1
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Haronikova L, Bonczek O, Zatloukalova P, Kokas-Zavadil F, Kucerikova M, Coates PJ, Fahraeus R, Vojtesek B. Resistance mechanisms to inhibitors of p53-MDM2 interactions in cancer therapy: can we overcome them? Cell Mol Biol Lett 2021; 26:53. [PMID: 34911439 PMCID: PMC8903693 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-021-00293-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the first MDM2 inhibitors, we have gained deeper insights into the cellular roles of MDM2 and p53. In this review, we focus on MDM2 inhibitors that bind to the p53-binding domain of MDM2 and aim to disrupt the binding of MDM2 to p53. We describe the basic mechanism of action of these MDM2 inhibitors, such as nutlin-3a, summarise the determinants of sensitivity to MDM2 inhibition from p53-dependent and p53-independent points of view and discuss the problems with innate and acquired resistance to MDM2 inhibition. Despite progress in MDM2 inhibitor design and ongoing clinical trials, their broad use in cancer treatment is not fulfilling expectations in heterogenous human cancers. We assess the MDM2 inhibitor types in clinical trials and provide an overview of possible sources of resistance to MDM2 inhibition, underlining the need for patient stratification based on these aspects to gain better clinical responses, including the use of combination therapies for personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Haronikova
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondrej Bonczek
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umea University, 901 87, Umea, Vasterbotten, Sweden
| | - Pavlina Zatloukalova
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Kokas-Zavadil
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Kucerikova
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philip J Coates
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Robin Fahraeus
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umea University, 901 87, Umea, Vasterbotten, Sweden
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, 75010, Paris, France
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic.
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2
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Qiu K, Lee J, Kim H, Yoon S, Kang K. Machine learning based anti-cancer drug response prediction and search for predictor genes using cancer cell line gene expression. Genomics Inform 2021; 19:e10. [PMID: 33840174 PMCID: PMC8042299 DOI: 10.5808/gi.20076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many models have been proposed to accurately predict the response of drugs in cell lines recent years, understanding the genome related to drug response is also the key for completing oncology precision medicine. In this paper, based on the cancer cell line gene expression and the drug response data, we established a reliable and accurate drug response prediction model and found predictor genes for some drugs of interest. To this end, we first performed pre-selection of genes based on the Pearson correlation coefficient and then used ElasticNet regression model for drug response prediction and fine gene selection. To find more reliable set of predictor genes, we performed regression twice for each drug, one with IC50 and the other with area under the curve (AUC) (or activity area). For the 12 drugs we tested, the predictive performance in terms of Pearson correlation coefficient exceeded 0.6 and the highest one was 17-AAG for which Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.811 for IC50 and 0.81 for AUC. We identify common predictor genes for IC50 and AUC, with which the performance was similar to those with genes separately found for IC50 and AUC, but with much smaller number of predictor genes. By using only common predictor genes, the highest performance was AZD6244 (0.8016 for IC50, 0.7945 for AUC) with 321 predictor genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Qiu
- Department of Computer Science, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
| | - JoongHo Lee
- Department of Computer Science, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
| | - HanByeol Kim
- Department of Computer Science, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
| | - Seokhyun Yoon
- Department of Computer Science, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea.,Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
| | - Keunsoo Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea
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3
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Heinemann A, Paschen A. Tumor suppressors control ULBP2, an innate surface ligand of the lymphocyte immune receptor NKG2D. Oncoimmunology 2021; 1:535-536. [PMID: 22754777 PMCID: PMC3382901 DOI: 10.4161/onci.19406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The activating receptor NKG2D, expressed on different innate and adaptive cytotoxic lymphocytes, has been demonstrated to play an important role in anti-tumor immunity. Now evidence is provided that tumor suppressors control expression of its ligand ULBP2 supporting the role of this receptor-ligand system as an innate barrier against tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Heinemann
- Department of Dermatology; University Hospital Essen; Essen, Germany
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4
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Li X, Guo M, Cai L, Du T, Liu Y, Ding HF, Wang H, Zhang J, Chen X, Yan C. Competitive ubiquitination activates the tumor suppressor p53. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:1807-1818. [PMID: 31796886 PMCID: PMC7244561 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0463-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking p53 ubiquitination through disrupting its interaction with MDM2 or inhibiting the MDM2 catalytic activity is the central mechanism by which the tumor suppressor p53 is activated in response to genotoxic challenges. Although MDM2 is first characterized as the major E3 ubiquitin ligase for p53, it can also catalyze the conjugation of ubiquitin moieties to other proteins (e.g., activating transcription factor 3, or ATF3). Here we report that ATF3 can act as an ubiquitin “trap” and competes with p53 for MDM2-mediated ubiquitination. While ATF3-mediated p53 stabilization required ATF3 binding to the MDM2 RING domain, we demonstrated that ATF3 ubiquitination catalyzed by MDM2 was indispensable for p53 activation in response to DNA damage. Moreover, a cancer-derived ATF3 mutant (R88G) devoid of ubiquitination failed to prevent p53 from MDM2-mediated degradation and thus was unable to activate the tumor suppressor. Therefore, we have identified a previously-unknown mechanism that can activate p53 in the genotoxic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyao Li
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Mengqi Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Lun Cai
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Tingting Du
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Han-Fei Ding
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.,Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Hongbo Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chunhong Yan
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
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5
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Jan R, Chaudhry GES. Understanding Apoptosis and Apoptotic Pathways Targeted Cancer Therapeutics. Adv Pharm Bull 2019; 9:205-218. [PMID: 31380246 PMCID: PMC6664112 DOI: 10.15171/apb.2019.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 403] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Various physiological processes involve appropriate tissue developmental process and homeostasis - the pathogenesis of several diseases connected with deregulatory apoptosis process. Apoptosis plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance between cell death and division, evasion of apoptosis results in the uncontrolled multiplication of cells leading to different diseases such as cancer. Currently, the development of apoptosis targeting anticancer drugs has gained much interest since cell death induced by apoptosis causes minimal inflammation. The understanding of complexities of apoptosis mechanism and how apoptosis is evolved by tumor cells to oppose cell death has focused research into the new strategies designed to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This review focused on the underlying mechanism of apoptosis and the dysregulation of apoptosis modulators involved in the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway, which include death receptors (DRs) proteins, cellular FLICE inhibitory proteins (c-FLIP), anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), tumor suppressor (p53) in cancer cells along with various current clinical approaches aimed to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehmat Jan
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Terengganu Malaysia, 21030 Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Gul-E-Saba Chaudhry
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Terengganu Malaysia, 21030 Terengganu, Malaysia
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6
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Samavarchi Tehrani S, Mahmoodzadeh Hosseini H, Yousefi T, Abolghasemi M, Qujeq D, Maniati M, Amani J. The crosstalk between trace elements with DNA damage response, repair, and oxidative stress in cancer. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:1080-1105. [PMID: 30378148 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage response (DDR) is a regulatory system responsible for maintaining genome integrity and stability, which can sense and transduce DNA damage signals. The severity of damage appears to determine DDRs, which can include damage repair, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Furthermore, defective components in DNA damage and repair machinery are an underlying cause for the development and progression of various types of cancers. Increasing evidence indicates that there is an association between trace elements and DDR/repair mechanisms. In fact, trace elements seem to affect mediators of DDR. Besides, it has been revealed that oxidative stress (OS) and trace elements are associated with cancer development. In this review, we discuss the role of some critical trace elements in the risk of cancer. In addition, we provide a brief introduction on DDR and OS in cancer. Finally, we will further review the interactions between some important trace elements including selenium, zinc, chromium, cadmium, and arsenic, and DDR, and OS in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadra Samavarchi Tehrani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Mahmoodzadeh Hosseini
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tooba Yousefi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Maryam Abolghasemi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Durdi Qujeq
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mahmood Maniati
