1
|
Benvenuto M, Ciuffa S, Focaccetti C, Sbardella D, Fazi S, Scimeca M, Tundo GR, Barillari G, Segni M, Bonanno E, Manzari V, Modesti A, Masuelli L, Coletta M, Bei R. Proteasome inhibition by bortezomib parallels a reduction in head and neck cancer cells growth, and an increase in tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19051. [PMID: 34561494 PMCID: PMC8463577 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98450-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) has frequently an aggressive course for the development of resistance to standard chemotherapy. Thus, the use of innovative therapeutic drugs is being assessed. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with anticancer effects. In vitro antitumoral activity of Bortezomib was investigated employing human tongue (SCC-15, CAL-27), pharynx (FaDu), salivary gland (A-253) cancer cell lines and a murine cell line (SALTO-5) originated from a salivary gland adenocarcinoma arising in BALB-neuT male mice transgenic for the oncogene neu. Bortezomib inhibited cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, modulated the expression and activation of pro-survival signaling transduction pathways proteins activated by ErbB receptors and inhibited proteasome activity in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of Bortezomib delayed tumor growth of SALTO-5 cells transplanted in BALB-neuT mice, protracted mice survival and adjusted tumor microenvironment by increasing tumor-infiltrating immune cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B lymphocytes, macrophages, and Natural Killer cells) and by decreasing vessels density. In addition, Bortezomib modified the expression of proteasome structural subunits in transplanted SALTO-5 cells. Our findings further support the use of Bortezomib for the treatment of HNC and reveal its ineffectiveness in counteracting the activation of deregulated specific signaling pathways in HNC cell lines when resistance to proteasome inhibition is developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica Benvenuto
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health and Medical Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Ciuffa
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.,Department of Human Science and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele University Rome, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Sara Fazi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuel Scimeca
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health and Medical Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.,Department of Human Science and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele University Rome, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Barillari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Segni
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale Regina Elena 364, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Bonanno
- Saint Camillus International, University of Health and Medical Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro 8, 00131, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.,"Diagnostica Medica" & "Villa Dei Platani", Neuromed Group, 83100, Avellino, Italy
| | - Vittorio Manzari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Modesti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Coletta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fan W, Wang W, Mao X, Chu S, Feng J, Xiao D, Zhou J, Fan S. Elevated levels of p-Mnk1, p-eIF4E and p-p70S6K proteins are associated with tumor recurrence and poor prognosis in astrocytomas. J Neurooncol 2016; 131:485-493. [PMID: 27900644 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-016-2327-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Malignant astrocytomas are able to invade neighboring and distant areas of the normal brain. Signaling pathway alterations play important role in the development of astrocytomas. Deregulation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) by MAP kinase-interacting kinases (Mnk) on Ser-209 directly or PI3K/mTOR/S6K pathway indirectly has a critical effect on promoting cellular proliferation, malignant transformation and metastasis. We examined and analyzed the correlation between expression of p-Mnk1, p-eIF4E and p-p70S6K proteins and clinicopathological features in 103 astrocytomas and 54 non-tumorous brain tissues. The results indicated that positive percentage of overexpression of p-Mnk1 and p-eIF4E proteins in astrocytomas were significantly higher than that of in the non-tumorous brain tissues (P < 0.05). Elevated p-Mnk1 and p-eIF4E and co-overexpressed three proteins were associated with tumor recurrence (P = 0.003, P = 0.006, P = 0.007, respectively). Overexpressed p-eIF4E significantly correlated with the tumor size (P = 0.019). In addition, overexpression of p-eIF4E and three proteins common expression were related to the WHO grade of astrocytomas (P = 0.001, P = 0.044 respectively). Spearman's rank correlation test further showed that the expression of p-Mnk1 was strongly positive correlated with the expression of p-eIF4E in astrocytomas (r = 0.294, P = 0.003). Besides, overexpression of p-eIF4E and co-expression of p-Mnk1, p-eIF4E and p-p70S6K proteins were inversely correlated with overall survival rates of astrocytomas. Multivariate Cox regression analysis further identified that the elevated p-eIF4E expression, three proteins common expression were correlated with unfavorable prognosis of astrocytomas regardless of ages and WHO grades. Taken together, overexpression of p-eIF4E and co-expression of p-Mnk1, p-eIF4E and p-p70S6K proteins could be used as novel independent poor prognostic biomarkers for patients with astrocytomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weibing Fan
- Department of Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Weiyuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
| | - Xinfa Mao
