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Wang K, Yan L, Qiu X, Chen H, Gao F, Ge W, Lian Z, Wei X, Wang S, He H, Xu X. PAK1 inhibition increases TRIM21-induced PD-L1 degradation and enhances responses to anti-PD-1 therapy in pancreatic cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167236. [PMID: 38740225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a common malignancy with a 5-year survival <10 %. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in the progression of PDA. In recent years, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade has emerged as a potent anti-tumor immunotherapy, while is yet to achieve significant clinical benefits for PDA patients. P21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is highly upregulated in PDA and has been reported to be involved in the regulation of anti-tumor immunity. This study aims to investigate the combined effect of PAK1 inhibition and anti-PD-1 therapy on PDA and the underlying mechanisms. We have shown that PAK1 expression positively correlated with PD-L1 in PDA patients, and that inhibition of PAK1 downregulated PD-L1 expression of PDA cells. More importantly, we have demonstrated that PAK1 competed with PD-L1 in binding to tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21), a ubiquitin E3 ligase, resulting in less ubiquitination and degradation of PD-L1. Moreover, PAK1 inhibition promoted CD8+ T cells activation and infiltration. In a murine PDA model, the combination of PAK1 inhibition and anti-PD-1 therapy showed significant anti-tumor effects compared with the control or monotherapy. Our results indicated that the combination of PAK1 inhibition and anti-PD-1 therapy would be a more effective treatment for PDA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lili Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xun Qiu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huan Chen
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Fengqiang Gao
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenwen Ge
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhengxing Lian
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Oncology and Intelligent Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
| | - Xiao Xu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China; Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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林 琳, 常 静, 田 耀, 陈 姣. [Computer-aided prediction and molecular mechanism investigation of active components in compound Kushen injection inhibiting p21-activated kinase 1]. SHENG WU YI XUE GONG CHENG XUE ZA ZHI = JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING = SHENGWU YIXUE GONGCHENGXUE ZAZHI 2024; 41:313-320. [PMID: 38686412 PMCID: PMC11058487 DOI: 10.7507/1001-5515.202306011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Targeting p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is a novel strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment. Compound Kushen injection contains many anti-pancreatic cancer components, but the specific targets are unknown. In this study, 14α-hydroxymatrine, an active component of Kushen injection, was found to possess high binding free energy with the allosteric site of PAK1 by molecular docking based virtual screening. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that 14α-hydroxymatrine caused the α1 and α2 helices of the allosteric site of PAK1 to extend outward to form a deep allosteric regulatory pocket. Meanwhile, 14α-hydroxymatrine induced the β-folding region at the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding pocket of PAK1 to close inward, resulting in the ATP-binding pocket in a "semi-closed" state which caused the inactivation of PAK1. After removal of 14α-hydroxymatrine, PAK1 showed a tendency to change from the inactive conformation to the active conformation. We supposed that 14α-hydroxymatrine of compound Kushen injection might be a reversible allosteric inhibitor of PAK1. This study used modern technologies and methods to study the active components of traditional Chinese medicine, which laid a foundation for the development and utilization of natural products and the search for new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- 琳 林
- 南京中医药大学 附属中西医结合医院(南京 210028)Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
- 江苏省中医药研究院(南京 210028)Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
- 广州中医药大学 深圳医院(福田)(广东深圳 518000)Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P. R. China
| | - 静杰 常
- 南京中医药大学 附属中西医结合医院(南京 210028)Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
| | - 耀洲 田
- 南京中医药大学 附属中西医结合医院(南京 210028)Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
- 江苏省中医药研究院(南京 210028)Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
| | - 姣 陈
- 南京中医药大学 附属中西医结合医院(南京 210028)Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
- 江苏省中医药研究院(南京 210028)Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, P. R. China
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Ansardamavandi A, Nikfarjam M, He H. PAK in Pancreatic Cancer-Associated Vasculature: Implications for Therapeutic Response. Cells 2023; 12:2692. [PMID: 38067120 PMCID: PMC10705971 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis has been associated with numbers of solid tumours. Anti-angiogenesis drugs starve tumours of nutrients and oxygen but also make it difficult for a chemo reagent to distribute into a tumour, leading to aggressive tumour growth. Anti-angiogenesis drugs do not appear to improve the overall survival rate of pancreatic cancer. Vessel normalisation is merging as one of the new approaches for halting tumour progression by facilitating the tumour infiltration of immune cells and the delivery of chemo reagents. Targeting p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in cancer has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Inhibition of PAK enhances anti-tumour immunity and stimulates the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades. Inhibition of PAK also improves Car-T immunotherapy by reprogramming the vascular microenvironment. This review summarizes current research on PAK's role in tumour vasculature and therapeutical response, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Ansardamavandi
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (A.A.); (M.N.)
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (A.A.); (M.N.)
- Department of Hepatopancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (A.A.); (M.N.)
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Yang Y, Xu X, He B, Chang J, Zheng Y, Li Y. The role of miRNA-26a-5p and target gene socs1a in flutolanil induced hepatotoxicity of zebrafish at environmental relevant levels. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122322. [PMID: 37544405 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Flutolanil has been detected worldwide in aquatic environment and fish, which has become an undeniable stressor on ecosystem and human health. Flutolanil has been reported to be toxic to aquatic organisms. However, the pathophysiological and molecular mechanism behind the detrimental effects remains obscure. Here we reported hepatotoxicity induced by flutolanil in HepG2 cells and zebrafish, as revealed by toxicokinetic, HE staining, miRNAs-mRNAs sequencing, molecular dynamic simulations and dual luciferase reporter assays. Collectively, our results indicated that flutolanil could be absorbed by and accumulated in the liver of zebrafish, causing hepatic vacuolar degeneration, steatosis and nuclear condensation and abnormal liver function, where its exposure at environmental levels disrupted the expressions of miRNA-26a-5p and its target gene socs1a by mediating JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which was partially responsible for hepatotoxicity, correlated with oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, inflammation, cell cycle disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings suggest that miRNA-26a-5p/socs1a can serve as potential biomarkers of hepatotoxicity in zebrafish following exposure to flutolanil. This uncovered route will provide a new tool for the risk assessment of flutolanil and a guide to proper use of flutolanil and environmental remedy, and open up a new horizon for liver disease assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiyan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China; College of Plant Health and Medicine, Shandong Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Agricultural Pest Management, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin He
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhe Chang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongquan Zheng
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Shandong Engineering Research Center for Environment-Friendly Agricultural Pest Management, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanbo Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.