- English Department, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Pistritto G, Trisciuoglio D, Ceci C, Garufi A, D'Orazi G. Apoptosis as anticancer mechanism: function and dysfunction of its modulators and targeted therapeutic strategies. Aging (Albany NY) 2017; 8:603-19. [PMID: 27019364 PMCID: PMC4925817 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 974] [Impact Index Per Article: 139.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that results in the orderly and efficient removal of damaged cells, such as those resulting from DNA damage or during development. Apoptosis can be triggered by signals from within the cell, such as genotoxic stress, or by extrinsic signals, such as the binding of ligands to cell surface death receptors. Deregulation in apoptotic cell death machinery is an hallmark of cancer. Apoptosis alteration is responsible not only for tumor development and progression but also for tumor resistance to therapies. Most anticancer drugs currently used in clinical oncology exploit the intact apoptotic signaling pathways to trigger cancer cell death. Thus, defects in the death pathways may result in drug resistance so limiting the efficacy of therapies. Therefore, a better understanding of the apoptotic cell death signaling pathways may improve the efficacy of cancer therapy and bypass resistance. This review will highlight the role of the fundamental regulators of apoptosis and how their deregulation, including activation of anti-apoptotic factors (i.e., Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, etc) or inactivation of pro-apoptotic factors (i.e., p53 pathway) ends up in cancer cell resistance to therapies. In addition, therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating apoptotic activity are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppa Pistritto
- Department of Systems Medicine, University "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuoglio
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Ceci
- Department of Systems Medicine, University "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Garufi
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00158 Rome, Italy.,Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Tumor Biology Unit, University "G. d'Annunzio", 66013 Chieti, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Orazi
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00158 Rome, Italy.,Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Tumor Biology Unit, University "G. d'Annunzio", 66013 Chieti, Italy
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8
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Donninger H, Calvisi DF, Barnoud T, Clark J, Schmidt ML, Vos MD, Clark GJ. NORE1A is a Ras senescence effector that controls the apoptotic/senescent balance of p53 via HIPK2. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 208:777-89. [PMID: 25778922 PMCID: PMC4362463 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201408087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
NORE1A is a Ras senescence effector that modulates HIPK2-dependent posttranslational modifications of p53. The Ras oncoprotein is a key driver of cancer. However, Ras also provokes senescence, which serves as a major barrier to Ras-driven transformation. Ras senescence pathways remain poorly characterized. NORE1A is a novel Ras effector that serves as a tumor suppressor. It is frequently inactivated in tumors. We show that NORE1A is a powerful Ras senescence effector and that down-regulation of NORE1A suppresses senescence induction by Ras and enhances Ras transformation. We show that Ras induces the formation of a complex between NORE1A and the kinase HIPK2, enhancing HIPK2 association with p53. HIPK2 is a tumor suppressor that can induce either proapoptotic or prosenescent posttranslational modifications of p53. NORE1A acts to suppress its proapoptotic phosphorylation of p53 but enhance its prosenescent acetylation of p53. Thus, we identify a major new Ras signaling pathway that links Ras to the control of specific protein acetylation and show how NORE1A allows Ras to qualitatively modify p53 function to promote senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Donninger
- Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Molecular Targets Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | | | - Thibaut Barnoud
- Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Molecular Targets Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Jennifer Clark
- Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Molecular Targets Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - M Lee Schmidt
- Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Molecular Targets Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Michele D Vos
- Research Analysis and Evaluation Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Geoffrey J Clark
- Department of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Molecular Targets Group, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
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9
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Wook Choi D, Yong Choi C. HIPK2 modification code for cell death and survival. Mol Cell Oncol 2014; 1:e955999. [PMID: 27308327 PMCID: PMC4905192 DOI: 10.1080/23723548.2014.955999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that participates in the regulation of diverse cellular activities as a transcriptional cofactor and signal transducer. HIPK2 senses various signaling cues that in turn phosphorylate downstream substrates to coordinate developmental processes, cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, differentiation, and the DNA damage response. HIPK2 functions are affected by its catalytic activity, stability, and subcellular localization, which in turn are dynamically regulated by diverse post-translational modifications such as polyubiquitination, SUMOylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation. HIPK2 is not modified with small molecules and/or peptides individually or independently, but in a combinatorial manner that is referred to as the “HIPK2 modification code.” HIPK2 integrates various signaling cues and senses different doses of DNA damage and ROS stimuli, which are reflected by unique patterns of HIPK2 modification. Hence, the HIPK2 modification code differentially contributes to cellular homeostasis and determination of cell fate depending on cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wook Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences; Sungkyunkwan University ; Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Yong Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences; Sungkyunkwan University ; Suwon, Republic of Korea
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10
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HIPK2 sustains apoptotic response by phosphorylating Che-1/AATF and promoting its degradation. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1414. [PMID: 25210797 PMCID: PMC4225224 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Che-1/AATF is an RNA polymerase II-binding protein that is involved in the regulation of gene transcription, which undergoes stabilization and accumulation in response to DNA damage. We have previously demonstrated that following apoptotic induction, Che-1 protein levels are downregulated through its interaction with the E3 ligase HDM2, which leads to Che-1 degradation by ubiquitylation. This interaction is mediated by Pin1, which determines a phosphorylation-dependent conformational change. Here we demonstrate that HIPK2, a proapoptotic kinase, is involved in Che-1 degradation. HIPK2 interacts with Che-1 and, upon genotoxic stress, phosphorylates it at specific residues. This event strongly increases HDM2/Che-1 interaction and degradation of Che-1 protein via ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal system. In agreement with these findings, we found that HIPK2 depletion strongly decreases Che-1 ubiquitylation and degradation. Notably, Che-1 overexpression strongly counteracts HIPK2-induced apoptosis. Our results establish Che-1 as a new HIPK2 target and confirm its important role in the cellular response to DNA damage.
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11
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Li H, Zhang Y, Ströse A, Tedesco D, Gurova K, Selivanova G. Integrated high-throughput analysis identifies Sp1 as a crucial determinant of p53-mediated apoptosis. Cell Death Differ 2014; 21:1493-502. [PMID: 24971482 PMCID: PMC4131181 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2014.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The restoration of p53 tumor suppressor function is a promising therapeutic strategy to combat cancer. However, the biological outcomes of p53 activation, ranging from the promotion of growth arrest to the induction of cell death, are hard to predict, which limits the clinical application of p53-based therapies. In the present study, we performed an integrated analysis of genome-wide short hairpin RNA screen and gene expression data and uncovered a previously unrecognized role of Sp1 as a central modulator of the transcriptional response induced by p53 that leads to robust induction of apoptosis. Sp1 is indispensable for the pro-apoptotic transcriptional repression by p53, but not for the induction of pro-apoptotic genes. Furthermore, the p53-dependent pro-apoptotic transcriptional repression required the co-binding of Sp1 to p53 target genes. Our results also highlight that Sp1 shares with p53 a common regulator, MDM2, which targets Sp1 for proteasomal degradation. This uncovers a new mechanism of the tight control of apoptosis in cells. Our study advances the understanding of the molecular basis of p53-mediated apoptosis and implicates Sp1 as one of its key modulators. We found that small molecules reactivating p53 can differentially modulate Sp1, thus providing insights into how to manipulate p53 response in a controlled way.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Li
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Y Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Mucai Street 59, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - A Ströse
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - D Tedesco
- Cellecta, Inc., 320 Logue Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - K Gurova
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - G Selivanova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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RITA can induce cell death in p53-defective cells independently of p53 function via activation of JNK/SAPK and p38. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1318. [PMID: 25010984 PMCID: PMC4123078 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Significant advances have been made in the development of small molecules blocking the p53/MDM2 interaction. The Mdm2 inhibitor Nutlin-3 is restricted to tumors carrying wtp53. In contrast, RITA, a compound that binds p53, has recently been shown also to restore transcriptional functions of mtp53. As more than 50% of solid tumors carry p53 mutations, RITA promises to be a more effective therapeutic strategy than Nutlin-3. We investigated effects of RITA on apoptosis, cell cycle and induction of 45 p53 target genes in a panel of 14 cell lines from different tumor entities with different p53 status as well as primary lymphocytes and fibroblasts. Nine cell strains expressed wtp53, four harbored mtp53, and three were characterized by the loss of p53 protein. A significant induction of cell death upon RITA was observed in 7 of 16 cell lines. The nonmalignant cells in our panel were substantially less sensitive. We found that in contrast to Nultin-3, RITA is capable to induce cell death not only in tumor cells harboring wtp53 and mtp53 but also in p53-null cells. Importantly, whereas p53 has a central role for RITA-mediated effects in wtp53 cells, neither p53 nor p63 or p73 were essential for the RITA response in mtp53 or p53-null cells in our panel demonstrating that besides the known p53-dependent action of RITA in wtp53 cells, RITA can induce cell death also independently of p53 in cells harboring defective p53. We identified an important role of both p38 and JNK/SAPK for sensitivity to RITA in these cells leading to a typical caspase- and BAX/BAK-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that RITA can induce apoptosis through p38 and JNK/SAPK not only in tumor cells harboring wtp53 and mtp53 but also in p53-null cells, making RITA an interesting tumor-selective drug.