- Department of Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Shuzhou Chu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Desheng Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Strickland LR, Pal HC, Elmets CA, Afaq F. Targeting drivers of melanoma with synthetic small molecules and phytochemicals. Cancer Lett 2015; 359:20-35. [PMID: 25597784 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, but it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Traditional therapeutics and immunomodulatory agents have not shown much efficacy against metastatic melanoma. Agents that target the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling pathway - the BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib, and the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib - have increased survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. Further, the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib has been shown to be superior to single agent therapy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, resistance to these agents develops rapidly. Studies of additional agents and combinations targeting the MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR (PI3K), c-kit, and other signaling pathways are currently underway. Furthermore, studies of phytochemicals have yielded promising results against proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis by targeting signaling pathways with established roles in melanomagenesis. The relatively low toxicities of phytochemicals make their adjuvant use an attractive treatment option. The need for improved efficacy of current melanoma treatments calls for further investigation of each of these strategies. In this review, we will discuss synthetic small molecule inhibitors, combined therapies and current progress in the development of phytochemical therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leah Ray Strickland
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Harish Chandra Pal
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Craig A Elmets
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Farrukh Afaq
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Activation of Akt/mTOR pathway is associated with poor prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106098. [PMID: 25165983 PMCID: PMC4148345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor of the head and neck region, which frequently occurs in Southeast Asia, especially in the south of China. It is known that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a central role in regulating cellular functions, including proliferation, growth, survival, mobility, and angiogenesis. Aberrant expression of the mTOR signaling pathway molecules has been found in many types of cancer. However, whether the alterations of p-Akt, p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 protein expression are associated with clinicopathological features and prognostic implications in NPC have not been reported. The purposes of the present study are to investigate the association between the expression of p-Akt, p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 proteins and clinicopathological features in NPC by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the positive percentage of p-Akt, p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 proteins expression in NPC (47.2%, 73.0% and 61.7%, respectively) was significantly higher than that in the non-cancerous nasopharyngeal control tissue (33.3%, 59.1% and 47.0%, respectively). There was a significantly higher positive expression of p-Akt in undifferentiated non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma than that in differentiated non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (P = 0.014). Additionally, positive expression of p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 proteins, and positive expression of either of p-Akt, p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 were significantly correlated inversely with overall survival rates of NPC patients (P = 0.023, P = 0.033, P = 0.008, respectively). Spearman’s rank correlation test showed that expression of p-Akt in NPC was significantly associated with expression of p-p70S6K (r = 0.263, P<0.001) and p-4EBP1(r = 0.284, P<0.001). Also there was an obviously positive association between expression of p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 proteins in NPC (r = 0.286, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis further identified positive expression of p-4EBP1 and p-p70S6K proteins were the independent poor prognostic factors for NPC (P = 0.043, P = 0.027, respectively). Taken together, high expression of p-p70S6K and p-4EBP1 proteins may act as valuable independent biomarkers to predict a poor prognosis of NPC.
Collapse
|
5
|
Horman SR, Janas MM, Litterst C, Wang B, MacRae IJ, Sever MJ, Morrissey DV, Graves P, Luo B, Umesalma S, Qi HH, Miraglia LJ, Novina CD, Orth AP. Akt-mediated phosphorylation of argonaute 2 downregulates cleavage and upregulates translational repression of MicroRNA targets. Mol Cell 2013; 50:356-67. [PMID: 23603119 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A high-throughput RNA interference (RNAi) screen targeting 542 genes of the human kinome was used to discover regulators of RNAi. Here we report that the proto-oncogene Akt-3/PKBγ (Akt3) phosphorylates Argonaute 2 (Ago2) at S387, which downregulates cleavage and upregulates translational repression of endogenous microRNA (miRNA)-targeted messenger RNAs (mRNAs). We further demonstrate that Akt3 coimmunoprecipitates with Ago2 and phosphorylation of Ago2 at S387 facilitates its interaction with GW182 and localization to cytoplasmic processing bodies (P bodies), where miRNA-targeted mRNAs are thought to be stored and degraded. Therefore, Akt3-mediated phosphorylation of Ago2 is a molecular switch between target mRNA cleavage and translational repression activities of Ago2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane R Horman
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)-AKT pathway is one of the most important signaling networks in cancer. There is growing evidence that activation of this pathway plays a significant role in melanoma, frequently in the setting of concurrent activation of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling. This evidence includes the identification of genetic and epigenetic events that activate this pathway in melanoma cell lines and clinical specimens. In addition, functional experiments have demonstrated important roles for the PI3K-AKT pathway in both melanoma initiation and therapeutic resistance. The availability of many inhibitors against the PI3K-AKT pathway is rapidly leading to the development of trials that will ultimately determine its clinical significance in this disease. The rational development of such therapies will be facilitated by strategies that utilize the growing understanding of the complexity of the regulation and roles of this pathway.