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Su N, Fang Y, Chen X, Chen X, Xia Z, Huang H, Xia Y, Liu P, Tian X, Cai Q. Targeting P21-activated kinase suppresses proliferation and enhances chemosensitivity in T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. BLOOD SCIENCE 2023; 5:249-257. [PMID: 37941919 PMCID: PMC10629744 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000169] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is a highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a poor prognosis. P21-activated kinase (PAK) is a component of the gene expression-based classifier that can predict the prognosis of T-LBL. However, the role of PAK in T-LBL progression and survival remains poorly understood. Herein, we found that the expression of PAK1 was significantly higher in T-LBL cell lines (Jurkat, SUP-T1, and CCRF-CEM) compared to the human T-lymphoid cell line. Moreover, PAK2 mRNA level of 32 relapsed T-LBL patients was significantly higher than that of 37 cases without relapse (P = .012). T-LBL patients with high PAK1 and PAK2 expression had significantly shorter median RFS than those with low PAK1 and PAK2 expression (PAK1, P = .028; PAK2, P = .027; PAK1/2, P = .032). PAK inhibitors, PF3758309 (PF) and FRAX597, could suppress the proliferation of T-LBL cells by blocking the G1/S cell cycle phase transition. Besides, PF could enhance the chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, through western blotting and RNA sequencing, we identified that PF could inhibit the phosphorylation of PAK1/2 and downregulate the expression of cyclin D1, NF-κB and cell adhesion signaling pathways in T-LBL cell lines. These findings suggest that PAK might be associated with T-LBL recurrence and further found that PAK inhibitors could suppress proliferation and enhance chemosensitivity of T-LBL cells treated with doxorubicin. Collectively, our present study underscores the potential therapeutic effect of inhibiting PAK in T-LBL therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Su
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongjun Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiqiang Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Xia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Panpan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaopeng Tian
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingqing Cai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Kao TW, Bai GH, Wang TL, Shih IM, Chuang CM, Lo CL, Tsai MC, Chiu LY, Lin CC, Shen YA. Novel cancer treatment paradigm targeting hypoxia-induced factor in conjunction with current therapies to overcome resistance. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:171. [PMID: 37460927 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02724-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are established cancer treatment modalities that are widely used due to their demonstrated efficacy against tumors and favorable safety profiles or tolerability. Nevertheless, treatment resistance continues to be one of the most pressing unsolved conundrums in cancer treatment. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate cellular responses to hypoxia by activating genes involved in various adaptations, including erythropoiesis, glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Despite this critical function, overexpression of HIFs has been observed in numerous cancers, leading to resistance to therapy and disease progression. In recent years, much effort has been poured into developing innovative cancer treatments that target the HIF pathway. Combining HIF inhibitors with current cancer therapies to increase anti-tumor activity and diminish treatment resistance is one strategy for combating therapeutic resistance. This review focuses on how HIF inhibitors could be applied in conjunction with current cancer treatments, including those now being evaluated in clinical trials, to usher in a new era of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Wan Kao
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan
| | - Geng-Hao Bai
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, 100225, Taiwan
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- Departments of Pathology, Oncology and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1550 Orleans StreetRoom 306, Baltimore, MD, CRB221231, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ie-Ming Shih
- Departments of Pathology, Oncology and Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1550 Orleans StreetRoom 306, Baltimore, MD, CRB221231, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chi-Mu Chuang
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112201, Taiwan
- Department of Midwifery and Women Health Care, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, 112303, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Liang Lo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation and Translation Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Chen Tsai
- Department of General Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yun Chiu
- Department of General Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, 104217, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Chien Lin
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, 110301, Taiwan
| | - Yao-An Shen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan.
- International Master/Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110301, Taiwan.
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Li M, Zhou J, Zhang Z, Li J, Wang F, Ma L, Tian X, Mao Z, Yang Y. Exosomal miR-485-3p derived from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells inhibits pancreatic cancer metastasis through targeting PAK1. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:2326-2337. [PMID: 36535010 PMCID: PMC9771326 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell competition is an important feature in pancreatic cancer (PC) progression, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. This study aims to explore the role of exosomes derived from normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells involved in PC progression. METHODS PC cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were treated with exosomes isolated from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK8 assays. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by Transwell assays. PC and matched adjacent non-tumor tissue specimens were obtained from 46 patients pathologically diagnosed with PC at Peking University First Hospital from 2013 to 2017. Tissue miR-485-3p and p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1) expression was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the relationship of the two was analyzed using Pearman's product-moment correlation. The clinical significance of miR-485-3p was analyzed using the Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Fisher exact probability, respectively. The binding of miR-485-3p to PAK1 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) was examined by luciferase assay. PC cells were xenografted into nude mice as a PC metastasis model. RESULTS Exosomes from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells suppressed PC cell migration and invasion as well as the secretion and migration of PSCs. MiR-485-3p was enriched in the exosomes of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells but deficient in those of PC cells and PSCs, in accordance with the lower level in PSCs and PC cells than that in pancreatic ductal cells. And the mature miR-485-3p could be delivered into these cells by the exosomes secreted by normal pancreatic duct cells, to inhibit PC cell migration and invasion. Clinical data analysis showed that miR-485-3p was significantly decreased in PC tissues (P < 0.05) and was negatively associated with lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.044). As a direct target of miR-485-3p, PAK1 was found to exert an inhibitory effect on PC cells, and there was a significantly negative correlation between the expression levels of miR-485-3p and PAK1 (r = -0.6525, P < 0.0001) in PC tissues. Moreover, miR-485-3p could suppress PC metastasis in vivo by targeting p21-activated kinase-1. CONCLUSIONS Exosomal miR-485-3p delivered by normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells into PC cells inhibits PC metastasis by directly targeting PAK1. The restoration of miR-485-3p by exosomes or some other vehicle might be a novel approach for PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhe Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Department of Urology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zhengkui Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jisong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Peking University Ninth School of Clinical Medicine (Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University), Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiaodong Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zebin Mao
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yinmo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
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Li X, Li F. p21-Activated Kinase: Role in Gastrointestinal Cancer and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194736. [PMID: 36230657 PMCID: PMC9563254 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194736] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors with a high mortality rate worldwide. Numerous protein kinases have been studied in anticipation of finding viable tumor therapeutic targets, including PAK. PAK is a serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in the malignant phenotype of tumors. The function of PAK in tumors is highlighted in cell proliferation, survival, motility, tumor cell plasticity and the tumor microenvironment, therefore providing a new possible target for clinical tumor therapy. Based on the current research works of PAK, we summarize and analyze the PAK features and signaling pathways in cells, especially the role of PAK in gastrointestinal tumors, thereby hoping to provide a theoretical basis for both the future studies of PAK and potential tumor therapeutic targets. Abstract Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors, and they are leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but their mechanisms are still unclear, which need to be clarified to discover therapeutic targets. p21-activating kinase (PAK), a serine/threonine kinase that is downstream of Rho GTPase, plays an important role in cellular signaling networks. According to the structural characteristics and activation mechanisms of them, PAKs are divided into two groups, both of which are involved in the biological processes that are critical to cells, including proliferation, migration, survival, transformation and metabolism. The biological functions of PAKs depend on a large number of interacting proteins and the signaling pathways they participate in. The role of PAKs in tumors is manifested in their abnormality and the consequential changes in the signaling pathways. Once they are overexpressed or overactivated, PAKs lead to tumorigenesis or a malignant phenotype, especially in tumor invasion and metastasis. Recently, the involvement of PAKs in cellular plasticity, stemness and the tumor microenvironment have attracted attention. Here, we summarize the biological characteristics and key signaling pathways of PAKs, and further analyze their mechanisms in gastrointestinal tumors and others, which will reveal new therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.
