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Somanath PR, Chernoff J, Cummings BS, Prasad SM, Homan HD. Targeting P21-Activated Kinase-1 for Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082236. [PMID: 37190165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has limited therapeutic options and a high mortality rate. The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family of proteins is important in cell survival, proliferation, and motility in physiology, and pathologies such as infectious, inflammatory, vascular, and neurological diseases as well as cancers. Group-I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3) are involved in the regulation of actin dynamics and thus are integral for cell morphology, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and cell motility. They also play prominent roles in cell survival and proliferation. These properties make group-I PAKs a potentially important target for cancer therapy. In contrast to normal prostate and prostatic epithelial cells, group-I PAKs are highly expressed in mPCA and PCa tissue. Importantly, the expression of group-I PAKs is proportional to the Gleason score of the patients. While several compounds have been identified that target group-I PAKs and these are active in cells and mice, and while some inhibitors have entered human trials, as of yet, none have been FDA-approved. Probable reasons for this lack of translation include issues related to selectivity, specificity, stability, and efficacy resulting in side effects and/or lack of efficacy. In the current review, we describe the pathophysiology and current treatment guidelines of PCa, present group-I PAKs as a potential druggable target to treat mPCa patients, and discuss the various ATP-competitive and allosteric inhibitors of PAKs. We also discuss the development and testing of a nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulation of group-I PAK inhibitors and its significant potential advantages as a novel, selective, stable, and efficacious mPCa therapeutic over other PCa therapeutics in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payaningal R Somanath
- Department of Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Brian S Cummings
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sandip M Prasad
- Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
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2
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Tang L, Gao Y, Li T. Pan-cancer analysis identifies the immunological and prognostic role of PAK4. Life Sci 2023; 312:121263. [PMID: 36470541 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
AIMS P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) belongs to the wider family of Serine/Threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs) and functions as a hub for signaling pathways in cancer progression. Numerous studies have indicated the significance of PAK4 for tumorigenesis, but no systematic pan-cancer analysis has been performed. MAIN METHODS The current study aimed to investigate the prognostic and immunological functions of PAK4 through bioinformatic analysis of datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, UALCAN, GEPIA2, cBioPortal, TIMER2, and Human Protein Atlas. PAK4 expression was correlated with prognosis, DNA methylation, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and immune cell infiltration. KEY FINDINGS PAK4 was highly expressed in various cancers but showed decreased expression in colon adenocarcinoma, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma, and thyroid carcinoma. PAK4 was found to have a positive or negative correlation with prognosis of different cancers. PAK4 expression was related to tumor mutational burden in 11 tumor types, and associated with microsatellite instability in 10 tumor types and was correlated with immune infiltration and immune checkpoint genes. SIGNIFICANCE PAK4 could be considered as a prognostic and immunotherapeutic marker for some types of malignant tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Tang
- Advanced Medical Research Center of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450007, China.
| | - Yunling Gao
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China
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3
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Chetty AK, Ha BH, Boggon TJ. Rho family GTPase signaling through type II p21-activated kinases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:598. [PMID: 36401658 PMCID: PMC10105373 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Signaling from the Rho family small GTPases controls a wide range of signaling outcomes. Key among the downstream effectors for many of the Rho GTPases are the p21-activated kinases, or PAK group. The PAK family comprises two types, the type I PAKs (PAK1, 2 and 3) and the type II PAKs (PAK4, 5 and 6), which have distinct structures and mechanisms of regulation. In this review, we discuss signal transduction from Rho GTPases with a focus on the type II PAKs. We discuss the role of PAKs in signal transduction pathways and selectivity of Rho GTPases for PAK family members. We consider the less well studied of the Rho GTPases and their PAK-related signaling. We then discuss the molecular basis for kinase domain recognition of substrates and for regulation of signaling. We conclude with a discussion of the role of PAKs in cross talk between Rho family small GTPases and the roles of PAKs in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin K Chetty
- Yale College, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Titus J Boggon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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4
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Mozibullah M, Junaid M. Biological Role of the PAK4 Signaling Pathway: A Prospective Therapeutic Target for Multivarious Cancers. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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5
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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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Yuan Y, Zhang H, Li D, Li Y, Lin F, Wang Y, Song H, Liu X, Li F, Zhang J. PAK4 in cancer development: Emerging player and therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Lett 2022; 545:215813. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Yu X, Huang C, Liu J, Shi X, Li X. The significance of PAK4 in signaling and clinicopathology: A review. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:586-598. [PMID: 35800076 PMCID: PMC9210989 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0064] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) are thought to be at the center of tumor signaling pathways. As a representative member of the group II PAK family, P21-activated protein kinase 4 (PAK4) plays an important role in the development of tumors, with several biological functions such as participating in oncogenic transformation, promoting cell division, resisting aging and apoptosis, regulating cytoskeleton and adhesion, as well as suppressing antitumor immune responses. PAK4 is also crucial in biological processes, including the occurrence, proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and immune escape of tumor cells. It is closely related to poor prognosis and tumor-related pathological indicators, which have significant clinical and pathological significance. Therefore, this article offers a review of the structure, activation, and biological functions of PAK4 and its clinical and pathological importance. This overview should be of assistance for future research on PAK4 and tumors and provide new ideas for tumor treatment and prognostic evaluation of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Yu
