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Niranjan V, Setlur AS, K C, Kumkum S, Dasgupta S, Singh V, Desai V, Kumar J. Exploring the Synergistic Mechanism of AP2A2 Transcription Factor Inhibition via Molecular Modeling and Simulations as a Novel Computational Approach for Combating Breast Cancer: In Silico Interpretations. Mol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12033-023-00871-3. [PMID: 37747672 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00871-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Studies have shown that transcription factor AP2A2 (activator protein-2 alpha-2) is involved in the expression of DLEC1, a tumor suppressor gene, which, when mutated, will cause breast cancer and is thus an excellent target for breast cancer studies. Therefore, in the present research, a synergistic approach toward combating breast cancer is proposed by blocking AP2A2 factor, and allowing the cancer cells to be sensitive to anti-cancer drugs. The effect of AP2A2 on breast cancer was first understood via gene analysis from cBioPortal. AP2A2 was then modeled using RaptorX and its structure was validated from Ramachandran plots. Using all ligands from MolPort database, molecular docking was performed against AP2A2, from which the top three best docked ligands were studied for toxicity in humans using Protox-II. Once the ligands passed these tests, the best complexes were simulated at 200ns in Desmond Maestro, to comprehend their stabilities, followed by the computations of free energies of binding via Molecular mechanics- Generalized Born Solvent Accessibility method (MM-GBSA). The results showed that molecules MolPort-005-945-556 (sachharolipids), MolPort-001-741-124 (flavonoids), and MolPort-005-944-667 (lignan glycosides) with AP2A2 passed toxicity evaluation and belonged to toxicity classes 6, 5, and 5, respectively, with good docking energies. 200 ns simulations revealed stable complexes with slight conformational changes. Stability of ligands was confirmed via snapshots at every 20 ns of the trajectory. Radial distribution of these molecules against the protein revealed very slight deviation from binding pocket. Additionally, the free binding energies for these complexes were found to be - 54.93 ± 12.982 kcal/mol, - 44.39 ± 14.393 kcal/mol, and - 66.51 ± 13.522 kcal/mol, respectively. A preliminary computational validation of the inability of AP2A2 to bind to DLEC1 in the presence of ligands offers beneficial insights into the potential of these ligands. Therefore, this study sheds light on the potential natural molecules that could stably block AP2A2 with least deviation and act in synergy to aid anti-cancer drugs work on breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya Niranjan
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India.
| | - Anagha S Setlur
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India
| | - Chandrashekar K
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India
| | - Sneha Kumkum
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India
| | - Sanjana Dasgupta
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India
| | - Varsha Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India
| | - Vrushali Desai
- Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bangalore, 560059, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar
- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), CGO complex Lodhi Road, New Delhi, India.
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Lee RS, Sad K, Fawwal DV, Spangle JM. Emerging Role of Epigenetic Modifiers in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Response. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4005. [PMID: 37568822 PMCID: PMC10417282 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15154005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer pathogenesis, treatment, and patient outcomes are shaped by tumor-intrinsic genomic alterations that divide breast tumors into molecular subtypes. These molecular subtypes often dictate viable therapeutic interventions and, ultimately, patient outcomes. However, heterogeneity in therapeutic response may be a result of underlying epigenetic features that may further stratify breast cancer patient outcomes. In this review, we examine non-genetic mechanisms that drive functional changes to chromatin in breast cancer to contribute to cell and tumor fitness and highlight how epigenetic activity may inform the therapeutic response. We conclude by providing perspectives on the future of therapeutic targeting of epigenetic enzymes, an approach that holds untapped potential to improve breast cancer patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Sean Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.S.L.); (K.S.); (D.V.F.)
- Department of Biology, Emory College, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kirti Sad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.S.L.); (K.S.); (D.V.F.)
| | - Dorelle V. Fawwal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.S.L.); (K.S.); (D.V.F.)
- Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30311, USA
| | - Jennifer Marie Spangle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.S.L.); (K.S.); (D.V.F.)