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13
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Surget S, Descamps G, Brosseau C, Normant V, Maïga S, Gomez-Bougie P, Gouy-Colin N, Godon C, Béné MC, Moreau P, Le Gouill S, Amiot M, Pellat-Deceunynck C. RITA (Reactivating p53 and Inducing Tumor Apoptosis) is efficient against TP53abnormal myeloma cells independently of the p53 pathway. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:437. [PMID: 24927749 PMCID: PMC4094448 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the p53-reactivating drugs RITA and nutlin3a in killing myeloma cells. Methods A large cohort of myeloma cell lines (n = 32) and primary cells (n = 21) was used for this study. This cohort contained cell lines with various TP53 statuses and primary cells with various incidences of deletion of chromosome 17. Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry with Apo2.7 staining of the cell lines or via the loss of the myeloma-specific marker CD138 in primary cells. Apoptosis was further confirmed by the appearance of a subG1 peak and the activation of caspases 3 and 9. Activation of the p53 pathway was monitored using immunoblotting via the expression of the p53 target genes p21, Noxa, Bax and DR5. The involvement of p53 was further studied in 4 different p53-silenced cell lines. Results Both drugs induced the apoptosis of myeloma cells. The apoptosis that was induced by RITA was not related to the TP53 status of the cell lines or the del17p status of the primary samples (p = 0.52 and p = 0.80, respectively), and RITA did not commonly increase the expression level of p53 or p53 targets (Noxa, p21, Bax or DR5) in sensitive cells. Moreover, silencing of p53 in two TP53mutated cell lines failed to inhibit apoptosis that was induced by RITA, which confirmed that RITA-induced apoptosis in myeloma cells was p53 independent. In contrast, apoptosis induced by nutlin3a was directly linked to the TP53 status of the cell lines and primary samples (p < 0.001 and p = 0.034, respectively) and nutlin3a increased the level of p53 and p53 targets in a p53-dependent manner. Finally, we showed that a nutlin3a-induced DR5 increase (≥1.2-fold increase) was a specific and sensitive marker (p < 0.001) for a weak incidence of 17p deletion within the samples (≤19%). Conclusion These data show that RITA, in contrast to nutlin3a, effectively induced apoptosis in a subset of MM cells independently of p53. The findings and could be of interest for patients with a 17p deletion, who are resistant to current therapies.
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Lee SY, Choi HC, Choe YJ, Shin SJ, Lee SH, Kim HS. Nutlin-3 induces BCL2A1 expression by activating ELK1 through the mitochondrial p53-ROS-ERK1/2 pathway. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:675-82. [PMID: 24867259 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutlin-3 which occupies the p53 binding pocket in HDM2, has been reported to activate apoptosis through both the transcriptional activity-dependent and -independent programs of p53. Transcription-independent apoptosis by nutlin-3 is triggered by p53 which is translocated to mitochondria. However, we previously demonstrated that the nutlin-3-induced mitochondrial translocation of p53 stimulates ERK1/2 activation, an anti-apoptosis signal, via mitochondrial ROS generation. We report on how nutlin-3-stimulated ERK1/2 activity inhibits p53-induced apoptosis. Among the anti-apoptotic BCL2 family proteins, BCL2A1 expression was increased by nutlin-3 at both the mRNA and protein levels, and this increase was prevented by the inhibition of ERK1/2. TEMPO, a ROS scavenger, and PFT-μ , a blocker of the mitochondrial translocation of p53, also inhibited BCL2A1 expression as well as ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, nutlin-3 stimulated phosphorylation of ELK1, which was prevented by all compounds that inhibited nutlin-3-induced ERK1/2 such as U0126, PFT-μ and TEMPO. Moreover, an increase in BCL2A1 expression was weakened by the knockdown of ELK1. Finally, nutlin-3-induced apoptosis was found to be potentiated by the knockdown of BCL2A1, as demonstrated by an increase of in hypo-diploidic cells and Annexin V-positive cells. Parallel to the increase in apoptotic cells, the knockdown of BCL2A1 augmented the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. It is noteworthy that the augmented levels of apoptosis induced by the knockdown of BCL2A1 were comparable to those of apoptosis induced by U0126. Collectively, these results suggest that nutlin-3-activated ERK1/2 may stimulate the transcription of BCL2A1 via the activation of ELK1, and BCL2A1 expression may contribute to the inhibitory effect of ERK1/2 on nutlin-3-induced apoptosis, thereby constituting a negative feedback loop of p53-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Young Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Chul Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jeong Choe
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Joon Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sug Hyung Lee
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Shik Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
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15
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Comel A, Sorrentino G, Capaci V, Del Sal G. The cytoplasmic side of p53's oncosuppressive activities. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:2600-9. [PMID: 24747877 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 is a transcription factor that in response to a plethora of stress stimuli activates a complex and context-dependent cellular response ultimately protecting genome integrity. In the last two decades, the discovery of cytoplasmic p53 localization has driven an intense research on its extra-nuclear functions. The ability to induce apoptosis acting directly at mitochondria and the related mechanisms of p53 localization and translocation in the cytoplasm and mitochondria have been dissected. However, recent works indicate the involvement of cytoplasmic p53 also in biological processes such as autophagy, metabolism, oxidative stress and drug response. This review will focus on the mechanisms of cytoplasmic p53 activation and the pathophysiological role of p53's transcription-independent functions, highlighting possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Comel
- Laboratorio Nazionale CIB (LNCIB), Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sorrentino
- Laboratorio Nazionale CIB (LNCIB), Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Valeria Capaci
- Laboratorio Nazionale CIB (LNCIB), Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- Laboratorio Nazionale CIB (LNCIB), Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 34127, Italy.
