Inhibition of tumor metastasis by a growth factor receptor bound protein 2 Src homology 2 domain-binding antagonist

Synthesis and structural characterization of a monocarboxylic inhibitor for GRB2 SH2 domain

A monocarboxylic inhibitor was designed and synthesized to disrupt the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between GRB2 and phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Biochemical characterizations show compound 7 binds with the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of GRB2 and is more potent than EGFR₁₀₆₈ phosphopeptide 14-mer. X-ray crystallographic studies demonstrate compound 7 occupies the GRB2 binding site for phosphotyrosine-containing sequences and reveal key structural features for GRB2-inhibitor binding. This compound with a -1 formal charge offers a new direction for structural optimization to generate cell-permeable inhibitors for this key protein target of the aberrant Ras-MAPK signaling cascade.

NSUN2-mediated RNA 5-methylcytosine promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression via LIN28B-dependent GRB2 mRNA stabilization

5-Methylcytosine (m5C) is a posttranscriptional RNA modification participating in many critical bioprocesses, but its functions in human cancer remain unclear. Here, by detecting the transcriptome-wide m5C profiling in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we showed increased m5C methylation in ESCC tumors due to the overexpressed m5C methyltransferase NSUN2. Aberrant expression of NSUN2 was positively regulated by E2F Transcription Factor 1 (E2F1). High NSUN2 levels predicted poor survival of ESCC patients. Moreover, silencing NSUN2 suppressed ESCC tumorigenesis and progression in Nsun2 knockout mouse models. Mechanistically, NSUN2 induced m5C modification of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) and stabilized its mRNA, which was mediated by a novel m5C mediator, protein lin-28 homolog B (LIN28B). Elevated GRB2 levels increased the activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signalling. These results demonstrate that NSUN2 enhances the initiation and progression of ESCC via m5C-LIN28B dependent stabilization of GRB2 transcript, providing a promising epitranscriptomic-targeted therapeutic strategy for ESCC.

Association between the HGF/c‑MET signaling pathway and tumorigenesis, progression and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (Review)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies with a rising incidence, and is characterized by rapid progression, frequent metastasis, late diagnosis, high postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis. Therefore, novel treatment strategies for HCC, particularly advanced HCC, are urgently required. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c‑mesenchymal‑epithelial transition receptor (c‑MET) axis is a key signaling pathway in HCC and is strongly associated with its highly malignant features. Available treatments based on HGF/c‑MET inhibition may prolong the lifespan of patients with HCC; however, they do not achieve the desired therapeutic effects. The aim of the present article was to review the basic knowledge regarding the role of the HGF/c‑MET signaling pathway in HCC, and examine the association between the HGF/c‑MET signaling pathway and the tumorigenesis, progression and prognosis of HCC.

Exploring the key genes and pathways of osteosarcoma with pulmonary metastasis using a gene expression microarray

Osteosarcoma is a common and highly malignant tumour in children and teenagers that is characterized by drug resistance and high metastatic potential. Patients often develop pulmonary metastasis and have a low survival rate. However, the mechanistic basis for pulmonary metastasis remains unclear. To identify key gene and pathways associated with pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma, the authors downloaded the gene expression dataset GSE85537 and obtained the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by analyzing high-throughput gene expression in primary tumours and lung metastases. Subsequently, the authors performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape software. In total, 2,493 genes were identified as DEGs. Of these, 485 genes (19.45%) were upregulated, and the remaining 2,008 genes (80.55%) were downregulated. The authors identified the predominant GO categories and KEGG pathways that were significantly over-represented in the metastatic OS samples compared with the non-metastatic OS samples. A PPI network was constructed, and the results indicated that ALB, EGFR, INS, IL6, CDH1, FYN, ERBB2, IL8, CXCL12 and RAC2 were the top 10 core genes. The enrichment analyses of the genes involved in the top three significant modules demonstrated that the DEGs were principally related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, the Rap1 signaling pathway, and protein digestion and absorption. Together, these data elucidated the molecular mechanisms of OS patients with pulmonary metastasis and provide potential therapeutic targets. However, further experimental studies are needed to confirm these results.

