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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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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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Navarro-Carrasco E, Campos-Díaz A, Monte-Serrano E, Rolfs F, de Goeij-de Haas R, Pham TV, Piersma SR, Jiménez CR, Lazo PA. Loss of VRK1 alters the nuclear phosphoproteome in the DNA damage response to doxorubicin. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 391:110908. [PMID: 38367682 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110908] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic chromatin remodeling requires regulatory mechanisms for its adaptation to different nuclear function, which are likely to be mediated by signaling proteins. In this context, VRK1 is a nuclear Ser-Thr kinase that regulates pathways associated with transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair. Therefore, VRK1 is a potential regulatory, or coordinator, molecule in these processes. In this work we studied the effect that VRK1 depletion has on the basal nuclear and chromatin phosphoproteome, and their associated pathways. VRK1 depletion caused an alteration in the pattern of the nuclear phosphoproteome, which is mainly associated with nucleoproteins, ribonucleoproteins, RNA splicing and processing. Next, it was determined the changes in proteins associated with DNA damage that was induced by doxorubicin treatment. Doxorubicin alters the nuclear phosphoproteome affecting proteins implicated in DDR, including DSB repair proteins NBN and 53BP1, cellular response to stress and chromatin organization proteins. In VRK1-depleted cells, the effect of doxorubicin on protein phosphorylation was reverted to basal levels. The nuclear phosphoproteome patterns induced by doxorubicin are altered by VRK1 depletion, and is enriched in histone modification proteins and chromatin associated proteins. These results indicate that VRK1 plays a major role in processes requiring chromatin remodeling in its adaptation to different biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-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, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - 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, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Frank Rolfs
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Richard de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Thang V Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Sander R Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Connie R Jiménez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - 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, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Berzal-Herranz A, Romero-López C. Aptamers' Potential to Fill Therapeutic and Diagnostic Gaps. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:105. [PMID: 38256938 PMCID: PMC10818422 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 30 years ago, in 1990, three independent research groups published several papers demonstrating that genetics could be performed in vitro in the absence of living organisms or cells [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Berzal-Herranz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. PTS Granada, Av. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Romero-López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. PTS Granada, Av. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Granada, Spain
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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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Lazo PA, Morejón-García P. VRK1 variants at the cross road of Cajal body neuropathogenic mechanisms in distal neuropathies and motor neuron diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 183:106172. [PMID: 37257665 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106172] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Distal hereditary neuropathies and neuro motor diseases are complex neurological phenotypes associated with pathogenic variants in a large number of genes, but in some the origin is unknown. Recently, rare pathogenic variants of the human VRK1 gene have been associated with these neurological phenotypes. All VRK1 pathogenic variants are recessive, and their clinical presentation occurs in either homozygous or compound heterozygous patients. The pathogenic VRK1 gene pathogenic variants are located in three clusters within the protein sequence. The main, and initial, shared clinical phenotype among VRK1 pathogenic variants is a distal progressive loss of motor and/or sensory function, which includes diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia. In most cases, symptoms start early in infancy, or in utero, and are slowly progressive. Additional neurological symptoms vary among non-related patients, probably because of their different VRK1 variants and their genetic background. The underlying common pathogenic mechanism, by its functional impairment, is a likely consequence of the roles that the VRK1 protein plays in the regulation on the stability and assembly of Cajal bodies, which affect RNA maturation and processing, neuronal migration of RNPs along axons, and DNA-damage responses. Alterations of these processes are associated with several neuro sensory or motor syndromes. The clinical heterogeneity of the neurological phenotypes associated with VRK1 is a likely consequence of the protein complexes in which VRK1 is integrated, which include several proteins known to be associated with Cajal bodies and DNA damage responses. Several hereditary distal neurological diseases are a consequence of pathogenic variants in genes that alter these cellular functions. We conclude that VRK1-related distal hereditary neuropathies and motor neuron diseases represent a novel subgroup of Cajal body related neurological syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 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, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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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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A Review of the Regulatory Mechanisms of N-Myc on Cell Cycle. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031141. [PMID: 36770809 PMCID: PMC9920120 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma has obvious heterogeneity. It is one of the few undifferentiated malignant tumors that can spontaneously degenerate into completely benign tumors. However, for its high-risk type, even with various intensive treatment options, the prognosis is still unsatisfactory. At the same time, a large number of research data show that the abnormal amplification and high-level expression of the MYCN gene are positively correlated with the malignant progression, poor prognosis, and mortality of neuroblastoma. In this context, this article explores the role of the N-Myc, MYCN gene expression product on its target genes related to the cell cycle and reveals its regulatory network in promoting tumor proliferation and malignant progression. We hope it can provide ideas and direction for the research and development of drugs targeting N-Myc and its downstream target genes.
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Saikia M, Bhattacharyya DK, Kalita JK. Identification of Potential Biomarkers Using Integrative Approach: A Case Study of ESCC. SN COMPUTER SCIENCE 2023; 4:114. [PMID: 36573207 PMCID: PMC9769493 DOI: 10.1007/s42979-022-01492-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a consensus-based approach that incorporates three microarray and three RNA-Seq methods for unbiased and integrative identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as potential biomarkers for critical disease(s). The proposed method performs satisfactorily on two microarray datasets (GSE20347 and GSE23400) and one RNA-Seq dataset (GSE130078) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Based on the input dataset, our framework employs specific DE methods to detect DEGs independently. A consensus based function that first considers DEGs common to all three methods for further downstream analysis has been introduced. The consensus function employs other parameters to overcome information loss. Differential co-expression (DCE) and preservation analysis of DEGs facilitates the study of behavioral changes in interactions among DEGs under normal and diseased circumstances. Considering hub genes in biologically relevant modules and most GO and pathway enriched DEGs as candidates for potential biomarkers of ESCC, we perform further validation through biological analysis as well as literature evidence. We have identified 25 DEGs that have strong biological relevance to their respective datasets and have previous literature establishing them as potential biomarkers for ESCC. We have further identified 8 additional DEGs as probable potential biomarkers for ESCC, but recommend further in-depth analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manaswita Saikia
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Assam 784028 India
| | - Dhruba K Bhattacharyya
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Assam 784028 India
| | - Jugal K Kalita
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 USA
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Shields JA, Meier SR, Bandi M, Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Hajdari N, Ferdinez MD, Engel JL, Silver DJ, Shen B, Zhang W, Hubert CG, Mitchell K, Shakya S, Zhao SC, Bejnood A, Zhang M, Tjin Tham Sjin R, Wilker E, Lathia JD, Andersen JN, Chen Y, Li F, Weber B, Huang A, Emmanuel N. VRK1 Is a Synthetic-Lethal Target in VRK2-Deficient Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4044-4057. [PMID: 36069976 PMCID: PMC9627132 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is a genetic interaction that results in cell death when two genetic deficiencies co-occur but not when either deficiency occurs alone, which can be co-opted for cancer therapeutics. Pairs of paralog genes are among the most straightforward potential synthetic-lethal interactions by virtue of their redundant functions. Here, we demonstrate a paralog-based synthetic lethality by targeting vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) in glioblastoma (GBM) deficient of VRK2, which is silenced by promoter methylation in approximately two thirds of GBM. Genetic knockdown of VRK1 in VRK2-null or VRK2-methylated cells resulted in decreased activity of the downstream substrate barrier to autointegration factor (BAF), a regulator of post-mitotic nuclear envelope formation. Reduced BAF activity following VRK1 knockdown caused nuclear lobulation, blebbing, and micronucleation, which subsequently resulted in G2-M arrest and DNA damage. The VRK1-VRK2 synthetic-lethal interaction was dependent on VRK1 kinase activity and was rescued by ectopic expression of VRK2. In VRK2-methylated GBM cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models, knockdown of VRK1 led to robust tumor growth inhibition. These results indicate that inhibiting VRK1 kinase activity could be a viable therapeutic strategy in VRK2-methylated GBM. SIGNIFICANCE A paralog synthetic-lethal interaction between VRK1 and VRK2 sensitizes VRK2-methylated glioblastoma to perturbation of VRK1 kinase activity, supporting VRK1 as a drug discovery target in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicole Hajdari
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Mitchell
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sajina Shakya
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fang Li
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Alan Huang
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natasha Emmanuel
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Author: Natasha Emmanuel, Tango Therapeutics, 201 Brookline Avenue, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02215. Phone: 857-320-4900, E-mail:
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The VRK1 chromatin kinase regulates the acetyltransferase activity of Tip60/KAT5 by sequential phosphorylations in response to DNA damage. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA (BBA) - GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Fang Z, Wang F, Zhang M, Huang H, Lin Z. Identification of Co-Expression Modules and Genes Associated With Tumor Progression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Pathol Oncol Res 2022; 28:1610481. [PMID: 36052378 PMCID: PMC9426548 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2022.1610481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head-and-neck cancer with a deficiency of early diagnosis and poor prognosis. To identify potential diagnostic and prognostic markers of OSCC, we firstly used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to build a co-expression module from GSE42743. Next, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses on specified units from selected modules utilizing Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Additionally, we identified and validate hub genes of these specified modules from multiple datasets like GEPIA and TCGA. In total 16 co-expression modules were built by 17,238 genes of 74 tumor samples utilizing WGCNA. Through pathway and functional enrichment analysis, the turquoise module was most firmly relevant to the cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and p53 signaling pathway. Hub genes VRK1, NUP37, HMMR, SPC25, and RUVBL1 were identified to be related to oral cancer at both molecular level and clinical levels. The expressions of these genes differed in tumor tissues and normal tissues. Meanwhile, patients with high hub gene expression had a poor prognosis clinically. To conclude, five hub genes were identified to be relevant to oral cancer from the molecular level and the clinical level. Therefore, the detection of these genes was of great significance. They can be regarded as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for oral cancer. Also, they could shed light on the improvement of patients’ overall survival and prognosis, which needs further analysis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Department of Nursing, Suzhou BenQ Medical Center, The Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengya Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiqiang Lin,
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Budziszewski GR, Zhao Y, Spangler CJ, Kedziora KM, Williams M, Azzam D, Skrajna A, Koyama Y, Cesmat A, Simmons H, Arteaga E, Strauss J, Kireev D, McGinty R. Multivalent DNA and nucleosome acidic patch interactions specify VRK1 mitotic localization and activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:4355-4371. [PMID: 35390161 PMCID: PMC9071384 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A key role of chromatin kinases is to phosphorylate histone tails during mitosis to spatiotemporally regulate cell division. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a serine-threonine kinase that phosphorylates histone H3 threonine 3 (H3T3) along with other chromatin-based targets. While structural studies have defined how several classes of histone-modifying enzymes bind to and function on nucleosomes, the mechanism of chromatin engagement by kinases is largely unclear. Here, we paired cryo-electron microscopy with biochemical and cellular assays to demonstrate that VRK1 interacts with both linker DNA and the nucleosome acidic patch to phosphorylate H3T3. Acidic patch binding by VRK1 is mediated by an arginine-rich flexible C-terminal tail. Homozygous missense and nonsense mutations of this acidic patch recognition motif in VRK1 are causative in rare adult-onset distal spinal muscular atrophy. We show that these VRK1 mutations interfere with nucleosome acidic patch binding, leading to mislocalization of VRK1 during mitosis, thus providing a potential new molecular mechanism for pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yani Zhao
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cathy J Spangler
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Katarzyna M Kedziora
- Bioinformatics and Analytics Research Collaborative, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael R Williams
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dalal N Azzam
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Aleksandra Skrajna
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuka Koyama
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew P Cesmat
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Holly C Simmons
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eyla C Arteaga
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joshua D Strauss
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Robert K McGinty
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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14
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Ryu HG, Jung Y, Lee N, Seo JY, Kim SW, Lee KH, Kim DY, Kim KT. HNRNP A1 Promotes Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation by Modulating VRK1 Translation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115506. [PMID: 34071140 PMCID: PMC8197126 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
THeterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (HNRNP) A1 is the most abundant and ubiquitously expressed member of the HNRNP protein family. In recent years, it has become more evident that HNRNP A1 contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about the underlying role of HNRNP A1 in cancer development. Here, we report that HNRNP A1 expression is significantly increased in lung cancer tissues and is negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients with lung cancer. Additionally, HNRNP A1 positively regulates vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) translation via binding directly to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of VRK1 mRNA, thus increasing cyclin D1 (CCND1) expression by VRK1-mediated phosphorylation of the cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB). Furthermore, HNRNP A1 binding to the cis-acting region of the 3′UTR of VRK1 mRNA contributes to increased lung cancer cell proliferation. Thus, our study unveils a novel role of HNRNP A1 in lung carcinogenesis via post-transcriptional regulation of VRK1 expression and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target for patients with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Guk Ryu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
| | - Youngseob Jung
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea; (Y.J.); (J.-Y.S.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Namgyu Lee
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01065, USA;
| | - Ji-Young Seo
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea; (Y.J.); (J.-Y.S.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Sung Wook Kim
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea; (Y.J.); (J.-Y.S.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Kyung-Ha Lee
- Division of Cosmetic Science and Technology, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Korea;
| | - Do-Yeon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea;
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea;
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea; (Y.J.); (J.-Y.S.); (S.W.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-54-279-2297
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15
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Carrión-Marchante R, Frezza V, Salgado-Figueroa A, Pérez-Morgado MI, Martín ME, González VM. DNA Aptamers against Vaccinia-Related Kinase (VRK) 1 Block Proliferation in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050473. [PMID: 34067799 PMCID: PMC8156982 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) 1 is a serin/threonine kinase that plays an important role in DNA damage response (DDR), phosphorylating some proteins involved in this process such as 53BP1, NBS1 or H2AX, and in the cell cycle progression. In addition, VRK1 is overexpressed in many cancer types and its correlation with poor prognosis has been determined, showing VRK1 as a new therapeutic target in oncology. Using in vitro selection, high-affinity DNA aptamers to VRK1 were selected from a library of ssDNA. Selection was monitored using the enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA), and the selected aptamer population was cloned and sequenced. Three aptamers were selected and characterized. These aptamers recognized the protein kinase VRK1 with an affinity in the nanomolar range and showed a high sensibility. Moreover, the treatment of the MCF7 breast cell line with these aptamers resulted in a decrease in cyclin D1 levels, and an inhibition of cell cycle progression by G1 phase arrest, which induced apoptosis in cells. These results suggest that these aptamers are specific inhibitors of VRK1 that might be developed as potential drugs for the treatment of cancer.
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16
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Nishida-Fukuda H, Tokuhiro K, Ando Y, Matsushita H, Wada M, Tanaka H. Evaluation of the antiproliferative effects of the HASPIN inhibitor CHR-6494 in breast cancer cell lines. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249912. [PMID: 33852630 PMCID: PMC8046223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
HASPIN is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates mitosis by phosphorylating histone H3 at threonine 3. The expression levels of HASPIN in various cancers are associated with tumor malignancy and poor survival, suggesting that HASPIN inhibition may suppress cancer growth. As HASPIN mRNA levels are elevated in human breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, we examined the growth-suppressive effects of CHR-6494, a potent HASPIN inhibitor, in breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. We found that HASPIN was expressed in breast cancer cells of all molecular subtypes, as well as in immortalized mammary epithelial cells. HASPIN expression levels appeared to be correlated with the cell growth rate but not the molecular subtype of breast cancer. CHR-6494 exhibited potent antiproliferative effects against breast cancer cell lines and immortalized mammary epithelial cells in vitro, but failed to inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografted tumors under conditions that have significant effects in a colorectal cancer model. These results imply that CHR-6494 does have antiproliferative effects in some situations, and further drug screening efforts are anticipated to identify more potent and selective HASPIN inhibition for use as an anticancer agent in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisayo Nishida-Fukuda
- Department of Genome Editing, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata City, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (HT); (HNF)
| | - Keizo Tokuhiro
- Department of Genome Editing, Institute of Biomedical Science, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata City, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukio Ando
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Matsushita
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Morimasa Wada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Tanaka
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
- * E-mail: (HT); (HNF)
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Campillo-Marcos I, García-González R, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lazo PA. The human VRK1 chromatin kinase in cancer biology. Cancer Lett 2021; 503:117-128. [PMID: 33516791 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
VRK1 is a nuclear Ser-Thr chromatin kinase that does not mutate in cancer, and is overexpressed in many types of tumors and associated with a poor prognosis. Chromatin VRK1 phosphorylates several transcription factors, including p53, histones and proteins implicated in DNA damage response pathways. In the context of cell proliferation, VRK1 regulates entry in cell cycle, chromatin condensation in G2/M, Golgi fragmentation, Cajal body dynamics and nuclear envelope assembly in mitosis. This kinase also controls the initial chromatin relaxation associated with histone acetylation, and the non-homologous-end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway, which involves sequential steps such as γH2AX, NBS1 and 53BP1 foci formation, all phosphorylated by VRK1, in response to ionizing radiation or chemotherapy. In addition, VRK1 can be an alternative target for therapies based on synthetic lethality strategies. Therefore, VRK1 roles on proliferation have a pro-tumorigenic effect. Functions regulating chromatin stability and DNA damage responses have a protective anti-tumor role in normal cells, but in tumor cells can also facilitate resistance to genotoxic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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.
| | - Raúl García-González
- 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.
