1
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Lazo PA. Nuclear functions regulated by the VRK1 kinase. Nucleus 2024; 15:2353249. [PMID: 38753965 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2353249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In the nucleus, the VRK1 Ser-Thr kinase is distributed in nucleoplasm and chromatin, where it has different roles. VRK1 expression increases in response to mitogenic signals. VRK1 regulates cyclin D1 expression at G0 exit and facilitates chromosome condensation at the end of G2 and G2/M progression to mitosis. These effects are mediated by the phosphorylation of histone H3 at Thr3 by VRK1, and later in mitosis by haspin. VRK1 regulates the apigenetic patterns of histones in processes requiring chromating remodeling, such as transcription, replication and DNA repair. VRK1 is overexpressed in tumors, facilitating tumor progression and resistance to genotoxic treatments. VRK1 also regulates the organization of Cajal bodies assembled on coilin, which are necessary for the assembly of different types of RNP complexes. VRK1 pathogenic variants cuase defects in Cajal bodies, functionally altering neurons with long axons and leading to neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic laterla sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, distal hereditay motor neuropathies and Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Lazo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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2
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de Souza Gama FH, Dutra LA, Hawgood M, Dos Reis CV, Serafim RAM, Ferreira MA, Teodoro BVM, Takarada JE, Santiago AS, Balourdas DI, Nilsson AS, Urien B, Almeida VM, Gileadi C, Ramos PZ, Salmazo A, Vasconcelos SNS, Cunha MR, Mueller S, Knapp S, Massirer KB, Elkins JM, Gileadi O, Mascarello A, Lemmens BBLG, Guimarães CRW, Azevedo H, Couñago RM. Novel Dihydropteridinone Derivatives As Potent Inhibitors of the Understudied Human Kinases Vaccinia-Related Kinase 1 and Casein Kinase 1δ/ε. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8609-8629. [PMID: 38780468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) and the δ and ε isoforms of casein kinase 1 (CK1) are linked to various disease-relevant pathways. However, the lack of tool compounds for these kinases has significantly hampered our understanding of their cellular functions and therapeutic potential. Here, we describe the structure-based development of potent inhibitors of VRK1, a kinase highly expressed in various tumor types and crucial for cell proliferation and genome integrity. Kinome-wide profiling revealed that our compounds also inhibit CK1δ and CK1ε. We demonstrate that dihydropteridinones 35 and 36 mimic the cellular outcomes of VRK1 depletion. Complementary studies with existing CK1δ and CK1ε inhibitors suggest that these kinases may play overlapping roles in cell proliferation and genome instability. Together, our findings highlight the potential of VRK1 inhibition in treating p53-deficient tumors and possibly enhancing the efficacy of existing cancer therapies that target DNA stability or cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz A Dutra
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Michael Hawgood
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caio Vinícius Dos Reis
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Ricardo A M Serafim
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Marcos A Ferreira
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A., Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | - Bruno V M Teodoro
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A., Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Emi Takarada
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - André S Santiago
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Dimitrios-Ilias Balourdas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Ann-Sofie Nilsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bruno Urien
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vitor M Almeida
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Carina Gileadi
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Priscila Z Ramos
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Anita Salmazo
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Stanley N S Vasconcelos
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Micael R Cunha
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Susanne Mueller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Katlin B Massirer
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Jonathan M Elkins
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Opher Gileadi
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Bennie B L G Lemmens
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Hatylas Azevedo
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A., Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Couñago
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
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3
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Richard SA. Advances in synthetic lethality modalities for glioblastoma multiforme. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20240981. [PMID: 38868315 PMCID: PMC11167713 DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by a high mortality rate, high resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy due to its highly aggressive nature. The pathophysiology of GBM is characterized by multifarious genetic abrasions that deactivate tumor suppressor genes, induce transforming genes, and over-secretion of pro-survival genes, resulting in oncogene sustainability. Synthetic lethality is a destructive process in which the episode of a single genetic consequence is tolerable for cell survival, while co-episodes of multiple genetic consequences lead to cell death. This targeted drug approach, centered on the genetic concept of synthetic lethality, is often selective for DNA repair-deficient GBM cells with restricted toxicity to normal tissues. DNA repair pathways are key modalities in the generation, treatment, and drug resistance of cancers, as DNA damage plays a dual role as a creator of oncogenic mutations and a facilitator of cytotoxic genomic instability. Although several research advances have been made in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy, no review article has summarized these therapeutic modalities. Thus, this review focuses on the innovative advances in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seidu A. Richard