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Ma Y, Nikfarjam M, He H. The trilogy of P21 activated kinase, autophagy and immune evasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2022; 548:215868. [PMID: 36027997 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215868] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal types of cancer with a dismal prognosis. KRAS mutation is a commonly identified oncogene in PDA tumorigenesis and P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are its downstream mediator. While PAK1 is more well-studied, PAK4 also attracted increasing interest. In PDA, PAK inhibition not only reduces cancer cell viability but also sensitises it to chemotherapy. While PDA remains resistant to existing immunotherapies, PAK inhibition has been shown to increase cancer immunogenicity of melanoma, glioblastoma and PDA. Furthermore, autophagy plays an important role in PDA immune evasion, and accumulating evidence has pointed to a connection between PAK and cancer cell autophagy. In this literature review, we aim to summarize currently available studies that have assessed the potential connection between PAK, autophagy and immune evasion in PDA biology to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ma
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia; Department of Hepatopancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, Austin Precinct, The University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
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P21-activated kinase 2-mediated β-catenin signaling promotes cancer stemness and osimertinib resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:4318-4329. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02438-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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11
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Galhuber M, Michenthaler H, Heininger C, Reinisch I, Nössing C, Krstic J, Kupper N, Moyschewitz E, Auer M, Heitzer E, Ulz P, Birner-Gruenberger R, Liesinger L, Lenihan-Geels GN, Oster M, Spreitzer E, Zenezini Chiozzi R, Schulz TJ, Schupp M, Madl T, Heck AJR, Prokesch A. Complementary omics strategies to dissect p53 signaling networks under nutrient stress. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:326. [PMID: 35635656 PMCID: PMC9151573 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Signaling trough p53is a major cellular stress response mechanism and increases upon nutrient stresses such as starvation. Here, we show in a human hepatoma cell line that starvation leads to robust nuclear p53 stabilization. Using BioID, we determine the cytoplasmic p53 interaction network within the immediate-early starvation response and show that p53 is dissociated from several metabolic enzymes and the kinase PAK2 for which direct binding with the p53 DNA-binding domain was confirmed with NMR studies. Furthermore, proteomics after p53 immunoprecipitation (RIME) uncovered the nuclear interactome under prolonged starvation, where we confirmed the novel p53 interactors SORBS1 (insulin receptor signaling) and UGP2 (glycogen synthesis). Finally, transcriptomics after p53 re-expression revealed a distinct starvation-specific transcriptome response and suggested previously unknown nutrient-dependent p53 target genes. Together, our complementary approaches delineate several nodes of the p53 signaling cascade upon starvation, shedding new light on the mechanisms of p53 as nutrient stress sensor. Given the central role of p53 in cancer biology and the beneficial effects of fasting in cancer treatment, the identified interaction partners and networks could pinpoint novel pharmacologic targets to fine-tune p53 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Galhuber
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Helene Michenthaler
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Christoph Heininger
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Isabel Reinisch
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Christoph Nössing
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jelena Krstic
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Nadja Kupper
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Moyschewitz
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Martina Auer
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Ellen Heitzer
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Ulz
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Ruth Birner-Gruenberger
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Technische Universität Wien, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Liesinger
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Technische Universität Wien, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georgia Ngawai Lenihan-Geels
- Department of Adipocyte Development and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Moritz Oster
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emil Spreitzer
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Riccardo Zenezini Chiozzi
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tim J Schulz
- Department of Adipocyte Development and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Michael Schupp
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Albert J R Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Center, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Prokesch
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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12
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He H, Dumesny C, Ang CS, Dong L, Ma Y, Zeng J, Nikfarjam M. A novel PAK4 inhibitor suppresses pancreatic cancer growth and enhances the inhibitory effect of gemcitabine. Transl Oncol 2022; 16:101329. [PMID: 34973571 PMCID: PMC8724943 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 95% of Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA) carry mutations in the oncogene KRas which has been proven to be a difficult drug target. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), acts downstream of KRas, and is overexpressed in PDA contributing to its growth and chemoresistance, and thus becomes an attractive therapeutic target. We have developed a new PAK4 inhibitor, PAKib and tested its effect on pancreatic cancer (PC) cell growth in vitro and in a syngeneic mouse model of PC. PAKib suppressed PC cell growth by inducing cell death and cycle arrest. PAKib inhibited PC growth and enhanced the inhibition by gemcitabine of PC in cell culture and in PC mouse model. PAKib acted through multiple signaling pathways involved in cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, cell junction, and focal adhesion. These proof-of-concept studies demonstrated the anti-cancer effect of PAKib alone and in combination with gemcitabine and warrant a further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
| | - Chelsea Dumesny
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Li Dong
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Yi Ma
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Jun Zeng
- Pakinax Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, 145 Studley Rd., Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
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13
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Cao L, Huang C, Cui Zhou D, Hu Y, Lih TM, Savage SR, Krug K, Clark DJ, Schnaubelt M, Chen L, da Veiga Leprevost F, Eguez RV, Yang W, Pan J, Wen B, Dou Y, Jiang W, Liao Y, Shi Z, Terekhanova NV, Cao S, Lu RJH, Li Y, Liu R, Zhu H, Ronning P, Wu Y, Wyczalkowski MA, Easwaran H, Danilova L, Mer AS, Yoo S, Wang JM, Liu W, Haibe-Kains B, Thiagarajan M, Jewell SD, Hostetter G, Newton CJ, Li QK, Roehrl MH, Fenyö D, Wang P, Nesvizhskii AI, Mani DR, Omenn GS, Boja ES, Mesri M, Robles AI, Rodriguez H, Bathe OF, Chan DW, Hruban RH, Ding L, Zhang B, Zhang H. Proteogenomic characterization of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell 2021; 184:5031-5052.e26. [PMID: 34534465 PMCID: PMC8654574 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer with poor patient survival. Toward understanding the underlying molecular alterations that drive PDAC oncogenesis, we conducted comprehensive proteogenomic analysis of 140 pancreatic cancers, 67 normal adjacent tissues, and 9 normal pancreatic ductal tissues. Proteomic, phosphoproteomic, and glycoproteomic analyses were used to characterize proteins and their modifications. In addition, whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, methylation, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and microRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) were performed on the same tissues to facilitate an integrated proteogenomic analysis and determine the impact of genomic alterations on protein expression, signaling pathways, and post-translational modifications. To ensure robust downstream analyses, tumor neoplastic cellularity was assessed via multiple orthogonal strategies using molecular features and verified via pathological estimation of tumor cellularity based on histological review. This integrated proteogenomic characterization of PDAC will serve as a valuable resource for the community, paving the way for early detection and identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Cao
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Chen Huang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniel Cui Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Yingwei Hu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - T Mamie Lih
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Sara R Savage
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Karsten Krug
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - David J Clark
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Michael Schnaubelt
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Lijun Chen
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | | | | | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Jianbo Pan
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongchao Dou
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wen Jiang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yuxing Liao
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhiao Shi
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nadezhda V Terekhanova
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Song Cao
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Rita Jui-Hsien Lu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Ruiyang Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Houxiang Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Peter Ronning
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Yige Wu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Matthew A Wyczalkowski
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Hariharan Easwaran
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ludmila Danilova
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arvind Singh Mer
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Seungyeul Yoo
- Sema4, a Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT 06902, USA
| | - Joshua M Wang
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Wenke Liu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Benjamin Haibe-Kains
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mathangi Thiagarajan
- Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Scott D Jewell
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | | | | | - Qing Kay Li
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Michael H Roehrl
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Fenyö
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Sema4, a Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT 06902, USA
| | | | - D R Mani
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Gilbert S Omenn
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily S Boja
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mehdi Mesri
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ana I Robles
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Henry Rodriguez
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Oliver F Bathe
- Departments of Surgery and Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel W Chan
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ralph H Hruban
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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14
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Liu H, Liu K, Dong Z. The Role of p21-Activated Kinases in Cancer and Beyond: Where Are We Heading? Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:641381. [PMID: 33796531 PMCID: PMC8007885 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.641381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs), downstream effectors of Ras-related Rho GTPase Cdc42 and Rac, are serine/threonine kinases. Biologically, PAKs participate in various cellular processes, including growth, apoptosis, mitosis, immune response, motility, inflammation, and gene expression, making PAKs the nexus of several pathogenic and oncogenic signaling pathways. PAKs were proved to play critical roles in human diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, diabetes, pancreatic acinar diseases, and cardiac disorders. In this review, we systematically discuss the structure, function, alteration, and molecular mechanisms of PAKs that are involved in the pathogenic and oncogenic effects, as well as PAK inhibitors, which may be developed and deployed in cancer therapy, anti-viral infection, and other diseases. Furthermore, we highlight the critical questions of PAKs in future research, which provide an opportunity to offer input and guidance on new directions for PAKs in pathogenic, oncogenic, and drug discovery research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Academy of Medical Science, College of Medical, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, China
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15
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p21-activated kinases as viable therapeutic targets for the treatment of high-risk Ewing sarcoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:1176-1190. [PMID: 33414491 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01600-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone tumor in children and young adults. Unfortunately, there have been minimal recent advancements in improving patient outcomes, especially in metastatic and recurrent diseases. In this study, we investigated the biological role of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in ES, and the ability to therapeutically target them in high-risk disease. Via informatics analysis, we established the inverse association of PAK1 and PAK4 expression with clinical stage and outcome in ES patients. Through expression knockdown and small-molecule inhibition of PAKs, utilizing FRAX-597, KPT-9274, and PF-3758309 in multiple ES cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models, we further explored the role of PAKs in ES tumor growth and metastatic capabilities. In vitro studies in several ES cell lines indicated that diminishing PAK1 and PAK4 expression reduces tumor cell viability, migratory, and invasive properties. In vivo studies using PAK4 inhibitors, KPT-9274 and PF-3758309 demonstrated significant inhibition of primary and metastatic tumor formation, while transcriptomic analysis of PAK4-inhibitor-treated tumors identified concomitant suppression of Notch, β-catenin, and hypoxia-mediated signatures. In addition, the analysis showed enrichment of anti-tumor immune regulatory mechanisms, including interferon (IFN)-ɣ and IFN-α responses. Altogether, our molecular and pre-clinical studies are the first to establish a critical role for PAKs in ES development and progression, and consequently as viable therapeutic targets for the treatment of high-risk ES in the near future.
