surgical or local ablative therapies are not feasible. There is no effective chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent advances in cancer biology suggest that a limited number of signalling pathways may be responsible for uncontrolled cell proliferation, the major cellular alteration responsible for the cancer phenotype. Novel anticancer agents target these critical pathways, including the receptor tyrosine kinase pathways, the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway, the ubiquitin/proteasome degradation pathway, the DNA methylation and histone deacetylation pathways, the PI3 kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway, angiogenic pathways, telomerase and the cell cycle. These agents hold promise for improving the outcome of patients with intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Because of the high prevalence of liver cirrhosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, to achieve long-term survival of the majority of patients, targeted anticancer therapies will need to be coupled with strategies aimed at reversing the progression of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis R Roberts
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Miles and Shirley Fiterman Center for Digestive Diseases, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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Shervington A, Cruickshanks N, Wright H, Atkinson-Dell R, Lea R, Roberts G, Shervington L. Glioma: What is the role of c-Myc, hsp90 and telomerase? Mol Cell Biochem 2006; 283:1-9. [PMID: 16444580 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-006-2495-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2005] [Accepted: 08/26/2005] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The continuous advancements in cancer research have contributed to the overwhelming evidence of the presence of telomerase in primary and secondary tumours together with hsp90 and c-Myc. This review will discuss the important role of telomerase together with hsp90 and c-Myc within the initiation and progression of gliomas. Also it will review the differential expression of these genes in the different grades of gliomas and the possibility of new treatments targeting these specific genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shervington
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
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Abstract
In view of the limited success of available treatment modalities for breast cancer, alternative and complementary strategies need to be developed. The delineation of the molecular basis of breast cancer provides the possibility of specific intervention by gene therapy through the introduction of genetic material for therapeutic purposes. In this regard, several gene therapy approaches for carcinoma of the breast have been developed. These approaches can be divided into six broad categories: (1) mutation compensation, (2) molecular chemotherapy, (3) proapoptotic gene therapy, (4) antiangiogenic gene therapy, (5) genetic immunopotentiation, and (6) genetic modulation of resistance/sensitivity. Clinical trials for breast cancer have been initiated to evaluate safety, toxicity, and efficacy. Combined modality therapy with gene therapy and chemotherapy or radiation therapy has shown promising results. It is expected that as new therapeutic targets and approaches are identified and advances in vector design are realized, gene therapy will play an increasing role in clinical breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- MA Stoff-Khalili
- Division of Human Gene Therapy, Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Pathology and the Gene Therapy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birminham, AL, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Center, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - P Dall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Duesseldorf, Medical Center, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - DT Curiel
- Division of Human Gene Therapy, Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Pathology and the Gene Therapy Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birminham, AL, USA
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Abstract
Telomeres are complex structures which serve to protect chromosome ends. Telomere shortening occurs in normal somatic cells reaching a point in which cells senesce. Senescence can be counteracted by activating telomerase. Telomerase activity is present in a majority of cancer cells and requires the upregulation of the reverse transcriptase component called hTERT. Because telomerase activity is essential for proliferation of most cancer cells, therapeutic strategies have been developed to inhibit its activity. These strategies centre on targeting the active site, hTERT and hTERC expression, core enzyme stability and telomeric DNA. Successful approaches involve a combination of traditional drugs with telomerase inhibitors. Disrupting the functional expression of hTERT is particularly effective in agreement with evidence that hTERT is an antiapoptotic factor in some cancer cells. In addition, approaches that stabilise DNA secondary structures may disrupt telomere maintenance through a variety of routes making them, potentially, very potent in attack-ing cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terace M Fletcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15 Street, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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