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16
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Selivanova G. Wild type p53 reactivation: from lab bench to clinic. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:2628-38. [PMID: 24726725 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor is the most frequently inactivated gene in cancer. Several mouse models have demonstrated that the reconstitution of the p53 function suppresses the growth of established tumors. These facts, taken together, promote the idea of p53 reactivation as a strategy to combat cancer. This review will focus on recent advances in the development of small molecules which restore the function of wild type p53 by blocking its inhibitors Mdm2 and MdmX or their upstream regulators and discuss the impact of different p53 functions for tumor prevention and tumor eradication. Finally, the recent progress in p53 research will be analyzed concerning the role of p53 cofactors and cellular environment in the biological response upon p53 reactivation and how this can be applied in clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Selivanova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobelsvag 16, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
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17
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Choe YJ, Lee SY, Ko KW, Shin SJ, Kim HS. Nutlin-3 induces HO-1 expression by activating JNK in a transcription-independent manner of p53. Int J Oncol 2013; 44:761-8. [PMID: 24366007 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent study reported that p53 can induce HO-1 by directly binding to the putative p53 responsive element in the HO-1 promoter. In this study, we report that nutlin-3, a small molecule antagonist of HDM2, induces the transcription of HO-1 in a transcription-independent manner of p53. Nutlin-3 induced HO-1 expression at the level of transcription in human cancer cells such as U2OS and RKO cells. This induction of HO-1 did not occur in SAOS cells in which p53 was mutated and was prevented by knocking down the p53 protein using p53 siRNA transfection, but not by PFT-α, an inhibitor of the transcriptional activity of p53. Accompanying HO-1 expression, nutlin-3 stimulated the accumulation of ROS and the phosphorylation of MAPKs such as JNK, p38 MAPK and ERK1/2. Nutlin-3-induced HO-1 expression was suppressed by TEMPO, a ROS scavenger, and chemical inhibitors of JNK and p38 MAPK but not ERK1/2. In addition, nutlin‑3-induced phosphorylation of JNK but not p38 MAPK was inhibited by TEMPO. Notably, the levels of nutlin-3-induced ROS were correlated with the mitochondrial translocation of p53 and this induction was prevented by PFT-μ, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial translocation of p53. Consistent with the effect of the ROS scavenger and MAPK inhibitors, PFT-μ reduced HO-1 expression and the phosphorylation of JNK induced by nutlin-3. In the experiments of analyzing cell death, the knockdown of HO-1 augmented nutlin-3-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that nutlin-3 induces HO-1 expression via the activation of both JNK which is dependent on ROS generated by p53 translocated to the mitochondria and p38 MAPK which appears to be stimulated by a ROS-independent mechanism, and this HO-1 induction may inhibit nutlin-3-induced apoptosis, constituting a negative feedback loop of p53-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Jeong Choe
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Young Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Won Ko
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Joon Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Shik Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Republic of Korea
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Di Marzo D, Forte IM, Indovina P, Di Gennaro E, Rizzo V, Giorgi F, Mattioli E, Iannuzzi CA, Budillon A, Giordano A, Pentimalli F. Pharmacological targeting of p53 through RITA is an effective antitumoral strategy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Cell Cycle 2013; 13:652-65. [PMID: 24345738 DOI: 10.4161/cc.27546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma, a very aggressive tumor associated to asbestos exposure, is expected to increase in incidence, and unfortunately, no curative modality exists. Reactivation of p53 is a new attractive antitumoral strategy. p53 is rarely mutated in mesothelioma, but it is inactivated in most tumors by the lack of p14(ARF). Here, we evaluated the feasibility of this approach in pleural mesothelioma by testing RITA and nutlin-3, two molecules able to restore p53 function through a different mechanism, on a panel of mesothelioma cell lines representing the epithelioid (NCI-H28, NCI-H2452, IST-MES 2), biphasic (MSTO-211H), and sarcomatoid (NCI-H2052) histotypes compared with the normal mesothelial HMC-hTERT. RITA triggered robust caspase-dependent apoptosis specifically in epithelioid and biphasic mesothelioma cell lines, both through wild-type and mutant p53, concomitant to p21 downregulation. Conversely, nutlin-3 induced a p21-dependent growth arrest, rather than apoptosis, and was slightly toxic on HMC-hTERT. Interestingly, we identified a previously undetected point mutation of p53 (p.Arg249Ser) in IST-MES 2, and showed that RITA is also able to reactivate this p53 mutant protein and its apoptotic function. RITA reduced tumor growth in a MSTO-211H-derived xenograft model of mesothelioma and synergized with cisplatin, which is the mainstay of treatment for this tumor. Our data indicate that reactivation of p53 and concomitant p21 downregulation effectively induce cell death in mesothelioma, a tumor characterized by a high intrinsic resistance to apoptosis. Altogether, our findings provide the preclinical framework supporting the use of p53-reactivating agents alone, or in combination regimens, to improve the outcome of patients with mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Di Marzo
- Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM); Istituto Nazionale Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale"; IRCCS; Italy
| | - Iris Maria Forte
- Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM); Istituto Nazionale Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale"; IRCCS; Italy
| | - Paola Indovina
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena, Italy; Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine; Center for Biotechnology; College of Science and Technology; Temple University; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Elena Di Gennaro
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit; Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale" - IRCCS; Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Rizzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Giorgi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena, Italy
| | - Eliseo Mattioli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena, Italy; National Cancer Research Centre; Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II"; Bari, Italy
| | - Carmelina Antonella Iannuzzi
- Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM); Istituto Nazionale Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale"; IRCCS; Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena, Italy
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM); Istituto Nazionale Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale"; IRCCS; Italy; Experimental Pharmacology Unit; Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale" - IRCCS; Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM); Istituto Nazionale Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale"; IRCCS; Italy; Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience; University of Siena; Siena, Italy; Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine; Center for Biotechnology; College of Science and Technology; Temple University; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Francesca Pentimalli
- Oncology Research Center of Mercogliano (CROM); Istituto Nazionale Per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale"; IRCCS; Italy
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19
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Burmakin M, Shi Y, Hedström E, Kogner P, Selivanova G. Dual targeting of wild-type and mutant p53 by small molecule RITA results in the inhibition of N-Myc and key survival oncogenes and kills neuroblastoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:5092-103. [PMID: 23864164 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-2211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Restoration of the p53 function in tumors is a promising therapeutic strategy due to the high potential of p53 as tumor suppressor and the fact that established tumors depend on p53 inactivation for their survival. Here, we addressed the question whether small molecule RITA can reactivate p53 in neuroblastoma and suppress the growth of neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The ability of RITA to inhibit growth and to induce apoptosis was shown in seven neuroblastoma cell lines. Mechanistic studies were carried out to determine the p53 dependence and the molecular mechanism of RITA-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma, using cell viability assays, RNAi silencing, co-immunoprecipitation, qPCR, and Western blotting analysis. In vivo experiments were conducted to study the effect of RITA on human neuroblastoma xenografts in mice. RESULTS RITA induced p53-dependent apoptosis in a set of seven neuroblastoma cell lines, carrying wild-type or mutant p53; it activated p53 and triggered the expression of proapoptotic p53 target genes. Importantly, p53 activated by RITA inhibited several key oncogenes that are high-priority targets for pharmacologic anticancer strategies in neuroblastoma, including N-Myc, Aurora kinase, Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Wip-1, MDM2, and MDMX. Moreover, RITA had a strong antitumor effect in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Reactivation of wild-type and mutant p53 resulting in the induction of proapoptotic factors along with ablation of key oncogenes by compounds such as RITA may be a highly effective strategy to treat neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Burmakin
- Authors' Affiliations: Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell biology (MTC); and Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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Veschi V, Petroni M, Cardinali B, Dominici C, Screpanti I, Frati L, Bartolazzi A, Gulino A, Giannini G. Galectin-3 impairment of MYCN-dependent apoptosis-sensitive phenotype is antagonized by nutlin-3 in neuroblastoma cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e49139. [PMID: 23152863 PMCID: PMC3494673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
MYCN amplification occurs in about 20–25% of human neuroblastomas and characterizes the majority of the high-risk cases, which display less than 50% prolonged survival rate despite intense multimodal treatment. Somehow paradoxically, MYCN also sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to apoptosis, understanding the molecular mechanisms of which might be relevant for the therapy of MYCN amplified neuroblastoma. We recently reported that the apoptosis-sensitive phenotype induced by MYCN is linked to stabilization of p53 and its proapoptotic kinase HIPK2. In MYCN primed neuroblastoma cells, further activation of both HIPK2 and p53 by Nutlin-3 leads to massive apoptosis in vitro and to tumor shrinkage and impairment of metastasis in xenograft models. Here we report that Galectin-3 impairs MYCN-primed and HIPK2-p53-dependent apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. Galectin-3 is broadly expressed in human neuroblastoma cell lines and tumors and is repressed by MYCN to induce the apoptosis-sensitive phenotype. Despite its reduced levels, Galectin-3 can still exert residual antiapoptotic effects in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cells, possibly due to its specific subcellular localization. Importantly, Nutlin-3 represses Galectin-3 expression, and this is required for its potent cell killing effect on MYCN amplified cell lines. Our data further characterize the apoptosis-sensitive phenotype induced by MYCN, expand our understanding of the activity of MDM2-p53 antagonists and highlight Galectin-3 as a potential biomarker for the tailored p53 reactivation therapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Veschi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Liverpool University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Luigi Frati
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Bartolazzi
- Experimental Pathology Laboratory, S. Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Cancer Center Karolinska (CCK) R8∶04, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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21
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Petroni M, Veschi V, Gulino A, Giannini G. Molecular mechanisms of MYCN-dependent apoptosis and the MDM2-p53 pathway: an Achille's heel to be exploited for the therapy of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. Front Oncol 2012; 2:141. [PMID: 23091802 PMCID: PMC3470040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The p53 oncosuppressor is very seldom mutated in neuroblastoma, but several mechanisms cooperate to its functional inactivation in this tumor. Increased MDM2 levels, due to genetic amplification or constitutive inhibition of p14( ARF), significantly contribute to this event highlighting p53 reactivation as an attractive perspective for neuroblastoma treatment. In addition to its role in tumorigenesis, MYCN sensitizes untransformed and cancer cells to apoptosis. This is associated to a fine modulation of the MDM2-p53 pathway. Indeed MYCN induces p53 and MDM2 transcription, and, by evoking a DNA damage response (DDR), it stabilizes p53 and its proapoptotic kinase Homeodomain Interacting Protein Kinase 2 (HIPK2). Through the regulation of the HIPK2-p53 inhibitor High Mobility Group protein A1 (HMGA1) and the homeobox proteins BMI-1 and TWIST-1, MYCN establishes a delicate balance between pro- and antiapoptotic molecules that might be easily perturbed by a variety of insults, leading to cell death. MDM2-p53 antagonists, such as Nutlin-3, are strikingly prone to inducing death in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, by further pushing on HIPK2 accumulation. Here we discuss implications and caveats of exploiting this pathway and its connections to MYCN-induced DDR for a tailored therapy of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.