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16
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Yang Y, Dong F, Liu X, Xu J, Wu X, Zheng Y. Thifluzamide induces the toxic effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) via inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:115031. [PMID: 32806454 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Thifluzamide is widely used in treatment of rice diseases and has potential toxicity on aquatic organism. Although previous studies have focused on the toxic effect of thifluzamide in zebrafish, no consistent conclusions have been reached. To help to elucidate the toxic mechanism, qualities of liver and mitochondria were evaluated. The global changes in the transcriptome of zebrafish after exposure to thifluzamide were measured. Based on this, the expression and activities of chitinase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were further assayed. And the targeted site of thifluzamide in zebrafish was confirmed by dock study and co-exposure study. Here we report that developmental inhibition was observed along with presence of liver and mitochondrial damage. The expression of SDHa-d and genes related to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replicate and mitochondrial complexes were significantly altered. And, as the top differentially expressed genes, the expression of chia.1-6 did show apparent changes, but differences of chitinase activity between exposure groups and the controls did not reach significance. In line with that, dock study showed that the binding potentials of thifluzamide toward zebrafish chitinase and SDH exhibited in the following order: SDH> chitinase. And sdhb-sdhc-sdhd (Qp site) showed the highest binding activity toward thifluzamide. The joint exposure (thifluzamide + Q10) significantly improved the survival of zebrafish compared with single thifluzamide exposure. These results indicate that SDH, especially Qp-site, may be the target of thifluzamide in zebrafish and inhibition of SDH activity may be at least in partial responsible for the toxicity of thifluzamide in zebrafish. In addition, the antagonistic effect of Q10 on thifluzamide toxicity in zebrafish suggests that Q10 may be a useful adjunct to detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengshou Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohu Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongquan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Disease and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Coordinated dysregulation of cancer progression by the HER family and p21-activated kinases. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:583-601. [PMID: 32820388 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-020-09922-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Most epithelial cancer types are polygenic in nature and are driven by coordinated dysregulation of multiple regulatory pathways, genes, and protein modifications. The process of coordinated regulation of cancer promoting pathways in response to extrinsic and intrinsic signals facilitates the dysregulation of several pathways with complementary functions, contributing to the hallmarks of cancer. Dysregulation and hyperactivation of cell surface human epidermal growth factor receptors (HERs) and cytoskeleton remodeling by p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are two prominent interconnected aspects of oncogenesis. We briefly discuss the discoveries and significant advances in the area of coordinated regulation of HERs and PAKs in the development and progression of breast and other epithelial cancers. We also discuss how initial studies involving heregulin signaling via HER3-HER2 axis and HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells not only discovered a mechanistic role of PAK1 in breast cancer pathobiology but also acted as a bridge in generating a broader cancer research interest in other PAK family members and cancer types and catalyzed establishing the role of PAKs in human cancer, at-large. In addition, growth factor stimulation of the PAK pathway also helped to recognize new facets of PAKs, connecting the PAK pathway to oncogenesis, nuclear signaling, gene expression, mitotic progression, DNA damage response, among other phenotypic responses, and shaped the field of PAK cancer research. Finally, we recount some of the current limitations of HER- and PAK-directed therapeutics in counteracting acquired therapeutic resistance and discuss how cancer's as a polygenic disease may be best targeted with a polygenic approach.
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18
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Foth M, Parkman G, Battistone B, McMahon M. RAC1mutation is not a predictive biomarker for PI3'-kinase-β-selective pathway-targeted therapy. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 33:719-730. [PMID: 32406574 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mutational activation of RAC1 is detected in ~7% of cutaneous melanoma, with the most frequent mutation (RAC1C85T ) encoding for RAC1P29S . RAC1P29S is a fast-cycling GTPase that leads to accumulation of RAC1P29S -GTP, which has potentially pleiotropic regulatory functions in melanoma cell signaling and biology. However, the precise mechanism by which mutationally activated RAC1P29S propagates its pro-tumorigenic effects remains unclear. RAC1-GTP is reported to activate the beta isoform of PI3'-kinase (PIK3CB/PI3Kβ) leading to downstream activation of PI3'-lipid signaling. Hence, we employed both genetic and isoform-selective pharmacological inhibitors to test if RAC1P29S propagates its oncogenic signaling in melanoma through PI3Kβ. We observed that RAC1P29S -expressing melanoma cells were largely insensitive to inhibitors of PI3Kβ. Furthermore, RAC1P29S melanoma cell lines showed variable sensitivity to pan-class 1 (α/β/γ/δ) PI3'-kinase inhibitors, suggesting that RAC1-mutated melanoma cells may not rely on PI3'-lipid signaling for their proliferation. Lastly, we observed that RAC1P29S -expressing cell lines also showed variable sensitivity to pharmacological inhibition of the RAC1 → PAK1 signaling pathway, questioning the relevance of inhibitors of this pathway for the treatment of patients with RAC1-mutated melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Foth
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Gennie Parkman
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | | | - Martin McMahon
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
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Clayton NS, Ridley AJ. Targeting Rho GTPase Signaling Networks in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:222. [PMID: 32309283 PMCID: PMC7145979 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As key regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics, Rho GTPases coordinate a wide range of cellular processes, including cell polarity, cell migration, and cell cycle progression. The adoption of a pro-migratory phenotype enables cancer cells to invade the stroma surrounding the primary tumor and move toward and enter blood or lymphatic vessels. Targeting these early events could reduce the progression to metastatic disease, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Rho GTPases play a key role in the formation of dynamic actin-rich membrane protrusions and the turnover of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesions required for efficient cancer cell invasion. Here, we discuss the roles of Rho GTPases in cancer, their validation as therapeutic targets and the challenges of developing clinically viable Rho GTPase inhibitors. We review other therapeutic targets in the wider Rho GTPase signaling network and focus on the four best characterized effector families: p21-activated kinases (PAKs), Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs), atypical protein kinase Cs (aPKCs), and myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinases (MRCKs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha S Clayton
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Anne J Ridley
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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20
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Wang J, Zhu Y, Chen J, Yang Y, Zhu L, Zhao J, Yang Y, Cai X, Hu C, Rosell R, Sun X, Cao P. Identification of a novel PAK1 inhibitor to treat pancreatic cancer. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:603-614. [PMID: 32322465 PMCID: PMC7161699 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers with poor prognosis and a low 5-year survival rate. The family of P21-activated kinases (PAKs) appears to modulate many signaling pathways that contribute to pancreatic carcinogenesis. In this work, we demonstrated that PAK1 is a critical regulator in pancreatic cancer cell growth. PAK1-targeted inhibition is therefore a new potential therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer. Our small molecule screening identified a relatively specific PAK1-targeted inhibitor, CP734. Pharmacological and biochemical studies indicated that CP734 targets residue V342 of PAK1 to inhibit its ATPase activity. Further in vitro and in vivo studies elucidated that CP734 suppresses pancreatic tumor growth through depleting PAK1 kinase activity and its downstream signaling pathways. Little toxicity of CP734 was observed in murine models. Combined with gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil, CP734 also showed synergistic effects on the anti-proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. All these favorable results indicated that CP734 is a new potential therapeutic candidate for pancreatic cancer.
