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Fukushiro-Lopes D, Hegel AD, Russo A, Senyuk V, Liotta M, Beeson GC, Beeson CC, Burdette J, Potkul RK, Gentile S. Repurposing Kir6/SUR2 Channel Activator Minoxidil to Arrests Growth of Gynecologic Cancers. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:577. [PMID: 32457608 PMCID: PMC7227431 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gynecologic cancers are among the most lethal cancers found in women, and, advanced stage cancers are still a treatment challenge. Ion channels are known to contribute to cellular homeostasis in all cells and mounting evidence indicates that ion channels could be considered potential therapeutic targets against cancer. Nevertheless, the pharmacologic effect of targeting ion channels in cancer is still understudied. We found that the expression of Kir6.2/SUR2 potassium channel is a potential favorable prognostic factor in gynecologic cancers. Also, pharmacological stimulation of the Kir6.2/SUR2 channel activity with the selective activator molecule minoxidil arrests tumor growth in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Investigation on the mechanism linking the Kir6.2/SUR2 to tumor growth revealed that minoxidil alters the metabolic and oxidative state of cancer cells by producing mitochondrial disruption and extensive DNA damage. Consequently, application of minoxidil results in activation of a caspase-3 independent cell death pathway. Our data show that repurposing of FDA approved K+ channel activators may represent a novel, safe adjuvant therapeutic approach to traditional chemotherapy for the treatment of gynecologic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra D Hegel
- Department of Pharmacology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Angela Russo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Vitalyi Senyuk
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Margaret Liotta
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Gyda C Beeson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Craig C Beeson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Joanna Burdette
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ronald K Potkul
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Saverio Gentile
- Department of Pharmacology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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α 2-Adrenoceptors: Challenges and Opportunities-Enlightenment from the Kidney. Cardiovasc Ther 2020; 2020:2478781. [PMID: 32426035 PMCID: PMC7211234 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2478781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It was indeed a Don Quixote-like pursuit of the mechanism of essential hypertension when we serendipitously discovered α2-adrenoceptors (α2-ARs) in skin-lightening experiments in the frog. Now α2-ARs lurk on the horizon involving hypertension causality, renal denervation for hypertension, injury from falling in the elderly and prazosin's mechanism of action in anxiety states such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our goal here is to focus on this horizon and bring into clear view the role of α2-AR-mediated mechanisms in these seemingly unrelated conditions. Our narrative begins with an explanation of how experiments in isolated perfused kidneys led to the discovery of a sodium-retaining process, a fundamental mechanism of hypertension, mediated by α2-ARs. In this model system and in the setting of furosemide-induced sodium excretion, α2-AR activation inhibited adenylate cyclase, suppressed cAMP formation, and caused sodium retention. Further investigations led to the realization that renal α2-AR expression in hypertensive animals is elevated, thus supporting a key role for kidney α2-ARs in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. Subsequent studies clarified the molecular pathways by which α2-ARs activate prohypertensive biochemical systems. While investigating the role of α1-adrenoceptors (α1-ARs) versus α2-ARs in renal sympathetic neurotransmission, we noted an astonishing result: in the kidney α1-ARs suppress the postjunctional expression of α2-ARs. Here, we describe how this finding relates to a broader understanding of the role of α2-ARs in diverse disease states. Because of the capacity for qualitative and quantitative monitoring of α2-AR-induced regulatory mechanisms in the kidney, we looked to the kidney and found enlightenment.
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Jackson EK, Gillespie DG, Mi Z, Cheng D. Adenosine Receptors Influence Hypertension in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats. Hypertension 2018; 72:511-521. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.10765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edwin K. Jackson
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA
| | - Delbert G. Gillespie
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA
| | - Zaichuan Mi
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA
| | - Dongmei Cheng
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA
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