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Changwei Huang
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Jiyuan Liu
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xinyu Shi
- The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
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Yoon HR, Chai CC, Kim CH, Kang NS. A Study on the Effect of the Substituent against PAK4 Inhibition Using In Silico Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063337. [PMID: 35328758 PMCID: PMC8953563 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic inductive properties of atoms or functional groups depend on the chemical properties of either electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) or electron-donating groups (EDGs). This study aimed to evaluate in silico methods to determine whether changes in chemical properties of the compound by single atomic substitution affect the biological activity of target proteins and whether the results depend on the properties of the functional groups. We found an imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-based PAK4 inhibitor, compound 1, as an initial hit compound with the well-defined binding mode for PAK4. In this study, we used both experimental and in silico methods to investigate the effect of atomic substitution on biological activity to optimize the initial hit compound. In biological assays, in the case of EWG, as the size of the halogen atom became smaller and the electronegativity increased, the biological activity IC50 value ranged from 5150 nM to inactive; in the case of EDG, biological activity was inactive. Furthermore, we analyzed the interactions of PAK4 with compounds, focusing on the hinge region residues, L398 and E399, and gatekeeper residues, M395 and K350, of the PAK4 protein using molecular docking studies and fragment molecular orbital (FMO) methods to determine the differences between the effect of EWG and EDG on the activity of target proteins. These results of the docking score and binding energy did not explain the differences in biological activity. However, the pair-interaction energy obtained from the results of the FMO method indicated that there was a difference in the interaction energy between the EWG and EDG in the hinge region residues, L398 and E399, as well as in M395 and K350. The two groups with different properties exhibited opposite electrostatic energy and charge transfer energy between L398 and E399. Additionally, we investigated the electron distribution of the parts interacting with the hinge region by visualizing the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface of the compounds. In conclusion, we described the properties of functional groups that affect biological activity using an in silico method, FMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Ree Yoon
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Korea;
| | - Chong Chul Chai
- Pharos iBio Co., Ltd. #1408, 38 Heungan-daero 427, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si 14059, Korea; (C.C.C.); (C.H.K.)
| | - Cheol Hee Kim
- Pharos iBio Co., Ltd. #1408, 38 Heungan-daero 427, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si 14059, Korea; (C.C.C.); (C.H.K.)
| | - Nam Sook Kang
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-42-821-8626
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9
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Naїja A, Merhi M, Inchakalody V, Fernandes Q, Mestiri S, Prabhu KS, Uddin S, Dermime S. The role of PAK4 in the immune system and its potential implication in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Immunol 2021; 367:104408. [PMID: 34246086 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The p21 activated kinases (PAKs) are known to play a role in the regulation of cell morphology and functions. Among the various members of PAKs family, only the PAK4 protein has been shown to be overexpressed in cancer cells and its upregulation was associated with tumor development. Indeed, several studies have shown that PAK4 overexpression is implicated in carcinogenesis by different mechanisms including promotion of cell proliferation, invasion and migration, protection of cells from apoptosis, stimulation of the tumor-specific anchorage-independent cell growth and regulation of the cytoskeletal organisation and adhesion. Moreover, high PAK4 protein levels have been observed in several solid tumors and have been shown able to enhance cancer cell resistance to many treatments especially chemotherapy. Interestingly, it has been recently demonstrated that PAK4 downregulation can inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 immune regulatory pathway. Taken together, these findings not only implicate PAK4 in oncogenic transformation and in prediction of tumor response to treatment but also suggest its role as an attractive target for immunotherapy. In the current review we will summarize the different mechanisms of PAK4 implication in tumor development, describe its role as a regulator of the immune response and as a potential novel target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Naїja
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic health system, Hamad medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Translational Cancer Research Facility, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
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10
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Wang Y, Shao F, Chen L. miR-425 regulates ovarian cancer proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis by repressing PAK4 expression. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2021; 18:76-83. [PMID: 33765367 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To explore the biological function of miR-425/PAK4 axis in proliferation, metastasis, and apoptosis of ovarian cancer (OC) cells. METHODS qRT-PCR and Western blot were adopted to examine miR-425 and PAK4 expressions in OC tissues and cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and BrdU assays were applied to detect the proliferation ability of OC cells, and Transwell assay was adopted to assess the migration and invasion of OC cells. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the apoptosis of OC cells. The interaction between miR-425 and PAK4 was predicted and verified by bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter gene assay, respectively. RESULTS miR-425 was reduced in OC tissues and cell lines, and its underexpression was in evident correlation with the shorter overall survival time of OC patients. miR-425 impeded OC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accelerated apoptosis. Additionally, PAK4 was validated as the target of miR-425, and the cotransfection of PAK4 reversed the antitumor effect of miR-425. CONCLUSION miR-425 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells and enhances apoptosis via inhibiting PAK4, and it is expected to be a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for the patients with OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Wang
