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Bogdanowicz P, Bensadoun P, Noizet M, Béganton B, Philippe A, Alvarez-Georges S, Doat G, Tourette A, Bessou-Touya S, Lemaitre JM, Duplan H. Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16321. [PMID: 39009698 PMCID: PMC11251187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66624-7] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including lifestyle and sun exposure, can contribute to cell senescence, which impairs skin homeostasis, that may in turn lead to skin aging. Senescent cells have a specific secretome, called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that includes MMPs, CXCLs and S100A8/9. Reducing the SASP with senotherapeutics is a promising strategy to reduce skin aging. Here we evaluated the effect of a formula containing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which are known to limit senescence and skin aging. We conducted three different studies. (1) Ex vivo explants treated with the formula had more collagen and glycosaminoglycan. (2) In a clinical trial with forty-four women, two months of treatment improved fine lines, wrinkles, luminosity, smoothness, homogeneity, and plumpness. (3) In a third study on thirty women, we treated one arm for two months and took skin biopsies to study gene expression. 101 mRNAs and 13 miRNAs were differentially expressed. We observed a likely senomorphic effect, as there was a decrease in many SASP genes including MMP12 and CXCL9 and a significant downregulation of autocrine signaling genes: S100A8 and S100A9. These pharmaco-clinical results are the first to demonstrate the senomorphic properties of an effective anti-aging formula in skin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Bensadoun
- INSERM IRMB UMR1183, Hôpital Saint Eloi, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maïté Noizet
- R&D Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique & Personal Care, Toulouse, France
| | - Benoît Béganton
- R&D Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique & Personal Care, Toulouse, France
| | - Armony Philippe
- R&D Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique & Personal Care, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Gautier Doat
- Laboratoires Dermatologiques Avène, Lavaur, France
| | - Amélie Tourette
- R&D Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique & Personal Care, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Jean-Marc Lemaitre
- INSERM IRMB UMR1183, Hôpital Saint Eloi, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
| | - Hélène Duplan
- R&D Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique & Personal Care, Toulouse, France
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2
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Lei Y, Xu J, Xiao M, Wu D, Xu H, Yang J, Mao X, Pan H, Yu X, Shi S. Pirfenidone alleviates fibrosis by acting on tumour-stroma interplay in pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1505-1516. [PMID: 38454166 PMCID: PMC11058874 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02631-9] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of 12%. The abundant mesenchyme is partly responsible for the malignancy. The antifibrotic therapies have gained attention in recent research. However, the role of pirfenidone, an FDA-approved drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, remains unclear in PDAC. METHODS Data from RNA-seq of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models treated with pirfenidone were integrated using bioinformatics tools to identify the target of cell types and genes. Using confocal microscopy, qRT-PCR and western blotting, we validated the signalling pathway in tumour cells to regulate the cytokine secretion. Further cocultured system demonstrated the interplay to regulate stroma fibrosis. Finally, mouse models demonstrated the potential of pirfenidone in PDAC. RESULTS Pirfenidone can remodulate multiple biological pathways, and exerts an antifibrotic effect through inhibiting the secretion of PDGF-bb from tumour cells by downregulating the TGM2/NF-kB/PDGFB pathway. Thus, leading to a subsequent reduction in collagen X and fibronectin secreted by CAFs. Moreover, the mice orthotopic pancreatic tumour models demonstrated the antifibrotic effect and potential to sensitise gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS Pirfenidone may alter the pancreatic milieu and alleviate fibrosis through the regulation of tumour-stroma interactions via the TGM2/NF-kB/PDGFB signalling pathway, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits in PDAC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Lei
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingming Xiao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - He Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqi Mao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoqi Pan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Navals P, Rangaswamy AMM, Kasyanchyk P, Berezovski MV, Keillor JW. Conformational Modulation of Tissue Transglutaminase via Active Site Thiol Alkylating Agents: Size Does Not Matter. Biomolecules 2024; 14:496. [PMID: 38672511 PMCID: PMC11048362 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040496] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
TG2 is a unique member of the transglutaminase family as it undergoes a dramatic conformational change, allowing its mutually exclusive function as either a cross-linking enzyme or a G-protein. The enzyme's dysregulated activity has been implicated in a variety of pathologies (e.g., celiac disease, fibrosis, cancer), leading to the development of a wide range of inhibitors. Our group has primarily focused on the development of peptidomimetic targeted covalent inhibitors, the nature and size of which were thought to be important features to abolish TG2's conformational dynamism and ultimately inhibit both its activities. However, we recently demonstrated that the enzyme was unable to bind guanosine triphosphate (GTP) when catalytically inactivated by small molecule inhibitors. In this study, we designed a library of models targeting covalent inhibitors of progressively smaller sizes (15 to 4 atoms in length). We evaluated their ability to inactivate TG2 by measuring their respective kinetic parameters kinact and KI. Their impact on the enzyme's ability to bind GTP was then evaluated and subsequently correlated to the conformational state of the enzyme, as determined via native PAGE and capillary electrophoresis. All irreversible inhibitors evaluated herein locked TG2 in its open conformation and precluded GTP binding. Therefore, we conclude that steric bulk and structural complexity are not necessary factors to consider when designing TG2 inhibitors to abolish G-protein activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (P.N.); (A.M.M.R.); (P.K.); (M.V.B.)
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4
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Yao Z, Fan Y, Lin L, Kellems RE, Xia Y. Tissue transglutaminase: a multifunctional and multisite regulator in health and disease. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:281-325. [PMID: 37712623 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00003.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a widely distributed multifunctional protein involved in a broad range of cellular and metabolic functions carried out in a variety of cellular compartments. In addition to transamidation, TG2 also functions as a Gα signaling protein, a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a protein kinase, and a scaffolding protein. In the nucleus, TG2 modifies histones and transcription factors. The PDI function catalyzes the trimerization and activation of heat shock factor-1 in the nucleus and regulates the oxidation state of several mitochondrial complexes. Cytosolic TG2 modifies proteins by the addition of serotonin or other primary amines and in this way affects cell signaling. Modification of protein-bound glutamines reduces ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. At the cell membrane, TG2 is associated with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), where it functions in transmembrane signaling. TG2 is also found in the extracellular space, where it functions in protein cross-linking and extracellular matrix stabilization. Of particular importance in transglutaminase research are recent findings concerning the role of TG2 in gene expression, protein homeostasis, cell signaling, autoimmunity, inflammation, and hypoxia. Thus, TG2 performs a multitude of functions in multiple cellular compartments, making it one of the most versatile cellular proteins. Additional evidence links TG2 with multiple human diseases including preeclampsia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, organ fibrosis, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and celiac disease. In conclusion, TG2 provides a multifunctional and multisite response to physiological stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouzhou Yao
- National Medical Metabolomics International Collaborative Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Fan
- National Medical Metabolomics International Collaborative Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lizhen Lin
- National Medical Metabolomics International Collaborative Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Endocrinology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rodney E Kellems
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Yang Xia
- National Medical Metabolomics International Collaborative Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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5
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Selcuk K, Leitner A, Braun L, Le Blanc F, Pacak P, Pot S, Vogel V. Transglutaminase 2 has higher affinity for relaxed than for stretched fibronectin fibers. Matrix Biol 2024; 125:113-132. [PMID: 38135164 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.12.006] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) plays a vital role in stabilizing extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins through enzymatic crosslinking during tissue growth, repair, and inflammation. TG2 also binds non-covalently to fibronectin (FN), an essential component of the ECM, facilitating cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. However, the interaction between TG2 and fibrillar FN remains poorly understood, as most studies have focused on soluble or surface-adsorbed FN or FN fragments, which differ in their conformations from insoluble FN fibers. Using a well-established in vitro FN fiber stretch assay, we discovered that the binding of a crosslinking enzyme to ECM fibers is mechano-regulated. TG2 binding to FN is tuned by the mechanical tension of FN fibers, whereby TG2 predominantly co-localizes to low-tension FN fibers, while fiber stretching reduces their affinity for TG2. This mechano-regulated binding relies on the proximity between the N-terminal β-sandwich and C-terminal β-barrels of TG2. Crosslinking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) revealed a novel TG2-FN synergy site within TG2's C-terminal β-barrels that interacts with FN regions located outside of the canonical gelatin binding domain, specifically FNI2 and FNIII14-15. Combining XL-MS distance restraints with molecular docking revealed the mechano-regulated binding mechanism between TG2 and modules FNI7-9 by which mechanical forces regulate TG2-FN interactions. This highlights a previously unrecognized role of TG2 as a tension sensor for FN fibers. This novel interaction mechanism has significant implications in physiology and mechanobiology, including how forces regulate cell adhesion, spreading, migration, phenotype modulation, depending on the tensional state of ECM fibers. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD043976.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Selcuk
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 37-39 GLC G11, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Leitner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Braun
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 37-39 GLC G11, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Le Blanc
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paulina Pacak
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 37-39 GLC G11, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Pot
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 37-39 GLC G11, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viola Vogel
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 37-39 GLC G11, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
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6
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Chen X, Adhikary G, Newland JJ, Xu W, Keillor JW, Weber DJ, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase 2 Binds to the CD44v6 Cytoplasmic Domain to Stimulate CD44v6/ERK1/2 Signaling and Maintain an Aggressive Cancer Phenotype. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:922-932. [PMID: 37227250 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-23-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a key cancer cell survival protein in many cancer types. As such, efforts are underway to characterize the mechanism of TG2 action. In this study, we report that TG2 stimulates CD44v6 activity to enhance cancer cell survival via a mechanism that involves formation of a TG2/CD44v6/ERK1/2 complex that activates ERK1/2 signaling to drive an aggressive cancer phenotype. TG2 and ERK1/2 bind to the CD44v6 C-terminal intracellular cytoplasmic domain to activate ERK1/2 and stimulate cell proliferation and invasion. This is the same region that binds to ERM proteins and ankyrin to activate CD44v6-dependent cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. We further show that treatment with hyaluronan (HA), the physiologic CD44v6 ligand, stimulates CD44v6 activity, as measured by ERK1/2 activation, but that this response is severely attenuated in TG2 or CD44v6 knockdown or knockout cells. Moreover, treatment with TG2 inhibitor reduces tumor growth and that is associated with reduced CD44v6 level and ERK1/2 activity, and reduced stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These changes are replicated in CD44v6 knockout cells. These findings suggest that a unique TG2/CD44v6/ERK1/2 complex leads to increased ERK1/2 activity to stimulate an aggressive cancer phenotype and stimulate tumor growth. These findings have important implications for cancer stem cell maintenance and suggest that cotargeting of TG2 and CD44v6 with specific inhibitors may be an effective anticancer treatment strategy. IMPLICATIONS TG2 and CD44v6 are important procancer proteins. TG2 and ERK1/2 bind to the CD44v6 C-terminal domain to form a TG2/CD44v6/ERK1/2 complex that activates ERK1/2 to stimulate the cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John J Newland
- Department of Surgery Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David J Weber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
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7
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Gates EWJ, Calvert ND, Cundy NJ, Brugnoli F, Navals P, Kirby A, Bianchi N, Adhikary G, Shuhendler AJ, Eckert RL, Keillor JW. Cell-Impermeable Inhibitors Confirm That Intracellular Human Transglutaminase 2 Is Responsible for the Transglutaminase-Associated Cancer Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12546. [PMID: 37628729 PMCID: PMC10454375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional enzyme primarily responsible for crosslinking proteins. Ubiquitously expressed in humans, TG2 can act either as a transamidase by crosslinking two substrates through formation of an Nε(ɣ-glutaminyl)lysine bond or as an intracellular G-protein. These discrete roles are tightly regulated by both allosteric and environmental stimuli and are associated with dramatic changes in the conformation of the enzyme. The pleiotropic nature of TG2 and multi-faceted activities have resulted in TG2 being implicated in numerous disease pathologies including celiac disease, fibrosis, and cancer. Targeted TG2 therapies have not been selective for subcellular localization, such that currently no tools exist to selectively target extracellular over intracellular TG2. Herein, we have designed novel TG2-selective inhibitors that are not only highly potent and irreversible, but also cell impermeable, targeting only extracellular TG2. We have also further derivatized the scaffold to develop probes that are intrinsically fluorescent or bear an alkyne handle, which target both intra- and extracellular TG2, in order to facilitate cellular labelling and pull-down assays. The fluorescent probes were internalized and imaged in cellulo, and provide the first implicit experimental evidence that by comparison with their cell-impermeable analogues, it is specifically intracellular TG2, and presumably its G-protein activity, that contributes to transglutaminase-associated cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Nicholas D. Calvert
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Nicholas J. Cundy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44021 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Pauline Navals
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Alexia Kirby
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44021 Ferrara, Italy; (F.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (G.A.); (R.L.E.)
