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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Gao J, Fosbrook C, Gibson J, Underwood TJ, Gray JC, Walters ZS. Review: Targeting EZH2 in neuroblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 119:102600. [PMID: 37467626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest extra-cranial pediatric tumors, and accounts for over 15% of all childhood cancer mortality. Risk stratification for children with neuroblastoma is based on age, stage, histology, and tumor cytogenetics. The majority of patients are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma, for which the long-term survival is less than 50%. Current treatments combine surgical resection, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, anti-GD2 based immunotherapy as well as the differentiating agent isotretinoin. Despite the intensive multimodal therapies applied, there are high relapse rates, and recurrent disease is often resistant to further therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone methyltransferase that represses transcription through trimethylation of lysine residue K27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3). It is responsible for epigenetic repression of transcription, making EZH2 an essential regulator for cell differentiation. Overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation and prevent tumor cells from differentiating in a number of cancers. Therefore, research has been ongoing for the past decade, developing treatments that target EZH2 in neuroblastoma. This review summarises the role of EZH2 in neuroblastoma and evaluates the latest research findings on the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Gao
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Claire Fosbrook
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Juliet C Gray
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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3
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Hurtado-Rodríguez D, Salinas-Torres A, Rojas H, Becerra D, Castillo JC. Bioactive 2-pyridone-containing heterocycle syntheses using multicomponent reactions. RSC Adv 2022; 12:34965-34983. [PMID: 36540221 PMCID: PMC9727751 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07056a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
2-Pyridone-containing heterocycles are considered privileged scaffolds in drug discovery due to their behavior as hydrogen bond donors and/or acceptors and nonpeptidic mimics, and remarkable physicochemical properties such as metabolic stability, solubility in water, and lipophilicity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) for the synthesis of 2-pyridone-containing heterocycles. In particular, it covers the articles published from 1999 to date related to anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase inhibitor, and cardiotonic activities of 2-pyridone-containing heterocycles obtained exclusively by an MCR. The discussion focuses on bioactivity data, synthetic approaches, plausible reaction mechanisms, and molecular docking simulations to facilitate comparison and underscore the applications of the 2-pyridone motif in drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. We also present our conclusions and outlook for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Hurtado-Rodríguez
- Grupo de Catálisis de la UPTC, Escuela de Ciencias Química, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Avenida Central del Norte 39-115 Tunja Colombia
| | - Angélica Salinas-Torres
- Grupo de Catálisis de la UPTC, Escuela de Ciencias Química, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Avenida Central del Norte 39-115 Tunja Colombia
| | - Hugo Rojas
- Grupo de Catálisis de la UPTC, Escuela de Ciencias Química, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Avenida Central del Norte 39-115 Tunja Colombia
| | - Diana Becerra
- Grupo de Catálisis de la UPTC, Escuela de Ciencias Química, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Avenida Central del Norte 39-115 Tunja Colombia
| | - Juan-Carlos Castillo
- Grupo de Catálisis de la UPTC, Escuela de Ciencias Química, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia Avenida Central del Norte 39-115 Tunja Colombia
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4
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Xia J, Li J, Tian L, Ren X, Liu C, Liang C. Targeting Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 for the Treatment of Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors: Candidate Structure–Activity Relationships Insights and Evolution Prospects. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7016-7043. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xia
- Laboratory of Hematologic Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, P. R. China
| | - Jingyi Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
| | - Lei Tian
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
- College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Ren
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, P. R. China
| | - Chang Liu
- Zhuhai Jinan Selenium Source Nanotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhuhai 519030, P. R. China
| | - Chengyuan Liang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, P. R. China
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5