- Department of thoracic surgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Gynecological Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng Shao
- Department of thoracic surgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Gynecological Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of thoracic surgery, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (ICBM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Department of Gynecological Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Liyanage C, Malik A, Abeysinghe P, Clements J, Batra J. SWATH-MS Based Proteomic Profiling of Prostate Cancer Cells Reveals Adaptive Molecular Mechanisms in Response to Anti-Androgen Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:715. [PMID: 33572476 PMCID: PMC7916382 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer affecting men worldwide. PCa shows a broad-spectrum heterogeneity in its biological and clinical behavior. Although androgen targeted therapy (ATT) has been the mainstay therapy for advanced PCa, it inevitably leads to treatment resistance and progression to castration resistant PCa (CRPC). Thus, greater understanding of the molecular basis of treatment resistance and CRPC progression is needed to improve treatments for this lethal phenotype. The current study interrogated both proteomics and transcriptomic alterations stimulated in AR antagonist/anti-androgen (Bicalutamide and Enzalutamide) treated androgen-dependent cell model (LNCaP) in comparison with androgen-independent/castration-resistant cell model (C4-2B). The analysis highlighted the activation of MYC and PSF/SFPQ oncogenic upstream regulators in response to the anti-androgen treatment. Moreover, the study revealed anti-androgen induced genes/proteins related to transcription/translation regulation, energy metabolism, cell communication and signaling cascades promoting tumor growth and proliferation. In addition, these molecules were found dysregulated in PCa clinical proteomic and transcriptomic datasets, suggesting their potential involvement in PCa progression. In conclusion, our study provides key molecular signatures and associated pathways that might contribute to CRPC progression despite treatment with anti-androgens. Such molecular signatures could be potential therapeutic targets to improve the efficacy of existing therapies and/or predictive/prognostic value in CRPC for treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chamikara Liyanage
- Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; (C.L.); (A.M.); (P.A.); (J.C.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland (APCRC-Q), Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4012, Australia
| | - Adil Malik
- Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; (C.L.); (A.M.); (P.A.); (J.C.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland (APCRC-Q), Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4012, Australia
| | - Pevindu Abeysinghe
- Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; (C.L.); (A.M.); (P.A.); (J.C.)
| | - Judith Clements
- Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; (C.L.); (A.M.); (P.A.); (J.C.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland (APCRC-Q), Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4012, Australia
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; (C.L.); (A.M.); (P.A.); (J.C.)
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland (APCRC-Q), Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4012, Australia
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Parks SE, Yustein JT. PAK1 and PAK4 as therapeutic targets for Ewing sarcoma: a commentary. JOURNAL OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2021; 2:94-97. [PMID: 36594908 PMCID: PMC9802585 DOI: 10.46439/cancerbiology.2.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive pediatric bone tumor that is prone to metastasis. Due to low five-year survival rates and limited therapeutic options for metastatic disease, there is a dire clinical need for improved ES treatments. Targeting p21-activated kinases (PAKs) may be key. PAK1 and PAK4 are associated with aggressive ES and poor patient outcomes, although their molecular mechanisms remain largely uncharacterized in this disease. This commentary aims to highlight the recent advancements made to the understanding of PAK1 and PAK4 in ES in the paper "p21-activated kinases as viable therapeutic targets for the treatment of high-risk Ewing sarcoma" by Qasim et al.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney E. Parks
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Cancer and Cell Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jason T. Yustein
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Cancer and Cell Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA,Author for correspondence:
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13
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PAK4 methylation by the methyltransferase SETD6 attenuates cell adhesion. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17068. [PMID: 33051544 PMCID: PMC7555502 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74081-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a member of serine/threonine kinases family is over-expressed in numerous cancer tumors and is associated with oncogenic cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Our recent work demonstrated that the SET-domain containing protein 6 (SETD6) interacts with and methylates PAK4 at chromatin in mammalian cells, leading to activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In our current work, we identified lysine 473 (K473) on PAK4 as the primary methylation site by SETD6. Methylation of PAK4 at K473 activates β-catenin transcriptional activity and inhibits cell adhesion. Specific methylation of PAK4 at K473 also attenuates paxillin localization to focal adhesions leading to overall reduction in adhesion-related features, such as filopodia and actin structures. The altered adhesion of the PAK4 wild-type cells is accompanied with a decrease in the migrative and invasive characteristics of the cells. Taken together, our results suggest that methylation of PAK4 at K473 plays a vital role in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration.