| | - Adam J. Shuhendler
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; (G.A.); (R.L.E.)
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; (E.W.J.G.); (N.D.C.); (N.J.C.); (P.N.); (A.K.); (A.J.S.)
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8
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Atobatele AG, Tonoli E, Vadakekolathu J, Savoca MP, Barr M, Kataria Y, Rossanese M, Burhan I, McArdle S, Caccamo D, Verderio EAM. Canonical and truncated transglutaminase-2 regulate mucin-1 expression and androgen independency in prostate cancer cell lines. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:317. [PMID: 37160910 PMCID: PMC10170068 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05818-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Androgen independency is associated with poor prostate cancer (PCa) survival. Here we report that silencing of transglutaminase-2 (TG2) expression by CRISPR-Cas9 is associated with upregulation of androgen receptor (AR) transcription in PCa cell lines. Knockout of TG2 reversed the migratory potential and anchorage independency of PC3 and DU145 cells and revealed a reduced level of mucin-1 (MUC1) RNA transcript through unbiased multi-omics profiling, which was restored by selective add-back of the truncated TG2 isoform (TGM2_v2). Silencing of AR resulted into increased MUC1 in TG2KO PC3 cells showing that TG2 affects transcriptional regulation of MUC1 via repressing AR expression. Treatment of PC3 WT cell line with TG2 inhibitor ZDON led to a significant increase in AR expression and decrease in MUC1. ZDON also blocked the formation of MUC1-multimers labelled with TG amine-donor substrates in reducing conditions, revealing for the first time a role for TG2, which we show to be externalised via extracellular vesicles, in MUC1 stabilisation via calcium-dependent transamidation. A specific antibody towards TGM2_v2 revealed its restricted nuclear location compared to the canonical long form of TG2 (TGM2_v1), which is predominantly cytosolic, suggesting that this form contributes to the previously suggested TG2-mediated NF-κB activation and AR transcriptional repression. As TGM2_v2 transcription was increased in biopsies of early-stage prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) patients compared to subjects presenting inflammatory prostatitis, and total TG2 protein expression significantly increased in PRAD versus normal tissue, the role of TG2 and its truncated form as a prostate malignancy marker is suggested. In conclusion, this investigation has provided the first unbiased discovery of a novel pathway mediated by TG2 via MUC1, which is shown to contribute to androgen insensitivity and malignancy of PCa cells and be upregulated in PCa biopsies, with potential relevance to cancer immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeola Grace Atobatele
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Science Centre, School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF, UK
| | - Elisa Tonoli
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Jayakumar Vadakekolathu
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Maria Pia Savoca
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Melissa Barr
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Yukti Kataria
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Marta Rossanese
- Department of Human and Paediatric Pathology, Polyclinic Hospital University, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Izhar Burhan
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Stephanie McArdle
- John van Geest Cancer Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK
| | - Daniela Caccamo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences & Morpho-Functional Imaging, Polyclinic Hospital University, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta A M Verderio
- School of Science and Technology, Centre for Health, Ageing and Understanding of Disease, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG11 8NS, UK.
- Biological Sciences Department (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
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9
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Chen R, An J, Wang Y, Yang L, Lin Q, Wang Y. LINC01589 serves as a potential tumor-suppressor and immune-related biomarker in endometrial cancer: A review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33536. [PMID: 37058060 PMCID: PMC10101251 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, increasing attention is being paid to biomarkers in endometrial cancer. Immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment has been shown to significantly affect the overall survival (OS) of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) patients. LINC01589 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that is rarely reported in cancer and is assumed to play a role in immune regulation. We therefore evaluated the role of LINC01589 in UCEC using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We analyzed the expression of LINC01589 using the gene expression profiles of LINC01589 in the UCEC projects in TCGA. Comparisons between the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the cancer and adjacent normal tissues of the UCEC projects revealed that LINC01589 expression was decreased in UCEC tissues. A multivariate cox regression analysis indicated that LINC01589 upregulation could serve as an independent prognostic factor for survival. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between LINC01589 expression and B cell, T cell, NK cell, monocytic lineage, and myeloid dendritic cell infiltration in UCEC patients. In addition, 5 clusters of hub genes were detected by comparison of different expression levels of LINC01589 in the UCEC groups. The analysis of the reactome pathway using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed immune-related pathways, including CD22-mediated B cell receptor (BCR) regulation and antigen-activated BCRs, leading to the generation of second messengers and complement cascade pathways that were significantly enriched in the high LINC01589 expression group. Thus, LINC01589 may serve as a prognostic biomarker, as it is associated with immune infiltration in UCEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jian An
- Department of Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Lingling Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingping Lin
- Department of Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yanlong Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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10
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Cundy NJ, Arciszewski J, Gates EWJ, Acton SL, Passley KD, Awoonor-Williams E, Boyd EK, Xu N, Pierson É, Fernandez-Ansieta C, Albert MR, McNeil NMR, Adhikary G, Eckert RL, Keillor JW. Novel irreversible peptidic inhibitors of transglutaminase 2. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:378-385. [PMID: 36846375 PMCID: PMC9945859 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00417h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), also referred to as tissue transglutaminase, plays crucial roles in both protein crosslinking and cell signalling. It is capable of both catalysing transamidation and acting as a G-protein, these activities being conformation-dependent, mutually exclusive, and tightly regulated. The dysregulation of both activities has been implicated in numerous pathologies. TG2 is expressed ubiquitously in humans and is localized both intracellularly and extracellularly. Targeted TG2 therapies have been developed but have faced numerous hurdles including decreased efficacy in vivo. Our latest efforts in inhibitor optimization involve the modification of a previous lead compound's scaffold by insertion of various amino acid residues into the peptidomimetic backbone, and derivatization of the N-terminus with substituted phenylacetic acids, resulting in 28 novel irreversible inhibitors. These inhibitors were evaluated for their ability to inhibit TG2 in vitro and their pharmacokinetic properties, and the most promising candidate 35 (k inact/K I = 760 × 103 M-1 min-1) was tested in a cancer stem cell model. Although these inhibitors display exceptional potency versus TG2, with k inact/K I ratios nearly ten-fold higher than their parent compound, their pharmacokinetic properties and cellular activity limit their therapeutic potential. However, they do serve as a scaffold for the development of potent research tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Cundy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Jane Arciszewski
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Eric W J Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Sydney L Acton
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Kyle D Passley
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Ernest Awoonor-Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Elizabeth K Boyd
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Nancy Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Élise Pierson
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | | | - Marie R Albert
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Nicole M R McNeil
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
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11
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Mader L, Watt SKI, Iyer HR, Nguyen L, Kaur H, Keillor JW. The war on hTG2: warhead optimization in small molecule human tissue transglutaminase inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:277-298. [PMID: 36846370 PMCID: PMC9945866 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00378c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tissue transglutaminase (hTG2) is a multifunctional enzyme with protein cross-linking and G-protein activity, both of which have been implicated in the progression of diseases such as fibrosis and cancer stem cell propagation when dysregulated, prompting the development of small molecule targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) possessing a crucial electrophilic 'warhead'. In recent years there have been significant advances in the library of warheads available for the design of TCIs; however, the exploration of warhead functionality in hTG2 inhibitors has remained relatively stagnant. Herein, we describe a structure-activity relationship study entailing rational design and synthesis for systematic variation of the warhead on a previously reported small molecule inhibitor scaffold, and rigorous kinetic evaluation of inhibitory efficiency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic stability. This study reveals a strong influence on the kinetic parameters k inact and K I with even subtle variation in warhead structure, suggesting that the warhead plays a significant role in not only reactivity, but also binding affinity, which consequently extends to isozyme selectivity. Warhead structure also influences in vivo stability, which we model by measuring intrinsic reactivity with glutathione, as well as stability in hepatocytes and in whole blood, giving insight into degradation pathways and relative therapeutic potential of different functional groups. This work provides fundamental structural and reactivity information highlighting the importance of strategic warhead design for the development of potent hTG2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavleen Mader
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Sarah K I Watt
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Harish R Iyer
- Dalriada Drug Discovery Mississauga Ontario L5N 8G4 Canada
| | - Linh Nguyen
- Dalriada Drug Discovery Mississauga Ontario L5N 8G4 Canada
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- Dalriada Drug Discovery Mississauga Ontario L5N 8G4 Canada
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa Ontario K1N 6N5 Canada
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12
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Peptidic Inhibitors and a Fluorescent Probe for the Selective Inhibition and Labelling of Factor XIIIa Transglutaminase. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041634. [PMID: 36838622 PMCID: PMC9960274 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041634] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) is a transglutaminase of major therapeutic interest for the development of anticoagulants due to its essential role in the blood coagulation cascade. While numerous FXIIIa inhibitors have been reported, they failed to reach clinical evaluation due to their lack of metabolic stability and low selectivity over transglutaminase 2 (TG2). Furthermore, the chemical tools available for the study of FXIIIa activity and localization are extremely limited. To combat these shortcomings, we designed, synthesised, and evaluated a library of 21 novel FXIIIa inhibitors. Electrophilic warheads, linker lengths, and hydrophobic units were varied on small molecule and peptidic scaffolds to optimize isozyme selectivity and potency. A previously reported FXIIIa inhibitor was then adapted for the design of a probe bearing a rhodamine B moiety, producing the innovative KM93 as the first known fluorescent probe designed to selectively label active FXIIIa with high efficiency (kinact/KI = 127,300 M-1 min-1) and 6.5-fold selectivity over TG2. The probe KM93 facilitated fluorescent microscopy studies within bone marrow macrophages, labelling FXIIIa with high efficiency and selectivity in cell culture. The structure-activity trends with these novel inhibitors and probes will help in the future study of the activity, inhibition, and localization of FXIIIa.