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Abstract
In response to intense stress, the tumor protein p53 (p53) tumor suppressor rapidly
mounts a direct mitochondrial death program that precedes transcription-mediated
apoptosis. By eliminating severely damaged cells, this pathway contributes to tumor
suppression as well as to cancer cell killing induced by both genotoxic drugs and
non-genotoxic p53-reactivating molecules. Here we have explored the role had in this
pathway by the prolyl-isomerase Pin1 (peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase,
NIMA-interacting 1), a crucial transducer of p53's phosphorylation into
conformational changes unleashing its pro-apoptotic activity. We show that Pin1 promotes
stress-induced localization of p53 to mitochondria both in vitro and in
vivo. In particular, we demonstrate that upon stress-induced phosphorylation of p53
on Ser46 by homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2, Pin1 stimulates its mitochondrial
trafficking signal, that is, monoubiquitination. This pathway is induced also by the
p53-activating molecule RITA, and we demonstrate the strong requirement of Pin1 for the
induction of mitochondrial apoptosis by this compound. These findings have significant
implications for treatment of p53-expressing tumors and for prospective use of
p53-activating compounds in clinics.
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23
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D'Orazi G, Rinaldo C, Soddu S. Updates on HIPK2: a resourceful oncosuppressor for clearing cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2012; 31:63. [PMID: 22889244 PMCID: PMC3432601 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-31-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is a multitalented protein that exploits its kinase activity to modulate key molecular pathways in cancer to restrain tumor growth and induce response to therapies. HIPK2 phosphorylates oncosuppressor p53 for apoptotic activation. In addition, also p53-independent apoptotic pathways are regulated by HIPK2 and can be exploited for anticancer purpose too. Therefore, HIPK2 activity is considered a central switch in targeting tumor cells toward apoptosis upon genotoxic damage and the preservation and/or restoration of HIPK2 function is crucial for an efficient tumor response to therapies. As a proof of principle, HIPK2 knockdown impairs p53 function, induces chemoresistance, angiogenesis, and tumor growth in vivo, on the contrary, HIPK2 overexpression activates apoptotic pathways, counteracts hypoxia, inhibits angiogenesis, and induces chemosensitivity both in p53-dependent and -independent ways. The role of HIPK2 in restraining tumor development was also confirmed by studies with HIPK2 knockout mice. Recent findings demonstrated that HIPK2 inhibitions do exist in tumors and depend by several mechanisms including HIPK2 cytoplasmic localization, protein degradation, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), recapitulating the biological outcome obtained by RNA interference studies in tumor cells, such as p53 inactivation, resistance to therapies, apoptosis inhibition, and tumor progression. These findings may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for treating cancer patients. This review will focus on the last updates about HIPK2 contribution in tumorigenesis and cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella D'Orazi
- Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G, d'Annunzio", Chieti 66013, Italy.
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Pelisch F, Pozzi B, Risso G, Muñoz MJ, Srebrow A. DNA damage-induced heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K sumoylation regulates p53 transcriptional activation. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:30789-99. [PMID: 22825850 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.390120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) K is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that is a key player in the p53-triggered DNA damage response, acting as a cofactor for p53 in response to DNA damage. hnRNP K is a substrate of the ubiquitin E3 ligase MDM2 and, upon DNA damage, is de-ubiquitylated. In sharp contrast with the role and consequences of the other post-translational modifications, nothing is known about the role of SUMO conjugation to hnRNP K in p53 transcriptional co-activation. In the present work, we show that hnRNP K is modified by SUMO in lysine 422 within its KH3 domain, and sumoylation is regulated by the E3 ligase Pc2/CBX4. Most interestingly, DNA damage stimulates hnRNP K sumoylation through Pc2 E3 activity, and this modification is required for p53 transcriptional activation. Abrogation of hnRNP K sumoylation leads to an aberrant regulation of the p53 target gene p21. Our findings link the DNA damage-induced Pc2 activation to the p53 transcriptional co-activation through hnRNP K sumoylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Pelisch
- Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellón II, Buenos Aires (C1428EHA), Argentina
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25
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p53 modulation as a therapeutic strategy in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37776. [PMID: 22662219 PMCID: PMC3360609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The KIT-inhibitor imatinib mesylate (IM) has greatly improved the treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). IM exhibits strong antiproliferative effects but fails to induce sufficient levels of apoptosis resulting in low pathologic complete remission rates and a high rate of secondary progression in the metastatic setting. Upregulation of p53 by MDM2 inhibitors has been shown to induce apoptosis in p53 wildtype tumors. Analyzing a series of 62 mostly untreated, localized and metastatic GIST we detected a low rate (3%) of inactivating p53 mutations, thus providing a rationale for further exploration of p53-directed therapeutic strategies. To this end, we studied nutlin-3, an inhibitor of the p53 antagonist MDM2, and RITA, a putative p53 activator, in GIST cell lines. Nutlin-3 effectively induced p53 at therapeutically relevant levels, which resulted in moderate antiproliferative effects and cell cycle arrest in p53 wildtype GIST cell lines GIST430, GIST48 and GIST48B. P53 reactivation substantially improved the apoptotic response after effective KIT inhibition with sunitinib and 17-AAG in IM-resistant cell lines. The commonly used imatinib-sensitive cell lines GIST882 and GIST-T1 were shown to harbor defective p53 and therefore failed to respond to nutlin-3 treatment. RITA induced p53 in GIST48B, followed by antiproliferative effects and a strong induction of apoptosis. Surprisingly, GIST-T1 was also highly sensitive to RITA despite lacking functional p53. This suggested a more complex, p53-independent mechanism of action for the latter compound. No antagonistic effects from p53-activating drugs were seen with any drug combination. Our data provide first evidence that modulation of the MDM2/p53 pathway may be therapeutically useful to improve the apoptotic response of KIT-inhibitory drugs in the treatment of naïve GIST, with p53 mutation status being a predictive factor of response.