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Kapinova A, Mazurakova A, Halasova E, Dankova Z, Büsselberg D, Costigliola V, Golubnitschaja O, Kubatka P. Underexplored reciprocity between genome-wide methylation status and long non-coding RNA expression reflected in breast cancer research: potential impacts for the disease management in the framework of 3P medicine. EPMA J 2023; 14:249-273. [PMID: 37275549 PMCID: PMC10236066 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-023-00323-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female malignancy reaching a pandemic scale worldwide. A comprehensive interplay between genetic alterations and shifted epigenetic regions synergistically leads to disease development and progression into metastatic BC. DNA and histones methylations, as the most studied epigenetic modifications, represent frequent and early events in the process of carcinogenesis. To this end, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recognized as potent epigenetic modulators in pathomechanisms of BC by contributing to the regulation of DNA, RNA, and histones' methylation. In turn, the methylation status of DNA, RNA, and histones can affect the level of lncRNAs expression demonstrating the reciprocity of mechanisms involved. Furthermore, lncRNAs might undergo methylation in response to actual medical conditions such as tumor development and treated malignancies. The reciprocity between genome-wide methylation status and long non-coding RNA expression levels in BC remains largely unexplored. Since the bio/medical research in the area is, per evidence, strongly fragmented, the relevance of this reciprocity for BC development and progression has not yet been systematically analyzed. Contextually, the article aims at:consolidating the accumulated knowledge on both-the genome-wide methylation status and corresponding lncRNA expression patterns in BC andhighlighting the potential benefits of this consolidated multi-professional approach for advanced BC management. Based on a big data analysis and machine learning for individualized data interpretation, the proposed approach demonstrates a great potential to promote predictive diagnostics and targeted prevention in the cost-effective primary healthcare (sub-optimal health conditions and protection against the health-to-disease transition) as well as advanced treatment algorithms tailored to the individualized patient profiles in secondary BC care (effective protection against metastatic disease). Clinically relevant examples are provided, including mitochondrial health control and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kapinova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Erika Halasova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Dankova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Dietrich Büsselberg
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, 24144 Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, and Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
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Liao C, Liu X, Zhang C, Zhang Q. Tumor hypoxia: From basic knowledge to therapeutic implications. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:172-186. [PMID: 36603793 PMCID: PMC9929926 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Diminished oxygen availability, termed hypoxia, within solid tumors is one of the most common characteristics of cancer. Hypoxia shapes the landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME) into a pro-tumorigenic and pro-metastatic niche through arrays of pathological alterations such as abnormal vasculature, altered metabolism, immune-suppressive phenotype, etc. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that limited efficacy or the development of resistance towards antitumor therapy may be largely due to the hypoxic TME. This review will focus on summarizing the knowledge about the molecular machinery that mediates the hypoxic cellular responses and adaptations, as well as highlighting the effects and consequences of hypoxia, especially for angiogenesis regulation, cellular metabolism alteration, and immunosuppressive response within the TME. We also outline the current advances in novel therapeutic implications through targeting hypoxia in TME. A deep understanding of the basics and the role of hypoxia in the tumor will help develop better therapeutic avenues in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengheng Liao
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xijuan Liu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Ramathebane MM, Sooro MA, Kabuya RM, Sayed AR. Knowledge and attitudes relating to cervical and breast cancer among women in Maseru, Lesotho. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2022; 14:e1-e8. [PMID: 36546486 PMCID: PMC9772699 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer has remained one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In Lesotho, breast and cervical cancers contribute about 43% of all the cancer cases annually. AIM This study is aimed at comparing knowledge, attitudes, and practices between breast and cervical cancers among females in Maseru. SETTINGS This study consists of women residing in five study sites which have clinics that offer cervical and breast cancer-screening services. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2021 in Maseru, the Capital city of Lesotho. The participants were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire, through which their knowledge, practices about, and attitudes towards breast and cervical cancers were assessed. RESULTS A total of 228 women aged 15-75 years participated in the study and the majority were aged 30 years and above. Of the women interviewed for cervical cancer, 89.5% had heard of it, 11.8% had heard of its screening, and 7.4% had at least one examination. Similarly, for breast cancer, 77.6% of women who had heard of it, 72.9% had heard of screening, and 40.1% of women did at least one examination. CONCLUSION The majority of women were more knowledgeable about cervical cancer than breast cancer. However, more women had heard about breast cancer screening than cervical cancer screening. Therefore, there is a need for awareness campaigns related to cervical cancers' screening.Contribution: There is an urgent need to intensify awareness about cervical and breast cancer screening and availability of services at the nearby clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maseabata M. Ramathebane
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Mopa A. Sooro
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
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Shen Y, Singh J, Sah B, Chen Z, Ha W, Henzler C, Su T, Xie L, Deng Y, Li G, Guo H, Hibshoosh H, Liu L. The Histone Demethylase HR Suppresses Breast Cancer Development through Enhanced CELF2 Tumor Suppressor Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4648. [PMID: 36230572 PMCID: PMC9564370 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hairless (HR) gene encodes a transcription factor with histone demethylase activity that is essential for development and tissue homeostasis. Previous studies suggest that mutational inactivation of HR promotes tumorigenesis. To investigate HR mutations in breast cancer, we performed targeted next-generation sequencing using DNA isolated from primary breast cancer tissues. We identified HR somatic mutations in approximately 15% of the patient cohort (n = 85), compared with 23% for BRCA2, 13% for GATA3, 7% for BRCA1, and 3% for PTEN in the same patient cohort. We also found an average 23% HR copy number loss in breast cancers. In support of HR's antitumor functions, HR reconstitution in HR-deficient human breast cancer cells significantly suppressed tumor growth in orthotopic xenograft mouse models. We further demonstrated that HR's antitumor activity was at least partly mediated by transcriptional activation of CELF2, a tumor suppressor with RNA-binding activity. Consistent with HR's histone demethylase activity, pharmacologic inhibition of histone methylation suppressed HR-deficient breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and tumor growth. Taken together, we identified HR as a novel tumor suppressor that is frequently mutated in breast cancer. We also showed that pharmacologic inhibition of histone methylation is effective in suppressing HR-deficient breast tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jasvinder Singh
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Bindeshwar Sah
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Zhongming Chen
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Wootae Ha
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Christine Henzler
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Tao Su
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lillian Xie
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
| | - Yibin Deng
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Gen Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hanina Hibshoosh
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN 55912, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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