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13
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Chen X, Adhikary G, Newland JJ, Xu W, Ma E, Naselsky W, Eckert RL. The transglutaminase 2 cancer cell survival factor maintains mTOR activity to drive an aggressive cancer phenotype. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:90-100. [PMID: 35848131 PMCID: PMC9771885 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23446] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an important cancer stem-like cell survival protein that is highly expressed in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma and drives an aggressive cancer phenotype. In the present study, we show that TG2 knockdown or inactivation results in a reduction in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) level and activity in epidermal cancer stem-like cells which are associated with reduced spheroid formation, invasion, and migration, and reduced cancer stem cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expression. Similar changes were observed in both cultured cells and tumors. mTOR knockdown or treatment with rapamycin phenocopies the reduction in spheroid formation, invasion, and migration, and cancer stem cell and EMT marker expression. Moreover, mTOR appears to be a necessary mediator of TG2 action, as a forced expression of constitutively active mTOR in TG2 knockdown cells partially restores the aggressive cancer phenotype and cancer stem cell and EMT marker expression. Tumor studies show that rapamycin reduces tumor growth and cancer stem cell marker expression and EMT. These studies suggest that TG2 stimulates mTOR activity to stimulate cancer cell stemness and EMT and drive aggressive tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John J. Newland
- Surgery - Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Emily Ma
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Warren Naselsky
- Surgery - Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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14
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Naselsky W, Adhikary G, Shrestha S, Chen X, Ezeka G, Xu W, Friedberg JS, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase 2 enhances hepatocyte growth factor signaling to drive the mesothelioma cancer cell phenotype. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:537-548. [PMID: 35319795 PMCID: PMC10074999 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23399] [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: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an important mesothelioma cancer cell survival protein. However, the mechanism whereby TG2 maintains mesothelioma cell survival is not well understood. We present studies showing that TG2 drives hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-dependent MET receptor signaling to maintain the aggressive mesothelioma cancer phenotype. TG2 increases HGF and MET messenger RNA and protein levels to enhance MET signaling. TG2 inactivation reduces MET tyrosine kinase activity to reduce cancer cell spheroid formation, invasion and migration. We also confirm that HGF/MET signaling is a biologically important mediator of TG2 action. Reducing MET level using genetic methods or treatment with MET inhibitors reduces spheroid formation, invasion and migration and this is associated with reduced MEK1/2 and ERK1/2. In addition, MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 inhibitors suppress the cancer phenotype. Moreover, MET knockout mesothelioma cells form 10-fold smaller tumors compared to wild-type cells and these tumors display reduced MET, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2 activity. These findings suggest that TG2 maintains HGF and MET levels in cultured mesothelioma cells and tumors to drive HGF/MET, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2 signaling to maintain the aggressive mesothelioma cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Naselsky
- Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Suruchi Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Geraldine Ezeka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joseph S Friedberg
- Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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15
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Sima LE, Matei D, Condello S. The Outside-In Journey of Tissue Transglutaminase in Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111779. [PMID: 35681474 PMCID: PMC9179582 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a member of the transglutaminase family that catalyzes Ca2+-dependent protein crosslinks and hydrolyzes guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP). The conformation and functions of TG2 are regulated by Ca2+ and GTP levels; the TG2 enzymatically active open conformation is modulated by high Ca2+ concentrations, while high intracellular GTP promotes the closed conformation, with inhibition of the TG-ase activity. TG2’s unique characteristics and its ubiquitous distribution in the intracellular compartment, coupled with its secretion in the extracellular matrix, contribute to modulate the functions of the protein. Its aberrant expression has been observed in several cancer types where it was linked to metastatic progression, resistance to chemotherapy, stemness, and worse clinical outcomes. The N-terminal domain of TG2 binds to the 42 kDa gelatin-binding domain of fibronectin with high affinity, facilitating the formation of a complex with β-integrins, essential for cellular adhesion to the matrix. This mechanism allows TG2 to interact with key matrix proteins and to regulate epithelial to mesenchymal transition and stemness. Here, we highlight the current knowledge on TG2 involvement in cancer, focusing on its roles translating extracellular cues into activation of oncogenic programs. Improved understanding of these mechanisms could lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting this multi-functional protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Elena Sima
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, 060031 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Daniela Matei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Salvatore Condello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Rangaswamy AMM, Navals P, Gates EWJ, Shad S, Watt SKI, Keillor JW. Structure-activity relationships of hydrophobic alkyl acrylamides as tissue transglutaminase inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:413-428. [PMID: 35647547 PMCID: PMC9020614 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00382h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional protein that plays biological roles based on its ability to catalyse protein cross-linking and to function as a non-canonical G-protein known as Ghα. The non-regulated activity of TG2 has been implicated in fibrosis, celiac disease and the survival of cancer stem cells, underpinning the therapeutic potential of cell permeable small molecule inhibitors of TG2. In the current study, we designed a small library of inhibitors to explore the importance of a terminal hydrophobic moiety, as well as the length of the tether to the irreversible acrylamide warhead. Subsequent kinetic evaluation using an in vitro activity assay provided values for the k inact and K I parameters for each of these irreversible inhibitors. The resulting structure-activity relationship (SAR) clearly indicated the affinity conferred by dansyl and adamantyl moieties, as well as the efficiency provided by the shortest warhead tether. We also provide the first direct evidence of the capability of these inhibitors to suppress the GTP binding ability of TG2, at least partially. However, it is intriguing to note that the SAR trends observed herein are opposite to those predicted by molecular modelling - namely that longer tether groups should improve binding affinity by allowing for deeper insertion of the hydrophobic moiety into a hydrophobic pocket on the enzyme. This discrepancy leads us to question whether the existing crystallographic structures of TG2 are appropriate for docking non-peptidic inhibitors. In the absence of a more relevant crystallographic structure, the data from rigorous kinetic studies, such as those provided herein, are critically important for the development of future small molecule TG2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana M. M. Rangaswamy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Pauline Navals
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Sammir Shad
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Sarah K. I. Watt
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaOntario K1N 6N5Canada
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17
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Structure-activity relationships of N-terminal variants of peptidomimetic tissue transglutaminase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 232:114172. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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18
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Rorke EA, Adhikary G, Szmacinski H, Lakowicz JR, Weber DJ, Godoy-Ruiz R, Puranik P, Keillor JW, Gates EW, Eckert RL. Sulforaphane covalently interacts with the transglutaminase 2 cancer maintenance protein to alter its structure and suppress its activity. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:19-32. [PMID: 34610184 PMCID: PMC8665039 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 transglutaminase (TG2) functions as an important cancer cell survival protein in a range of cancers including epidermal squamous cell carcinoma. TG2 exists in open and closed conformations each of which has a distinct and mutually exclusive activity. The closed conformation has GTP-binding/GTPase activity while the open conformation functions as a transamidase to catalyze protein-protein crosslinking. GTP-binding/GTPase activity is required for TG2 maintenance of the aggressive cancer phenotype. Thus, identifying agents that convert TG2 from the closed to the open GTP-binding/GTPase inactive conformation is an important cancer prevention/treatment strategy. Sulforaphane (SFN) is an important diet-derived cancer prevention agent that is known to possess a reactive isothiocyanate group and has potent anticancer activity. Using a biotin-tagged SFN analog (Biotin-ITC) and kinetic analysis we show that SFN covalently and irreversibly binds to recombinant TG2 to inhibit transamidase activity and shift TG2 to an open/extended conformation, leading to a partial inhibition of GTP binding. We also show that incubation of cancer cells or cancer cell extract with Biotin-ITC results in formation of a TG2/Biotin-ITC complex and that SFN treatment of cancer cells inhibits TG2 transamidase activity and shifts TG2 to an open/extended conformation. These findings identify TG2 as a direct SFN anticancer target in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen A. Rorke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Henryk Szmacinski
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Joseph R. Lakowicz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - David J. Weber
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201,Center for Biomolecular Therapueutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Raquel Godoy-Ruiz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201,Center for Biomolecular Therapueutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Purushottamachar Puranik
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201,Center for Biomolecular Therapueutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | | | - Eric W.J Gates
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201,Center for Biomolecular Therapueutics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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19
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Vildanova M, Vishnyakova P, Saidova A, Konduktorova V, Onishchenko G, Smirnova E. Gibberellic Acid Initiates ER Stress and Activation of Differentiation in Cultured Human Immortalized Keratinocytes HaCaT and Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells A431. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111813. [PMID: 34834228 PMCID: PMC8622727 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diterpenoid plant hormone gibberellic acid (GA) plays an important role in regulation of plant growth and development and is commonly used in agriculture for activation of plant growth and food production. It is known that many plant-derived compounds have miscellaneous biological effects on animals and humans, influencing specific cellular functions and metabolic pathways. However, the effect of GA on animal and human cells remains controversial. We investigated the effect of GA on cultured human cell lines of epidermoid origin-immortalized non-tumorigenic keratinocytes HaCaT and carcinoma A431 cells. We found that at a non-toxic dose, GA upregulated the expression of genes associated with the ER stress response-CHOP, sXBP1, GRP87 in both cell lines, and ATF4 predominantly in A431 cells. We also showed that GA was more effective in upregulating the production of ER stress marker GRP78, autophagy marker LC3B-II, and differentiation markers involucrin and filaggrin in A431 cells than in HaCaT. We conclude that GA induces mild ER stress in both cell lines, followed by the activation of differentiation via upregulation of autophagy. However, in comparison with immortalized keratinocytes HaCaT, GA is more effective in inducing differentiation of carcinoma A431 cells, probably due to the inherently lower differentiation status of A431 cells. The activation of differentiation in poorly differentiated and highly malignant A431 cells by GA may lower the level of malignancy of these cells and decrease their tumorigenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Vildanova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, Bld. 12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.); (V.K.); (G.O.); (E.S.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Polina Vishnyakova
- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, 4 Oparina Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Histology Department, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleena Saidova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, Bld. 12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.); (V.K.); (G.O.); (E.S.)