MPZL1 forms a signalling complex with GRB2 adaptor and PTPN11 phosphatase in HER2-positive breast cancer cells

HER2/ErbB2 is overexpressed in a significant fraction of breast tumours and is associated with a poor prognosis. The adaptor protein GRB2 interacts directly with activated HER2 and is sufficient to transmit oncogenic signals. However, the consequence of HER2 activation on global GRB2 signalling networks is poorly characterized. We performed GRB2 affinity purification combined with mass spectrometry analysis of associated proteins in a HER2+ breast cancer model to delineate GRB2-nucleated protein interaction networks. We report the identification of the transmembrane protein MPZL1 as a new GRB2-associated protein. Our data show that the PTPN11 tyrosine phosphatase acts as a scaffold to bridge the association between GRB2 and MPZL1 in a phosphotyrosine-dependent manner. We further demonstrate that the formation of this MPZL1-PTPN11-GRB2 complex is triggered by cell attachment to fibronectin. Thus, our data support the importance of this new signalling complex in the control of cell adhesion of HER2+ breast cancer cells, a key feature of the metastatic process.

Targeting SH2 domains in breast cancer

Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancer types in women worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer-related disease in the USA. SH2 domains recruit signaling proteins to phosphotyrosine residues on aberrantly activated growth factor and cytokine receptors and contribute to cancer cell cycling, metastasis, angiogenesis and so on. Herein we review phosphopeptide mimetic and small-molecule approaches targeting the SH2 domains of Grb2, Grb7 and STAT3 that inhibit their targets and reduce proliferation in in vitro breast cancer models. Only STAT3 inhibitors have been evaluated in in vivo models and have led to tumor reduction. Taken together, these studies suggest that targeting SH2 domains is an important approach to the treatment of breast cancer.

Overexpression of GRB2 is correlated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The adapter protein growth factor receptor-bound 2 (GRB2) is essential for various basic cellular functions by mediating the regulation of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, however, little is known about GRB2 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We sought to characterize GRB2 expression and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and prognostic significance in ESCC patients. Here, it was presented that GRB2 was overexpressed in cytoplasm in 58.1% (100/172) of ESCC cases by immunohistochemistry. Survival analysis demonstrated overexpression of GRB2 protein was significantly related to poor prognosis of ESCC patients (P = 0.021). Furthermore, overexpression of GRB2 was significantly associated with the lymph node metastases. In addition, subgroup analysis according to lymph node metastasis revealed a shorter disease-free survival (DFS) in the ESCC patients with GRB2 overexpression than the patients with GRB2 low-expression (Means for DFS months: 33.8 versus 52.1). Finally, the significant difference between overexpression of GRB2 and poor survival rates exhibited in univariate analysis (P = 0.022) and multivariate Cox analysis (close to significance, P = 0.065), demonstrated that GRB2 was an independent factor in prognosis of ESCC patients. In conclusion, GRB2 expression status could be as a positive biomarker of ESCC progression and lymph node metastasis.

A computational strategy to select optimized protein targets for drug development toward the control of cancer diseases

In this report, we describe a strategy for the optimized selection of protein targets suitable for drug development against neoplastic diseases taking the particular case of breast cancer as an example. We combined human interactome and transcriptome data from malignant and control cell lines because highly connected proteins that are up-regulated in malignant cell lines are expected to be suitable protein targets for chemotherapy with a lower rate of undesirable side effects. We normalized transcriptome data and applied a statistic treatment to objectively extract the sub-networks of down- and up-regulated genes whose proteins effectively interact. We chose the most connected ones that act as protein hubs, most being in the signaling network. We show that the protein targets effectively identified by the combination of protein connectivity and differential expression are known as suitable targets for the successful chemotherapy of breast cancer. Interestingly, we found additional proteins, not generally targeted by drug treatments, which might justify the extension of existing formulation by addition of inhibitors designed against these proteins with the consequence of improving therapeutic outcomes. The molecular alterations observed in breast cancer cell lines represent either driver events and/or driver pathways that are necessary for breast cancer development or progression. However, it is clear that signaling mechanisms of the luminal A, B and triple negative subtypes are different. Furthermore, the up- and down-regulated networks predicted subtype-specific drug targets and possible compensation circuits between up- and down-regulated genes. We believe these results may have significant clinical implications in the personalized treatment of cancer patients allowing an objective approach to the recycling of the arsenal of available drugs to the specific case of each breast cancer given their distinct qualitative and quantitative molecular traits.