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18
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Colmenero-Repiso A, Gómez-Muñoz MA, Rodríguez-Prieto I, Amador-Álvarez A, Henrich KO, Pascual-Vaca D, Okonechnikov K, Rivas E, Westermann F, Pardal R, Vega FM. Identification of VRK1 as a New Neuroblastoma Tumor Progression Marker Regulating Cell Proliferation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113465. [PMID: 33233777 PMCID: PMC7699843 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common pediatric cancers and presents a poor survival rate in affected children. Current pretreatment risk assessment relies on a few known molecular parameters, like the amplification of the oncogene MYCN. However, a better molecular knowledge about the aggressive progression of the disease is needed to provide new therapeutical targets and prognostic markers and to improve patients' outcomes. The human protein kinase VRK1 phosphorylates various signaling molecules and transcription factors to regulate cell cycle progression and other processes in physiological and pathological situations. Using neuroblastoma tumor expression data, tissue microarrays from fresh human samples and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), we have determined that VRK1 kinase expression stratifies patients according to tumor aggressiveness and survival, allowing the identification of patients with worse outcome among intermediate risk. VRK1 associates with cell cycle signaling pathways in NB and its downregulation abrogates cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Through the analysis of ChIP-seq and methylation data from NB tumors, we show that VRK1 is a MYCN gene target, however VRK1 correlates with NB aggressiveness independently of MYCN gene amplification, synergizing with the oncogene to drive NB progression. Our study also suggests that VRK1 inhibition may constitute a novel cell-cycle-targeted strategy for anticancer therapy in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Colmenero-Repiso
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - María A. Gómez-Muñoz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ismael Rodríguez-Prieto
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Aida Amador-Álvarez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Kai-Oliver Henrich
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Neuroblastoma Genomics, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.-O.H.); (F.W.)
| | - Diego Pascual-Vaca
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (D.P.-V.); (E.R.)
| | | | - Eloy Rivas
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Sevilla, Spain; (D.P.-V.); (E.R.)
| | - Frank Westermann
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Neuroblastoma Genomics, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.-O.H.); (F.W.)
| | - Ricardo Pardal
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (F.M.V.)
| | - Francisco M. Vega
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.C.-R.); (M.A.G.-M.); (I.R.-P.); (A.A.-Á.)
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (F.M.V.)
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VRK1 Phosphorylates Tip60/KAT5 and Is Required for H4K16 Acetylation in Response to DNA Damage. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102986. [PMID: 33076429 PMCID: PMC7650776 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic remodeling of chromatin requires acetylation and methylation of histones, frequently affecting the same lysine residue. These alternative epigenetic modifications require the coordination of enzymes, writers and erasers, mediating them such as acetylases and deacetylases. In cells in G0/G1, DNA damage induced by doxorubicin causes an increase in histone H4K16ac, a marker of chromatin relaxation. In this context, we studied the role that VRK1, a chromatin kinase activated by DNA damage, plays in this early step. VRK1 depletion or MG149, a Tip60/KAT5 inhibitor, cause a loss of H4K16ac. DNA damage induces the phosphorylation of Tip60 mediated by VRK1 in the chromatin fraction. VRK1 directly interacts with and phosphorylates Tip60. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of Tip60 induced by doxorubicin is lost by depletion of VRK1 in both ATM +/+ and ATM-/- cells. Kinase-active VRK1, but not kinase-dead VRK1, rescues Tip60 phosphorylation induced by DNA damage independently of ATM. The Tip60 phosphorylation by VRK1 is necessary for the activating acetylation of ATM, and subsequent ATM autophosphorylation, and both are lost by VRK1 depletion. These results support that the VRK1 chromatin kinase is an upstream regulator of the initial acetylation of histones, and an early step in DNA damage responses (DDR).
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20
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Ren Z, Geng J, Xiong C, Li X, Li Y, Li J, Liu H. Downregulation of VRK1 reduces the expression of BANF1 and suppresses the proliferative and migratory activity of esophageal cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:1163-1170. [PMID: 32724356 PMCID: PMC7377186 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignancy worldwide. The disease has a poor prognosis and a low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new strategies to optimize the treatment of ESCC. Vaccinia-related kinase (VRK1) and barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 (BANF1) are overexpressed in ESCC. In the present study, the roles of VRK1 and BANF1 were explored in the development of ESCC. In the present study, the effects of small interfering (si)RNA-induced downregulation of VRK1 on BANF1 expression were investigated as well as the effects on proliferative and migratory activity of ESCC cells. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein expression levels of BANF1 were decreased following siRNA depletion of VRK1. Furthermore, the depletion of VRK1 expression inhibited the proliferation and migration of ESCC cell lines, and flow cytometry analysis indicated that the depletion of VRK1 triggered cell cycle arrest mainly in the S phase. These results suggested that VRK1 and BANF1 may have pivotal roles in the progression of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Ren
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Jie Geng
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Chao Xiong
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xuebing Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yuqing Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Hongchun Liu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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21
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Small Cell Carcinomas of the Uterine Cervix and Lung: Proteomics Reveals Similar Protein Expression Profiles. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2019; 28:1751-1757. [PMID: 30358701 PMCID: PMC6221385 DOI: 10.1097/igc.0000000000001354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The phenotypic and pathological features of small cell cervical carcinoma (SMCC) and small small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are very similar; thus, the chemotherapy regimens used for the rare SMCC have been routinely based on regimens used for common SCLC. We set out to explore the protein expression profile similarities between these 2 cancers to prove that linking their therapeutic regimens is justified, with a secondary aim of finding tumor-specific proteins to use as additional biomarkers for more accurate diagnosis of SMCC, and potentially to use as therapeutic targets. Methods Protein expression analysis was performed for 3 cases of SMCC and 1 example each of SCLC, mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix (MACC), lung mucinous adenocarcinoma (MACL), and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCC). We used cancer tissue–originated spheroids (CTOS) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)–based comprehensive and quantitative protein expression profile analysis. Expression in corresponding clinical samples was verified by immunohistochemistry. Results Rather than organ of origin–specific patterns, the SMCC and SCLC samples revealed remarkably similar protein expression profiles—in agreement with their matching tumor pathology phenotypes. Sixteen proteins were expressed at least 2-fold higher in both small cell carcinomas (SMCC and SCLC) than in MACC or SCC. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed higher expression of creatine kinase B-type in SMCC, compared with MACC and SCC. Conclusions We demonstrate a significant overlapping similarity of protein expression profiles of lung and cervical small cell carcinomas despite the significant differences in their organs of origin.