Collapse
|
7
|
Dufour J, Viennois E, De Boussac H, Baron S, Lobaccaro JM. Oxysterol receptors, AKT and prostate cancer. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2012; 12:724-8. [PMID: 22819197 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2012.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oxysterols derive from cholesterol oxidation. They display various biological activities such as regulating cholesterol, fatty acid and glucose homeostasis as well as cell survival/apoptosis balance. Oxysterols display these metabolic and transcriptional activities mainly through their nuclear receptors known as Liver X Receptors (LXRs) α and β. There is accumulating evidence that LXRs are key modulators of prostate cancer cell survival. Hence, LXR activation increases cholesterol efflux and induces a disruption of lipid rafts. The decrease of membrane cholesterol causes a down regulation of AKT survival pathway and consequently apoptosis. Moreover cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive forms of prostate cancer. These data highlight the interest of targeting the LXR-AKT axis in prostate carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Dufour
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Génétique Reproduction et Développement, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tibarewal P, Zilidis G, Spinelli L, Schurch N, Maccario H, Gray A, Perera NM, Davidson L, Barton GJ, Leslie NR. PTEN Protein Phosphatase Activity Correlates with Control of Gene Expression and Invasion, a Tumor-Suppressing Phenotype, But Not with AKT Activity. Sci Signal 2012; 5:ra18. [DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2002138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
9
|
Calleja V, Laguerre M, Larijani B. Role of the C-terminal regulatory domain in the allosteric inhibition of PKB/Akt. Adv Biol Regul 2012; 52:46-57. [PMID: 21930144 DOI: 10.1016/j.advenzreg.2011.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Calleja
- Cell Biophysics Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3LY London, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
The secret life of kinases: functions beyond catalysis. Cell Commun Signal 2011; 9:23. [PMID: 22035226 PMCID: PMC3215182 DOI: 10.1186/1478-811x-9-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation participates in the regulation of all fundamental biological processes, and protein kinases have been intensively studied. However, while the focus was on catalytic activities, accumulating evidence suggests that non-catalytic properties of protein kinases are essential, and in some cases even sufficient for their functions. These non-catalytic functions include the scaffolding of protein complexes, the competition for protein interactions, allosteric effects on other enzymes, subcellular targeting, and DNA binding. This rich repertoire often is used to coordinate phosphorylation events and enhance the specificity of substrate phosphorylation, but also can adopt functions that do not rely on kinase activity. Here, we discuss such kinase independent functions of protein and lipid kinases focussing on kinases that play a role in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and motility.
Collapse
|
11
|
Turn motif phosphorylation negatively regulates activation loop phosphorylation in Akt. Oncogene 2011; 30:4487-97. [PMID: 21577208 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Akt, also known as protein kinase B, has a central role in various signaling pathways that regulate cellular processes such as metabolism, proliferation and survival. On stimulation, phosphorylation of the activation loop (A-loop) and hydrophobic motif (HM) of Akt by the kinase phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), respectively, results in Akt activation. A well-conserved threonine in the turn motif (TM) is also constitutively phosphorylated by mTORC2 and contributes to the stability of Akt. The role of TM phosphorylation in HM and A-loop phosphorylation has not been sufficiently evaluated. Using starfish oocytes as a model system, this study provides the first evidence that TM phosphorylation has a negative role in A-loop phosphorylation. In this system, the maturation-inducing hormone, 1-methyladenine, stimulates Akt to reinitiate meiosis through activation of cyclin B-Cdc2. The phosphorylation status of Akt was monitored via introduction of exogenous human Akt (hAkt) in starfish oocytes. TM and HM phosphorylation was inhibited by microinjection of an anti-starfish TOR antibody, but not by rapamycin treatment, suggesting that both phosphorylation events depend on TORC2, as reported in mammalian cells. A single or double alanine substitution at each of three phosphorylation residues revealed that TM phosphorylation renders Akt susceptible to dephosphorylation on the A-loop. When A-loop phosphatase was inhibited by okadaic acid (OA), TM phosphorylation still reduced A-loop phosphorylation, suggesting that the effect is caused at least partially through reduction of sensitivity to PDK1. Negative regulation by TM phosphorylation was also observed in constitutively active Akt and was functionally reflected in meiosis resumption. By contrast, HM phosphorylation enhanced A-loop phosphorylation and achieved full activation of Akt via a mechanism at least partially independent of TM phosphorylation. These observations provide new insight into the mechanism controlling Akt phosphorylation in the cell.
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu D, Huang Y, Chen B, Zeng J, Guo N, Zhang S, Liu L, Xu H, Mo X, Li W. Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin pathway confers adverse outcome in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. Cancer 2011; 117:3763-73. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.25959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Revised: 12/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
|