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Key Words
- 5-FU, 5-fluorouracil
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- BCL-2, B-cell lymphoma-2
- BUN, blood urea nitrogen
- CCK-8, cell counting kit-8
- CDC42, cell division cycle 42
- DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium
- DMSO, dimethylsulfoxide
- ERK, extracellular regulated protein kinase
- GEPIA, gene expression profiling interactive analysis
- GTEx, genotype-tissue expression
- Gem, gemcitabine
- HEK293, human embryonic kidney 293
- HTVS, high-throughput virtual screening
- IMEM, improved minimum essential medium
- IP, immunoprecipitation
- Inhibitor
- MEK, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
- MEM, modified Eagle's medium
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- OHP, oxaliplatin
- OS, overall survival
- PAK, P21-activated kinase
- PAK1
- PARP, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase
- PAX, paclitaxel
- PSCs, pancreatic stellate cells
- PUMA, P53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis
- PVDF, polyvinylidene fluoride
- Pancreatic cancer
- RAC1, Rac family small GTPase 1
- RIPA, radio immunoprecipitation assay
- RPMI1640, Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 medium
- SDS-PAGE, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- SP, standard precision
- Structure-based virtual screening
- Synergistic effect
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling
- XP, extra precision
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Yonghua Zhu
- Fullshare Health College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Lingxia Zhu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Jiayu Zhao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Xueting Cai
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Chunping Hu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Cancer Biology and Precision Medicine Program, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Badalona, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 25 85608666; fax: +86 25 52362230.
| | - Peng Cao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210028, China
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center For Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 25 85608666; fax: +86 25 52362230.
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Computational insight into the mechanisms of action and selectivity of Afraxis PAK inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2020; 12:367-385. [PMID: 32064922 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are involved in many important biological activity regulations. FRAX019, FRAX414, FRAX597, FRAX1036 and G-5555 were identified as PAKs inhibitors. Their detailed inhibitory mechanisms deserve further investigation. Results: Molecular dynamics simulations and further calculations for the PAK1/inhibitor and PAK4/inhibitor complexes indicate that their binding free energies are basically consistent with the trend of experimental activity data. Conclusion: The anchoring of residues Leu347PAK1 and Leu398PAK4 is the structural basis for designing Afraxis PAK inhibitors. This study discloses the inhibitory mechanisms of FRAX019, FRAX414, FRAX597, FRAX1036 and G-5555 toward PAK1 and PAK4 and some clues to enhance kinase activities and selectivities, which will provide valuable information to the development of more potent and selective PAK inhibitors.
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22
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Almeida PP, Cardoso CP, de Freitas LM. PDAC-ANN: an artificial neural network to predict pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on gene expression. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:82. [PMID: 32005189 PMCID: PMC6995241 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-6533-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents high mortality and metastatic potential, there is a lack of effective therapies and a low survival rate for this disease. This PDAC scenario urges new strategies for diagnosis, drug targets, and treatment. METHODS We performed a gene expression microarray meta-analysis of the tumor against normal tissues in order to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) shared among all datasets, named core-genes (CG). We confirmed the CG protein expression in pancreatic tissue through The Human Protein Atlas. It was selected five genes with the highest area under the curve (AUC) among these proteins with expression confirmed in the tumor group to train an artificial neural network (ANN) to classify samples. RESULTS This microarray included 461 tumor and 187 normal samples. We identified a CG composed of 40 genes, 39 upregulated, and one downregulated. The upregulated CG included proteins and extracellular matrix receptors linked to actin cytoskeleton reorganization. With the Human Protein Atlas, we verified that fourteen genes of the CG are translated, with high or medium expression in most of the pancreatic tumor samples. To train our ANN, we selected the best genes (AHNAK2, KRT19, LAMB3, LAMC2, and S100P) to classify the samples based on AUC using mRNA expression. The network classified tumor samples with an f1-score of 0.83 for the normal samples and 0.88 for the PDAC samples, with an average of 0.86. The PDAC-ANN could classify the test samples with a sensitivity of 87.6 and specificity of 83.1. CONCLUSION The gene expression meta-analysis and confirmation of the protein expression allow us to select five genes highly expressed PDAC samples. We could build a python script to classify the samples based on RNA expression. This software can be useful in the PDAC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palloma Porto Almeida
- Núcleo de Biointegração, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Cristina Padre Cardoso
- Núcleo de Biointegração, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
- Faculdade Santo Agostinho, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Leandro Martins de Freitas
- Núcleo de Biointegração, Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil.
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23
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Dang Y, Guo Y, Ma X, Chao X, Wang F, Cai L, Yan Z, Xie L, Guo X. Systemic analysis of the expression and prognostic significance of PAKs in breast cancer. Genomics 2020; 112:2433-2444. [PMID: 31987914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PAKs (p21-activated kinases) are reported to play crucial roles in a variety of cellular processes and participate in the progression of human cancers. However, the expression and prognostic values of PAKs remain poorly explored in breast cancers. In our study, we examined the mRNA and protein expression levels of PAKs and the prognostic value. We also analyzed the interaction network, genetic alteration, and functional enrichment of PAKs. The results showed that the mRNA levels of PAK1, PAK2, PAK4 and PAK6 were significantly up-regulated in breast cancer compared with normal tissues, while the reverse trend for PAK3 and PAK5 was found, furthermore, the proteins expression of PAK1, PAK2 and PAK4 in breast cancer tissues were higher than that in normal breast tissues. Survival analysis revealed breast cancer patients with low mRNA expression of PAK3 and PAK5 showed worse RFS, conversely, elevated PAK4 levels predicted worse RFS. In addition, the breast cancer patients with PAKs genetic alterations correlated with worse OS. These results indicated that PAKs might be promising potential biomarkers for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifang Dang
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Ma
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Chao
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Linghao Cai
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Zhongyi Yan
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Longxiang Xie
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xiangqian Guo
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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24
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Qu Y, Lin Z, Qi Y, Qi Y, Chen Y, Zhou Q, Zeng H, Liu Z, Wang Z, Wang J, Chang Y, Bai Q, Xia Y, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Xu L, Chen L, Zhang P, Zhang W, Dai B, Liu L, Xu J, Guo J. PAK1 expression determines poor prognosis and immune evasion in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. Urol Oncol 2019; 38:293-304. [PMID: 31889617 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2019.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown the prognostic value of PAK1 expression in different tumor patients, including nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma. In this study, we explored the prognostic and drug predictive value of PAK1 expression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 138 mRCC patients treated with TKIs from a single institution from 2005 to 2014. Analyses were based on 111 patients who met our inclusion criteria. The validation set enrolled 538 RCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma cohort (TCGA KIRC) between 1998 and 2013 in North America. PAK1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue microarrays. RESULTS High PAK1 expression was associated with short overall survival (OS) (P < 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.008). Multivariate analyses further indicated that PAK1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio 3.301 [95% confidence interval 2.579-10.899], P < 0.001) and PFS (hazard ratio 3.108 [95% confidence interval 1.795-5.381], P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses suggested that PAK1 was more significant in patients with the intermediate risk group of Heng risk criteria (OS, P = 0.004). Of note, patients treated with Sunitinib showed improved outcome in the low PAK1 subgroup (OS, P = 0.002; PFS, P = 0.013). Finally, relationship was found between PAK1 expression and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity according to gene profile investigation. CONCLUSIONS High PAK1 expression predicted dismal prognosis in mRCC patients treated with TKIs. Besides, PAK1 was a potential predictor for TKIs treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyuan Lin
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangyang Qi
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zewei Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Chang
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Bai
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwei Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Le Xu
- Department of Urology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingli Chen
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijuan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Dai
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiejie Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianming Guo
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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25
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Inhibition of PAK1 suppresses pancreatic cancer by stimulation of anti-tumour immunity through down-regulation of PD-L1. Cancer Lett 2019; 472:8-18. [PMID: 31857154 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapies have not yielded significant clinical benefits for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) because of the existence of an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME) characterized by a desmoplastic stroma containing infiltrated immune cells and activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). This study aims to investigate the involvement of PAK1 in anti-tumour immunity. In PDA patients, low PAK1 expression, low activation of PSC and high CD8+ T cell/PAK1 ratios correlated with longer overall survival. In a murine PDA model, PAK1 knockout increased intra-tumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, inhibited PSCs activation and extended survival. Inhibition of PAK1 reduced PSC-stimulated PDA cell proliferation and migration, blocked PSC-mediated protection of PDA cells from killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes and decreased intrinsic and PSC-stimulated PD-L1 expression in PDA cells, which further sensitized PDA cells to cytotoxic lymphocytes. Inhibition of PAK1 stimulates anti-tumour immunity by increasing intra-tumoral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and by sensitizing PDA cells to killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes via down-regulation of intrinsic and PSC-stimulated PD-L1 expression. PAK1 inhibitors, especially in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors may result in improved efficacy of immunotherapy of PDA.