| | - Victoria Konduktorova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, Bld. 12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.); (V.K.); (G.O.); (E.S.)
| | - Galina Onishchenko
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, Bld. 12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.); (V.K.); (G.O.); (E.S.)
| | - Elena Smirnova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, Bld. 12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.); (V.K.); (G.O.); (E.S.)
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ACTL6A suppresses p21 Cip1 tumor suppressor expression to maintain an aggressive mesothelioma cancer cell phenotype. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:70. [PMID: 34689163 PMCID: PMC8542039 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00362-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelioma is a poor prognosis cancer of the mesothelial lining that develops in response to exposure to various agents including asbestos. Actin-Like Protein 6A (ACTL6A, BAF53a) is a SWI/SNF regulatory complex protein that is elevated in cancer cells and has been implicated as a driver of cancer cell survival and tumor formation. In the present study, we show that ACTL6A drives mesothelioma cancer cell proliferation, spheroid formation, invasion, and migration, and that these activities are markedly attenuated by ACTL6A knockdown. ACTL6A expression reduces the levels of the p21Cip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and tumor suppressor protein. DNA binding studies show that ACTL6A interacts with Sp1 and p53 binding DNA response elements in the p21Cip1 gene promoter and that this is associated with reduced p21Cip1 promoter activity and p21Cip1 mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, ACTL6A suppression of p21Cip1 expression is required for maintenance of the aggressive mesothelioma cancer cell phenotype suggesting that p21Cip1 is a mediator of ACTL6A action. p53, a known inducer of p21Cip1 expression, is involved ACTL6A in regulation of p21Cip1 in some but not all mesothelioma cells. In addition, ACTL6A knockout markedly reduces tumor formation and this is associated with elevated tumor levels of p21Cip1. These findings suggest that ACTL6A suppresses p21Cip1 promoter activity to reduce p21Cip1 protein as a mechanism to maintain the aggressive mesothelioma cell phenotype.
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21
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Chen X, Adhikary G, Shrestha S, Xu W, Keillor JW, Naselsky W, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase 2 Maintains Hepatocyte Growth Factor Signaling to Enhance the Cancer Cell Phenotype. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:2026-2035. [PMID: 34593609 PMCID: PMC10088464 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a key epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cancer cell survival protein. However, how TG2 maintains the aggressive cancer phenotype is not well understood. The present studies show that TG2, which is highly expressed in epidermal cancer stem-like cells (ECS cells), maintains hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling to drive an aggressive ECS cell cancer phenotype. Inhibiting TG2 reduces MET tyrosine kinase receptor expression and activity and attenuates the cancer cell phenotype. Moreover, inhibition of TG2 or HGF/MET function reduces downstream MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 activity, and this is associated with reduced cancer cell spheroid formation, invasion, and migration, and reduced stem and EMT marker expression. Treatment of TG2 knockdown cells with HGF partially restores the aggressive cancer phenotype, confirming that MET signaling is downstream of TG2. MET knockout reduces ERK1/2 signaling, doubles the time to initial tumor appearance, and reduces overall tumor growth. These findings suggest that TG2 maintains HGF/MET and MAPK (MEK1/2 and ERK1/2) signaling to drive the aggressive ECS cell cancer phenotype and tumor formation, and that TG2-dependent MET signaling may be a useful anti-cancer target. IMPLICATIONS: TG2 is an important epidermal squamous cell carcinoma stem cell survival protein. We show that TG2 activates an HGF/MET, MEK1/2 ERK1/2 signaling cascade that maintains the aggressive cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Suruchi Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Warren Naselsky
- Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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22
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Mickle M, Adhikary G, Shrestha S, Xu W, Eckert RL. VGLL4 inhibits YAP1/TEAD signaling to suppress the epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cancer phenotype. Mol Carcinog 2021; 60:497-507. [PMID: 34004031 PMCID: PMC8243851 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) develops in response to ultraviolet light exposure and is among the most common cancers. The transglutaminase 2 cancer cell survival protein stimulates the activity of the YAP1/TEAD transcription complex to drive the expression of genes that promote aggressive epidermal SCC cell invasion, migration, and tumor formation. Therefore, we are interested in mechanisms that may inhibit these events. Vestigial-like protein-4 (VGLL4) is a transcription cofactor/tumor suppressor that inhibits several pro-cancer pathways including YAP1 signaling. Our present studies show that VGLL4 inhibits YAP1/TEAD-dependent transcription to reduce the expression of YAP1 target genes (CCND1, CYR61, and CTGF) and pro-cancer collagen genes (COL1A2 and COL3A1). We further show that loss of these YAP1 regulated genes is required for VGLL4 suppression of the cancer cell phenotype, as forced CCND1 or COL1A2 expression partially restores the aggressive cancer phenotype in VGLL4 expressing cells. Consistent with these findings, VGLL4 expression reduces tumor formation, and this is associated with reduced CCND1, CYR61, CTGF, COL1A2, and COL1A3 mRNA and protein levels, and reduced EMT marker expression. These findings indicate that VGLL4 suppresses the malignant epidermal SCC cancer phenotype by inhibiting YAP1/TEAD-dependent pro-cancer signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKayla Mickle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Suruchi Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Department of Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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23
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Gupta S, Garg S, Kumar V, Chaturvedi A, Misra S, Akhtar N, Rajan S, Kaur J, Lakshmanan M, Jain K. Study of tumor transglutaminase 2 expression in gallbladder cancer - Is it a novel predictor of survival? Ann Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2020; 24:460-468. [PMID: 33234749 PMCID: PMC7691190 DOI: 10.14701/ahbps.2020.24.4.460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds/Aims Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is known to be an important mediator of inflammation induced carcinogenesis pathway. Chronic inflammation is the most important causative factor in Gallbladder cancer (GBC) carcinogenesis. We analyzed the expression of TG2 in GBC and its role as potential prognostic marker, first of its kind study. Methods We analyzed TG2 expression in 100 cases of GBC and 28 cases of non-cancer gallbladder specimen (calculus cholecystitis). We studied TG2 expression in GBC in comparison to control group and evaluated its role as a potential prognostic marker. Results TG2 score (1-9) was calculated by multiplying percentage cytoplasmic expression (P) with intensity of expression (I) in tumor cells. Positive TG-2 expression was observed in 62% of GBC patients compared to only 21% (n=6) in control group (p=0.001). In curative resection subgroup (n=54), TG2 positive patients showed shorter disease free survival rate (p=0.04) and higher rate of recurrence (p=0.03) compared to TG2 negative patients. TG2 positive expression was observed in 15/16 of patients with recurrent disease. In palliative treatment subgroup, patients with strong TG2 positive expression had poorer disease specific survival (p=0.01) as compared to weakly positive group. On multivariate analysis, lymph node status (p=0.03) and TG2 expression (p=0.037), were found to be significant predictor of recurrence and eventual survival. Conclusions Positive TG2 expression was related to higher recurrence rates post curative surgery, shorter disease free and overall survival and ultimately portended poor prognosis. It may be helpful in better prognostication and tailoring therapeutic approach for better management of GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Gupta
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Sudeep Garg
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Arun Chaturvedi
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Sanjeev Misra
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.,AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Naseem Akhtar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Shiv Rajan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Jatinder Kaur
- Molecular Quest Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon, India
| | | | - Kavitha Jain
- Department of Surgical Oncology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
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24
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Ulukan B, Bihorac A, Sipahioglu T, Kiraly R, Fesus L, Telci D. Role of Tissue Transglutaminase Catalytic and Guanosine Triphosphate-Binding Domains in Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:28273-28284. [PMID: 33163811 PMCID: PMC7643270 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c04226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional protein that can act as a cross-linking enzyme, GTPase/ATPase, protein kinase, and protein disulfide isomerase. TG2 is involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and growth, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our previous findings indicate that the increased expression of TG2 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) results in tumor metastasis with a significant decrease in disease- and cancer-specific survival outcome. Given the importance of the prometastatic activity of TG2 in RCC, in the present study, we aim to investigate the relative contribution of TG2's transamidase and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding/GTPase activity in the cell migration, invasion, EMT, and cancer stemness of RCC. For this purpose, the mouse RCC cell line RenCa was transduced with wild-type-TG2 (wt-TG2), GTP-binding deficient-form TG2-R580A, transamidase-deficient form with low GTP-binding affinity TG2-C277S, and transamidase-inactive form TG2-W241A. Our results suggested that predominantly, GTP-binding activity of TG2 is responsible for cell migration and invasion. In addition, CD marker analysis and spheroid assay confirmed that GTP binding/GTPase activity of TG2 is important in the maintenance of mesenchymal character and the cancer stem cell profile. These findings support a prometastatic role for TG2 in RCC that is dependent on the GTP binding/GTPase activity of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burge Ulukan