A small molecule inhibitor of ETV1, YK-4-279, prevents prostate cancer growth and metastasis in a mouse xenograft model

BACKGROUND

The erythroblastosis virus E26 transforming sequences (ETS) family of transcription factors consists of a highly conserved group of genes that play important roles in cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration and invasion. Chromosomal translocations fusing ETS factors to promoters of androgen responsive genes have been found in prostate cancers, including the most clinically aggressive forms. ERG and ETV1 are the most commonly translocated ETS proteins. Over-expression of these proteins in prostate cancer cells results in a more invasive phenotype. Inhibition of ETS activity by small molecule inhibitors may provide a novel method for the treatment of prostate cancer.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We recently demonstrated that the small molecule YK-4-279 inhibits biological activity of ETV1 in fusion-positive prostate cancer cells leading to decreased motility and invasion in-vitro. Here, we present data from an in-vivo mouse xenograft model. SCID-beige mice were subcutaneously implanted with fusion-positive LNCaP-luc-M6 and fusion-negative PC-3M-luc-C6 tumors. Animals were treated with YK-4-279, and its effects on primary tumor growth and lung metastasis were evaluated. YK-4-279 treatment resulted in decreased growth of the primary tumor only in LNCaP-luc-M6 cohort. When primary tumors were grown to comparable sizes, YK-4-279 inhibited tumor metastasis to the lungs. Expression of ETV1 target genes MMP7, FKBP10 and GLYATL2 were reduced in YK-4-279 treated animals. ETS fusion-negative PC-3M-luc-C6 xenografts were unresponsive to the compound. Furthermore, YK-4-279 is a chiral molecule that exists as a racemic mixture of R and S enantiomers. We established that (S)-YK-4-279 is the active enantiomer in prostate cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that YK-4-279 is a potent inhibitor of ETV1 and inhibits both the primary tumor growth and metastasis of fusion positive prostate cancer xenografts. Therefore, YK-4-279 or similar compounds may be evaluated as a potential therapeutic tool for treatment of human prostate cancer at different stages.

Met receptor-induced Grb2 or Shc signals both promote transformation of intestinal epithelial cells, albeit they are required for distinct oncogenic functions

Background

Deregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) contributes to the initiation and progression of intestinal-derived epithelial cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the roles of the proximal signaling molecules engaged by RTKs in different oncogenic functions of CRC remain unclear.

Methods

Herein, the functional impact of expressing variant forms of the oncogenic Met receptor (Tpr-Met) that selectively recruit the adaptor proteins Grb2 or Shc was investigated in a model derived from normal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6). An RNA interference (RNAi) approach was used to define the requirement of Grb2 or Shc in Tpr-Met-transformed IEC-6 cells. Since Grb2 and Shc couple RTKs to the activation of the Ras/MEK/Erk and PI3K/Akt pathways, Erk and Akt phosphorylation/activation states were monitored in transformed IEC-6 cells, and a pharmacological approach was employed to provide insights into the roles of these pathways in oncogenic processes evoked by activated Met, and downstream of Grb2 and Shc.