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26
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Lee SW, Zhang Y, Jung M, Cruz N, Alas B, Commisso C. EGFR-Pak Signaling Selectively Regulates Glutamine Deprivation-Induced Macropinocytosis. Dev Cell 2019; 50:381-392.e5. [PMID: 31257175 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Macropinocytosis has emerged as an important nutrient-scavenging pathway that supports tumor cell fitness. By internalizing extracellular protein and targeting it for lysosomal degradation, this endocytic pathway functions as an amino acid supply route, permitting tumor cell growth and survival despite the nutrient-poor conditions of the tumor microenvironment. Here, we provide evidence that a subset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors are wired to integrate contextual metabolic inputs to regulate macropinocytosis, dialing up or down this uptake pathway depending on nutrient availability. We find that regional depletion of amino acids coincides with increased levels of macropinocytosis and that the scarcity of glutamine uniquely drives this process. Mechanistically, this stimulation of macropinocytosis depends on the nutrient stress-induced potentiation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling that, through the activation of Pak, controls the extent of macropinocytosis in these cells. These results provide a mechanistic understanding of how nutritional cues can control protein scavenging in PDAC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Wei Lee
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yijuan Zhang
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Michael Jung
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nathalia Cruz
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Basheer Alas
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Cosimo Commisso
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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27
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Wang K, Huynh N, Wang X, Pajic M, Parkin A, Man J, Baldwin GS, Nikfarjam M, He H. PAK inhibition by PF-3758309 enhanced the sensitivity of multiple chemotherapeutic reagents in patient-derived pancreatic cancer cell lines. Am J Transl Res 2019; 11:3353-3364. [PMID: 31312349 PMCID: PMC6614655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains the most lethal malignancy due to lack of an effective treatment. P21-activated kinases (PAKs) play a key role not only in cell proliferation and migration, but also in mediating chemo-resistance in PDA. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of a PAK inhibitor PF-3758309 with multiple chemotherapeutic reagents on a panel of patient-derived PDA cell lines, and potential mechanisms involved. METHODS Cells were treated with PF-3758309 plus or minus gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or abraxane, and cell growth was determined using a cell proliferation assay kit. Protein expression profiles were measured by Western blot. PDA cells were subcutaneously injected into the flanks of SCID mice which were then treated with saline, gemcitabine, PF-3758309, gemcitabine plus PF-3758309 or abraxane. Tumour growth was measured by volume and weight. RESULTS PAK1 was correlated with CK19 expression, and PAK4 with α-SMA and palladin expression. Combination of PF-3758309 with 5-FU, gemcitabine or abraxane further suppressed cell growth of patient-derived PDA cell lines in vitro. The combination of PF-3758309 with gemcitabine maximally inhibited tumour growth in vivo by suppressing cell proliferation. PF-3758309 inhibited the expression of HIF-1α, palladin and α-SMA both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS PAK inhibitor PF-3758309 can enhance anti-tumour effects of multiple chemotherapeutic reagents on a panel of patient-derived PDA cell lines. Combination of PF-3758309 with gemcitabine achieves comparable efficacy to combination of gemcitabine with abraxane, and thus provides a potential targeted therapy in the management of PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin HealthStudley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Nhi Huynh
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin HealthStudley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin HealthStudley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Marina Pajic
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of NSWAustralia
| | - Ashleigh Parkin
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Jennifer Man
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin HealthStudley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin HealthStudley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin HealthStudley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
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Wang K, Baldwin GS, Nikfarjam M, He H. Antitumor effects of all-trans retinoic acid and its synergism with gemcitabine are associated with downregulation of p21-activated kinases in pancreatic cancer. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2019; 316:G632-G640. [PMID: 30844294 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00344.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been used as an antistromal agent in PDA, and its antitumor effect has also been reported in various kinds of cancer, including PDA. Inhibition of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) is associated with decreased tumor growth and increased gemcitabine sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of ATRA alone and in combination with gemcitabine on cell growth and migration of wild-type and gemcitabine-resistant PDA cells and the potential mechanism(s) involved. Human (MiaPaCa-2) and murine (TB33117) PDA cell lines were incubated in increasing concentrations of gemcitabine to establish resistant clones. Cell growth, clonogenicity, and migration/invasion were determined using a sulforhodamine B assay, a colony formation assay, and a Boyden chamber assay, respectively. Protein expression was measured by Western blotting. ATRA reduced cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration/invasion in both wild-type and gemcitabine-resistant cell lines. PAK1 expression was significantly increased in resistant cells. Cells treated with ATRA showed decreased expression of PAK1, PAK2, PAK4, and α-smooth muscle actin. The combination of ATRA and gemcitabine synergistically reduced cell growth in both wild-type and gemcitabine-resistant cell lines. Depletion of PAK1 enhanced ATRA sensitivity in MiaPaCa-2 cells. In conclusion, the antitumor effects of ATRA and its synergism with gemcitabine are associated with downregulation of PAKs. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The inhibitory effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration/invasion was associated with downregulation of p21-activated kinases (PAKs), and depletion of PAK1 enhanced ATRA sensitivity in MiaPaCa-2 cells. The combination of ATRA and gemcitabine synergistically reduced cell growth in both wild-type and gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. As an important prognostic marker, α-smooth muscle actin also can be downregulated by ATRA in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria , Australia
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Symeonidis N, Lambropoulou M, Pavlidis E, Anagnostopoulos C, Tsaroucha A, Kotini A, Nikolaidou C, Kiziridou A, Simopoulos C. PAK1 Expression in Pancreatic Cancer: Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognostic Significance. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ONCOLOGY 2019; 13:1179554919831990. [PMID: 30799970 PMCID: PMC6379789 DOI: 10.1177/1179554919831990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Improvement of the management of pancreatic cancer requires a better
understanding of the genetic and molecular changes responsible for the
development of the disease. The family of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) and
especially PAK1 appears to mediate many cellular processes that contribute
to the development and progression of pancreatic cancer, but the clinical
relevance of PAK1 expression with the disease still remains unclear. Aim of
the study was to assess the clinical value and the potential prognostic
significance of PAK1 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods: We investigated the relationship between the PAK1 expression and the clinical
and histopathologic characteristics of pancreatic cancer patients and the
potential significance of PAK1 on survival. We examined tissue samples from
51 patients operated for pancreatic cancer. PAK1 expression was investigated
with immunohistochemistry and correlated to clinicopathological
parameters. Results: PAK1 was detected in all tumor samples and high expression was found in most
patients. High PAK1 expression was also associated with younger age and
well-differentiated tumors, but no association was found between PAK1
expression and Tumor-Node-Metastasis stage as well as deceased or alive
status on follow-up. Moderate to high PAK1 expression favored higher 6-month
and 1-year survival and low PAK1 expression 2-year survival but without
statistical significance. Conclusions Our results indicate that PAK1 could potentially be used as a prognostic
marker in pancreatic cancer. Further studies could clarify whether
utilization of PAK1 in therapeutic protocols for the treatment of pancreatic
cancer will render them more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Symeonidis
- Postgraduate Program in Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,2nd Surgical Propedeutic Department, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Lambropoulou
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Efstathios Pavlidis
- Postgraduate Program in Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Alexandra Tsaroucha
- 2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery-Postgraduate Program in Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Athanasia Kotini
- Laboratory of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Christina Nikolaidou
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kiziridou
- Department of Pathology, Theagenio Anticancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Constantinos Simopoulos
- 2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery-Postgraduate Program in Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Abstract
While cancer cell proliferation depends on access to extracellular nutrients, inadequate tumour perfusion means that glucose, amino acids and lipids are often in short supply. To overcome this obstacle to growth, cancer cells utilize multiple scavenging strategies, obtaining macromolecules from the microenvironment and breaking them down in the lysosome to produce substrates for ATP generation and anabolism. Recent studies have revealed four scavenging pathways that support cancer cell proliferation in low-nutrient environments: scavenging of extracellular matrix proteins via integrins, receptor-mediated albumin uptake and catabolism, macropinocytic consumption of multiple components of the tumour microenvironment and the engulfment and degradation of entire live cells via entosis. New evidence suggests that blocking these pathways alone or in combination could provide substantial benefits to patients with incurable solid tumours. Both US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and several agents in preclinical or clinical development shut down individual or multiple scavenging pathways. These therapies may increase the extent and durability of tumour growth inhibition and/or prevent the development of resistance when used in combination with existing treatments. This Review summarizes the evidence suggesting that scavenging pathways drive tumour growth, highlights recent advances that define the oncogenic signal transduction pathways that regulate scavenging and considers the benefits and detriments of therapeutic strategies targeting scavenging that are currently under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Vaishali Jayashankar