- Department of Medicine, Princefield University, P. O. Box MA128, Volta Region, Ho, Ghana
- Institute of Neuroscience, Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
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Ye BJ, Li DF, Li XY, Hao JL, Liu DJ, Yu H, Zhang CD. Methylation synthetic lethality: Exploiting selective drug targets for cancer therapy. Cancer Lett 2024; 597:217010. [PMID: 38849016 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
In cancer, synthetic lethality refers to the drug-induced inactivation of one gene and the inhibition of another in cancer cells by a drug, resulting in the death of only cancer cells; however, this effect is not present in normal cells, leading to targeted killing of cancer cells. Recent intensive epigenetic research has revealed that aberrant epigenetic changes are more frequently observed than gene mutations in certain cancers. Recently, numerous studies have reported various methylation synthetic lethal combinations involving DNA damage repair genes, metabolic pathway genes, and paralogs with significant results in cellular models, some of which have already entered clinical trials with promising results. This review systematically introduces the advantages of methylation synthetic lethality and describes the lethal mechanisms of methylation synthetic lethal combinations that have recently demonstrated success in cellular models. Furthermore, we discuss the future opportunities and challenges of methylation synthetic lethality in targeted anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Jie Ye
- Clinical Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Di-Fei Li
- Clinical Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Xin-Yun Li
- Clinical Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Jia-Lin Hao
- Central Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Di-Jie Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Hang Yu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Chun-Dong Zhang
- Central Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China; Department of Surgical Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China.
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5
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Li S, Han T. Frequent loss of FAM126A expression in colorectal cancer results in selective FAM126B dependency. iScience 2024; 27:109646. [PMID: 38638566 PMCID: PMC11025007 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Most advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients cannot benefit from targeted therapy due to lack of actionable targets. By mining data from the DepMap, we identified FAM126B as a specific vulnerability in CRC cell lines exhibiting low FAM126A expression. Employing a combination of genetic perturbation and inducible protein degradation techniques, we demonstrate that FAM126A and FAM126B function in a redundant manner to facilitate the recruitment of PI4KIIIα to the plasma membrane for PI4P synthesis. Examination of data from TCGA and GTEx revealed that over 7% of CRC tumor samples exhibited loss of FAM126A expression, contrasting with uniform FAM126A expression in normal tissues. In both CRC cell lines and tumor samples, promoter hypermethylation correlated with the loss of FAM126A expression, which could be reversed by DNA methylation inhibitors. In conclusion, our study reveals that loss of FAM126A expression results in FAM126B dependency, thus proposing FAM126B as a therapeutic target for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- PTN Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ting Han
- PTN Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102206, China
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Kim DY, Yun H, You JE, Lee JU, Kang DH, Ryu YS, Koh DI, Jin DH. Inactivation of VRK1 sensitizes ovarian cancer to PARP inhibition through regulating DNA-PK stability. Exp Cell Res 2024; 438:114036. [PMID: 38614421 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death. Among the most innovative anti-cancer approaches, the genetic concept of synthetic lethality is that mutations in multiple genes work synergistically to effect cell death. Previous studies found that although vaccinia-related kinase-1 (VRK1) associates with DNA damage repair proteins, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found high VRK1 expression in ovarian tumors, and that VRK1 depletion can significantly promote apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The effect of VRK1 knockdown on apoptosis was manifested by increased DNA damage, genomic instability, and apoptosis, and also blocked non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) by destabilizing DNA-PK. Further, we verified that VRK1 depletion enhanced sensitivity to a PARP inhibitor (PARPi), olaparib, promoting apoptosis through DNA damage, especially in ovarian cancer cell lines with high VRK1 expression. Proteins implicated in DNA damage responses are suitable targets for the development of new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies, and their combination could represent an alternative form of synthetic lethality. Therefore, normal protective DNA damage responses are impaired by combining olaparib with elimination of VRK1 and could be used to reduce drug dose and its associated toxicity. In summary, VRK1 represents both a potential biomarker for PARPi sensitivity, and a new DDR-associated therapeutic target, in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Yeon Kim
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeseon Yun
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun You
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-U Lee