Results

We show, for the first time, that constitutive activation of either Grb2 or Shc signals in IEC-6 cells, promotes morphological transformation associated with down-regulation of E-cadherin, as well as increased cell growth, loss of growth contact inhibition, anchorage-independent growth, and resistance to serum deprivation and anoikis. Oncogenic activation of Met was revealed to induce morphological transformation, E-cadherin down-regulation, and protection against anoikis by mechanisms dependent on Grb2, while Shc was shown to be partly required for enhanced cell growth. The coupling of activated Met to the Ras/MEK/Erk and PI3K/Akt pathways, and the sustained engagement of Grb2 or Shc in IECs, was shown to trigger negative feedback, limiting the extent of activation of these pathways. Nonetheless, morphological alterations and E-cadherin down-regulation induced by the oncogenic Tpr-Met, and by Grb2 or Shc signals, were blocked by MEK, but not PI3K, inhibitors while the enhanced growth and resistance to anoikis induced by Tpr-Met were nearly abolished by co-treatment with both inhibitors.

Conclusion

Overall, these results identify Grb2 and Shc as central signaling effectors of Met-driven progression of intestinal epithelial-derived cancers. Notably, they suggest that Grb2 may represent a promising target for the design of novel CRC therapies.

Fusarisetins: Structure-function studies on a novel class of cell migration inhibitors

Herein, we report the effects of fusarisetin A on cell morphology focusing in particular on actin and microtubules dynamics. We also report the synthesis and structure-function studies of a designed library of synthetic fusarisetins in cell-based assays.

Identification of GRB2 and GAB1 coexpression as an unfavorable prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma by a combination of expression profile and network analysis

Aim

To screen novel markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by a combination of expression profile, interaction network analysis and clinical validation.

Methods

HCC significant molecules which are differentially expressed or had genetic variations in HCC tissues were obtained from five existing HCC related databases (OncoDB.HCC, HCC.net, dbHCCvar, EHCO and Liverome). Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of these molecules was constructed. Three topological features of the network ('Degree', 'Betweenness', and 'Closeness') and the k-core algorithm were used to screen candidate HCC markers which play crucial roles in tumorigenesis of HCC. Furthermore, the clinical significance of two candidate HCC markers growth factor receptor-bound 2 (GRB2) and GRB2-associated-binding protein 1 (GAB1) was validated.

Results

In total, 6179 HCC significant genes and 977 HCC significant proteins were collected from existing HCC related databases. After network analysis, 331 candidate HCC markers were identified. Especially, GAB1 has the highest k-coreness suggesting its central localization in HCC related network, and the interaction between GRB2 and GAB1 has the largest edge-betweenness implying it may be biologically important to the function of HCC related network. As the results of clinical validation, the expression levels of both GRB2 and GAB1 proteins were significantly higher in HCC tissues than those in their adjacent nonneoplastic tissues. More importantly, the combined GRB2 and GAB1 protein expression was significantly associated with aggressive tumor progression and poor prognosis in patients with HCC.

Conclusion

This study provided an integrative analysis by combining expression profile and interaction network analysis to identify a list of biologically significant HCC related markers and pathways. Further experimental validation indicated that the aberrant expression of GRB2 and GAB1 proteins may be strongly related to tumor progression and prognosis in patients with HCC. The overexpression of GRB2 in combination with upregulation of GAB1 may be an unfavorable prognostic factor for HCC.

MiR-376c down-regulation accelerates EGF-dependent migration by targeting GRB2 in the HuCCT1 human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line