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22
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Mon AM, MacKinnon AC, Traktman P. Overexpression of the VRK1 kinase, which is associated with breast cancer, induces a mesenchymal to epithelial transition in mammary epithelial cells. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203397. [PMID: 30180179 PMCID: PMC6122820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a pro-proliferative nuclear kinase. Mice engrafted with VRK1-depleted MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells have been shown to develop fewer distal metastases than controls, suggesting VRK1 might play a role in cell migration, invasion, and/or colonization. In work described herein, we investigated the impact of VRK1 overexpression on human mammary epithelial cells. In 2D culture, VRK1 overexpression diminishes cell migration and invasion and impairs the migration-associated processes of cell spreading and cytoskeletal rearrangement. VRK1-overexpressing cells show reduced accumulation of the mesenchymal marker vimentin and increased accumulation of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and claudin-1. VRK1 overexpression also leads to reduced levels of the transcriptional repressors snail, slug, and twist1. Cumulatively, these data indicate that VRK1 overexpression augments the epithelial properties of both MCF10a and MDA-MB-231 cells. We further studied the impact of VRK1 on the epithelial properties of MCF10a cells in 3D matrigel culture, in which cells proliferate and form epithelial sheets that mature into hollow spherical acini. VRK1 overexpression significantly accelerates the initial stages of cell proliferation, leading to larger acini that nevertheless differentiate and mature. Our analysis of human tumor tissue microarrays (TMAs) revealed that VRK1 protein levels are higher in lymph node metastases than in patient-matched mammary tumors. Using public databases, we determined that VRK1 is among the top 10% of overexpressed transcripts in multiple subtypes of invasive breast cancer, and that high levels of VRK1 expression are correlated with decreased relapse-free survival. In sum, overexpression of VRK1, by regulating the transcription repressors snail, slug, and twist1, can promote a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in cell culture. VRK1-mediated MET might facilitate the colonization of distal sites by metastatic breast cancer cells, providing some insight into the frequent association of VRK1 overexpression with breast malignancies and the correlation between VRK1 overexpression and poor clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aye M. Mon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - A. Craig MacKinnon
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
| | - Paula Traktman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- The Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
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23
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Moura DS, Campillo-Marcos I, Vázquez-Cedeira M, Lazo PA. VRK1 and AURKB form a complex that cross inhibit their kinase activity and the phosphorylation of histone H3 in the progression of mitosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:2591-2611. [PMID: 29340707 PMCID: PMC6003988 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2746-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of cell division requires the integration of signals implicated in chromatin reorganization and coordination of its sequential changes in mitosis. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) and Aurora B (AURKB) are two nuclear kinases involved in different steps of cell division. We have studied whether there is any functional connection between these two nuclear kinases, which phosphorylate histone H3 in Thr3 and Ser10, respectively. VRK1 and AURKB are able to form a stable protein complex, which represents only a minor subpopulation of each kinase within the cell and is detected following nocodazole release. Each kinase is able to inhibit the kinase activity of the other kinase, as well as inhibit their specific phosphorylation of histone H3. In locations where the two kinases interact, there is a different pattern of histone modifications, indicating that there is a local difference in chromatin during mitosis because of the local complexes formed by these kinases and their asymmetric intracellular distribution. Depletion of VRK1 downregulates the gene expression of BIRC5 (survivin) that recognizes H3-T3ph, both are dependent on the activity of VRK1, and is recovered with kinase active murine VRK1, but not with a kinase-dead protein. The H3-Thr3ph-survivin complex is required for AURB recruitment, and their loss prevents the localization of ACA and AURKB in centromeres. The cross inhibition of the kinases at the end of mitosis might facilitate the formation of daughter cells. A sequential role for VRK1, AURKB, and haspin in the progression of mitosis is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Moura
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer-Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer-Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Vázquez-Cedeira
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer-Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer-Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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24
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Campillo-Marcos I, Lazo PA. Implication of the VRK1 chromatin kinase in the signaling responses to DNA damage: a therapeutic target? Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:2375-2388. [PMID: 29679095 PMCID: PMC5986855 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA damage causes a local distortion of chromatin that triggers the sequential processes that participate in specific DNA repair mechanisms. This initiation of the repair response requires the involvement of a protein whose activity can be regulated by histones. Kinases are candidates to regulate and coordinate the connection between a locally altered chromatin and the response initiating signals that lead to identification of the type of lesion and the sequential steps required in specific DNA damage responses (DDR). This initiating kinase must be located in chromatin, and be activated independently of the type of DNA damage. We review the contribution of the Ser-Thr vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) chromatin kinase as a new player in the signaling of DNA damage responses, at chromatin and cellular levels, and its potential as a new therapeutic target in oncology. VRK1 is involved in the regulation of histone modifications, such as histone phosphorylation and acetylation, and in the formation of γH2AX, NBS1 and 53BP1 foci induced in DDR. Induction of DNA damage by chemotherapy or radiation is a mainstay of cancer treatment. Therefore, novel treatments can be targeted to proteins implicated in the regulation of DDR, rather than by directly causing DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, 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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25
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Ben Z, Gong L, Qiu Y. High expression of VRK1 is related to poor prognosis in glioma. Pathol Res Pract 2017; 214:112-118. [PMID: 29103766 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a member of the vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases, which phosphorylates several transcription factors and has been postulated to be involved in regulation of cell proliferation. However, it remains unclear whether aberrant expression of VRK1 is related to the development of glioma. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of VRK1 expression in human glioma and its biological function in glioma cells. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that VRK1 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and cell lines. In addition, the expression level of VRK1 was positively correlated with glioma pathological grade, as well as Ki-67 expression. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with high VRK1 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis. To determine whether VRK1 could regulate the proliferation of glioma cells, we transfected glioma cells with interfering RNA target VRK1, then investigated cell proliferation with cell counting kit (CCK) -8, flow cytometry assays and colony formation analyses. Our results indicated that knockdown of VRK1 would inhibit the proliferation of glioma cells. Besides, reduced expression of VRK1 could induce the apoptosis of glioma cells. On the basis of these findings, we suggested that VRK1 might be a promising prognostic biomarker of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Ben
- Department of Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215123, PR China
| | - Leilei Gong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, PR China
| | - Yuhua Qiu
- Department of Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215123, PR China.
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26
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Couñago RM, Allerston CK, Savitsky P, Azevedo H, Godoi PH, Wells CI, Mascarello A, de Souza Gama FH, Massirer KB, Zuercher WJ, Guimarães CRW, Gileadi O. Structural characterization of human Vaccinia-Related Kinases (VRK) bound to small-molecule inhibitors identifies different P-loop conformations. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7501. [PMID: 28790404 PMCID: PMC5548783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07755-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genome encodes two active Vaccinia-related protein kinases (VRK), VRK1 and VRK2. These proteins have been implicated in a number of cellular processes and linked to a variety of tumors. However, understanding the cellular role of VRKs and establishing their potential use as targets for therapeutic intervention has been limited by the lack of tool compounds that can specifically modulate the activity of these kinases in cells. Here we identified BI-D1870, a dihydropteridine inhibitor of RSK kinases, as a promising starting point for the development of chemical probes targeting the active VRKs. We solved co-crystal structures of both VRK1 and VRK2 bound to BI-D1870 and of VRK1 bound to two broad-spectrum inhibitors. These structures revealed that both VRKs can adopt a P-loop folded conformation, which is stabilized by different mechanisms on each protein. Based on these structures, we suggest modifications to the dihydropteridine scaffold that can be explored to produce potent and specific inhibitors towards VRK1 and VRK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael M Couñago
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil. .,Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Charles K Allerston
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Pavel Savitsky
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Paulo H Godoi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Carrow I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Katlin B Massirer
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - William J Zuercher
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Opher Gileadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Structural Genomics Consortium and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
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27
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Expression of VRK1 and the downstream gene BANF1 in esophageal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 89:1086-1091. [PMID: 28298069 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.02.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is considered one of the most malignant tumors, being characterized by rapid progression and poor outcomes. China has the highest incidence of esophageal cancer in the world. Hence, it is necessary to clarify the mechanisms underlying esophageal cancer progression. In this study, we examined the expression of vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) and barrier to autointegration factor 1 (BANF1) in tumor tissues at the mRNA and protein levels via real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. The mRNA and protein expression levels of VRK1 and BANF1 were higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. ROC curve analysis showed that VRK1 and BANF1 yielded AUCs of 0.790 and 0.735, respectively, for the detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) patients. In conclusion, our study indicates that VRK1 and BANF are promising novel therapeutic targets for esophageal cancer.