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hee Kang
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yea Seong Ryu
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-In Koh
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Jin
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Fan Z, Wang X, Cheng H, Pan M. VRK1 promotes DNA-induced type I interferon production. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:453. [PMID: 38536553 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type I interferons (IFNs) are an essential class of cytokines with antitumor, antiviral and immunoregulatory effects. However, over-productive the type I IFNs are tightly associated with autoimmune disorders. Thus, the induction of type I interferons is precisely regulated to maintain immune hemostasis. This study aimed to identify a novel regulator of type I interferon signaling. METHODS AND RESULTS Primary BMDMs, isolated from mice, and human cell lines (HEK293 cells, Hela cells) and murine cell line (MEF cells) were cultured to generate in vitro models. After knockdown VRK1, real-time PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to determine the expression level of the type I IFNs and ISGs following HTDNA and Poly (dA:dT) stimulation. Additionally, cells were treated with the VRK1 inhibitor, and the impact of VRK1 inhibition was detected. Upon HTDNA and Poly (dA:dT) stimulation, knockdown of VRK1 attenuated the induction of the type I IFNs and ISGs. Consistently, VRK-IN-1, a potent and selective VRK1 inhibitor, significantly suppressed the induction of the type I IFNs and ISGs in human and murine cell lines. Further, VRK-IN-1 inhibited induction of the type I IFNs in mouse primary BMDMs. Intriguingly, VRK1 potentiated the cGAS-STING- IFN-I axis response at STING level. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a novel function of VRK1 in regulating the production of type I IFNs. VRK-IN-1 might be a potential lead compound for suppressing aberrant type I IFNs in autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhechen Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Mingyu Pan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Chen D, Zhou W, Chen J, Wang J. Comprehensively prognostic and immunological analysis of VRK Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 in pan-cancer and identification in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:15504-15524. [PMID: 38157278 PMCID: PMC10781469 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VRK1 is a member of the vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases, which is related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors. The expression pattern, predictive value, and biological function of VRK1 in various cancers remain largely elusive and warrant further investigation. METHODS Public databases, such as TCGA, GTEx, and UCEC, were utilized to comprehensively analyze the expression of VRK1 across multiple cancer types. Prognostic significance was assessed through Univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Additionally, Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to explore the potential associations between VRK1 expression and various factors, including tumor microenvironment scores, immune cell infiltration, and immune-related genes. Moreover, to validate the findings, differential expression of VRK1 in HCC tissues and cell lines was further confirmed using qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry techniques. RESULTS The upregulation of VRK1 was observed in most cancer types, and was associated with worse prognosis in ACC, KICH, KIRP, LGG, LIHC, LUAD, MESO, and PCPG. In various cancers, VRK1 expression exhibited positive correlations with immune infiltrating cells, immune checkpoint-related genes, TMB, and MSI. Furthermore, the promoter methylation status of VRK1 varied across different tumor types, and this variation was associated with patient prognosis in certain cancers. In our experimental analyses, we observed significantly elevated expression of VRK1 in both HCC tissues and HCC cells. Functionally, we found that the downregulation of VRK1 had a profound impact on HCC cells, leading to a significant decrease in their proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities. CONCLUSION The expression of VRK1 exerts a notable influence on the prognosis of several tumors and exhibits a strong correlation with tumor immune infiltration. Moreover, in the context of HCC, VRK1 may act as an oncogene, actively promoting tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxing Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
| | - Wuhan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
| | - Jiafei Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
| | - Jingui Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Hospital of Putian City, Putian, Fujian 351100, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
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9
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Mukhopadhyay S, Huang HY, Lin Z, Ranieri M, Li S, Sahu S, Liu Y, Ban Y, Guidry K, Hu H, Lopez A, Sherman F, Tan YJ, Lee YT, Armstrong AP, Dolgalev I, Sahu P, Zhang T, Lu W, Gray NS, Christensen JG, Tang TT, Velcheti V, Khodadadi-Jamayran A, Wong KK, Neel BG. Genome-Wide CRISPR Screens Identify Multiple Synthetic Lethal Targets That Enhance KRASG12C Inhibitor Efficacy. Cancer Res 2023; 83:4095-4111. [PMID: 37729426 PMCID: PMC10841254 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Non-small lung cancers (NSCLC) frequently (∼30%) harbor KRAS driver mutations, half of which are KRASG12C. KRAS-mutant NSCLC with comutated STK11 and/or KEAP1 is particularly refractory to conventional, targeted, and immune therapy. Development of KRASG12C inhibitors (G12Ci) provided a major therapeutic advance, but resistance still limits their efficacy. To identify genes whose deletion augments efficacy of the G12Cis adagrasib (MRTX-849) or adagrasib plus TNO155 (SHP2i), we performed genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens on KRAS/STK11-mutant NSCLC lines. Recurrent, potentially targetable, synthetic