MicroRNA miR-376c was expressed in normal intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBEpiC), but was significantly suppressed in the HuCCT1 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cell line. The biological significance of the down-regulation of miR-376c in HuCCT1 cells is unknown. We hypothesized that miR-376c could function as a tumor suppressor in these cells. To test this hypothesis, we sought the targets of miR-376c, and characterized the effect of its down-regulation on HuCCT1 cells. We performed proteomic analysis of miR-376c-overexpressing HuCCT1 cells to identify candidate targets of miR-376c, and validated these targets by 3′-UTR reporter assay. Transwell migration assays were performed to study the migratory response of HuCCT1 cells to miR-376c overexpression. Furthermore, microarrays were used to identify the signaling that were potentially involved in the miR-376c-modulated migration of HuCCT1. Finally, we assessed epigenetic changes within the potential promoter region of the miR-376c gene in these cells. Proteomic analysis and subsequent validation assays showed that growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) was a direct target of miR-376c. The transwell migration assay revealed that miR-376c significantly reduced epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent cell migration in HuCCT1 cells. DNA microarray and subsequent pathway analysis showed that interleukin 1 beta and matrix metallopeptidase 9 were possible participants in EGF-dependent migration of HuCCT1 cells. Bisulfite sequencing showed higher methylation levels of CpG sites upstream of the miR-376c gene in HuCCT1 relative to HIBEpiC cells. Combined treatment with the DNA-demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A significantly upregulated the expression of miR-376c in HuCCT1 cells. We revealed that epigenetic repression of miR-376c accelerated EGF-dependent cell migration through its target GRB2 in HuCCT1 cells. These findings suggest that miR-376c functions as a tumor suppressor. Since metastasis is the major cause of death in ICC, microRNA manipulation could lead to the development of novel anti-cancer therapy strategies for ICC.

Targeting the HGF-cMET Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Under normal physiological conditions, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, the MET transmembrane tyrosine kinase (cMET), are involved in embryogenesis, morphogenesis, and wound healing. The HGF-cMET axis promotes cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion via modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is the third most common cause of worldwide cancer-related mortality; advanced disease is associated with a paucity of therapeutic options and a five-year survival rate of only 10%. Dysregulation of the HGF-cMET pathway is implicated in HCC carcinogenesis and progression through activation of multiple signaling pathways; therefore, cMET inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment. The authors review HGF-cMET structure and function in normal tissue and in HCC, cMET inhibition in HCC, and future strategies for biomarker identification.

Distinct phosphotyrosine-dependent functions of the ShcA adaptor protein are required for transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis

The ErbB2 and TGFβ signaling pathways cooperate to promote the migratory, invasive, and metastatic behavior of breast cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that ShcA is necessary for these synergistic interactions. Through a structure/function approach, we now show that the phosphotyrosine-binding, but not the Src homology 2, domain of ShcA is required for TGFβ-induced migration and invasion of ErbB2-expressing breast cancer cells. We further demonstrate that the tyrosine phosphorylation sites within ShcA (Tyr(239)/Tyr(240) and Tyr(313)) transduce distinct and non-redundant signals that promote these TGFβ-mediated effects. We demonstrate that Grb2 is required specifically downstream of Tyr(313), whereas the Tyr(239)/Tyr(240) phosphorylation sites require the Crk adaptor proteins to augment TGFβ-induced migration and invasion. Furthermore, ShcA Tyr(313) phosphorylation enhances tumor cell survival, and ShcA Tyr(239)/Tyr(240) signaling promotes endothelial cell recruitment into ErbB2-expressing breast tumors in vivo, whereas all three ShcA tyrosine residues are required for efficient breast cancer metastasis to the lungs. Our data uncover a novel ShcA-dependent signaling axis downstream of TGFβ and ErbB2 that requires both the Grb2 and Crk adaptor proteins to increase the migratory and invasive properties of breast cancer cells. In addition, signaling downstream of specific ShcA tyrosine residues facilitates the survival, vascularization, and metastatic spread of breast tumors.