- Department
of Genetics and Bioengineering, Yeditepe
University, Istanbul 34755, Turkey
| | - Ajna Bihorac
- Department
of Genetics and Bioengineering, Yeditepe
University, Istanbul 34755, Turkey
| | - Tarik Sipahioglu
- Department
of Genetics and Bioengineering, Yeditepe
University, Istanbul 34755, Turkey
| | - Robert Kiraly
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Debrecen, Debrecen H4010, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Fesus
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Debrecen, Debrecen H4010, Hungary
| | - Dilek Telci
- Department
of Genetics and Bioengineering, Yeditepe
University, Istanbul 34755, Turkey
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25
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ACTL6A suppresses p21 Cip1 expression to enhance the epidermal squamous cell carcinoma phenotype. Oncogene 2020; 39:5855-5866. [PMID: 32616890 PMCID: PMC7483332 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1371-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common and highly invasive form of cancer. SCC arises due to ultraviolet light exposure and is associated with increased expression of pro-cancer genes and reduced expression of cancer suppressors. Actin-Like Protein 6A (ACTL6A, BAF53a) is an important protein subunit of the SWI/SNF epigenetic chromatin regulatory complex. ACTL6A is elevated in cancer cells and has been implicated as a driver of cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. In the present study, we show that ACTL6A drives SCC cell proliferation, spheroid formation, invasion and migration, and that these activities are markedly reduced by ACTL6A knockdown. We further show that ACTL6A expression is associated with reduced levels of the p21Cip1 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and tumor suppressor protein. Molecular studies show that ACTL6A interacts with p53 DNA response elements in the p21Cip1 gene promoter to suppress p21Cip1 promoter activity and mRNA and protein level. Additional studies show that an increase in p21Cip1 expression in ACTL6A knockdown cells is required for suppression of the SCC cell phenotype, suggesting that p21Cip1 is a mediator of ACTL6A action. We further show that this regulation is p53 independent. These findings suggest that ACTL6A suppresses p21Cip1 promoter activity to reduce p21Cip1 protein as a mechanism to maintain the aggressive epidermal SCC phenotype.
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26
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Lin HY, Kuei CH, Lee HH, Lin CH, Zheng JQ, Chiu HW, Chen CL, Lin YF. The Gαh/phospholipase C-δ1 interaction promotes autophagosome degradation by activating the Akt/mTORC1 pathway in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:13023-13037. [PMID: 32615541 PMCID: PMC7377847 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lung metastasis (LM) is commonly found in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, the molecular mechanism underlying TNBC metastasis to lungs remains largely unknown. We thus aimed to uncover a possible mechanism for the LM of TNBC. Here we show that the phosphorylation of Akt and mTORC1 was positively but the autophagy activity was negatively correlated with endogenous Gαh levels and cell invasion ability in TNBC cell lines. Whereas the knockdown of Gαh, as well as blocking its binding with PLC-δ1 by a synthetic peptide inhibitor, in the highly invasive MDA-MB231 cells dramatically suppressed Akt/mTORC1 phosphorylation and blocked autophagosome degradation, the overexpression of Gαh in the poorly invasive HCC1806 cells enhanced Akt/mTORC1 phosphorylation but promoted autophagosome degradation. The pharmaceutical inhibition of autophagy initiation by 3-methyladenine was found to rescue the cell invasion ability and LM potential of Gαh-silenced MDA-MB231 cells. In contrast, the inhibition of mTORC1 activity by rapamycin suppressed autophagosome degradation but mitigated the cell invasion ability and LM potential of Gαh-overexpressing HCC1806 cells. These findings demonstrate that the induction of autophagy activity or the inhibition of Akt-mTORC1 axis provides a useful strategy to combat the Gαh/PLC-δ1-driven LM of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yu Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Breast Surgery and General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Xindian District, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hao Kuei
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Xindian District, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsun-Hua Lee
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Vertigo and Balance Impairment Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Che-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Quan Zheng
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Wen Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Long Chen
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Feng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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27
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Liu CM, Yu CC, Lin T, Liao YW, Hsieh PL, Yu CH, Lee SS. E3 ligase STUB1 attenuates stemness and tumorigenicity of oral carcinoma cells via transglutaminase 2 regulation. J Formos Med Assoc 2020; 119:1532-1538. [PMID: 32553686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Oral cancer is amongst the most prevalent cancers worldwide with rising incidence. Various attempts have been made to elucidate its pathogenesis, and we sought to examine the function of a ubiquitin E3 ligase that was encoded by STUB1. METHODS The mRNA expression of STUB1 in oral cancer samples and normal counterparts was determined by qRT-PCR. Numerous assays to assess the features of cancer cells, including self-renewal capacity, invasion and migration abilities were conducted following knockdown or overexpression of STUB1. RESULTS The expression level of STUB1 was reduced in oral cancer, which was associated with a reduced relapse-free survival. Two oral cancer cell lines with low expression of STUB1 (SAS and HSC3) were chosen for the overexpression of STUB1. We showed that ectopic expression of STUB1 led to the downregulation of TGM2, a multifunctional protein that contributed to cancer progression in several cancers. Our results demonstrated that overexpression of STUB1 suppressed the cancer aggressiveness, while restoration of TGM2 reverted the effects. Last, we showed that STUB1 silencing resulted in enhanced cancer features. CONCLUSION The abnormal downregulation of STUB1 may lessen its suppressive effect on TGM2, which induced the onset or exacerbated the progression of oral cancer. The therapeutic approach to enhance the expression of STUB1 could be a promising direction for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ming Liu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chia Yu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Taichen Lin
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Liao
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung
| | - Pei-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Hang Yu
- School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Shiuan-Shinn Lee
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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28
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Amplification of transglutaminase 2 enhances tumor-promoting inflammation in gastric cancers. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:854-864. [PMID: 32467608 PMCID: PMC7272405 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0444-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-promoting inflammation is a hallmark of cancer and is highly associated with tumor progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are major drivers of tumor-promoting inflammation, but due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, the detailed regulatory mechanisms are still under investigation. Here, we investigated a novel role for transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) in the development of tumor-promoting inflammation and recruitment of TAMs to gastric cancer (GC) tissues. When estimated by array comparative genomic hybridization and droplet digital PCR, the copy numbers of the TGM2 gene were amplified in 13.6% (14/103) of GC patients and positively associated with TGM2 expression. Gene set enrichment analysis of expression microarray data for GC samples with high or low TGM2 expression showed that increased TGM2 expression was associated with tumor-promoting inflammation in GC. In addition, the expression of TGM2 was correlated with the expression of markers for macrophages, neutrophils, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Overexpression of TGM2 in GC cells augmented the IL-1β-induced secretion of macrophage-recruiting chemokines and NF-κB activation. TGM2 protein levels were associated with the expression levels of the macrophage marker CD163 in human GC tissue samples. Moreover, GC patients with high expression of TGM2 had a worse prognosis than those with low expression of TGM2. These results suggest TGM2 as a novel regulator of the tumor microenvironment of GC and provide a promising target for constraining tumor-promoting inflammation. An enzyme linked to harmful inflammation that promotes tumor growth could be a target for stomach cancer treatment. The expression of the enzyme transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) has been shown to increase in several types of cancer, but its precise role has been unclear. Sung-Yup Cho at Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea and co-workers measured copy numbers and expression levels of TGM2 in gastric cancer cell lines and in tissue samples from patients undergoing gastrectomy. They found that higher levels of TGM2 were closely associated with increases in various genes that promote the recruitment and activity of tumor-associated macrophages, malfunctioning white blood cells that drive tumor-promoting inflammation. In addition, stomach cancer patients with higher expression of TGM2 had poorer prognoses, indicating the potential therapeutic value of targeting this enzyme.
