Inhibition of KIF20A by BKS0349 reduces endometriotic lesions in a xenograft mouse model

Advancing Cancer Therapy: The Role of KIF20A as a Target for Inhibitor Development and Immunotherapy

The analysis begins with a detailed examination of the gene expression and protein structure of KIF20A, highlighting its interaction with critical cellular components that influence key processes such as Golgi membrane transport and mitotic spindle assembly. The primary focus is on the development of specific KIF20A inhibitors, detailing their roles and the challenges encountered in enhancing their efficacy, such as achieving specificity, overcoming tumor resistance, and optimizing delivery systems. Additionally, it delves into the prognostic value of KIF20A across multiple cancer types, emphasizing its role as a novel tumor-associated antigen, which lays the groundwork for the development of targeted peptide vaccines. The therapeutic efficacy of these vaccines as demonstrated in recent clinical trials is discussed. Future directions are proposed, including the integration of precision medicine strategies to personalize treatments and the use of combination therapies to improve outcomes. By concentrating on the significant potential of KIF20A as both a direct target for inhibitors and an antigen in cancer vaccines, this review sets a foundation for future research aimed at harnessing KIF20A for effective cancer treatment.

Nucleotide-free structures of KIF20A illuminate atypical mechanochemistry in this kinesin-6

KIF20A is a critical kinesin for cell division and a promising anti-cancer drug target. The mechanisms underlying its cellular roles remain elusive. Interestingly, unusual coupling between the nucleotide- and microtubule-binding sites of this kinesin-6 has been reported, but little is known about how its divergent sequence leads to atypical motility properties. We present here the first high-resolution structure of its motor domain that delineates the highly unusual structural features of this motor, including a long L6 insertion that integrates into the core of the motor domain and that drastically affects allostery and ATPase activity. Together with the high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy microtubule-bound KIF20A structure that reveals the microtubule-binding interface, we dissect the peculiarities of the KIF20A sequence that influence its mechanochemistry, leading to low motility compared to other kinesins. Structural and functional insights from the KIF20A pre-power stroke conformation highlight the role of extended insertions in shaping the motor's mechanochemical cycle. Essential for force production and processivity is the length of the neck linker in kinesins. We highlight here the role of the sequence preceding the neck linker in controlling its backward docking and show that a neck linker four times longer than that in kinesin-1 is required for the activity of this motor.

Identification and validation of risk score model based on gene set activity as a diagnostic biomarker for endometriosis

Objective

The enigmatic nature of Endometriosis (EMS) pathogenesis necessitates investigating alterations in signaling pathway activity to enhance our comprehension of the disease's characteristics.

Methods

Three published gene expression profiles (GSE11691, GSE25628, and GSE7305 datasets) were downloaded, and the "combat" algorithm was employed for batch correction, gene expression difference analysis, and pathway enrichment difference analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify core genes, and the relative enrichment degree of gene sets was evaluated. The Lasso regression model identified candidate gene sets with diagnostic value, and a risk scoring diagnostic model was constructed for further validation on the GSE86534 and GSE5108 datasets. CIBERSORT was used to assess the composition of immune cells in EMS, and the correlation between EMS diagnostic value gene sets and immune cells was evaluated.

Results

A total of 568 differentially expressed genes were identified between eutopic and ectopic endometrium, with 10 core genes in the PPI network associated with cell cycle regulation. Inflammation-related pathways, including cytokine-receptor signaling and chemokine signaling pathways, were significantly more active in ectopic endometrium compared to eutopic endometrium. Diagnostic gene sets for EMS, such as homologous recombination, base excision repair, DNA replication, P53 signaling pathway, adherens junction, and SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, were identified. The risk score's area under the curve (AUC) was 0.854, as indicated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the risk score's diagnostic value was validated by the validation cohort. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed correlations between the risk score and Macrophages M2, Plasma cells, resting NK cells, activated NK cells, and regulatory T cells.

Conclusion

The risk scoring diagnostic model, based on pathway activity, demonstrates high diagnostic value and offers novel insights and strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Endometriosis.

High expression of KIF20A in bladder cancer as a potential prognostic target for poor survival of renal cell carcinoma

Urinary system tumors are malignant tumors, including renal cancer and bladder cancer. however, molecular target of them remains unclear. GSE14762 and GSE53757 were downloaded from GEO database to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes were used for enrichment analysis. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analyses were performed on whole genome, as formulated by gene set enrichment analysis. Survival analysis was also performed. Comparative toxicogenomics database was used to identify diseases most associated with hub genes. A total of 1517 DEGs were identified. DEGs were mainly enriched in cancer pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, organic acid metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and protein homodimerization activity. Ten hub genes (TPX2, ASPM, NUSAP1, RAD51AP1, CCNA2, TTK, PBK, MELK, DTL, kinesin family member 20A [KIF20A]) were obtained, which were up-regulated in tumor tissue. The expression of KIF20A was related with the overall survival of renal and bladder cancer. KIF20A was up-regulated in the tumor tissue, and might worsen the overall survival of bladder and kidney cancer. KIF20A could be a novel biomarker of bladder and kidney cancer.