Targeting c-Met as a promising strategy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe condition that is found worldwide. Liver transplantation, surgical resection, and local-regional therapy such as transarterial chemoembolization have made great progress and play a dominant role in HCC management. However, the high frequency of tumor recurrence and/or metastasis after those treatments acquires systematic drug intervention. The approval of sorafenib, an agent that targets receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), as the first effective drug for systemic treatment of HCC represents a milestone in treatment of this disease. As a typical member of the RTK family, c-Met represents an intriguing target for cancer therapy. However, the role of the c-Met signal transduction pathway is less unambiguous in HCC pathology, giving rise to concerns about the feasibility of utilizing c-Met targeting approaches for HCC treatment. Recently, studies on des-γ-carboxy prothrombin, an abnormal cytokine secreted by HCC cells, by the current authors and other researchers have highlighted the critical role of c-Met signaling in HCC progression. This review takes a second look at the c-Met signal transduction pathway and discusses the possibility of targeting c-Met as a therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP-14)-mediated cancer cell migration

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to be key players in both extracellular matrix remodeling and cell migration during cancer metastasis. MMP-14, a membrane-anchored MMP, in particular, is closely associated with these processes. The hemopexin (PEX) domain of MMP-14 has been proposed as the modulating region involved in the molecular cross-talk that initiates cell migration through homodimerization of MMP-14 as well as heterodimerization with the cell surface adhesion molecule CD44. In this study, minimal regions required for function within the PEX domain were investigated through a series of substitution mutations. Blades I and IV were found to be involved in cell migration. We found that blade IV is necessary for MMP-14 homodimerization and that blade I is required for CD44 MMP-14 heterodimerization. Cross-talk between MMP-14 and CD44 results in phosphorylation of EGF receptor and downstream activation of the MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways involved in cell migration. Based on these mutagenesis analyses, peptides mimicking the essential outermost strand motifs within the PEX domain of MMP-14 were designed. These synthetic peptides inhibit MMP-14-enhanced cell migration in a dose-dependent manner but have no effect on the function of other MMPs. Furthermore, these peptides interfere with cancer metastasis without affecting primary tumor growth. Thus, targeting the MMP-14 hemopexin domain represents a novel approach to inhibit MMP-14-mediated cancer dissemination.

The molecular basis of phospholipase D2-induced chemotaxis: elucidation of differential pathways in macrophages and fibroblasts

We report the molecular mechanisms that underlie chemotaxis of macrophages and cell migration of fibroblasts, cells that are essential during the body's innate immune response and during wound repair, respectively. Silencing of phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and PLD2 reduced cell migration (both chemokinesis and chemotaxis) by approximately 60% and >80%, respectively; this migration was restored by cell transfection with PLD2 constructs refractory to small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cells overexpressing active phospholipase D1 (PLD1) but, mostly, active PLD2 exhibited cell migration capabilities that were elevated over those elicited by chemoattractants alone. The mechanism for this enhancement is complex. It involves two pathways: one that is dependent on the activity of the lipase (and signals through its product, phosphatidic acid [PA]) and another that involves protein-protein interactions. The first is evidenced by partial abrogation of chemotaxis with lipase activity-defective constructs (PLD2-K758R) and by n-butanol treatment of cells. The second is evidenced by PLD association with the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) through residue Y(169), located within a Src homology 2 (SH2) consensus site. The association Grb2-PLD2 could be visualized by fluorescence microscopy in RAW/LR5 macrophages concentrated in actin-rich membrane ruffles, making possible that Grb2 serves as a docking or intermediary protein. The Grb2/PLD2-mediated chemotaxis process also depends on Grb2's ability to recognize other motility proteins, like the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP). Cell transfection with WASP, PLD2, and Grb2 constructs yields the highest levels of cell migration response, particularly in a macrophage cell line (RAW/LR5) and only modestly in the fibroblast cell line COS-7. Further, RAW/LR5 macrophages utilize for cell migration an additional pathway that involves S6 kinase (S6K) through PLD2-Y(296), known to be phosphorylated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase. Thus, both fibroblasts and macrophages use activity-dependent and activity-independent signaling mechanisms. However, highly mobile cells like macrophages use all signaling machinery available to them to accomplish their required function in rapid immune response, which sets them apart from fibroblasts, cells normally nonmobile that are only briefly involved in wound healing.