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Wang K, Baldwin GS, Nikfarjam M, He H. p21-activated kinase signalling in pancreatic cancer: New insights into tumour biology and immune modulation. World J Gastroenterol 2018; 24:3709-3723. [PMID: 30197477 PMCID: PMC6127653 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i33.3709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies worldwide, with a very poor prognosis and a five-year survival rate less than 8%. This dismal outcome is largely due to delayed diagnosis, early distant dissemination and resistance to conventional chemo-therapies. Kras mutation is a well-defined hallmark of pancreatic cancer, with over 95% of cases harbouring Kras mutations that give rise to constitutively active forms of Kras. As important down-stream effectors of Kras, p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are involved in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion/migration and chemo-resistance. Immunotherapy is now emerging as a promising treatment modality in the era of personalized anti-cancer therapeutics. In this review, basic knowledge of PAK structure and regulation is briefly summarised and the pivotal role of PAKs in Kras-driven pancreatic cancer is highlighted in terms of tumour biology and chemo-resistance. Finally, the involvement of PAKs in immune modulation in the tumour microenvironment is discussed and the potential advantages of targeting PAKs are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3084, Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3084, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3084, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3084, Australia
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Regulating Cdc42 and Its Signaling Pathways in Cancer: Small Molecules and MicroRNA as New Treatment Candidates. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23040787. [PMID: 29596304 PMCID: PMC6017947 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of neoplasms, metastatic disease is still the leading cause of death in cancer patients, with mortality rates still rising. Given this background, new ways to treat cancer will be important for development of improved cancer control strategies. Cdc42 is a member of the Rho GTPase family and plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion, formation of cytoskeletal structures, and cell cycle regulation. It thus influences cellular proliferation, transformation, and homeostasis, as well as the cellular migration and invasion processes underlying tumor formation. Cdc42 acts as a collection point for signal transduction and regulates multiple signaling pathways. Moreover, recent studies show that in most human cancers Cdc42 is abnormally expressed and promoting neoplastic growth and metastasis. Regarding possible new treatments for cancer, miRNA and small molecules targeting Cdc42 and related pathways have been recently found to be effective on cancer. In this review, we analyze the newly recognized regulation mechanisms for Cdc42 and Cdc42-related signal pathways, and particularly new treatments using small molecules and miRNAs to inhibit the abnormal overexpression of Cdc42 that may slow down the metastasis process, improve cancer therapy and lead to novel strategies for development of antineoplastic drugs.
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Wang K, Huynh N, Wang X, Baldwin G, Nikfarjam M, He H. Inhibition of p21 activated kinase enhances tumour immune response and sensitizes pancreatic cancer to gemcitabine. Int J Oncol 2017; 52:261-269. [PMID: 29115428 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.4193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the major types of cancer that exhibit high mortality worldwide because of the late diagnosis and the lack of effective treatment. Immunotherapy appears to be ineffective in PDA treatment due to the existence of a unique immune-suppressive microenvironment in PDA. Gemcitabine-based therapy is still the most commonly used chemotherapy to treat PDA patients with only marginal increased survival rates. This prompted us to continue the search for more effective therapy for PDA treatment. The effects of p21 activated kinases (PAKs) on tumour immune response and gemcitabine response were examined in PDA. An orthotopic murine PDA model, in which pancreatic cancer cells were injected to the tail of pancreas, was used. The mice were treated with PAK inhibitor, PF‑3758309, plus or minus gemcitabine. Tumour growth was measured by volume and weight. Tumour immune response was determined by flow cytometry analysis of splenic cells and immunohistochemical staining of intratumoural lymphocytes. Inhibition of PAKs by PF‑3758309, not only suppressed tumour growth, but also stimulated tumour immune response by increasing the numbers of splenic and intratumoural T lymphocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of PAKs decreased PDA cell growth synergistically with gemcitabine in vitro and in vivo. The dual effects of inhibition of PAKs make PAK-targeted therapy more potent for the treatment of PDA. The combination of PAK inhibitors with gemcitabine may be a more effective therapeutic approach in PDA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3048, Australia
| | - Nhi Huynh
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3048, Australia
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3048, Australia
| | - Graham Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3048, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3048, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3048, Australia
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Zhu Q, Pan X, Sun Y, Wang Z, Liu F, Li A, Zhao Z, Wang Y, Li K, Mi L. Biological nanoparticles carrying the Hmda-7 gene are effective in inhibiting pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185507. [PMID: 28985230 PMCID: PMC5630125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive system, and remains a clinical challenge. This study aimed to assess the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles carrying the hMDA-7 gene (BSA-NP-hMDA-7) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Methods BSA-NP-hMDA-7 was generated by nanotechnology and gene recombination technology. A total of 5 BXPC-3 or PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cell groups were examined, including Control, BSA-NPs, Empty vector, hMDA-7 plasmid, and hMDA-7 BSA-NPs groups, respectively. Proliferation and apoptosis of cultured cells were assessed by the MTT method and flow-cytometry, respectively. In addition, pancreatic cancer models were established with both cell lines in nude mice, and the expression profiles of hMDA-7 and VEGF in cancer tissues were measured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results BSA-NP-hMDA-7 nanoparticles were successfully generated, and significantly inhibited the proliferation of BXPC-3 and PANC-1 cells; in addition, apoptosis rates were higher in both cell lines after treatment with BSA-NP-hMDA-7 (P<0.05). Nude mouse xenograft studies indicated that treatment with BSA-NP-hMDA-7 nanoparticles resulted in decreased tumor size. Moreover, the hMDA-7 protein was found in tumor tissues after hMDA-7 gene transfection, while BSA-NP-hMDA-7 significantly suppressed VEGF expression in tumor tissues. Similar results were obtained for both BXPC-3 and PANC-1 xenograft models. Conclusion BSA nanoparticles carrying the hMDA-7 gene effectively transfected BXPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, causing reduced cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in vitro. In mouse xenografts, BSA-NP-hMDA-7 treatment decreased tumor size and reduced VEGF expression. These findings indicated that BSA-NP-hMDA-7 might exert anticancer effects via VEGF suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Zhu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xinting Pan
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Yunbo Sun
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhengbin Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fuguo Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Aiqin Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhihui Zhao
- Nano New Material Key Laboratories of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yunlong Wang
- Nano New Material Key Laboratories of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Kun Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liangyu Mi
- Department of ICU, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Thillai K, Lam H, Sarker D, Wells CM. Deciphering the link between PI3K and PAK: An opportunity to target key pathways in pancreatic cancer? Oncotarget 2017; 8:14173-14191. [PMID: 27845911 PMCID: PMC5355171 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of personalised therapies has ushered in a new and exciting era of cancer treatment for a variety of solid malignancies. Yet pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has failed to benefit from this paradigm shift, remaining notoriously refractory to targeted therapies. Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of management but can offer only modest survival benefits of a few months with 5-year survival rates rarely exceeding 3%. Despite these disappointing statistics, significant strides have been made towards understanding the complex biology of pancreatic cancer, with deep genomic sequencing identifying novel genetic aberrations and key signalling pathways. The PI3K-PDK1-AKT pathway has received great attention due to its prominence in carcinogenesis. However, efforts to target several components of this network have resulted in only a handful of drugs demonstrating any survival benefit in solid tumors; despite promising pre-clinical results. p-21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a gene that is recurrently amplified or overexpressed in PDAC and both PAK4 and related family member PAK1, have been linked to aberrant RAS activity, a common feature in pancreatic cancer. As regulators of PI3K, PAKs have been highlighted as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the biology of pancreatic cancer and the close interaction between PAKs and the PI3K pathway. We also suggest proposals for future research that may see the development of effective targeted therapies that could finally improve outcomes for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiruthikah Thillai
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hoyin Lam
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debashis Sarker
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Malignant carcinomas are often characterized by metastasis, the movement of carcinoma cells from a primary site to colonize distant organs. For metastasis to occur, carcinoma cells first must adopt a pro-migratory phenotype and move through the surrounding stroma towards a blood or lymphatic vessel. Currently, there are very limited possibilities to target these processes therapeutically. The family of Rho GTPases is an ubiquitously expressed division of GTP-binding proteins involved in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics and intracellular signaling. The best characterized members of the Rho family GTPases are RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42. Abnormalities in Rho GTPase function have major consequences for cancer progression. Rho GTPase activation is driven by cell surface receptors that activate GTP exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on Rho GTPase function in the regulation of metastasis. We will focus on key discoveries in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), cell-cell junctions, formation of membrane protrusions, plasticity of cell migration and adaptation to a hypoxic environment. In addition, we will emphasize on crosstalk between Rho GTPase family members and other important oncogenic pathways, such as cyclic AMP-mediated signaling, canonical Wnt/β-catenin, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (Hif1α) and provide an overview of the advancements and challenges in developing pharmacological tools to target Rho GTPase and the aforementioned crosstalk in the context of cancer therapeutics.