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28
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Aihara H, Nakagawa T, Mizusaki H, Yoneda M, Kato M, Doiguchi M, Imamura Y, Higashi M, Ikura T, Hayashi T, Kodama Y, Oki M, Nakayama T, Cheung E, Aburatani H, Takayama KI, Koseki H, Inoue S, Takeshima Y, Ito T. Histone H2A T120 Phosphorylation Promotes Oncogenic Transformation via Upregulation of Cyclin D1. Mol Cell 2016; 64:176-188. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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29
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Lee N, Kwon JH, Kim YB, Kim SH, Park SJ, Xu W, Jung HY, Kim KT, Wang HJ, Choi KY. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma by controlling the levels of cell cycle regulators associated with G1/S transition. Oncotarget 2016; 6:30130-48. [PMID: 26375549 PMCID: PMC4745786 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified the specific role of vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and evaluated its therapeutic and prognostic potential. VRK1 levels were significantly higher in HCC cell lines than a normal hepatic cell line, and were higher in HCC than non-tumor tissue. VRK1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1, SH-J1 and Hep3B cells; moreover, depletion of VRK1 suppressed HCC tumor growth in vivo. We also showed that VRK1 knockdown increased the number of G1 arrested cells by decreasing cyclin D1 and p-Rb while upregulating p21 and p27, and that VRK1 depletion downregulated phosphorylation of CREB, a transcription factor regulating CCND1. Additionally, we found that luteolin, a VRK1 inhibitor, suppressed HCC growth in vitro and in vivo, and that the aberrant VRK1 expression correlated with poor prognostic features of HCC. High levels of VRK1 were associated with shorter overall and disease-free survival and higher recurrence rates. Taken together, our findings suggest VRK1 may act as a tumor promoter by controlling the level of cell cycle regulators associated with G1/S transition and could potentially serve as a therapeutic target and/or prognostic biomarker for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namgyu Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | | | - Young Bae Kim
- Department of Pathology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Seong-Hoon Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | - Sung Jin Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | - Weiguang Xu
- Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hoe-Yune Jung
- Department of Integrative Biosciences & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea.,Department of Integrative Biosciences & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jung Wang
- Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Kwan Yong Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea.,Department of Integrative Biosciences & Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
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30
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Del Puerto-Nevado L, Marin-Arango JP, Fernandez-Aceñero MJ, Arroyo-Manzano D, Martinez-Useros J, Borrero-Palacios A, Rodriguez-Remirez M, Cebrian A, Gomez Del Pulgar T, Cruz-Ramos M, Carames C, Lopez-Botet B, Garcia-Foncillas J. Predictive value of vrk 1 and 2 for rectal adenocarcinoma response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy: a retrospective observational cohort study. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:519. [PMID: 27456229 PMCID: PMC4960836 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2574-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by surgical resection is the standard therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, tumor response following NACRT varies, ranging from pathologic complete response to disease progression. We evaluated the kinases VRK1 and VRK2, which are known to play multiple roles in cellular proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and carcinogenesis, and as such are potential predictors of tumor response and may aid in identifying patients who could benefit from NACRT. Methods Sixty-seven pretreatment biopsies were examined for VRK1 and VRK2 expression using tissue microarrays. VRK1 and VRK2 Histoscores were combined by linear addition, resulting in a new variable designated as “composite score”, and the statistical significance of this variable was assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis were carried out to evaluate calibration and discrimination, respectively. A nomogram was also developed. Results Univariate logistic regression showed that tumor size as well as composite score were statistically significant. Both variables remained significant in the multivariate analysis, obtaining an OR for tumor size of 0.65 (95 % CI, 0.45–0.94; p = 0.021) and composite score of 1.24 (95 % CI, 1.07–1.48; p = 0.005). Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed an adequate model calibration (p = 0.630) and good discrimination was also achieved, AUC 0.79 (95 % CI, 0.68–0.90). Conclusions This study provides novel data on the role of VRK1 and VRK2 in predicting tumor response to NACRT, and we propose a model with high predictive ability which could have a substantial impact on clinical management of locally advanced rectal cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2574-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Del Puerto-Nevado
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Marin-Arango
- Radiotherapy Department, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avda Reyes Catolicos, 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Maria Jesus Fernandez-Aceñero
- Pathology Department, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain.,Present address at University Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Profesor Martin Lagos, S/N, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - David Arroyo-Manzano
- Clinical Biostatistics Unit, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo km. 9,100, 28034 Madrid, Spain and CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C/Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3-5, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Martinez-Useros
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aurea Borrero-Palacios
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Rodriguez-Remirez
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arancha Cebrian
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Gomez Del Pulgar
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marlid Cruz-Ramos
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Carames
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Lopez-Botet
- Radiotherapy Department, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avda Reyes Catolicos, 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Jesús Garcia-Foncillas
- Translational Oncology Division, Oncohealth Institute, Health Research Institute FJD-UAM, University Hospital "Fundacion Jimenez Diaz", Avenida Reyes Catolicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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31
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Oncogenic Sox2 regulates and cooperates with VRK1 in cell cycle progression and differentiation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28532. [PMID: 27334688 PMCID: PMC4917848 DOI: 10.1038/srep28532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sox2 is a pluripotency transcription factor that as an oncogene can also regulate cell proliferation. Therefore, genes implicated in several different aspects of cell proliferation, such as the VRK1 chromatin-kinase, are candidates to be targets of Sox2. Sox 2 and VRK1 colocalize in nuclei of proliferating cells forming a stable complex. Sox2 knockdown abrogates VRK1 gene expression. Depletion of either Sox2 or VRK1 caused a reduction of cell proliferation. Sox2 up-regulates VRK1 expression and both proteins cooperate in the activation of CCND1. The accumulation of VRK1 protein downregulates SOX2 expression and both proteins are lost in terminally differentiated cells. Induction of neural differentiation with retinoic acid resulted in downregulation of Sox2 and VRK1 that inversely correlated with the expression of differentiation markers such as N-cadherin, Pax6, mH2A1.2 and mH2A2. Differentiation-associated macro histones mH2A1.2and mH2A2 inhibit CCND1 and VRK1 expression and also block the activation of the VRK1 promoter by Sox2. VRK1 is a downstream target of Sox2 and both form an autoregulatory loop in epithelial cell differentiation.
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32
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Liu J, Wang Y, He S, Xu X, Huang Y, Tang J, Wu Y, Miao X, He Y, Wang Q, Liang L, Cheng C. Expression of vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) accelerates cell proliferation but overcomes cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) in multiple myeloma. Hematology 2016; 21:603-612. [PMID: 27319807 PMCID: PMC9491125 DOI: 10.1080/10245332.2016.1147678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) has been reported to participate in the development of a variety of tumors. However, the role of VRK1 in multiple myeloma (MM) has not been investigated. The present study was undertaken to determine the expression and biologic function of VRK1 in human MM. Methods: First, we constructed a model of cell adhesion in MM, the mRNA and protein level of VRK1 in suspension and adhesion model was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot. Then, flow cytometry assay and western blot were used to investigate the mechanism of VRK1 in the proliferation of MM cells. In vitro, following using shRNA interfering VRK1 expression, we performed adhesion assay and cell viability assay to determine the effect of VRK1 on adhesive rate and drug sensitivity. Results: VRK1 was lowly expressed in adherent MM cells and highly expressed in suspended cells. In addition, VRK1 was positively correlated with the proliferation of MM cells by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related protein, such as cyclinD1, CDK2 and p27kip1. Furthermore, VRK1 could reverse cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) by down-regulating the ability of cell adhesion. Conclusion and discussion: Our data supports a role for VRK1 in MM cell proliferation, adhesion, and drug resistance, and it may pave the way for a novel therapeutic approach for CAM-DR in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Yuchan Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Song He
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Xiaohong Xu
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Yuejiao Huang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Yaxun Wu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Xiaobing Miao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Yunhua He
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Qiru Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Li Liang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
| | - Chun Cheng
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province 226001, China
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33
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de Miguel-Luken MJ, Chaves-Conde M, Carnero A. A genetic view of laryngeal cancer heterogeneity. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:1202-12. [PMID: 26940775 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1156275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During the recent decades significant improvements in the understanding of laryngeal molecular biology allowed a better characterization of the tumor. However, despite increased molecular knowledge and clinical efforts, survival of patients with laryngeal cancer remains the same as 30 years ago. Although this result may not make major conclusions as preservation approaches were not broadly used until the time of database collection, it seems to be clear that there is still window for improvement. Although the cornerstone for laryngeal cancer eradication is to implement smoking cessation programs, survival progresses will be hopefully seen in the future. Introducing molecular biomarkers as predictive factors to determine which patients will benefit of preservation treatments may become one of the next steps to improve survival. Furthermore, the development of new therapeutic modalities joint to biomarkers to selectively apply such new therapy in these patients may help to define new modalities with improved survival. New inhibitors against Notch pathway, EGFR, VRK1 or DNA damage repair may become gold standard if we are able to identify patients that may benefit from them, either on survival or functional larynx preservation. It is the moment for an inflexion point on the way laryngeal cancer is clinically managed.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José de Miguel-Luken
- a Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBIS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Seville , Spain.,b Department of Medical Oncology , Virgen del Rocío University Hospital , Seville , Spain
| | - Manuel Chaves-Conde
- a Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBIS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Seville , Spain.,b Department of Medical Oncology , Virgen del Rocío University Hospital , Seville , Spain
| | - Amancio Carnero
- a Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBIS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Seville , Spain
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Huang W, Cui X, Chen Y, Shao M, Shao X, Shen Y, Liu Q, Wu M, Liu J, Ni W, Lu C, Wan C. High VRK1 expression contributes to cell proliferation and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2015; 212:171-8. [PMID: 26706601 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2015.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
VRK1 is a member of the vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) family of serine/threonine protein kinases, which is known to play multiple roles in cellular proliferation, cell cycle regulation and carcinogenesis. However, the expression and physiological significance of VRK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of VRK1 in the development and progression of HCC. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that VRK1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cell lines, compared with adjacent nontumorous tissues and LO2 normal hepatocytes. Meanwhile, clinicopathological analysis showed that VRK1 was significantly associated with AJCC stage, Ki-67 and a poor prognosis in HCC specimens. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that VRK1 could serve as an independent prognostic indicator of HCC patients' survival. Furthermore, we found that VRK1 was lowly expressed in serum-starved Huh7 cells, and was progressively increased after serum-refeeding. Finally, flow cytometry, CCK-8 and colony formation assay indicated that the depletion of VRK1 could retard cell cycle progression and reduce cells proliferation in HCC cells. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that VRK1 may be a candidate prognostic biomarker as well as a potential therapeutical target of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaopeng Cui
- Department of general surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyan Chen
- Class 5, Grade 13, Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Mengting Shao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Xian Shao
- Department of general surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Yifen Shen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqing Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Miaomiao Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Wenkai Ni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China
| | - Cuihua Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunhua Wan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001 People's Republic of China.