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Chi T, Wang M, Wang X, Yang K, Xie F, Liao Z, Wei P. PPAR-γ Modulators as Current and Potential Cancer Treatments. Front Oncol 2021; 11:737776. [PMID: 34631571 PMCID: PMC8495261 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.737776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, cancer has become one of the leading causes of mortality. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) is a family of critical sensors of lipids as well as regulators of diverse metabolic pathways. They are also equipped with the capability to promote eNOS activation, regulate immunity and inflammation response. Aside from the established properties, emerging discoveries are also made in PPAR's functions in the cancer field. All considerations are given, there exists great potential in PPAR modulators which may hold in the management of cancers. In particular, PPAR-γ, the most expressed subtype in adipose tissues with two isoforms of different tissue distribution, has been proven to be able to inhibit cell proliferation, induce cell cycle termination and apoptosis of multiple cancer cells, promote intercellular adhesion, and cripple the inflamed state of tumor microenvironment, both on transcriptional and protein level. However, despite the multi-functionalities, the safety of PPAR-γ modulators is still of clinical concern in terms of dosage, drug interactions, cancer types and stages, etc. This review aims to consolidate the functions of PPAR-γ, the current and potential applications of PPAR-γ modulators, and the challenges in applying PPAR-γ modulators to cancer treatment, in both laboratory and clinical settings. We sincerely hope to provide a comprehensive perspective on the prospect of PPAR-γ applicability in the field of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiange Chi
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,First Clinical Medical School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mina Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Neuromodulation, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Feiyu Xie
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Oncology Department, Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zehuan Liao
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peng Wei
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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6
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Bass AKA, El-Zoghbi MS, Nageeb ESM, Mohamed MFA, Badr M, Abuo-Rahma GEDA. Comprehensive review for anticancer hybridized multitargeting HDAC inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 209:112904. [PMID: 33077264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the encouraging clinical progress of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment, innovation and development of new effective anticancer candidates still represents a challenging endeavor. With 15 million death every year in 2030 according to the estimates, cancer has increased rising of an alarm as a real crisis for public health and health systems worldwide. Therefore, scientist began to introduce innovative solutions to control the cancer global health problem. One of the promising strategies in this issue is the multitarget or smart hybrids having two or more pharmacophores targeting cancer. These rationalized hybrid molecules have gained great interests in cancer treatment as they are capable to simultaneously inhibit more than cancer pathway or target without drug-drug interactions and with less side effects. A prime important example of these hybrids, the HDAC hybrid inhibitors or referred as multitargeting HDAC inhibitors. The ability of HDAC inhibitors to synergistically improve the efficacy of other anti-cancer drugs and moreover, the ease of HDAC inhibitors cap group modification prompt many medicinal chemists to innovate and develop new generation of HDAC hybrid inhibitors. Notably, and during this short period, there are four HDAC inhibitor hybrids have entered different phases of clinical trials for treatment of different types of blood and solid tumors, namely; CUDC-101, CUDC-907, Tinostamustine, and Domatinostat. This review shed light on the most recent hybrids of HDACIs with one or more other cancer target pharmacophore. The designed multitarget hybrids include topoisomerase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, nitric oxide releasers, antiandrogens, FLT3 and JAC-2 inhibitors, PDE5-inhibitors, NAMPT-inhibitors, Protease inhibitors, BRD4-inhibitors and other targets. This review may help researchers in development and discovery of new horizons in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr K A Bass
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mona S El-Zoghbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - El-Shimaa M Nageeb
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt
| | - Mamdouh F A Mohamed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Badr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Gamal El-Din A Abuo-Rahma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, New Minia, Minia, Egypt.
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7
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A Novel Synthetic Compound (E)-5-((4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methyleneamino)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile Inhibits TNFα-Induced MMP9 Expression via EGR-1 Downregulation in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145080. [PMID: 32708426 PMCID: PMC7404000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women worldwide. Gelatinases such as matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 play crucial roles in cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. To develop a novel platform compound, we synthesized a flavonoid derivative, (E)-5-((4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methyleneamino)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (named DK4023) and characterized its inhibitory effects on the motility and MMP2 and MMP9 expression of highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We found that DK4023 inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-induced motility and F-actin formation of MDA-MB-231 cells. DK4023 also suppressed the TNFα-induced mRNA expression of MMP9 through the downregulation of the TNFα-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/early growth response 1 (EGR-1) signaling axis. These results suggest that DK4023 could serve as a potential platform compound for the development of novel chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agents against invasive breast cancer.