lethal (SL) genes were identified, including serine-threonine kinases, tRNA-modifying and proteoglycan synthesis enzymes, and YAP/TAZ/TEAD pathway components. Several SL genes were confirmed by siRNA/shRNA experiments, and the YAP/TAZ/TEAD pathway was extensively validated in vitro and in mice. Mechanistic studies showed that G12Ci treatment induced gene expression of RHO paralogs and activators, increased RHOA activation, and evoked ROCK-dependent nuclear translocation of YAP. Mice and patients with acquired G12Ci- or G12Ci/SHP2i-resistant tumors showed strong overlap with SL pathways, arguing for the relevance of the screen results. These findings provide a landscape of potential targets for future combination strategies, some of which can be tested rapidly in the clinic. SIGNIFICANCE Identification of synthetic lethal genes with KRASG12C using genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening and credentialing of the ability of TEAD inhibition to enhance KRASG12C efficacy provides a roadmap for combination strategies. See related commentary by Johnson and Haigis, p. 4005.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Mukhopadhyay
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Hsin-Yi Huang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Ziyan Lin
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, Office of Science and Research, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Michela Ranieri
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Shuai Li
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Soumyadip Sahu
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Yingzhuo Liu
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Yi Ban
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Kayla Guidry
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Hai Hu
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Alfonso Lopez
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Fiona Sherman
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Yi Jer Tan
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Yeuan Ting Lee
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Amanda P. Armstrong
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Priyanka Sahu
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, California, United States
| | - Wenchao Lu
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, California, United States
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, California, United States
| | | | - Tracy T. Tang
- Vivace Therapeutics, Inc., San Mateo, California, United States
| | - Vamsidhar Velcheti
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Alireza Khodadadi-Jamayran
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, Office of Science and Research, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Kwok-Kin Wong
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
| | - Benjamin G. Neel
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, United States
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10
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Menez V, Kergrohen T, Shasha T, Silva-Evangelista C, Le Dret L, Auffret L, Subecz C, Lancien M, Ajlil Y, Vilchis IS, Beccaria K, Blauwblomme T, Oberlin E, Grill J, Castel D, Debily MA. VRK3 depletion induces cell cycle arrest and metabolic reprogramming of pontine diffuse midline glioma - H3K27 altered cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1229312. [PMID: 37886173 PMCID: PMC10599138 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1229312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified VRK3 as a specific vulnerability in DMG-H3K27M cells in a synthetic lethality screen targeting the whole kinome. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which VRK3 depletion impact DMG-H3K27M cell fitness. Gene expression studies after VRK3 knockdown emphasized the inhibition of genes involved in G1/S transition of the cell cycle resulting in growth arrest in G1. Additionally, a massive modulation of genes involved in chromosome segregation was observed, concomitantly with a reduction in the level of phosphorylation of serine 10 and serine 28 of histone H3 supporting the regulation of chromatin condensation during cell division. This last effect could be partly due to a concomitant decrease of the chromatin kinase VRK1 in DMG following VRK3 knockdown. Furthermore, a metabolic switch specific to VRK3 function was observed towards increased oxidative phosphorylation without change in mitochondria content, that we hypothesized would represent a cell rescue mechanism. This study further explored the vulnerability of DMG-H3K27M cells to VRK3 depletion suggesting potential therapeutic combinations, e.g. with the mitochondrial ClpP protease activator ONC201.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Menez
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Thomas Kergrohen
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Tal Shasha
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Claudia Silva-Evangelista
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Ludivine Le Dret
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lucie Auffret
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Chloé Subecz
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Manon Lancien
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Yassine Ajlil
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Irma Segoviano Vilchis
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Kévin Beccaria
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Blauwblomme
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Oberlin
- Inserm UMRS-MD 1197, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jacques Grill
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Département de Cancérologie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - David Castel
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie-Anne Debily
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
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11