MiRNA-29a regulates the expression of numerous proteins and reduces the invasiveness and proliferation of human carcinoma cell lines

In this study we have identified a functional role for miR-29a in cancer cell invasion and proliferation. MiRNA expression profiling of human NSCLC cell lines indicated that miR-29a levels were reduced in more invasive cell lines. Exogenous overexpression of miR-29a in both lung and pancreatic cancer cell lines resulted in a significant reduction in the invasion phenotype, as well as in proliferation. 2D DIGE proteomic profiling of cells transfected with pre-miR-29a or anti-miR-29a resulted in the identification of over 100 differentially regulated proteins. The fold change of protein expression was generally modest--in the range 1.2-1.7-fold. Only 14 were predicted computationally to have miR-29a seed sequences in their 3' UTR region. Subsequent studies using siRNA to knock down several candidate proteins from the 2D DIGE experiment identified RAN (a member of the RAS oncogene family) which significantly reduced the invasive capability of a model lung cancer cell line. We conclude that miR-29a has a significant anti-invasive and anti-proliferative effect on lung cancer cells in vitro and functions as an anti-oncomir. This function is likely mediated through the post-transcriptional fine tuning of the cellular levels of several proteins, both directly and indirectly, and in particular we provide some evidence that RAN represents one of these.

Targeting the Met signaling pathway in renal cancer

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, accounts for 3% of all adult malignancies and its incidence has significantly increased over the last 20 years. RCC claims 13,000 lives annually in the USA and more than 100,000 worldwide. A better understanding of the molecular basis of RCC has facilitated the development of novel and more selective therapeutic approaches. An important role in RCC oncogenesis is played by the receptor for HGF, Met, which has attracted considerable attention, more recently as a molecular target for cancer therapy, and several drugs selectively targeting this pathway are now in clinical trials. This review will focus on efforts to understand the role of the Met signaling pathway in renal cancer and how this has contributed to the development of potent and selective drug candidates.

Selectivity and mechanism of action of a growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 SRC homology 2 domain binding antagonist

We have shown previously that a potent synthetic antagonist of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding (1) blocks growth factor stimulated motility, invasion, and angiogenesis in cultured cell models, as well as tumor metastasis in animals. To characterize the selectivity of 1 for the SH2 domain of Grb2 over other proteins containing similar structural binding motifs, we synthesized a biotinylated derivative (3) that retained high affinity Grb2 SH2 domain binding and potent biological activity. To investigate the selectivity of 1 and 3 for Grb2, the biotinylated antagonist 3 was used to immobilize target proteins from cell extracts for subsequent identification by mass spectrometry. Non-specific binding was identified in parallel using a biotinylated analogue that lacked a single critical binding determinant. The mechanism of action of the antagonist was further characterized by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and light microscopy. This approach to defining protein binding antagonist selectivity and molecular basis of action should be widely applicable in drug development.

Grb2 signaling in cell motility and cancer

BACKGROUND

Metastasis is the primary cause of death in most human cancers, and understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning this multistep process is fundamental to identifying novel molecular targets and developing more effective therapies.

OBJECTIVE/METHODS

Here we review the role of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) in cancer and specifically in metastasis-related processes, and summarize the development of anticancer therapeutics selectively targeting this adapter protein.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Grb2 is a key molecule in intracellular signal transduction, linking activated cell surface receptors to downstream targets by binding to specific phosphotyrosine-containing and proline-rich sequence motifs. Grb2 signaling is critical for cell cycle progression and actin-based cell motility, and, consequently, more complex processes such as epithelial morphogenesis, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. These functions make Grb2 a therapeutic target for strategies designed to prevent the spread of solid tumors through local invasion and metastasis.

Metastasis: a therapeutic target for cancer

Metastasis remains the major driver of mortality in patients with cancer. Our growing body of knowledge regarding this process provides the basis for the development of molecularly targeted therapeutics aimed at the tumor cell or its interaction with the host microenvironment. Here we discuss the similarity and differences between primary tumors and metastases, pathways controlling the colonization of a distant organ, and incorporation of antimetastatic therapies into clinical testing.