1
|
Malvi P, Chava S, Cai G, Hu K, Zhu LJ, Edwards YJK, Green MR, Gupta R, Wajapeyee N. HOXC6 drives a therapeutically targetable pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis pathway by regulating MSK1 and PPP2R2B. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101285. [PMID: 37951219 PMCID: PMC10694669 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101285] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, which lacks effective therapies. Here, we demonstrate that the transcription factor, homeobox C6 (HOXC6), is overexpressed in most PDACs, and its inhibition blocks PDAC tumor growth and metastasis. HOXC6 transcriptionally activates tumor-promoting kinase MSK1 and suppresses tumor-inhibitory protein PPP2R2B in PDAC. HOXC6-induced PPP2R2B suppression causes mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway activation, which facilitates PDAC growth. Also, MSK1 upregulation by HOXC6 is necessary for PDAC growth because of its ability to suppress apoptosis via its substrate DDX17. Combinatorial pharmacological inhibition of MSK1 and mTOR potently suppressed PDAC tumor growth and metastasis in PDAC mouse models. PDAC cells with acquired resistance to MSK1/mTOR-inhibitors displayed activated insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling and were successfully eradicated by IGF1R inhibitor. Furthermore, MEK inhibitor trametinib enhanced the efficacy of dual MSK1 and mTOR inhibition. Collectively, these results identify therapeutic vulnerabilities of PDAC and an approach to overcome acquired drug resistance to prolong therapeutic benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parmanand Malvi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Suresh Chava
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Guoping Cai
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yvonne J K Edwards
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Michael R Green
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Romi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Narendra Wajapeyee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sattarifard H, Safaei A, Khazeeva E, Rastegar M, Davie JR. Mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase (MSK1/2) regulated gene expression in normal and disease states. Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 101:204-219. [PMID: 36812480 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2022-0371] [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] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinases (MSK) are epigenetic modifiers that regulate gene expression in normal and disease cell states. MSK1 and 2 are involved in a chain of signal transduction events bringing signals from the external environment of a cell to specific sites in the genome. MSK1/2 phosphorylate histone H3 at multiple sites, resulting in chromatin remodeling at regulatory elements of target genes and the induction of gene expression. Several transcription factors (RELA of NF-κB and CREB) are also phosphorylated by MSK1/2 and contribute to induction of gene expression. In response to signal transduction pathways, MSK1/2 can stimulate genes involved in cell proliferation, inflammation, innate immunity, neuronal function, and neoplastic transformation. Abrogation of the MSK-involved signaling pathway is among the mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria subdue the host's innate immunity. Depending on the signal transduction pathways in play and the MSK-targeted genes, MSK may promote or hinder metastasis. Thus, depending on the type of cancer and genes involved, MSK overexpression may be a good or poor prognostic factor. In this review, we focus on mechanisms by which MSK1/2 regulate gene expression, and recent studies on their roles in normal and diseased cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hedieh Sattarifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada
| | - Akram Safaei
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada
| | - Enzhe Khazeeva
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada
| | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada
| | - James R Davie
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Thakur A, Faujdar C, Sharma R, Sharma S, Malik B, Nepali K, Liou JP. Glioblastoma: Current Status, Emerging Targets, and Recent Advances. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8596-8685. [PMID: 35786935 PMCID: PMC9297300 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant
brain tumor characterized
by a heterogeneous population of genetically unstable and highly infiltrative
cells that are resistant to chemotherapy. Although substantial efforts
have been invested in the field of anti-GBM drug discovery in the
past decade, success has primarily been confined to the preclinical
level, and clinical studies have often been hampered due to efficacy-,
selectivity-, or physicochemical property-related issues. Thus, expansion
of the list of molecular targets coupled with a pragmatic design of
new small-molecule inhibitors with central nervous system (CNS)-penetrating
ability is required to steer the wheels of anti-GBM drug discovery
endeavors. This Perspective presents various aspects of drug discovery
(challenges in GBM drug discovery and delivery, therapeutic targets,
and agents under clinical investigation). The comprehensively covered
sections include the recent medicinal chemistry campaigns embarked
upon to validate the potential of numerous enzymes/proteins/receptors
as therapeutic targets in GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amandeep Thakur
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chetna Faujdar
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida 201307, India
| | - Ram Sharma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Sachin Sharma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Basant Malik
- Department of Sterile Product Development, Research and Development-Unit 2, Jubiliant Generics Ltd., Noida 201301, India
| | - Kunal Nepali
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Jing Ping Liou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|