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29
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Transglutaminase 2 maintains a colorectal cancer stem phenotype by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncotarget 2019; 10:4556-4569. [PMID: 31360304 PMCID: PMC6642042 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a multifunctional protein, is reported in regulating the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype in various cancers. Our previous work suggested the link between TG2 and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we demonstrate the importance of TG2 in CSC development in human CRC cell lines HCT116 and SW620. CRC spheroid cells showed increased CSC characteristics over their monolayer cells with increased expression of CD44 and over expression of Oct3/4, Sox2 and Nanog. They also showed increased EMT and invasiveness, and enhanced expression of TG2. TG2 inhibition by its selective inhibitor 1-155 reduced both spheroid formation and invasive potential of the spheroid cells. β-catenin, a mediator of stem cell maintenance, was overexpressed in the spheroid cells and could be attenuated by TG2 inhibition. Spheroid cells possessed increased angiogenesis stimulating ability via overexpression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Increased VEGF was present in the culture media from spheroid cells when compared to monolayer cultures which could be reduced by selective inhibition by 1-155. Stemness and malignancy in the colorectal spheroid cells was associated with increased TG2, EMT, β-catenin and VEGF. Here we demonstrate that inhibiting TG2 reduces both stemness and angiogenic stimulating activity in CRC.
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30
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Eckert RL. Transglutaminase 2 takes center stage as a cancer cell survival factor and therapy target. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:837-853. [PMID: 30693974 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has emerged as a key cancer cell survival factor that drives epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammation, drug resistance, cancer stem cell survival and stemness, and invasion and migration. TG2 can exist in a GTP-bound signaling-active conformation or in a transamidase-active conformation. The GTP bound conformation of TG2 contributes to cell survival and the transamidase conformation can contribute to cell survival or death. We present evidence suggesting that TG2 has a role in human cancer, summarize what is known about the TG2 mechanism of action in a range of cancer types, and discuss TG2 as a cancer therapy target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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31
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Oltulu F, Uysal A, Rouhrazi H, Kılıç KD, Çalık Kocatürk D, Öktem G. Zoledronik asit uygulamasının meme kanseri hücre hattı (mcf 7) kanser kök hücrelerinin üzerine otofaji gen seviyesindeki etkilerinin araştırılması. EGE TIP DERGISI 2019. [DOI: 10.19161/etd.417985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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32
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Adhikary G, Grun D, Alexander HR, Friedberg JS, Xu W, Keillor JW, Kandasamy S, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase is a mesothelioma cancer stem cell survival protein that is required for tumor formation. Oncotarget 2018; 9:34495-34505. [PMID: 30349644 PMCID: PMC6195372 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the mesothelial cell layer of the pleura, peritoneum, pericardium and tunica vaginalis. It is typically caused by asbestos, notoriously resistant to chemotherapy and generally considered incurable with a poor life expectancy. Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a GTP binding regulatory protein, is an important cancer stem cell survival and therapy resistance factor. We show that TG2 is highly expressed in human mesothelioma tumors and in mesothelioma cancer stem cells (MCS cells). TG2 knockdown or TG2 inhibitor treatment reduces MCS cell spheroid formation, matrigel invasion, migration and tumor formation. Time to tumor first appearance is doubled in TG2 knockout cells as compared to wild-type. In addition, TG2 loss is associated with reduced expression of stemness, and epithelial mesenchymal transition markers, and enhanced apoptosis. These studies indicate that TG2 is an important MCS cell survival protein and suggest that TG2 may serve as a mesothelioma cancer stem cell therapy target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautam Adhikary
- 1 Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel Grun
- 1 Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - H. Richard Alexander
- 7 Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Joseph S. Friedberg
- 4 Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,5 Department of Surgery and Division of General and Surgical Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wen Xu
- 1 Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Sivaveera Kandasamy
- 5 Department of Surgery and Division of General and Surgical Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- 1 Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,2 Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,3 Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,4 Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Katt WP, Blobel NJ, Komarova S, Antonyak MA, Nakano I, Cerione RA. A small molecule regulator of tissue transglutaminase conformation inhibits the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 9:34379-34397. [PMID: 30344949 PMCID: PMC6188150 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein crosslinking enzyme tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is an acyltransferase which catalyzes transamidation reactions between two proteins, or between a protein and a polyamine. It is frequently overexpressed in several different types of human cancer cells, where it has been shown to contribute to their growth, survival, and invasiveness. tTG is capable of adopting two distinct conformational states: a protein crosslinking active (“open”) state, and a GTP-bound, crosslinking inactive (“closed”) state. We have previously shown that the ectopic expression of mutant forms of tTG, which constitutively adopt the open conformation, are toxic to cells. This raises the possibility that strategies directed toward causing tTG to maintain an open state could potentially provide a therapeutic benefit for cancers in which tTG is highly expressed. Here, we report the identification of a small molecule, TTGM 5826, which stabilizes the open conformation of tTG. Treatment of breast and brain cancer cell lines, as well as glioma stem cells, with this molecule broadly inhibits their transformed phenotypes. Thus, TTGM 5826 represents the lead compound for a new class of small molecules that promote the toxicity of cancer cells by stabilizing the open state of tTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Katt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas J Blobel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Svetlana Komarova
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Marc A Antonyak
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ichiro Nakano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Role of Transglutaminase 2 in Migration of Tumor Cells and How Mouse Models Fit. Med Sci (Basel) 2018; 6:medsci6030070. [PMID: 30200219 PMCID: PMC6164270 DOI: 10.3390/medsci6030070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A search for the "magic bullet", a molecule, the targeting abilities of which could stop the migration of tumor cells, is currently underway, but remains in the early stages. There are still many unknowns regarding the cell migration. The main approach is the employment of mouse models, that are sources of valuable information, but still cannot answer all of the questions. One of the molecules of interest is Transglutaminase 2 (TG2). It is a well-described molecule involved in numerous pathways and elevated in metastatic tumors. The question remains whether mice and humans can give the same answer considering TG2.
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Grun D, Adhikary G, Eckert RL. NRP-1 interacts with GIPC1 and α6/β4-integrins to increase YAP1/∆Np63α-dependent epidermal cancer stem cell survival. Oncogene 2018; 37:4711-4722. [PMID: 29755126 PMCID: PMC6381998 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0290-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We have identified an epidermal cancer stem (ECS) cell population that drives formation of rapidly growing and highly invasive and vascularized tumors. VEGF-A and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) are highly expressed in ECS cell tumors and VEGF-A/NRP-1 interaction is required for ECS cell survival and tumor vascularization. We now identify a novel signaling cascade that is triggered by VEGF-A/NRP-1. We show that NRP-1 forms a complex with GIPC1 and α6/β4-integrin to activate FAK/Src signaling, which leads to stabilization of a YAP1/∆Np63α to enhance ECS cell survival, invasion, and angiogenesis. Loss of NRP-1, GIPC1, α6/β4-integrins, YAP1, or ∆Np63α reduces these responses. Moreover, restoration of constituently active YAP1 or ∆Np63α in NRP-1 null cells restores the ECS cell phenotype. Tumor xenograft experiments show that NRP-1 knockout ECS cells form small tumors characterized by reduced vascularization as compared to wild-type cells. The NRP-1 knockout tumors display signaling changes consistent with a role for the proposed signaling cascade. These studies suggest that VEGF-A interacts with NRP-1 and GIPC1 to regulate α6/β4-integrin, FAK, Src, PI3K/PDK1, LATS1 signaling to increase YAP1/∆Np63α accumulation to drive ECS cell survival, angiogenesis, and tumor formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA. .,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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36
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Monteagudo A, Feola J, Natola H, Ji C, Pröschel C, Johnson GVW. Depletion of astrocytic transglutaminase 2 improves injury outcomes. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 92:128-136. [PMID: 29969654 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play an indispensable role in maintaining a healthy, functional neural network in the central nervous system (CNS). A primary function of CNS astrocytes is to support the survival and function of neurons. In response to injury, astrocytes take on a reactive phenotype, which alters their molecular functions. Reactive astrocytes have been reported to be both beneficial and harmful to the CNS recovery process subsequent to injury. Understanding the molecular processes and regulatory proteins that determine the extent to which an astrocyte hinders or supports neuronal survival is important within the context of CNS repair. One protein that plays a role in modulating cellular survival is transglutaminase 2 (TG2). Global deletion of TG2 results in beneficial outcomes subsequent to in vivo ischemic brain injury. Ex vivo studies have also implicated TG2 as a negative regulator of astrocyte viability subsequent to injury. In this study we show that knocking down TG2 in astrocytes significantly increases their ability to protect neurons from oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)/reperfusion injury. To begin to understand how deletion of TG2 in astrocytes improves their ability to protect neurons from injury, we performed transcriptome analysis of wild type and TG2-/- astrocytes. TG2 deletion resulted in alterations in genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, cell adhesion and axon growth/guidance. In addition, the majority of genes that showed increases in the TG2-/- astrocytes had predicted cJun/AP-1 binding motifs in their promoters. Furthermore, phospho-cJun levels were robustly elevated in TG2-/- astrocytes, a finding which was consistent with the increase in expression of AP-1 responsive genes. These in vitro data were subsequently extended into an in vivo model to determine whether the absence of astrocytic TG2 improves outcomes after CNS injury. Our results show that, following a spinal cord injury, scar formation is significantly attenuated in mice with astrocyte-specific TG2 deletion compared to mice expressing normal TG2 levels. Taken together, these data indicate that TG2 plays a pivotal role in mediating reactive astrocyte properties following CNS injury. Further, the data suggest that limiting the AP-1 mediated pro-survival injury response may be a contributing factor to that the detrimental effects of astrocytic TG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Monteagudo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Julianne Feola
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Heather Natola
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Changyi Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Christoph Pröschel
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Gail V W Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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37