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From bench (laboratory) to bed (hospital/home): How to explore effective natural and synthetic PAK1-blockers/longevity-promoters for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 142:229-243. [PMID: 28814374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PAK family kinases are RAC/CDC42-activated kinases that were first found in a soil amoeba 4 decades ago, and 2 decades later, were discovered in mammals as well. Since then at least 6 members of this family have been identified in mammals. One of them called PAK1 has been best studied so far, mainly because it is essential not only for malignant cell growth and metastasis, but also for many other diseases/disorders such as diabetes (type 2), AD (Alzheimer's disease), hypertension, and a variety of inflammatory or infectious diseases, which definitely shorten our lifespan. Moreover, PAK1-deficient mutant of C. elegans lives longer than the wild-type by 60%, clearly indicating that PAK1 is not only an oncogenic but also ageing kinase. Thus, in theory, both anti-oncogenic and longevity-promoting activities are among the "intrinsic" properties or criteria of "clinically useful" PAK1-blockers. There are a variety of PAK1-blocking natural products such as propolis and curcumin which indeed extend the healthy lifespan of small animals such as C. elegans by inducing the autophagy. Recently, we managed to synthesize a series of potent water-soluble and highly cell-permeable triazolyl esters of COOH-bearing PAK1-blockers such as Ketorolac, ARC (artepillin C) and CA (caffeic acid) via "Click Chemistry" that boosts their anti-cancer activity over 500-fold, mainly by increasing their cell-permeability, and one of them called 15K indeed extends the lifespan of C. elegans. In this mini-review we shall discuss both synthetic and natural PAK1-blockers, some of which would be potentially useful for cancer therapy with least side effect (rather promoting the longevity as well).
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Yang Z, Wang H, Xia L, Oyang L, Zhou Y, Zhang B, Chen X, Luo X, Liao Q, Liang J. Overexpression of PAK1 Correlates with Aberrant Expression of EMT Markers and Poor Prognosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. J Cancer 2017; 8:1484-1491. [PMID: 28638464 PMCID: PMC5479255 DOI: 10.7150/jca.18553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases. PAK1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are key therapeutic targets in cancer. The clinical significance of PAK1 and its potential association with EMT phenotype in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was investigated. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of PAK1, and mesenchymal and epithelial markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin) in 186 cases of NSCLC tissues and 50 cases of tumor-adjacent normal tissues. The correlation of PAK1 with the clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis, and mesenchymal and epithelial markers in NSCLC were analyzed. Results: Compared with the non-tumor tissues, PAK1, vimentin, and N-cadherin levels were markedly elevated in NSCLC tissues, whereas the E-cadherin levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The aberrant expression of PAK1 was significantly associated with TNM stage and metastasis (P<0.001). Patients who displayed high expression of PAK1 may achieve a poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), compared to those with low expression of PAK1 (P=0.001 and P<0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that high expression of PAK1 was an independent predictor of poor prognosis [hazard ratio (HR) =2.121, P<0.001, HR=1.928, P=0.001, respectively]. In addition, significant correlations were observed between the EMT markers and OS or PFS (P<0.01). Interestingly, PAK1 expression was positively correlated with vimentin and N-cadherin levels (r=0.473, P<0.001; r=0.526, P<0.001, respectively) and negatively correlated with E-cadherin levels (r=-0.463, P<0.001) in NSCLC tissues. Conclusion: PAK1 may promote NSCLC progression and metastasis through EMT, thereby exhibiting the potential of an efficient prognostic predictor in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Hunan normal University, Changsha 410013, PR China
| | - Heran Wang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Longzheng Xia
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Linda Oyang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Baihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xia Luo
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jianping Liang
- Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Province, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
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40
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Yeo D, Phillips P, Baldwin GS, He H, Nikfarjam M. Inhibition of group 1 p21-activated kinases suppresses pancreatic stellate cell activation and increases survival of mice with pancreatic cancer. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:2101-2111. [PMID: 28109008 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal of all solid tumors. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are primarily responsible for the fibrosis that constitutes the stroma and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) may have a role in signalling pathways involving PSCs. This study aimed to examine the role of PAK1 in PSCs and in the interaction of PSCs with pancreatic cancer cells. Human PSCs were isolated using the modified outgrowth method. The effect of inhibiting PAK1 with group 1 PAK inhibitor, FRAX597, on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro was measured by thymidine incorporation and annexin V assays, respectively. The effect of depleting host PAK1 on the survival of mice with pancreatic Pan02 cell tumors was evaluated using PAK1 knockout (KO) mice. PAK1 was expressed in isolated PSCs. FRAX597 reduced the activation of PSCs, inhibited PSC proliferation, and increased PSC apoptosis at least in partial by inhibiting PAK1 activity. The decreased expression and activity of PAK1 in PAK1 KO mice tumors was associated with an increased mouse survival. These results implicate PAK1 as a regulator of PSC activation, proliferation and apoptosis. Targeting stromal PAK1 could increase therapeutic response and survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dannel Yeo
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phoebe Phillips
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Graham S Baldwin
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hong He
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Nikfarjam
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne. Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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41
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Jagadeeshan S, Venkatraman G, Rayala SK. Targeting p21 activated kinase 1 (Pak1) to PAKup Pancreatic Cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 20:1283-1285. [PMID: 27654702 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2016.1239719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sankar Jagadeeshan
- a Department of Biotechnology , IIT Madras , Chennai , India.,b Department of Genetics , University of Madras , Chennai , India
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- c Department of Human Genetics , Sri Ramachandra University , Chennai , India
| | - Suresh K Rayala
- a Department of Biotechnology , IIT Madras , Chennai , India
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42
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Merlin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling by blocking LRP6 phosphorylation. Cell Death Differ 2016; 23:1638-47. [PMID: 27285107 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2016.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Merlin, encoded by the NF2 gene, is a tumor suppressor that acts by inhibiting mitogenic signaling and is mutated in Neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) disease, although its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we observed that Merlin inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling by blocking phosphorylation of LRP6, which is necessary for Wnt signal transduction, whereas mutated Merlin in NF2 patients did not. Treatment with Wnt3a enhanced phosphorylation of Ser518 in Merlin via activation of PAK1 in a PIP2-dependent manner. Phosphorylated Merlin dissociated from LRP6, allowing for phosphorylation of LRP6. Tissues from NF2 patients exhibited higher levels of β-catenin, and proliferation of RT4-D6P2T rat schwannoma cells was significantly reduced by treatment with chemical inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Taken together, our findings suggest that sustained activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling due to abrogation of Merlin-mediated inhibition of LRP6 phosphorylation may be a cause of NF2 disease.
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