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Kim SH, Ryu HG, Lee J, Shin J, Harikishore A, Jung HY, Kim YS, Lyu HN, Oh E, Baek NI, Choi KY, Yoon HS, Kim KT. Ursolic acid exerts anti-cancer activity by suppressing vaccinia-related kinase 1-mediated damage repair in lung cancer cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:14570. [PMID: 26412148 PMCID: PMC4585938 DOI: 10.1038/srep14570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many mitotic kinases have been targeted for the development of anti-cancer drugs, and inhibitors of these kinases have been expected to perform well for cancer therapy. Efforts focused on selecting good targets and finding specific drugs to target are especially needed, largely due to the increased frequency of anti-cancer drugs used in the treatment of lung cancer. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a master regulator in lung adenocarcinoma and is considered a key molecule in the adaptive pathway, which mainly controls cell survival. We found that ursolic acid (UA) inhibits the catalytic activity of VRK1 via direct binding to the catalytic domain of VRK1. UA weakens surveillance mechanisms by blocking 53BP1 foci formation induced by VRK1 in lung cancer cells, and possesses synergistic anti-cancer effects with DNA damaging drugs. Taken together, UA can be a good anti-cancer agent for targeted therapy or combination therapy with DNA damaging drugs for lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Hoon Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Guk Ryu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhyun Lee
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | | | - Hoe-Youn Jung
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Seul Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Na Lyu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Oh
- The Graduate School of Biotechnology and Plant Metabolism Research Center, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-In Baek
- The Graduate School of Biotechnology and Plant Metabolism Research Center, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan-Yong Choi
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Sup Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon 449-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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The spinal muscular atrophy with pontocerebellar hypoplasia gene VRK1 regulates neuronal migration through an amyloid-β precursor protein-dependent mechanism. J Neurosci 2015; 35:936-42. [PMID: 25609612 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1998-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with pontocerebellar hypoplasia (SMA-PCH) is an infantile SMA variant with additional manifestations, particularly severe microcephaly. We previously identified a nonsense mutation in Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1), R358X, as a cause of SMA-PCH. VRK1-R358X is a rare founder mutation in Ashkenazi Jews, and additional mutations in patients of different origins have recently been identified. VRK1 is a nuclear serine/threonine protein kinase known to play multiple roles in cellular proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and carcinogenesis. However, VRK1 was not known to have neuronal functions before its identification as a gene mutated in SMA-PCH. Here we show that VRK1-R358X homozygosity results in lack of VRK1 protein, and demonstrate a role for VRK1 in neuronal migration and neuronal stem cell proliferation. Using shRNA in utero electroporation in mice, we show that Vrk1 knockdown significantly impairs cortical neuronal migration, and affects the cell cycle of neuronal progenitors. Expression of wild-type human VRK1 rescues both proliferation and migration phenotypes. However, kinase-dead human VRK1 rescues only the migration impairment, suggesting the role of VRK1 in neuronal migration is partly noncatalytic. Furthermore, we found that VRK1 deficiency in human and mouse leads to downregulation of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP), a known neuronal migration gene. APP overexpression rescues the phenotype caused by Vrk1 knockdown, suggesting that VRK1 affects neuronal migration through an APP-dependent mechanism.
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Salzano M, Vázquez-Cedeira M, Sanz-García M, Valbuena A, Blanco S, Fernández IF, Lazo PA. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) confers resistance to DNA-damaging agents in human breast cancer by affecting DNA damage response. Oncotarget 2015; 5:1770-8. [PMID: 24731990 PMCID: PMC4039124 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1678] [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: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) belongs to a group of sixteen kinases associated to a poorer prognosis in human breast carcinomas, particularly in estrogen receptor positive cases based on gene expression arrays. In this work we have studied the potential molecular mechanism by which the VRK1 protein can contribute to a poorer prognosis in this disease. For this aim it was first analyzed by immunohistochemistry the VRK1 protein level in normal breast and in one hundred and thirty six cases of human breast cancer. The effect of VRK1 to protect against DNA damage was determined by studying the effect of its knockdown on the formation of DNA repair foci assembled on 53BP1 in response to treatment with ionizing radiation or doxorubicin in two breast cancer cell lines. VRK1 protein was detected in normal breast and in breast carcinomas at high levels in ER and PR positive tumors. VRK1 protein level was significantly lower in ERBB2 positive cases. Next, to identify a mechanism that can link VRK1 to poorer prognosis, VRK1 was knocked-down in two breast cancer cell lines that were treated with ionizing radiation or doxorubicin, both inducing DNA damage. Loss of VRK1 resulted in reduced formation of DNA-damage repair foci complexes assembled on the 53BP1 scaffold protein, and this effect was independent of damaging agent or cell type. This observation is consistent with detection of high VRK1 protein levels in ER and PR positive breast cancers. We conclude that VRK1 can contribute to make these tumors more resistant to DNA damage-based therapies, such as ionizing radiation or doxorubicin, which is consistent with its association to a poor prognosis in ER positive breast cancer. VRK1 is potential target kinase for development of new specific inhibitors which can facilitate sensitization to other treatments in combination therapies; or alternatively be used as a new cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Salzano
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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38
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Kim YS, Kim SH, Shin J, Harikishore A, Lim JK, Jung Y, Lyu HN, Baek NI, Choi KY, Yoon HS, Kim KT. Luteolin suppresses cancer cell proliferation by targeting vaccinia-related kinase 1. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109655. [PMID: 25310002 PMCID: PMC4195671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncontrolled proliferation, a major feature of cancer cells, is often triggered by the malfunction of cell cycle regulators such as protein kinases. Recently, cell cycle-related protein kinases have become attractive targets for anti-cancer therapy, because they play fundamental roles in cellular proliferation. However, the protein kinase-targeted drugs that have been developed so far do not show impressive clinical results and also display severe side effects; therefore, there is undoubtedly a need to investigate new drugs targeting other protein kinases that are critical in cell cycle progression. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a mitotic kinase that functions in cell cycle regulation by phosphorylating cell cycle-related substrates such as barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF), histone H3, and the cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB). In our study, we identified luteolin as the inhibitor of VRK1 by screening a small-molecule natural compound library. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of luteolin as a VRK1-targeted inhibitor for developing an effective anti-cancer strategy. We confirmed that luteolin significantly reduces VRK1-mediated phosphorylation of the cell cycle-related substrates BAF and histone H3, and directly interacts with the catalytic domain of VRK1. In addition, luteolin regulates cell cycle progression by modulating VRK1 activity, leading to the suppression of cancer cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. Therefore, our study suggests that luteolin-induced VRK1 inhibition may contribute to establish a novel cell cycle-targeted strategy for anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Seul Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Hoon Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Shin
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Jong-Kwan Lim
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngseob Jung
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Na Lyu
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-In Baek
- The Graduate School of Biotechnology and Plant Metabolism Research Center, Kyung-Hee University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Yong Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Sup Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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López-Sánchez I, Valbuena A, Vázquez-Cedeira M, Khadake J, Sanz-García M, Carrillo-Jiménez A, Lazo PA. VRK1 interacts with p53 forming a basal complex that is activated by UV-induced DNA damage. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:692-700. [PMID: 24492002 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage immediate cellular response requires the activation of p53 by kinases. We found that p53 forms a basal stable complex with VRK1, a Ser-Thr kinase that responds to UV-induced DNA damage by specifically phosphorylating p53. This interaction takes place through the p53 DNA binding domain, and frequent DNA-contact mutants of p53, such as R273H, R248H or R280K, do not disrupt the complex. UV-induced DNA damage activates VRK1, and is accompanied by phosphorylation of p53 at Thr-18 before it accumulates. We propose that the VRK1-p53 basal complex is an early-warning system for immediate cellular responses to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada López-Sánchez