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Oteng-Pabi SK, Clouthier CM, Keillor JW. Design of a glutamine substrate tag enabling protein labelling mediated by Bacillus subtilis transglutaminase. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197956. [PMID: 29847605 PMCID: PMC5976192 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminases (TGases) are enzymes that catalyse protein cross-linking through a transamidation reaction between the side chain of a glutamine residue on one protein and the side chain of a lysine residue on another. Generally, TGases show low substrate specificity with respect to their amine substrate, such that a wide variety of primary amines can participate in the modification of specific glutamine residue. Although a number of different TGases have been used to mediate these bioconjugation reactions, the TGase from Bacillus subtilis (bTG) may be particularly suited to this application. It is smaller than most TGases, can be expressed in a soluble active form, and lacks the calcium dependence of its mammalian counterparts. However, little is known regarding this enzyme and its glutamine substrate specificity, limiting the scope of its application. In this work, we designed a FRET-based ligation assay to monitor the bTG-mediated conjugation of the fluorescent proteins Clover and mRuby2. This assay allowed us to screen a library of random heptapeptide glutamine sequences for their reactivity with recombinant bTG in bacterial cells, using fluorescence assisted cell sorting. From this library, several reactive sequences were identified and kinetically characterized, with the most reactive sequence (YAHQAHY) having a kcat/KM value of 19 ± 3 μM-1 min-1. This sequence was then genetically appended onto a test protein as a reactive 'Q-tag' and fluorescently labelled with dansyl-cadaverine, in the first demonstration of protein labelling mediated by bTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel K. Oteng-Pabi
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Catalysis and Research Innovation, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher M. Clouthier
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Catalysis and Research Innovation, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Centre for Catalysis and Research Innovation, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Wodtke R, Hauser C, Ruiz-Gómez G, Jäckel E, Bauer D, Lohse M, Wong A, Pufe J, Ludwig FA, Fischer S, Hauser S, Greif D, Pisabarro MT, Pietzsch J, Pietsch M, Löser R. Nε-Acryloyllysine Piperazides as Irreversible Inhibitors of Transglutaminase 2: Synthesis, Structure–Activity Relationships, and Pharmacokinetic Profiling. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4528-4560. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Wodtke
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Fakultät Natur- und Umweltwissenschaften, Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763 Zittau, Germany
- Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christoph Hauser
- Zentrum für Pharmakologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität zu Köln, Gleueler Straße 24, 50931 Köln, Germany
| | - Gloria Ruiz-Gómez
- Structural Bioinformatics, BIOTEC, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Jäckel
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Fakultät Natur- und Umweltwissenschaften, Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763 Zittau, Germany
| | - David Bauer
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Lohse
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Fakultät Natur- und Umweltwissenschaften, Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763 Zittau, Germany
| | - Alan Wong
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Johanna Pufe
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Friedrich-Alexander Ludwig
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Forschungsstelle Leipzig, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffen Fischer
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Forschungsstelle Leipzig, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Hauser
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dieter Greif
- Fakultät Natur- und Umweltwissenschaften, Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz, Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763 Zittau, Germany
| | - M. Teresa Pisabarro
- Structural Bioinformatics, BIOTEC, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Markus Pietsch
- Zentrum für Pharmakologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität zu Köln, Gleueler Straße 24, 50931 Köln, Germany
| | - Reik Löser
- Institut für Radiopharmazeutische Krebsforschung, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Fakultät Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, Technische Universität Dresden, Mommsenstraße 4, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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Sullivan KE, Rojas K, Cerione RA, Nakano I, Wilson KF. The stem cell/cancer stem cell marker ALDH1A3 regulates the expression of the survival factor tissue transglutaminase, in mesenchymal glioma stem cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:22325-22343. [PMID: 28423611 PMCID: PMC5410226 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (tTG), a dual-function enzyme with GTP-binding and acyltransferase activities, has been implicated in the survival and chemotherapy resistance of aggressive cancer cells and cancer stem cells, including glioma stem cells (GSCs). Using a model system comprising two distinct subtypes of GSCs referred to as proneural (PN) and mesenchymal (MES), we find that the phenotypically aggressive and radiation therapy-resistant MES GSCs exclusively express tTG relative to PN GSCs. As such, the self-renewal, proliferation, and survival of these cells was sensitive to treatment with tTG inhibitors, with a benefit being observed when combined with the standard of care for high grade gliomas (i.e. radiation or temozolomide). Efforts to understand the molecular drivers of tTG expression in MES GSCs revealed an unexpected link between tTG and a common marker for stem cells and cancer stem cells, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3). ALDH1A3, as well as other members of the ALDH1 subfamily, can function in cells as a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase to generate retinoic acid (RA) from retinal. We show that the enzymatic activity of ALDH1A3 and its product, RA, are necessary for the observed expression of tTG in MES GSCs. Additionally, the ectopic expression of ALDH1A3 in PN GSCs is sufficient to induce the expression of tTG in these cells, further demonstrating a causal link between ALDH1A3 and tTG. Together, these findings ascribe a novel function for ALDH1A3 in an aggressive GSC phenotype via the up-regulation of tTG, and suggest the potential for a similar role by ALDH1 family members across cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kathy Rojas
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ichiro Nakano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kristin F Wilson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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40
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Akbar A, McNeil NMR, Albert MR, Ta V, Adhikary G, Bourgeois K, Eckert RL, Keillor JW. Structure-Activity Relationships of Potent, Targeted Covalent Inhibitors That Abolish Both the Transamidation and GTP Binding Activities of Human Tissue Transglutaminase. J Med Chem 2017; 60:7910-7927. [PMID: 28858494 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human tissue transglutaminase (hTG2) is a multifunctional enzyme. It is primarily known for its calcium-dependent transamidation activity that leads to formation of an isopeptide bond between glutamine and lysine residues found on the surface of proteins, but it is also a GTP binding protein. Overexpression and unregulated hTG2 activity have been associated with numerous human diseases, including cancer stem cell survival and metastatic phenotype. Herein, we present a series of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) based on our previously reported Cbz-Lys scaffold. From this structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, novel irreversible inhibitors were identified that block the transamidation activity of hTG2 and allosterically abolish its GTP binding ability with a high degree of selectivity and efficiency (kinact/KI > 105 M-1 min-1). One optimized inhibitor (VA4) was also shown to inhibit epidermal cancer stem cell invasion with an EC50 of 3.9 μM, representing a significant improvement over our previously reported "hit" NC9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Akbar
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa , 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Nicole M R McNeil
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa , 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Marie R Albert
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa , 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Viviane Ta
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa , 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Karine Bourgeois
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa , 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa , 10 Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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41
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Kerr C, Adhikary G, Grun D, George N, Eckert RL. Combination cisplatin and sulforaphane treatment reduces proliferation, invasion, and tumor formation in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2017; 57:3-11. [PMID: 28796401 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma is an extremely common type of cancer. Early tumors can be successfully treated by surgery, but recurrent disease is aggressive and resistant to therapy. Cisplatin is often used as a treatment, but the outcome is rarely satisfactory. For this reason new strategies are required. Sulforaphane is a diet-derived cancer prevention agent that is effective in suppressing tumor growth in animal models of skin cancer. We monitored the efficacy of sulforaphane and cisplatin as a combined therapy for squamous cell carcinoma. Both agents suppress cell proliferation, growth of cancer stem cell spheroids, matrigel invasion and migration of SCC-13 and HaCaT cells, and combination treatment is more efficient. In addition, SCC-13 cell derived cancer stem cells are more responsive to these agents than non-stem cancer cells. Both agents suppress tumor formation, but enhanced suppression is observed with combined treatment. Moreover, both agents reduce the number of tumor-resident cancer stem cells. SFN treatment of cultured cells or tumors increases apoptosis and p21Cip1 level, and both agents increase tumor apoptosis. We suggest that combined therapy with sulforaphane and cisplatin is efficient in suppressing tumor formation and may be a treatment option for advanced epidermal squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicholas George
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Dermatology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of The Reproductive Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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42
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Fisher ML, Adhikary G, Kerr C, Grun D, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase 2 Is a Direct Target Gene of YAP-TAZ-Response. Cancer Res 2017; 77:4736. [PMID: 28811329 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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43
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Bagatur Y, Ilter Akulke AZ, Bihorac A, Erdem M, Telci D. Tissue transglutaminase expression is necessary for adhesion, metastatic potential and cancer stemness of renal cell carcinoma. Cell Adh Migr 2017; 12:138-151. [PMID: 28498731 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2017.1322255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is the ubiquitously expressed member of transglutaminase family and shown to play a critical role in the development and progression of drug resistance malignancies. We have previously showed the association of TG2 upregulation with progression and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and low disease-free survival. In the present study we further investigate the role of TG2 in cell adhesion, migration and invasion of RCC by silencing TG2 expression in Caki-2 and A-498 primary site and Caki-1 and ACHN metastatic site RCC cell lines. Downregulation of TG2 expression led up to a 60% decrease in actin stress fiber formation and adhesion to β 1 integrin (ITGB1) substrates fibronectin, collagen type I and laminin in both primary and metastatic site RCC cell lines. In addition, treatment with siRNAs against TG2 impaired the migration capacity and cellular invasiveness of ITGB1 substrates in all 4 RCC cell lines. Lastly, the knockdown of TG2 in metastatic Caki-1 cells diminished the expression of CD44, CD73-and CD105 cancer stem cell-like markers. We conclude, for the first time, that TG2 expression is critical for cancer cell adhesion, migration, invasiveness and cancer cell-stemness during RCC progression and dissemination. Therefore, combined targeting of TG2 with drugs widely used in the treatment of RCC may be a promising therapeutic strategy for RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Bagatur
- a Department of Genetics and Bioengineering , Yeditepe University , Istanbul , Turkey
| | | | - Ajna Bihorac
- a Department of Genetics and Bioengineering , Yeditepe University , Istanbul , Turkey
| | - Merve Erdem
- a Department of Genetics and Bioengineering , Yeditepe University , Istanbul , Turkey
| | - Dilek Telci
- a Department of Genetics and Bioengineering , Yeditepe University , Istanbul , Turkey
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44