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Pu M, Cheng K, Li X, Xin Y, Wei L, Jin S, Zheng W, Peng G, Tang Q, Zhou J, Zhang Y. Using graph-based model to identify cell specific synthetic lethal effects. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:5099-5110. [PMID: 37920819 PMCID: PMC10618116 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethal (SL) pairs are pairs of genes whose simultaneous loss-of-function results in cell death, while a damaging mutation of either gene alone does not affect the cell's survival. This makes SL pairs attractive targets for precision cancer therapies, as targeting the unimpaired gene of the SL pair can selectively kill cancer cells that already harbor the impaired gene. Limited by the difficulty of finding true SL pairs, especially on specific cell types, current computational approaches provide only limited insights because of overlooking the crucial aspects of cellular context dependency and mechanistic understanding of SL pairs. As a result, the identification of SL targets still relies on expensive, time-consuming experimental approaches. In this work, we applied cell-line specific multi-omics data to a specially designed deep learning model to predict cell-line specific SL pairs. Through incorporating multiple types of cell-specific omics data with a self-attention module, we represent gene relationships as graphs. Our approach achieves the prediction of SL pairs in a cell-specific manner and demonstrates the potential to facilitate the discovery of cell-specific SL targets for cancer therapeutics, providing a tool to unearth mechanisms underlying the origin of SL in cancer biology. The code and data of our approach can be found at https://github.com/promethiume/SLwise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaiyang Cheng
- StoneWise, AI, Ltd., Beijing, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaorong Li
- StoneWise, AI, Ltd., Beijing, China
- Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Sutong Jin
- StoneWise, AI, Ltd., Beijing, China
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai, China
| | | | | | - Qihong Tang
- StoneWise, AI, Ltd., Beijing, China
- Guilin University of Electronic Science and Technology, Guangxi, China
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12
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Carrasco Apolinario ME, Umeda R, Teranishi H, Shan M, Phurpa, Sebastian WA, Lai S, Shimizu N, Shiraishi H, Shikano K, Hikida T, Hanada T, Ohta K, Hanada R. Behavioral and neurological effects of Vrk1 deficiency in zebrafish. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 675:10-18. [PMID: 37429068 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a serine/threonine kinase, for which mutations have been reported cause to neurodegenerative diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy, characterized by microcephaly, motor dysfunction, and impaired cognitive function, in humans. Partial Vrk1 knockdown in mice has been associated with microcephaly and impaired motor function. However, the pathophysiological relationship between VRK1 and neurodegenerative disorders and the precise mechanism of VRK1-related microcephaly and motor function deficits have not been fully investigated. To address this, in this study, we established vrk1-deficient (vrk1-/-) zebrafish and found that they show mild microcephaly and impaired motor function with a low brain dopamine content. Furthermore, vrk1-/- zebrafish exhibited decreased cell proliferation, defects in nuclear envelope formation, and heterochromatin formation in the brain. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the important role of VRK1 in microcephaly and motor dysfunction in vivo using vrk1-/- zebrafish. These findings contribute to elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying VRK1-mediated neurodegenerative diseases associated with microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryohei Umeda
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan; Department of Advanced Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Teranishi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Mengting Shan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Phurpa
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | | | - Shaohong Lai
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Shimizu
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shiraishi
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Shikano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Hikida
- Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ohta
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Reiko Hanada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan.
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13
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Xin Y, Zhang Y. Paralog-based synthetic lethality: rationales and applications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1168143. [PMID: 37350942 PMCID: PMC10282757 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1168143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells can result from gene mutations and over-expression. Synthetic lethality (SL) offers a desirable setting where cancer cells bearing one mutated gene of an SL gene pair can be specifically targeted by disrupting the function of the other genes, while leaving wide-type normal cells unharmed. Paralogs, a set of homologous genes that have diverged from each other as a consequence of gene duplication, make the concept of SL feasible as the loss of one gene does not affect the cell's survival. Furthermore, homozygous loss of paralogs in tumor cells is more frequent than singletons, making them ideal SL targets. Although high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9 screenings have uncovered numerous paralog-based SL pairs, the unclear mechanisms of targeting these gene pairs and the difficulty in finding specific inhibitors that exclusively target a single but not both paralogs hinder further clinical development. Here, we review the potential mechanisms of paralog-based SL given their function and genetic combination, and discuss the challenge and application prospects of paralog-based SL in cancer therapeutic discovery.