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Valbuena
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Vázquez-Cedeira
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, 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
| | - Jyoti Khadake
- European Bioinformatics Institute-EMBL, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Sanz-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alejandro Carrillo-Jiménez
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, 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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40
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Rodríguez-Hernández I, Vázquez-Cedeira M, Santos-Briz A, García JL, Fernández IF, Gómez-Moreta JA, Martin-Vallejo J, González-Sarmiento R, Lazo PA. VRK2 identifies a subgroup of primary high-grade astrocytomas with a better prognosis. BMC Clin Pathol 2013; 13:23. [PMID: 24079673 PMCID: PMC3849739 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6890-13-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant astrocytomas are the most common primary brain tumors and one of the most lethal among human cancers despite optimal treatment. Therefore, the characterization of molecular alterations underlying the aggressive behavior of these tumors and the identification of new markers are thus an important step towards a better patient stratification and management. Methods and results VRK1 and VRK2 (Vaccinia-related kinase-1, -2) expression, as well as proliferation markers, were determined in a tissue microarray containing 105 primary astrocytoma biopsies. Kaplan Meier and Cox models were used to find clinical and/or molecular parameters related to overall survival. The effects of VRK protein levels on proliferation were determined in astrocytoma cell lines. High levels of both protein kinases, VRK1 or VRK2, correlated with proliferation markers, p63 or ki67. There was no correlation with p53, reflecting the disruption of the VRK-p53-DRAM autoregulatory loop as a consequence of p53 mutations. High VRK2 protein levels identified a subgroup of astrocytomas that had a significant improvement in survival. The potential effect of VRK2 was studied by analyzing the growth characteristics of astrocytoma cell lines with different EGFR/VRK2 protein ratios. Conclusion High levels of VRK2 resulted in a lower growth rate suggesting these cells are more indolent. In high-grade astrocytomas, VRK2 expression constitutes a good prognostic marker for patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rodríguez-Hernández
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Marta Vázquez-Cedeira
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Angel Santos-Briz
- Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Patología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan L García
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Isabel F Fernández
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.,Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan A Gómez-Moreta
- Departamento de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Rogelio González-Sarmiento
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Molecular genetic analysis of VRK1 in mammary epithelial cells: depletion slows proliferation in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Oncogenesis 2013; 2:e48. [PMID: 23732708 PMCID: PMC3740298 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The vaccinia-related kinases (VRKs) comprise a branch of the casein kinase family. VRK1, a ser/thr kinase with a nuclear localization, is the most well-studied paralog and has been described as a proproliferative protein. In lower eukaryotes, a loss of VRK1 activity is associated with severe mitotic and meiotic defects. Mice that are hypomorphic for VRK1 expression are infertile, and depletion of VRK1 in tissue culture cells can impair cell proliferation and alter several signaling pathways. VRK1 has been implicated as part of a ‘gene-expression signature' whose overexpression correlates with poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients. We present here our investigation of the role of VRK1 in the growth of normal (MCF10) and malignant (MDA-MB-231) human mammary epithelial cells, and demonstrate that shRNA-mediated depletion of VRK1 slows their proliferation significantly. Conversely, stable overexpression of a FLAG-tagged VRK1 transgene imparts a survival advantage to highly malignant MDA-MB-231 cells under conditions of nutrient and growth factor deprivation. Moreover, in a murine orthotopic xenograft model of breast cancer, we demonstrate that tumors depleted of VRK1 show a 50% reduction in size from 4–13 weeks postengraftment. The incidence and burden of distal metastases in the lungs and brain was also significantly reduced in mice engrafted with VRK1-depleted cells. These studies demonstrate that VRK1 depletion or overexpression has an impact on the proliferation and survival of cell lines derived from normal or malignant mammary tissue, and moreover show that depletion of VRK1 in MDA-MB-231 cells reduces their oncogenic and metastatic properties in vivo.
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42
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Barcia-Sanjurjo I, Vázquez-Cedeira M, Barcia R, Lazo PA. Sensitivity of the kinase activity of human vaccinia-related kinase proteins to toxic metals. J Biol Inorg Chem 2013; 18:473-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-013-0992-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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43
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Vázquez-Cedeira M, Lazo PA. Human VRK2 (vaccinia-related kinase 2) modulates tumor cell invasion by hyperactivation of NFAT1 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:42739-50. [PMID: 23105117 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.404285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Human VRK2 (vaccinia-related kinase 2), a kinase that emerged late in evolution, affects different signaling pathways, and some carcinomas express high levels of VRK2. Invasion by cancer cells has been associated with NFAT1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells) activation and expression of the COX-2 (cyclooxygenase 2) gene. We hypothesized that VRK proteins might play a regulatory role in NFAT1 activation in tumor cells. We demonstrate that VRK2 directly interacts and phosphorylates NFAT1 in Ser-32 within its N-terminal transactivation domain. VRK2 increases NFAT1-dependent transcription by phosphorylation, and this effect is only detected following cell phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin stimulation and calcineurin activation. This NFAT1 hyperactivation by VRK2 increases COX-2 gene expression through the proximal NFAT1 binding site in the COX-2 gene promoter. Furthermore, VRK2A down-regulation by RNA interference reduces COX-2 expression at transcriptional and protein levels. Therefore, VRK2 down-regulation reduces cell invasion by tumor cells, such as MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435, upon stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin. These findings identify the first reported target and function of human VRK2 as an active kinase playing a role in regulation of cancer cell invasion through the NFAT pathway and COX-2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vázquez-Cedeira
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Choi YH, Lim JK, Jeong MW, Kim KT. HnRNP A1 phosphorylated by VRK1 stimulates telomerase and its binding to telomeric DNA sequence. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:8499-518. [PMID: 22740652 PMCID: PMC3458570 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomere integrity is maintained via replication machinery, telomere associated proteins and telomerase. Many telomere associated proteins are regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), a single-stranded oligonucleotide binding protein, is thought to play a pivotal role in telomere maintenance. Here, we identified hnRNP A1 as a novel substrate for vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1), a cell cycle regulating kinase. Phosphorylation by VRK1 potentiates the binding of hnRNP A1 to telomeric ssDNA and telomerase RNA in vitro and enhances its function for telomerase reaction. VRK1 deficiency induces a shortening of telomeres with an abnormal telomere arrangement and activation of DNA-damage signaling in mouse male germ cells. Together, our data suggest that VRK1 is required for telomere maintenance via phosphorylation of hnRNP A1, which regulates proteins associated with the telomere and telomerase RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Ha Choi
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San-31, Hyoja-Dong, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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45