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Roh JL, Ko JH, Moon SJ, Ryu CH, Choi JY, Koch WM. The p53-reactivating small-molecule RITA enhances cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in head and neck cancer. Cancer Lett 2012; 325:35-41. [PMID: 22634494 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated whether the restoration of p53 function by the p53-reactivating small molecule RITA (reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis enhances cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in head-and-neck cancer (HNC). RITA induced prominent accumulation and reactivation of p53 in a wild-type TP53-bearing HNC cell line. RITA showed maximal growth suppression in tumor cells showing MDM2-dependent p53 degradation. RITA promoted apoptosis in association with upregulation of p21, BAX, and cleaved caspase-3; notably, the apoptotic response was blocked by pifithrin-α, demonstrating its p53 dependence. With increasing concentrations, RITA strongly induced apoptosis rather than G2-phase arrest. In combination therapy, RITA enhanced cisplatin-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of HNC cells invitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that the restoration of p53 tumor-suppressive function by RITA enhances the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of cisplatin, an action that may offer an attractive strategy for treating HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Lyel Roh
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Di Conza G, Buttarelli M, Monti O, Pellegrino M, Mancini F, Pontecorvi A, Scotlandi K, Moretti F. IGF-1R/MDM2 relationship confers enhanced sensitivity to RITA in Ewing sarcoma cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2012; 11:1247-56. [PMID: 22461661 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is one of the most frequent bone cancers in adolescence. Although multidisciplinary therapy has improved the survival rate for localized tumors, a critical step is the development of new drugs to improve the long-term outcome of recurrent and metastatic disease and to reduce side effects of conventional therapy. Here, we show that the small molecule reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis (RITA, NSC652287) is highly effective in reducing growth and tumorigenic potential of Ewing sarcoma cell lines. These effects occur both in the presence of wt-p53 as well as of mutant or truncated forms of p53, or in its absence, suggesting the presence of additional targets in this tumor histotype. Further experiments provided evidence that RITA modulates an important oncogenic mark of these cell lines, insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R). Particularly, RITA causes downregulation of IGF-1R protein levels. MDM2 degradative activity is involved in this phenomenon. Indeed, inhibition of MDM2 function by genetic or pharmacologic approaches reduces RITA sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Overall, these data suggest that in the cell context of Ewing sarcoma, RITA may adopt additional mechanism of action besides targeting p53, expanding its field of application. Noteworthy, these results envisage the promising utilization of RITA or its derivative as a potential treatment for Ewing sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Di Conza
- Cell Biology and Neurobiology Institute-CNR/Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Targeting p53 via JNK pathway: a novel role of RITA for apoptotic signaling in multiple myeloma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30215. [PMID: 22276160 PMCID: PMC3262803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The low frequency of p53 alterations e.g., mutations/deletions (∼10%) in multiple myeloma (MM) makes this tumor type an ideal candidate for p53-targeted therapies. RITA is a small molecule which can induce apoptosis in tumor cells by activating the p53 pathway. We previously showed that RITA strongly activates p53 while selectively inhibiting growth of MM cells without inducing genotoxicity, indicating its potential as a drug lead for p53-targeted therapy in MM. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-apoptotic effect of RITA are largely undefined. Gene expression analysis by microarray identified a significant number of differentially expressed genes associated with stress response including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. By Western blot analysis we further confirmed that RITA induced activation of p53 in conjunction with up-regulation of phosphorylated ASK-1, MKK-4 and c-Jun. These results suggest that RITA induced the activation of JNK signaling. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis showed that activated c-Jun binds to the activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding site of the p53 promoter region. Disruption of the JNK signal pathway by small interfering RNA (siRNA) against JNK or JNK specific inhibitor, SP-600125 inhibited the activation of p53 and attenuated apoptosis induced by RITA in myeloma cells carrying wild type p53. On the other hand, p53 transcriptional inhibitor, PFT-α or p53 siRNA not only inhibited the activation of p53 transcriptional targets but also blocked the activation of c-Jun suggesting the presence of a positive feedback loop between p53 and JNK. In addition, RITA in combination with dexamethasone, known as a JNK activator, displays synergistic cytotoxic responses in MM cell lines and patient samples. Our study unveils a previously undescribed mechanism of RITA-induced p53-mediated apoptosis through JNK signaling pathway and provides the rationale for combination of p53 activating drugs with JNK activators in the treatment of MM.
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Abstract
Reactivation of the p53 tumor-suppressor protein by small molecules like Nutlin-3 and RITA (reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis) is a promising strategy for cancer therapy. The molecular mechanisms involved in the responses to RITA remain enigmatic. Several groups reported the induction of a p53-dependent DNA damage response. Furthermore, the existence of a p53-dependent S-phase checkpoint has been suggested, involving the checkpoint kinase Chk1. We have recently shown synergistic induction of apoptosis by RITA in combination with Nutlin-3, and we observed concomitant Chk2 phosphorylation. Therefore, we investigated whether Chk2 contributes to the cellular responses to RITA. Strikingly, the induction of apoptosis seemed entirely Chk2 dependent. Transcriptional activity of p53 in response to RITA required the presence of Chk2. A partial rescue of apoptosis observed in Noxa knockdown cells emphasized the relevance of p53 transcriptional activity for RITA-induced apoptosis. In addition, we observed an early p53- and Chk2-dependent block of DNA replication upon RITA treatment. Replicating cells seemed more prone to entering RITA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the RITA-induced DNA damage response, which was not a secondary effect of apoptosis induction, was strongly attenuated in cells lacking p53 or Chk2. In conclusion, we identified Chk2 as an essential mediator of the cellular responses to RITA.
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Ma T, Yamada S, Ichwan SJA, Iseki S, Ohtani K, Otsu M, Ikeda MA. Inability of p53-reactivating compounds Nutlin-3 and RITA to overcome p53 resistance in tumor cells deficient in p53Ser46 phosphorylation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 417:931-7. [PMID: 22166212 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.11.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor protein plays key roles in protecting cells from tumorigenesis. Phosphorylation of p53 at Ser46 (p53Ser46) is considered to be a crucial modification regulating p53-mediated apoptosis. Because the activity of p53 is impaired in most human cancers, restoration of wild-type p53 (wt-p53) function by its gene transfer or by p53-reactivating small molecules has been extensively investigated. The p53-reactivating compounds Nutlin-3 and RITA activate p53 in the absence of genotoxic stress by antagonizing the action of its negative regulator Mdm2. Although controversial, Nutlin-3 was shown to induce p53-mediated apoptosis in a manner independent of p53 phosphorylation. Recently, RITA was shown to induce apoptosis by promoting p53Ser46 phosphorylation. Here we examined whether Nutlin-3 or RITA can overcome resistance to p53-mediated apoptosis in p53-resistant tumor cell lines lacking the ability to phosphorylate p53Ser46. We show that Nutlin-3 did not rescue the apoptotic defect of a Ser46 phosphorylation-defective p53 mutant in p53-sensitive tumor cells, and that RITA neither restored p53Ser46 phosphorylation nor induced apoptosis in p53Ser46 phosphorylation-deficient cells retaining wt-p53. Furthermore, treatment with Nutlin-3 or RITA together with adenoviral p53 gene transfer also failed to induce apoptosis in p53Ser46 phosphorylation-deficient cells either expressing or lacking wt-p53. These results indicate that neither Nutlin-3 nor RITA in able to induce p53-mediated apoptosis in the absence of p53Ser46 phosphorylation. Thus, the dysregulation of this phosphorylation in tumor cells may be a critical factor that limits the efficacy of these p53-based cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Ma
- Section of Molecular Embryology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan
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31
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Zawacka-Pankau J, Grinkevich VV, Hünten S, Nikulenkov F, Gluch A, Li H, Enge M, Kel A, Selivanova G. Inhibition of glycolytic enzymes mediated by pharmacologically activated p53: targeting Warburg effect to fight cancer. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:41600-41615. [PMID: 21862591 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.240812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Unique sensitivity of tumor cells to the inhibition of glycolysis is a good target for anticancer therapy. Here, we demonstrate that the pharmacologically activated tumor suppressor p53 mediates the inhibition of glycolytic enzymes in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We showed that p53 binds to the promoters of metabolic genes and represses their expression, including glucose transporters SLC2A12 (GLUT12) and SLC2A1 (GLUT1). Furthermore, p53-mediated repression of transcription factors c-Myc and HIF1α, key drivers of ATP-generating pathways in tumors, contributed to ATP production block. Inhibition of c-Myc by p53 mediated the ablation of several glycolytic genes in normoxia, whereas in hypoxia down-regulation of HIF1α contributed to this effect. We identified Sp1 as a transcription cofactor cooperating with p53 in the ablation of metabolic genes. Using different approaches, we demonstrated that glycolysis block contributes to the robust induction of apoptosis by p53 in cancer cells. Taken together, our data suggest that tumor-specific reinstatement of p53 function targets the "Achilles heel" of cancer cells (i.e. their dependence on glycolysis), which could contribute to the tumor-selective killing of cancer cells by pharmacologically activated p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Zawacka-Pankau
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden; Department of Biotechnology, Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Vera V Grinkevich
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden
| | - Sabine Hünten
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden
| | - Fedor Nikulenkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden
| | | | - Hai Li
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden
| | - Martin Enge
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden
| | - Alexander Kel
- geneXplain GmbH, Am Exer 10b, D-38302 Wolfenbuettel, Germany
| | - Galina Selivanova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsväg 16, Stockholm, SE 171 77, Sweden.