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Romanelli A, Stazi G, Fioravanti R, Zwergel C, Di Bello E, Pomella S, Perrone C, Battistelli C, Strippoli R, Tripodi M, del Bufalo D, Rota R, Trisciuoglio D, Mai A, Valente S. Design of First-in-Class Dual EZH2/HDAC Inhibitor: Biochemical Activity and Biological Evaluation in Cancer Cells. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:977-983. [PMID: 32435414 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the histone modifying enzymes EZH2 and HDACs control a number of epigenetic-dependent carcinogenic pathways, we designed the first-in-class dual EZH2/HDAC inhibitor 5 displaying (sub)micromolar inhibition against both targets. When tested in several cancer cell lines, the hybrid 5 impaired cell viability at low micromolar level and in leukemia U937 and rhabdomyosarcoma RH4 cells provided G1 arrest, apoptotic induction, and increased differentiation, associated with an increase of acetyl-H3 and acetyl-α-tubulin and a decrease of H3K27me3 levels. In glioblastoma U87 cells, 5 hampered epithelial to mesenchymal transition by increasing the E-cadherin expression, thus proposing itself as a useful candidate for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Stazi
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine of Precision, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Bello
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Perrone
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Battistelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Viale Regina Elena 291,295, 00100 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Viale San Paolo 15, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Viale Regina Elena 291,295, 00100 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (CNR), Via Degli Apuli 4, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Epigenetic Control of Autophagy in Cancer Cells: A Key Process for Cancer-Related Phenotypes. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121656. [PMID: 31861179 PMCID: PMC6952790 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although autophagy is a well-known and extensively described cell pathway, numerous studies have been recently interested in studying the importance of its regulation at different molecular levels, including the translational and post-translational levels. Therefore, this review focuses on the links between autophagy and epigenetics in cancer and summarizes the. following: (i) how ATG genes are regulated by epigenetics, including DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications; (ii) how epidrugs are able to modulate autophagy in cancer and to alter cancer-related phenotypes (proliferation, migration, invasion, tumorigenesis, etc.) and; (iii) how epigenetic enzymes can also regulate autophagy at the protein level. One noteable observation was that researchers most often reported conclusions about the regulation of the autophagy flux, following the use of epidrugs, based only on the analysis of LC3B-II form in treated cells. However, it is now widely accepted that an increase in LC3B-II form could be the consequence of an induction of the autophagy flux, as well as a block in the autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Therefore, in our review, all the published results describing a link between epidrugs and autophagy were systematically reanalyzed to determine whether autophagy flux was indeed increased, or inhibited, following the use of these potentially new interesting treatments targeting the autophagy process. Altogether, these recent data strongly support the idea that the determination of autophagy status could be crucial for future anticancer therapies. Indeed, the use of a combination of epidrugs and autophagy inhibitors could be beneficial for some cancer patients, whereas, in other cases, an increase of autophagy, which is frequently observed following the use of epidrugs, could lead to increased autophagy cell death.
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Stazi G, Taglieri L, Nicolai A, Romanelli A, Fioravanti R, Morrone S, Sabatino M, Ragno R, Taurone S, Nebbioso M, Carletti R, Artico M, Valente S, Scarpa S, Mai A. Dissecting the role of novel EZH2 inhibitors in primary glioblastoma cell cultures: effects on proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and on the pro-inflammatory phenotype. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:173. [PMID: 31791385 PMCID: PMC6889222 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0763-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in adults. After surgical resection of the tumor, the patient typically should be subjected to chemotherapy (temozolomide, TMZ) and concomitant radiotherapy. Since the TMZ treatment does not lead to complete remission and often develops resistance, the identification of efficacious therapeutics is strongly to pursue. Among the epigenetic players, the H3K27 methyltransferase (MT) EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homologue 2) has been found overexpressed or mutated in several human cancers including gliomas, and its overexpression is associated with poor outcome in GBM. Two EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2i), UNC1999 and GSK343, suppressed GBM growth in vitro and in vivo indicating that EZH2i can be potential drugs against GBM. RESULTS Two new EZH2i, MC4040 and MC4041, were designed, prepared, and tested by us to determine their effects in primary GBM cell cultures. MC4040 and MC4041 displayed single-digit micromolar inhibition of EZH2, 10-fold less potency against EZH1, and no activity towards other MTs. In primary GBM cells as well as in U-87 GBM cells, the two compounds reduced H3K27me3 levels, and dose- and time-dependently impaired GBM cell viability without inducing apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, with increased p21 and p27 levels. In combination with TMZ, MC4040 and MC4041 displayed stronger, but not additive, effects on cell viability. The potent clinical candidate as EZH2i tazemetostat, alone or in combination with TMZ, exhibited a similar potency of inhibition of GBM cell growth when compared to MC4040 and MC4041. At the molecular level, MC4040 and MC4041 reduced the VEGFR1/VEGF expression, reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and hampered cell migration and invasion attenuating the cancer malignant phenotype. Treatment of GBM cells with MC4040 and MC4041 also impaired the GBM pro-inflammatory phenotype, with a significant decrease of TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6, joined to an increase of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. CONCLUSIONS The two novel EZH2i MC4040 and MC4041 impaired primary GBM cell viability, showing even stronger effects in combination with TMZ. They also weakened the aggressive malignant phenotype by reducing angiogenesis, EMT, cell migration/invasion and inflammation, thus they may be considered potential candidates against GBM also for combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Stazi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovica Taglieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Nicolai