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Zhang H, Photiou A, Grothey A, Stebbing J, Giamas G. The role of pseudokinases in cancer. Cell Signal 2012; 24:1173-84. [PMID: 22330072 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Kinases play a critical role in regulating many cellular functions including development, differentiation and proliferation. To date, over 518 proteins with kinase activity, comprising ~2-3% of total cellular proteins, have been identified from within the human kinome. Interestingly, approximately 10% of kinases are categorised as pseudokinases since they lack one or more conserved catalytic residues within their kinase domain and were originally thought to have no enzymatic activity. Recently, there has been strong evidence to suggest that some pseudokinsases can not only function as scaffold proteins, but may also possess kinase activity leading to modulation of cell signalling pathways. Altered activity of these pseudokinases can result in impaired cellular function, particularly in malignancies. In this review we are discussing recent evidence that apart from a scaffolding role, pseudokinases also orchestrate cellular processes as active kinases per se in signalling pathways of malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhang
- Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 ONN, UK
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Kim W, Chakraborty G, Kim S, Shin J, Park CH, Jeong MW, Bharatham N, Yoon HS, Kim KT. Macro histone H2A1.2 (macroH2A1) protein suppresses mitotic kinase VRK1 during interphase. J Biol Chem 2011; 287:5278-89. [PMID: 22194607 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.281709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
VRK1-mediated phosphorylation of histone H3 should be restricted in mitosis for consistent cell cycling, and defects in this process trigger cellular catastrophe. However, an interphasic regulator against VRK1 has not been actually investigated so far. Here, we show that the histone variant macrodomain-containing histone H2A1.2 functions as a suppressor against VRK1 during interphase. The level of macroH2A1.2 was markedly reduced in the mitotic phase, and the macroH2A1.2-mediated inhibition of histone H3 phosphorylation occurred mainly during interphase. We also found direct interaction and binding features between VRK1 and macroH2A1.2 by NMR spectroscopy. Hence, our findings might provide valuable insight into the underlying molecular mechanism regarding an epigenetic regulation of histone H3 during the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanil Kim
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Republic of Korea
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Comparative kinome analysis to identify putative colon tumor biomarkers. J Mol Med (Berl) 2011; 90:447-56. [PMID: 22095101 PMCID: PMC3307991 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-011-0831-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 10/22/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Kinase domains are the type of protein domain most commonly found in genes associated with tumorigenesis. Because of this, the human kinome (the protein kinase component of the genome) represents a promising source of cancer biomarkers and potential targets for novel anti-cancer therapies. Alterations in the human colon kinome during the progression from normal colon (NC) through adenoma (AD) to adenocarcinoma (AC) were investigated using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. Two hundred thirty kinase genes and 42 kinase proteins showed differential expression patterns (fold change ≥ 1.5) in at least one tissue pair-wise comparison (AD vs. NC, AC vs. NC, and/or AC vs. AD). Kinases that exhibited similar trends in expression at both the mRNA and protein levels were further analyzed in individual samples of NC (n = 20), AD (n = 39), and AC (n = 24) by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Individual samples of NC and tumor tissue were distinguishable based on the mRNA levels of a set of 20 kinases. Altered expression of several of these kinases, including chaperone activity of bc1 complex-like (CABC1) kinase, bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger domain protein 1B (BAZ1B) kinase, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II subunit delta (CAMK2D), serine/threonine-protein kinase 24 (STK24), vaccinia-related kinase 3 (VRK3), and TAO kinase 3 (TAOK3), has not been previously reported in tumor tissue. These findings may have diagnostic potential and may lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutic interventions for colorectal cancer.
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Park CH, Choi BH, Jeong MW, Kim S, Kim W, Song YS, Kim KT. Protein kinase Cδ regulates vaccinia-related kinase 1 in DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Mol Biol Cell 2011; 22:1398-408. [PMID: 21346188 PMCID: PMC3078082 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e10-08-0717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Revised: 01/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) is a novel serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in cell proliferation. However, little is known about the upstream regulators of VRK1 activity. Here we provide evidence for a role of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) in the regulation of murine VRK1. We show that PKCδ interacts with VRK1, phosphorylates the Ser-355 residue in the putative regulatory region, and negatively regulates its kinase activity in vitro. Intriguingly, PKCδ-induced cell death was facilitated by phosphorylation of VRK1 when cells were exposed to a DNA-damaging agent. In addition, p53 played a critical role in the regulation of DNA damage-induced cell death accompanied by PKCδ-mediated modulation of VRK1. In p53-deficient cells, PKCδ-mediated phosphorylation of VRK1 had no effect on cell viability. However, cells overexpressing p53 exhibited significant reduction of cell viability when cotransfected with both VRK1 and PKCδ. Taken together, these results indicate that PKCδ regulates phosphorylation and down-regulation of VRK1, thereby contributing to cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death in a p53-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Ho Park
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790–784, Korea
| | - Bo-Hwa Choi
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790–784, Korea
| | - Min-Woo Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790–784, Korea
| | - Sangjune Kim
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790–784, Korea
| | - Wanil Kim
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790–784, Korea
| | - Yun Seon Song
- College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, 140–742, Korea
| | - Kyong-Tai Kim
- Department of Life Science, Division of Molecular and Life Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790–784, Korea
- Division of Integrative Bioscience and Biotechnology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 790-784, Korea
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Valbuena A, Sanz-García M, López-Sánchez I, Vega FM, Lazo PA. Roles of VRK1 as a new player in the control of biological processes required for cell division. Cell Signal 2011; 23:1267-72. [PMID: 21514377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2011.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cell division, in addition to an accurate transmission of genetic information to daughter cells, also requires the temporal and spatial coordination of several biological processes without which cell division would not be feasible. These processes include the temporal coordination of DNA replication and chromosome segregation, regulation of nuclear envelope disassembly and assembly, chromatin condensation and Golgi fragmentation for its redistribution into daughter cells, among others. However, little is known regarding regulatory proteins and signalling pathways that might participate in the coordination of all these different biological functions. Such regulatory players should directly have a role in the processes leading to cell division. VRK1 (Vaccinia-related kinase 1) is an early response gene required for cyclin D1 expression, regulates p53 by a specific Thr18 phosphorylation, controls chromatin condensation by histone phosphorylation, nuclear envelope assembly by phosphorylation of BANF1, and participates in signalling required for Golgi fragmentation late in the G2 phase. We propose that VRK1, a Ser-Thr kinase, might be a candidate to play an important coordinator role in these cell division processes as part of a novel signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Valbuena
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Downregulation of VRK1 by p53 in response to DNA damage is mediated by the autophagic pathway. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17320. [PMID: 21386980 PMCID: PMC3046209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human VRK1 induces a stabilization and accumulation of p53 by specific phosphorylation in Thr18. This p53 accumulation is reversed by its downregulation mediated by Hdm2, requiring a dephosphorylated p53 and therefore also needs the removal of VRK1 as stabilizer. This process requires export of VRK1 to the cytosol and is inhibited by leptomycin B. We have identified that downregulation of VRK1 protein levels requires DRAM expression, a p53-induced gene. DRAM is located in the endosomal-lysosomal compartment. Induction of DNA damage by UV, IR, etoposide and doxorubicin stabilizes p53 and induces DRAM expression, followed by VRK1 downregulation and a reduction in p53 Thr18 phosphorylation. DRAM expression is induced by wild-type p53, but not by common human p53 mutants, R175H, R248W and R273H. Overexpression of DRAM induces VRK1 downregulation and the opposite effect was observed by its knockdown. LC3 and p62 were also downregulated, like VRK1, in response to UV-induced DNA damage. The implication of the autophagic pathway was confirmed by its requirement for Beclin1. We propose a model with a double regulatory loop in response to DNA damage, the accumulated p53 is removed by induction of Hdm2 and degradation in the proteasome, and the p53-stabilizer VRK1 is eliminated by the induction of DRAM that leads to its lysosomal degradation in the autophagic pathway, and thus permitting p53 degradation by Hdm2. This VRK1 downregulation is necessary to modulate the block in cell cycle progression induced by p53 as part of its DNA damage response.
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