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Kerr C, Szmacinski H, Fisher ML, Nance B, Lakowicz JR, Akbar A, Keillor JW, Wong TL, Godoy-Ruiz R, Toth EA, Weber DJ, Eckert RL. Transamidase site-targeted agents alter the conformation of the transglutaminase cancer stem cell survival protein to reduce GTP binding activity and cancer stem cell survival. Oncogene 2017; 36:2981-2990. [PMID: 27941875 PMCID: PMC5444990 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 transglutaminase (TG2) is an important cancer stem cell survival protein that exists in open and closed conformations. The major intracellular form is the closed conformation that functions as a GTP-binding GTPase and is required for cancer stem cell survival. However, at a finite rate, TG2 transitions to an open conformation that exposes the transamidase catalytic site involved in protein-protein crosslinking. The activities are mutually exclusive, as the closed conformation has GTP binding/GTPase activity, and the open conformation transamidase activity. We recently showed that GTP binding, but not transamidase activity, is required for TG2-dependent cancer stem cell invasion, migration and tumour formation. However, we were surprised that transamidase site-specific inhibitors reduce cancer stem cell survival. We now show that compounds NC9, VA4 and VA5, which react exclusively at the TG2 transamidase site, inhibit both transamidase and GTP-binding activities. Transamidase activity is inhibited by direct inhibitor binding at the transamidase site, and GTP binding is blocked because inhibitor interaction at the transamidase site locks the protein in the extended/open conformation to disorganize/inactivate the GTP binding/GTPase site. These findings suggest that transamidase site-specific inhibitors can inhibit GTP binding/signalling by driving a conformation change that disorganizes the TG2 GTP binding to reduce TG2-dependent signalling, and that drugs designed to target this site may be potent anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Henryk Szmacinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Matthew L. Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Bailey Nance
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Joseph R. Lakowicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - Abdullah Akbar
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Tin Lok Wong
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, and Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Raquel Godoy-Ruiz
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, and Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Eric A. Toth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, and Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, Rockville, Maryland
| | - David J. Weber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, and Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Richard L. Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Department of Reproductive Biology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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45
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Fisher ML, Kerr C, Adhikary G, Grun D, Xu W, Keillor JW, Eckert RL. Transglutaminase Interaction with α6/β4-Integrin Stimulates YAP1-Dependent ΔNp63α Stabilization and Leads to Enhanced Cancer Stem Cell Survival and Tumor Formation. Cancer Res 2016; 76:7265-7276. [PMID: 27780825 PMCID: PMC5161627 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) expression is required for epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cell survival. However, the molecular signaling mechanisms triggered by TG2 that mediate this survival action are not well understood. Here we show that TG2 is constitutively expressed in ECS cells, where it interacts with α6/β4 integrin to stimulate FAK and Src signaling, leading to PI3K activation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). PDK1 inhibits Hippo signaling, leading to enhanced nuclear accumulation of YAP1, which interacted with and stabilized ΔNp63α to enhance epidermal squamous cell carcinoma spheroid formation, invasion, and migration. Overall, these findings suggest that constitutive TG2 expression results in stabilization of ΔNp63α, leading to maintenance of cancer stem cell properties and enhanced tumor formation. Cancer Res; 76(24); 7265-76. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dan Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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46
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Fisher ML, Adhikary G, Grun D, Kaetzel DM, Eckert RL. The Ezh2 polycomb group protein drives an aggressive phenotype in melanoma cancer stem cells and is a target of diet derived sulforaphane. Mol Carcinog 2016; 55:2024-2036. [PMID: 26693692 PMCID: PMC4919248 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a metastatic cancer associated with poor survival. Here, we study a subpopulation of melanoma cancer cells displaying melanoma cancer stem cell (MCS cells) properties including elevated expression of stem cell markers, increased ability to survive as spheroids, and enhanced cell migration and invasion. We show that the Ezh2 stem cell survival protein is enriched in MCS cells and that Ezh2 knockdown or treatment with small molecule Ezh2 inhibitors, GSK126 or EPZ-6438, reduces Ezh2 activity. This reduction is associated with a reduced MCS cell spheroid formation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, the diet-derived cancer prevention agent, sulforaphane (SFN), suppresses MCS cell survival and this is associated with loss of Ezh2. Forced expression of Ezh2 partially reverses SFN suppression of MCS cell spheroid formation, migration, and invasion. A375 melanoma cell-derived MCS cells form rapidly growing tumors in immune-compromised mice and SFN treatment of these tumors reduces tumor growth and this is associated with reduced Ezh2 level and H3K27me3 formation, reduced matrix metalloproteinase expression, increased TIMP3 expression and increased apoptosis. These studies identify Ezh2 as a MCS cell marker and cancer stem cell prevention target, and suggest that SFN acts to reduce melanoma tumor formation via a mechanism that includes suppression of Ezh2 function. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dan Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David M Kaetzel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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47
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Huang H, Chen Z, Ni X. Tissue transglutaminase-1 promotes stemness and chemoresistance in gastric cancer cells by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 242:194-202. [PMID: 27660242 DOI: 10.1177/1535370216670541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a common malignancy, and is one of the most frequent causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Recently, members of the transglutaminases (TGM) family, especially TGM2, have been implicated in the progression and drug resistance of cancers, but the function of TGM1 in cancer development has been largely overlooked. In this study, we demonstrate the roles of TGM1 in development of gastric cancer. We found that expression levels of TGM1 were upregulated in both gastric cancer tissues and cultured gastric cancer cells, and that TGM1 expression levels were correlated with patient survival. In cultured gastric cancer cells, loss of TGM1 expression inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis, as well increased gastric cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs and reducing stemness. These results strongly supported the participation of TGM1 in the regulation of gastric cancer development. In addition, we found evidence that the mechanism of action of TGM1 in regulating gastric cancer cell might involve the Wnt signaling pathway, as loss of TGM1 expression in gastric cancer cells led to a significant suppression of Wnt signaling activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Huang
- 1 Department of General Surgery, Oilfield General Hospital of Daqing, Daqing 163001, China
| | - Zhiqi Chen
- 1 Department of General Surgery, Oilfield General Hospital of Daqing, Daqing 163001, China
| | - Xiuqin Ni
- 2 Department of Anatomy, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
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48
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Agnihotri N, Mehta K. Transglutaminase-2: evolution from pedestrian protein to a promising therapeutic target. Amino Acids 2016; 49:425-439. [PMID: 27562794 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability of cancer cells to metastasize represents the most devastating feature of cancer. Currently, there are no specific biomarkers or therapeutic targets that can be used to predict the risk or to treat metastatic cancer. Many recent reports have demonstrated elevated expression of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in multiple drug-resistant and metastatic cancer cells. TG2 is a multifunctional protein mostly known for catalyzing Ca2+-dependent -acyl transferase reaction to form protein crosslinks. Besides this transamidase activity, many Ca2+-independent and non-enzymatic activities of TG2 have been identified. Both, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of TG2 have been implicated in diverse pathophysiological processes such as wound healing, cell growth, cell survival, extracellular matrix modification, apoptosis, and autophagy. Tumors have been frequently referred to as 'wounds that never heal'. Based on the observation that TG2 plays an important role in wound healing and inflammation is known to facilitate cancer growth and progression, we discuss the evidence that TG2 can reprogram inflammatory signaling networks that play fundamental roles in cancer progression. TG2-regulated signaling bestows on cancer cells the ability to proliferate, to resist cell death, to invade, to reprogram glucose metabolism and to metastasize, the attributes that are considered important hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, inhibiting TG2 may offer a novel therapeutic approach for managing and treatment of metastatic cancer. Strategies to inhibit TG2-regulated pathways will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneet Agnihotri
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Unit 1950, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1901 East Road, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, 110 014, India.
| | - Kapil Mehta
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Unit 1950, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1901 East Road, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,MolQ Personalized Medicine, 4505 Maple Street, Bellaire, TX, 77401, USA.
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49
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Zhang H, Chen Z, Miranda RN, Medeiros LJ, McCarty N. TG2 and NF-κB Signaling Coordinates the Survival of Mantle Cell Lymphoma Cells via IL6-Mediated Autophagy. Cancer Res 2016; 76:6410-6423. [PMID: 27488529 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-0595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the transglutaminase TG2 has been linked to constitutive activation of NF-κB and chemotherapy resistance in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells. TG2 forms complexes with NF-κB components, but mechanistic insights that could be used to leverage therapeutic responses has been lacking. In the current study, we address this issue with the discovery of an unexpected role for TG2 in triggering autophagy in drug-resistant MCL cells through induction of IL6. CRISPR-mediated silencing of TG2 delayed apoptosis while overexpressing TG2 enhanced tumor progression. Under stress, TG2 and IL6 mediate enhanced autophagy formation to promote MCL cell survival. Interestingly, the autophagy product ATG5 involved in autophagosome elongation positively regulated TG2/NF-κB/IL6 signaling, suggesting a positive feedback loop. Our results uncover an interconnected network of TG2/NF-κB and IL6/STAT3 signaling with autophagy regulation in MCL cells, the disruption of which may offer a promising therapeutic strategy. Cancer Res; 76(21); 6410-23. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Disease, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM), The University of Texas-Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Zheng Chen
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Disease, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM), The University of Texas-Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Roberto N Miranda
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - L Jeffrey Medeiros
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nami McCarty
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Disease, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM), The University of Texas-Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
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50
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Eckert RL, Fisher ML, Grun D, Adhikary G, Xu W, Kerr C. Transglutaminase is a tumor cell and cancer stem cell survival factor. Mol Carcinog 2015; 54:947-58. [PMID: 26258961 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that cancer cells express elevated levels of type II transglutaminase (TG2), and that expression is further highly enriched in cancer stem cells derived from these cancers. Moreover, elevated TG2 expression is associated with enhanced cancer stem cell marker expression, survival signaling, proliferation, migration, invasion, integrin-mediated adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. TG2 expression is also associated with formation of aggressive and metastatic tumors that are resistant to conventional therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the role of TG2 as a cancer cell survival factor in a range of tumor types, and as a target for preventive and therapeutic intervention. The literature supports the idea that TG2, in the closed/GTP-binding/signaling conformation, drives cancer cell and cancer stem cell survival, and that TG2, in the open/crosslinking conformation, is associated with cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,The Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dan Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,The Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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