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Synergistic growth inhibition based on small-molecule p53 activation as treatment for intraocular melanoma. Oncogene 2011; 31:1105-16. [PMID: 21765463 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with uveal melanoma is poor. Because of the limited efficacy of current treatments, new therapeutic strategies need to be developed. Because p53 mutations are uncommon in uveal melanoma, reactivation of p53 may be used to achieve tumor regression. We investigated the use of combination therapies for intraocular melanoma, based on the p53 activators Nutlin-3 and reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis (RITA) and the topoisomerase I inhibitor Topotecan. Nutlin-3 treatment induced p53-dependent growth inhibition in human uveal melanoma cell lines. The sensitivity to Nutlin-3 of the investigated cell lines did not correlate with basal Hdm2 or Hdmx levels. Nutlin-3 synergized with RITA and Topotecan to induce apoptosis in uveal melanoma cell lines and short-term cultures. Drug synergy correlated with enhanced induction of p53-Ser46 phosphorylation, which was attenuated by ATM inhibition. Nutlin-3 and Topotecan also significantly delayed tumor growth in vivo in a murine B16F10 model for ocular melanoma. Combination treatment appeared to inhibit tumor growth slightly more efficient than either drug alone. Nutlin-3, RITA and Topotecan lead to comparable p53 activation and growth inhibition under normoxia and hypoxia. Treatment with Nutlin-3 or RITA had no effect on HIF-1α induction by hypoxia, whereas the combination of these two drugs did inhibit hypoxia-induced HIF-1α. Also Topotecan, alone or in combination with Nutlin-3, reduced HIF-1α protein levels, suggesting that a certain level of DNA damage response is required for p53-mediated downregulation of HIF-1α. In conclusion, combination treatments based on small-molecule-induced p53 activation may have clinical potential for uveal melanoma.
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Pierantoni GM, Esposito F, Tornincasa M, Rinaldo C, Viglietto G, Soddu S, Fusco A. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 stabilizes p27(kip1) by its phosphorylation at serine 10 and contributes to cell motility. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:29005-29013. [PMID: 21715331 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.230854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HIPK2 is a serine/threonine kinase that acts as a coregulator of an increasing number of factors involved in cell survival and proliferation during development and in response to different types of stress. Here we report on a novel target of HIPK2, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1). HIPK2 phosphorylates p27(kip1) in vitro and in vivo at serine 10, an event that accounts for 80% of the total p27(kip1) phosphorylation and plays a crucial role in the stability of the protein. Indeed, HIPK2 depletion by transient or stable RNA interference in tumor cells of different origin was consistently associated with strong reduction of p27(kip1) phosphorylation at serine 10 and of p27(kip1) stability. An initial evaluation of the functional relevance of this HIPK2-mediated regulation of p27(kip1) revealed a contribution to cell motility, rather than to cell proliferation, but only in cells that do not express wild-type p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Maria Pierantoni
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II," via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy and
| | - Francesco Esposito
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II," via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy and
| | - Mara Tornincasa
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II," via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy and
| | - Cinzia Rinaldo
- Laboratorio di Oncogenesi Molecolare, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Regina Elena, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viglietto
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II," via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy and
| | - Silvia Soddu
- Laboratorio di Oncogenesi Molecolare, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori Regina Elena, via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Fusco
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia di Napoli, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II," via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy and.
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p53 transactivation and the impact of mutations, cofactors and small molecules using a simplified yeast-based screening system. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20643. [PMID: 21674059 PMCID: PMC3107237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The p53 tumor suppressor, which is altered in most cancers, is a sequence-specific transcription factor that is able to modulate the expression of many target genes and influence a variety of cellular pathways. Inactivation of the p53 pathway in cancer frequently occurs through the expression of mutant p53 protein. In tumors that retain wild type p53, the pathway can be altered by upstream modulators, particularly the p53 negative regulators MDM2 and MDM4. Methodology/Principal Findings Given the many factors that might influence p53 function, including expression levels, mutations, cofactor proteins and small molecules, we expanded our previously described yeast-based system to provide the opportunity for efficient investigation of their individual and combined impacts in a miniaturized format. The system integrates i) variable expression of p53 proteins under the finely tunable GAL1,10 promoter, ii) single copy, chromosomally located p53-responsive and control luminescence reporters, iii) enhanced chemical uptake using modified ABC-transporters, iv) small-volume formats for treatment and dual-luciferase assays, and v) opportunities to co-express p53 with other cofactor proteins. This robust system can distinguish different levels of expression of WT and mutant p53 as well as interactions with MDM2 or 53BP1. Conclusions/Significance We found that the small molecules Nutlin and RITA could both relieve the MDM2-dependent inhibition of WT p53 transactivation function, while only RITA could impact p53/53BP1 functional interactions. PRIMA-1 was ineffective in modifying the transactivation capacity of WT p53 and missense p53 mutations. This dual-luciferase assay can, therefore, provide a high-throughput assessment tool for investigating a matrix of factors that can influence the p53 network, including the effectiveness of newly developed small molecules, on WT and tumor-associated p53 mutants as well as interacting proteins.
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Abrogation of Wip1 expression by RITA-activated p53 potentiates apoptosis induction via activation of ATM and inhibition of HdmX. Cell Death Differ 2011; 18:1736-45. [PMID: 21546907 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2011.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of the p53 tumour suppressor, either by mutation or by overexpression of its inhibitors Hdm2 and HdmX is the most frequent event in cancer. Reactivation of p53 by targeting Hdm2 and HdmX is therefore a promising strategy for therapy. However, Hdm2 inhibitors do not prevent inhibition of p53 by HdmX, which impedes p53-mediated apoptosis. Here, we show that p53 reactivation by the small molecule RITA leads to efficient HdmX degradation in tumour cell lines of different origin and in xenograft tumours in vivo. Notably, HdmX degradation occurs selectively in cancer cells, but not in non-transformed cells. We identified the inhibition of the wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) as the major mechanism important for full engagement of p53 activity accomplished by restoration of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase-signalling cascade, which leads to HdmX degradation. In contrast to previously reported transactivation of Wip1 by p53, we observed p53-dependent repression of Wip1 expression, which disrupts the negative feedback loop conferred by Wip1. Our study reveals that the depletion of both HdmX and Wip1 potentiates cell death due to sustained activation of p53. Thus, RITA is an example of a p53-reactivating drug that not only blocks Hdm2, but also inhibits two important negative regulators of p53 - HdmX and Wip1, leading to efficient elimination of tumour cells.