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Morrone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rino Ragno
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Alchemical Dynamics s.r.l, 00125 Roma, Italy
| | - Samanta Taurone
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Nebbioso
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Carletti
- Department of Radiologic, Oncological, and Anatomical and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Scarpa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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11
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Sandoval JE, Reich NO. The R882H substitution in the human de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A disrupts allosteric regulation by the tumor supressor p53. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18207-18219. [PMID: 31640986 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A myriad of protein partners modulate the activity of the human DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), whose interactions with these other proteins are frequently altered during oncogenesis. We show here that the tumor suppressor p53 decreases DNMT3A activity by forming a heterotetramer complex with DNMT3A. Mutational and modeling experiments suggested that p53 interacts with the same region in DNMT3A as does the structurally characterized DNMT3L. We observed that the p53-mediated repression of DNMT3A activity is blocked by amino acid substitutions within this interface, but surprisingly, also by a distal DNMT3A residue, R882H. DNMT3A R882H occurs frequently in various cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, and our results suggest that the effects of R882H and other DNMT3A mutations may go beyond changes in DNMT3A methylation activity. To further understand the dynamics of how protein-protein interactions modulate DNMT3A activity, we determined that p53 has a greater affinity for DNMT3A than for DNMT3L and that p53 readily displaces DNMT3L from the DNMT3A:DNMT3L heterotetramer. Interestingly, this occurred even when the preformed DNMT3A:DNMT3L complex was actively methylating DNA. The frequently identified p53 substitutions (R248W and R273H), whereas able to regulate DNMT3A function when forming the DNMT3A:p53 heterotetramer, no longer displaced DNMT3L from the DNMT3A:DNMT3L heterotetramer. The results of our work highlight the complex interplay between DNMT3A, p53, and DNMT3L and how these interactions are further modulated by clinically derived mutations in each of the interacting partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Sandoval
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510
| | - Norbert O Reich
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510.
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Ganesan A. Epigenetics: the first 25 centuries. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0067. [PMID: 29685971 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a natural progression of genetics as it aims to understand how genes and other heritable elements are regulated in eukaryotic organisms. The history of epigenetics is briefly reviewed, together with the key issues in the field today. This themed issue brings together a diverse collection of interdisciplinary reviews and research articles that showcase the tremendous recent advances in epigenetic chemical biology and translational research into epigenetic drug discovery.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Frontiers in epigenetic chemical biology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ganesan
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK .,Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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Fioravanti R, Stazi G, Zwergel C, Valente S, Mai A. Six Years (2012-2018) of Researches on Catalytic EZH2 Inhibitors: The Boom of the 2-Pyridone Compounds. CHEM REC 2018; 18:1818-1832. [PMID: 30338896 PMCID: PMC7410397 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.201800091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), catalyzes the methylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) up to its trimethylated form (H3K27me), inducing by this way block of transcription and gene silencing. High levels of H3K27me3 have been found in both hematological malignancies and solid cancers, due to EZH2 overexpression and/or EZH2 mutation. From 2012, a number of highly potent and selective catalytic inhibitors of EZH2 have been reported, almost all bearing a 2-pyridone group in their structure. Typically, 2-pyridone inhibitors are selective for EZH2 over other methyltransferases, and some of them are specific for EZH2 over EZH1, others behave as dual EZH2/EZH1 inhibitors. The 2-pyridone moiety was crucial for the enzyme inhibition, as revealed later by crystallographic studies because it occupies partially the site for the co-substrate SAM (or the by-product, SAH) in the binding pocket of the enzyme, accounting for the SAM-competitive mechanism of action displayed by all the 2-pyridone inhibitors. The 2-pyridone warhead is linked to a support substructure, that can be either a bicyclic heteroaromatic ring (such as indazole, see for instance EPZ005687 and UNC1999, or indole, see for instance GSK126, EI1, and the more recent CPI-1205) or a simple monocyclic (hetero) aromatic ring (tazemetostat, MC3629, (R)-OR-S1/2), eventually annulated with the amide chain carrying the 2-pyridone group (3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-1(2H)-ones). Different substitutions at the support moiety influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the compounds as well as their water solubility. In cancer diseases, the first reported 2-pyridone inhibitors displayed high antiproliferative effects in vitro and in vivo in lymphomas characterized by mutant EZH2 (such as Y641N), but the most recent compounds exert their anticancer activity against tumors with wild-type EZH2 as well. The dual EZH2/1 inhibitors have been recently reported to be more effective than EZH2 selective inhibitors in specific leukemias including leukemias cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Stazi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro n. 5., 00185, Roma, Italy
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