Role of motor proteins in human cancers

Motor proteins include several protein families (Kinesin, Dynein and Myosin) responsible for intracellular transport, intercellular communication, among other functions. In cancer cells, motor proteins along with microtubules (MT) and other tubulin and actin structures, are crucial for cell proliferation and invasion. The cBioPortal platform for Cancer Genomics database was queried for solid cancers in a combined cohort of 9204 patients with complete cancer genomics data. To assess the importance of motor proteins in cancer, copy number alterations (CNAs) and survival rates were analyzed in the combined dataset. Kinesin, Dynein, and Myosin families showed CNAs in 47%, 49%, and 57 % of patients, respectively, in at least one of their members. Survival analysis showed that CNAs in Kinesin and Dynein, families' genes in the same patients were significantly correlated to decreased overall survival. These results added more evidence to previous literature highlighting the importance of motor proteins as a target in cancer therapy. Kinesin inhibitors could act by several mechanisms such as inhibiting spindle assembly or centrosome separation during mitosis, leading to cell cycle arrest and eventually apoptosis. Dynein inhibitors modulate Dynein's activity and MT binding, inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion. Myosin inhibitors act by stabilizing MT, inducing cell cycle arrest and inhibiting invasiveness. Increasing the specificity of motor proteins targeting drugs could improve cancer therapy and patient survival.

KIF20A promotes the development of fibrosarcoma via PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

Adult fibrosarcoma is an aggressive subtype of soft tissue sarcoma (STS), in which high expression of KIF20A indicates a poor prognosis. However, the precise role of KIF20A in fibrosarcoma progression remains unknown. In this study, we initially examined KIF20A expression and function in the human fibrosarcoma cell line HT-1080. The results showed that KIF20A was highly expressed in HT-1080, knockdown of KIF20A impaired cell proliferation, migration, invasion and induced G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis. Transcriptome study suggested that PI3K-Akt signal pathway was involved in these biological changes. We confirmed that PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways were impaired after the down-regulation of KIF20A, which can be reversed by the Akt activator SC79 in HT-1080 in vitro. In a xenograft mouse model, knockdown of KIF20A inhibited tumor growth, Ki67 expression and liver metastasis. Taken together, our results suggested that KIF20A promoted fibrosarcoma progression via PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and might be a potential therapeutic target for fibrosarcoma.

MKLP2 functions in early mitosis to ensure proper chromosome congression

Mitotic kinesin-like protein 2 (MKLP2) is a motor protein with a well-established function in promoting cytokinesis. However, our results with siRNAs targeting MKLP2 and small molecule inhibitors of MKLP2 (MKLP2i) suggested a function earlier in mitosis, prior to anaphase. In this study we provide direct evidence that MKLP2 facilitates chromosome congression in prometaphase. We employed live imaging to observe HeLa cells with fluorescently tagged histones treated with MKLP2i and discovered a pronounced chromosome congression defect. We show that MKLP2 facilitates error correction as inhibited cells had a significant increase in unstable, syntelic kinetochore-microtubule attachments. We find that the aberrant attachments are accompanied by elevated Aurora Kinase (A/B) activity and phosphorylation of the downstream target, pHEC1 (Ser 55). Lastly, we show that MKLP2 inhibition results in aneuploidy, confirming that MKLP2 safeguards cells against chromosomal instability.

Cytokinesis regulators as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for human hepatocellular carcinoma

Cytokinesis, the final step of mitosis, is critical for maintaining the ploidy level of cells. Cytokinesis is a complex, highly regulated process and its failure can lead to genetic instability and apoptosis, contributing to the development of cancer. Human hepatocellular carcinoma is often accompanied by a high frequency of aneuploidy and the DNA ploidy pattern observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma results mostly from impairments in cytokinesis. Many key regulators of cytokinesis are abnormally expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma, and their expression levels are often correlated with patient prognosis. Moreover, preclinical studies have demonstrated that the inhibition of key cytokinesis regulators can suppress the growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the signaling networks regulating cytokinesis, the key cytokinesis regulators involved in the initiation and development of human hepatocellular carcinoma, and their applications as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

Characterization of KIF20A as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for different subtypes of breast cancer

The aim of the present study was to identify novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer; thus, genes that are frequently overexpressed in several types of breast cancer were screened. Kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A) was identified as a candidate molecule during this process. Immunohistochemical staining performed using tissue microarrays from 257 samples of different breast cancer subtypes revealed that KIF20A was expressed in 195 (75.9%) of these samples, whereas it was seldom expressed in normal breast tissue. KIF20A protein was expressed in all types of breast cancer observed. However, it was more frequently expressed in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‑positive and triple‑negative breast cancer than in the luminal type. Moreover, KIF20A expression was significantly associated with the poor prognosis of patients with breast cancer. A multivariate analysis indicated that KIF20A expression was an independent prognostic factor for patients with breast cancer. The suppression of endogenous KIF20A expression using small interfering ribonucleic acids or via treatment with paprotrain, a selective inhibitor of KIF20A, significantly inhibited breast cancer cell growth through cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and subsequent mitotic cell death. These results suggest that KIF20A is a candidate prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for different types of breast cancer.