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[Research progress and application of the homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2]. ZHONGGUO FEI AI ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF LUNG CANCER 2011; 14:373-7. [PMID: 21496439 PMCID: PMC5999714 DOI: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2011.04.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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37
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Shen H, Maki CG. Pharmacologic activation of p53 by small-molecule MDM2 antagonists. Curr Pharm Des 2011; 17:560-8. [PMID: 21391906 PMCID: PMC3613239 DOI: 10.2174/138161211795222603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Restoring p53 activity by inhibiting the interaction between p53 and MDM2 represents an attractive approach for cancer therapy. To this end, a number of small-molecule p53-MDM2 binding inhibitors have been developed during the past several years. Nutlin-3 is a potent and selective small-molecule MDM2 antagonist that has shown considerable promise in pre-clinical studies. This review will highlight recent advances in the development of small-molecule MDM2 antagonists as potential cancer therapeutics, with special emphasis on Nutlin-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Shen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, 1750 W Harrison Ave, Jelke Building, room 1306
| | - Carl G. Maki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, 1750 W Harrison Ave, Jelke Building, room 1306
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Petroni M, Veschi V, Prodosmo A, Rinaldo C, Massimi I, Carbonari M, Dominici C, McDowell HP, Rinaldi C, Screpanti I, Frati L, Bartolazzi A, Gulino A, Soddu S, Giannini G. MYCN sensitizes human neuroblastoma to apoptosis by HIPK2 activation through a DNA damage response. Mol Cancer Res 2010; 9:67-77. [PMID: 21173028 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-10-0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MYCN amplification occurs in approximately 20% of human neuroblastomas and is associated with early tumor progression and poor outcome, despite intensive multimodal treatment. However, MYCN overexpression also sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to apoptosis. Thus, uncovering the molecular mechanisms linking MYCN to apoptosis might contribute to designing more efficient therapies for MYCN-amplified tumors. Here we show that MYCN-dependent sensitization to apoptosis requires activation of p53 and its phosphorylation at serine 46. The p53(S46) kinase HIPK2 accumulates on MYCN expression, and its depletion by RNA interference impairs p53(S46) phosphorylation and apoptosis. Remarkably, MYCN induces a DNA damage response that accounts for the inhibition of HIPK2 degradation through an ATM- and NBS1-dependent pathway. Prompted by the rare occurrence of p53 mutations and by the broad expression of HIPK2 in our human neuroblastoma series, we evaluated the effects of the p53-reactivating compound Nutlin-3 on this pathway. At variance from other tumor histotypes, in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, Nutlin-3 further induced HIPK2 accumulation, p53(S46) phosphorylation, and apoptosis, and in combination with clastogenic agents purged virtually the entire cell population. Altogether, our data uncover a novel mechanism linking MYCN to apoptosis that can be triggered by the p53-reactivating compound Nutlin-3, supporting its use in the most difficult-to-treat subset of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Saha MN, Jiang H, Mukai A, Chang H. RITA inhibits multiple myeloma cell growth through induction of p53-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis and synergistically enhances nutlin-induced cytotoxic responses. Mol Cancer Ther 2010; 9:3041-51. [PMID: 21062913 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-10-0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mutations or deletions of p53 are relatively rare in multiple myeloma (MM), at least in newly diagnosed patients. Thus, restoration of p53 tumor suppressor function in MM by blocking the inhibitory role of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) is a promising and applicable therapeutic strategy. RITA and nutlin are two new classes of small molecule MDM2 inhibitors that prevent the p53-MDM2 interaction. Earlier reports showed p53-dependent activity of RITA in solid tumors as well as in leukemias. We and others recently described nutlin-induced apoptosis in MM cells, but it remains unclear whether RITA exerts antimyeloma activity. Here, we found that RITA activates the p53 pathway and induces apoptosis in MM cell lines and primary MM samples, preferentially killing myeloma cells. The activation of p53 induced by RITA was mediated through modulation of multiple apoptotic regulatory proteins, including upregulation of a proapoptotic protein (NOXA), downregulation of an antiapoptotic protein, Mcl-1, and activation of caspases through extrinsic pathways. Moreover, a number of key p53-mediated apoptotic target genes were identified by gene expression profiling and further validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Importantly, the combination of RITA with nutlin displayed a strong synergism on growth inhibition with the combination index ranging from 0.56 to 0.82 in MM cells. Our data support further clinical evaluation of RITA as a potential novel therapeutic intervention in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manujendra N Saha
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Goldstein I, Marcel V, Olivier M, Oren M, Rotter V, Hainaut P. Understanding wild-type and mutant p53 activities in human cancer: new landmarks on the way to targeted therapies. Cancer Gene Ther 2010; 18:2-11. [PMID: 20966976 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2010.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Three decades of p53 research have led to many advances in understanding the basic biology of normal and cancer cells. Nonetheless, the detailed functions of p53 in normal cells, and even more so in cancer cells, remain obscure. A major breakthrough is the realization that mutant p53 has a life of its own: it contributes to cancer not only through loss of activity, but also through gain of specific 'mutant functions'. This new focus on mutant p53 is the rationale behind the meeting series dedicated to advances on mutant p53 biology. This review provides an overview of results presented at the Fourth International Workshop on Mutant p53, held in Akko, Israel in March 2009. New roles and functions of p53 relevant for tumor suppressions were presented, including the regulation of microRNAs networks, the modulation of cell-stroma interactions and the induction of senescence. A main focus of the meeting was the rapidly growing body of knowledge on autonomous properties of mutant p53 and on their oncogenic 'gain of function' impact. Importantly, the meeting highlighted that, 30 years after p53 discovery, research on mutant p53 is entering the clinical and translational era. Two major steps forward in this respect are a better understanding of the active mechanism of small drugs targeting mutant p53 in tumor cells and an improved definition of the prognostic and predictive value of mutant p53 in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Goldstein
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovat, Israel
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41
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Nardinocchi L, Puca R, Givol D, D'Orazi G. Counteracting MDM2-induced HIPK2 downregulation restores HIPK2/p53 apoptotic signaling in cancer cells. FEBS Lett 2010; 584:4253-8. [PMID: 20849851 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2010] [Revised: 08/21/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function by phosphorylating serine 46 (Ser46) in response to DNA damage. In tumors with wild-type p53, its tumor suppressor function is often impaired by MDM2 overexpression that targets p53 for proteasomal degradation. Likewise, MDM2 targets HIPK2 for protein degradation impairing p53-apoptotic function. Here we report that zinc antagonised MDM2-induced HIPK2 degradation as well as p53 ubiquitination. The zinc inhibitory effect on MDM2 activity leads to HIPK2-induced p53Ser46 phosphorylation and p53 pro-apoptotic transcriptional activity. These results suggest that zinc derivatives are potential molecules to target the MDM2-induced HIPK2/p53 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Nardinocchi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncogenesis Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Rome, Italy.
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Regulation of p53 activity by HIPK2: molecular mechanisms and therapeutical implications in human cancer cells. Oncogene 2010; 29:4378-87. [PMID: 20514025 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The p53 protein is the most studied tumor suppressor and the p53 pathway has been shown to mediate cellular stress responses that are disrupted when cancer develops. After DNA damage, p53 is activated as transcription factor to directly induce the expression of target genes involved in cell-cycle arrest, DNA repair, senescence and, importantly, apoptosis. Post-translational modifications of p53 are essential for the activation of p53 and for selection of target genes. The tumor suppressor homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) is a crucial regulator of p53 apoptotic function by phosphorylating its N-terminal serine 46 (Ser46) and facilitating Lys382 acetylation at the C-terminus. HIPK2 is activated by numerous genotoxic agents and can be deregulated in tumors by several conditions including hypoxia. Recent findings suggest that HIPK2 active/inactive protein can affect p53 function in multiple and unexpected ways. This makes p53 as well as HIPK2 interesting targets for cancer therapy. Hence, understanding the role of HIPK2 as p53 activator may provide important insights in the process of tumor progression, and may also serve as the crucial point in the diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of cancer.
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Selivanova G. Therapeutic targeting of p53 by small molecules. Semin Cancer Biol 2010; 20:46-56. [PMID: 20206268 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2010.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2009] [Revised: 12/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant p53 function is one of the major requirements for tumor development. Reactivation of p53 function by small molecules is a promising strategy to combat cancer due to potent tumor suppressor activities of p53. Recent developments in p53 biology reveal that manipulation of p53 function might pave way to a long cancer-free life. A number of small molecules which rescue p53 function by different mechanisms, acting upstream of p53 or targeting the p53 protein itself have been identified. Notably, these molecules trigger different biological outcomes, suggesting that it might be feasible to direct p53-mediated response in a desired way. In this review I discuss the latest developments in the search for small molecules which rescue p53 function by targeting the p53 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Selivanova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobelsvag 16, Stockholm, Sweden.
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