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14
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Monte-Serrano E, Morejón-García P, Campillo-Marcos I, Campos-Díaz A, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lazo PA. The pattern of histone H3 epigenetic posttranslational modifications is regulated by the VRK1 chromatin kinase. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:18. [PMID: 37179361 PMCID: PMC10182654 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamic chromatin remodeling is associated with changes in the epigenetic pattern of histone acetylations and methylations required for processes based on dynamic chromatin remodeling and implicated in different nuclear functions. These histone epigenetic modifications need to be coordinated, a role that may be mediated by chromatin kinases such as VRK1, which phosphorylates histones H3 and H2A. METHODS The effect of VRK1 depletion and VRK1 inhibitor, VRK-IN-1, on the acetylation and methylation of histone H3 in K4, K9 and K27 was determined under different conditions, arrested or proliferating cells, in A549 lung adenocarcinoma and U2OS osteosarcoma cells. RESULTS Chromatin organization is determined by the phosphorylation pattern of histones mediated by different types of enzymes. We have studied how the VRK1 chromatin kinase can alter the epigenetic posttranslational modifications of histones by using siRNA, a specific inhibitor of this kinase (VRK-IN-1), and of histone acetyl and methyl transferases, as well as histone deacetylase and demethylase. Loss of VRK1 implicated a switch in the state of H3K9 posttranslational modifications. VRK1 depletion/inhibition causes a loss of H3K9 acetylation and facilitates its methylation. This effect is similar to that of the KAT inhibitor C646, and to KDM inhibitors as iadademstat (ORY-1001) or JMJD2 inhibitor. Alternatively, HDAC inhibitors (selisistat, panobinostat, vorinostat) and KMT inhibitors (tazemetostat, chaetocin) have the opposite effect of VRK1 depletion or inhibition, and cause increase of H3K9ac and a decrease of H3K9me3. VRK1 stably interacts with members of these four enzyme families. However, VRK1 can only play a role on these epigenetic modifications by indirect mechanisms in which these epigenetic enzymes are likely targets to be regulated and coordinated by VRK1. CONCLUSIONS The chromatin kinase VRK1 regulates the epigenetic patterns of histone H3 acetylation and methylation in lysines 4, 9 and 27. VRK1 is a master regulator of chromatin organization associated with its specific functions, such as transcription or DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Patricia Morejón-García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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15
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Ryan CJ, Mehta I, Kebabci N, Adams DJ. Targeting synthetic lethal paralogs in cancer. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:397-409. [PMID: 36890003 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic lethal interactions, where mutation of one gene renders cells sensitive to inhibition of another gene, can be exploited for the development of targeted therapeutics in cancer. Pairs of duplicate genes (paralogs) often share common functionality and hence are a potentially rich source of synthetic lethal interactions. Because the majority of human genes have paralogs, exploiting such interactions could be a widely applicable approach for targeting gene loss in cancer. Moreover, existing small-molecule drugs may exploit synthetic lethal interactions by inhibiting multiple paralogs simultaneously. Consequently, the identification of synthetic lethal interactions between paralogs could be extremely informative for drug development. Here we review approaches to identify such interactions and discuss some of the challenges of exploiting them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm J Ryan
- Conway Institute and School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Ishan Mehta
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Narod Kebabci
- Conway Institute and School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
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16
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Arna AB, Patel H, Singh RS, Vizeacoumar FS, Kusalik A, Freywald A, Vizeacoumar FJ, Wu Y. Synthetic lethal interactions of DEAD/H-box helicases as targets for cancer therapy. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1087989. [PMID: 36761420 PMCID: PMC9905851 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1087989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
DEAD/H-box helicases are implicated in virtually every aspect of RNA metabolism, including transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, ribosomes biogenesis, nuclear export, translation initiation, RNA degradation, and mRNA editing. Most of these helicases are upregulated in various cancers and mutations in some of them are associated with several malignancies. Lately, synthetic lethality (SL) and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) approaches, where genetic interactions of cancer-related genes are exploited as therapeutic targets, are emerging as a leading area of cancer research. Several DEAD/H-box helicases, including DDX3, DDX9 (Dbp9), DDX10 (Dbp4), DDX11 (ChlR1), and DDX41 (Sacy-1), have been subjected to SL analyses in humans and different model organisms. It remains to be explored whether SDL can be utilized to identity druggable targets in DEAD/H-box helicase overexpressing cancers. In this review, we analyze gene expression data of a subset of DEAD/H-box helicases in multiple cancer types and discuss how their SL/SDL interactions can be used for therapeutic purposes. We also summarize the latest developments in clinical applications, apart from discussing some of the challenges in drug discovery in the context of targeting DEAD/H-box helicases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananna Bhadra Arna
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Hardikkumar Patel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Ravi Shankar Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Frederick S. Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Anthony Kusalik
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Franco J. Vizeacoumar
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Yuliang Wu, ; Franco J. Vizeacoumar,
| | - Yuliang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Yuliang Wu, ; Franco J. Vizeacoumar,
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