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14
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Chetty AK, Sexton JA, Ha BH, Turk BE, Boggon TJ. Recognition of physiological phosphorylation sites by p21-activated kinase 4. J Struct Biol 2020; 211:107553. [PMID: 32585314 PMCID: PMC7395882 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107553] [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: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many serine/threonine protein kinases discriminate between serine and threonine substrates as a filter to control signaling output. Among these, the p21-activated kinase (PAK) group strongly favors phosphorylation of Ser over Thr residues. PAK4, a group II PAK, almost exclusively phosphorylates its substrates on serine residues. The only well documented exception is LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1), which is phosphorylated on an activation loop threonine (Thr508) to promote its catalytic activity. To understand the molecular and kinetic basis for PAK4 substrate selectivity we compared its mode of recognition of LIMK1 (Thr508) with that of a known serine substrate, β-catenin (Ser675). We determined X-ray crystal structures of PAK4 in complex with synthetic peptides corresponding to its phosphorylation sites in LIMK1 and β-catenin to 1.9 Å and 2.2 Å resolution, respectively. We found that the PAK4 DFG + 1 residue, a key determinant of phosphoacceptor preference, adopts a sub-optimal orientation when bound to LIMK1 compared to β-catenin. In peptide kinase activity assays, we find that phosphoacceptor identity impacts catalytic efficiency but does not affect the Km value for both phosphorylation sites. Although catalytic efficiency of wild-type LIMK1 and β-catenin are equivalent, T508S mutation of LIMK1 creates a highly efficient substrate. These results suggest suboptimal phosphorylation of LIMK1 as a mechanism for controlling the dynamics of substrate phosphorylation by PAK4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin K. Chetty
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Joel A. Sexton
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Benjamin E. Turk
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Titus J. Boggon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,To whom correspondence should be addressed
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15
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Zhang S, Yin Y, Li C, Zhao Y, Wang Q, Zhang X. PAK4 suppresses TNF-induced release of endothelial microparticles in HUVECs cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:12740-12749. [PMID: 32657762 PMCID: PMC7377857 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulated in many inflammatory diseases, and a potent inducer of endothelial cell-derived microparticle (EMP) formation. In this study, we identified the protein kinase PAK4 as a key regulator of the TNF-induced EMP release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TNF induces dose- and time-dependent EMP release and downregulation of PAK4 and upstream cdc42 in HUVECs. PAK4 suppression or inhibition of its kinase activity increases TNF-induced EMP release and apoptosis in HUVECs, while PAK4 overexpression reduces EMP release and apoptosis in TNF-stimulated cells. Collectively, these data indicate that PAK4 suppresses TNF-induced EMP generation occurring during apoptosis, and suggest that modulation of PAK4 activity may represent a novel approach to suppress the TNF-induced EMP levels in pro-inflammatory disorders and other pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouqin Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingjie Yin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo, Jiangbei District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Congye Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Qixing Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Jing'an, Shanghai, China
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16
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Zhao Y, Li W. Beta-adrenergic signaling on neuroendocrine differentiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis in prostate cancer progression. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:253-259. [PMID: 29848834 PMCID: PMC6498733 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_32_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a complex, heterogeneous disease that mainly affects the older male population with a high-mortality rate. The mechanisms underlying prostate cancer progression are still incompletely understood. Beta-adrenergic signaling has been shown to regulate multiple cellular processes as a mediator of chronic stress. Recently, beta-adrenergic signaling has been reported to affect the development of aggressive prostate cancer by regulating neuroendocrine differentiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Here, we briefly summarize and discuss recent advances in these areas and their implications in prostate cancer therapeutics. We aim to provide a better understanding of the contribution of beta-adrenergic signaling to the progression of aggressive prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Zhao
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Memorial Herman Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wenliang Li
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Memorial Herman Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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17
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Ramos-Álvarez I, Lee L, Jensen RT. Group II p21-activated kinase, PAK4, is needed for activation of focal adhesion kinases, MAPK, GSK3, and β-catenin in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G490-G503. [PMID: 31984786 PMCID: PMC7099487 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00229.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PAK4 is the only member of the Group II p21-activated kinases (PAKs) present in rat pancreatic acinar cells and is activated by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters stimulating PLC/cAMP and by various pancreatic growth factors. However, little is known of the role of PAK4 activation in cellular signaling cascades in pancreatic acinar cells. In the present study, we examined the role of PAK4's participation in five different cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-stimulated signaling pathways (PI3K/Akt, MAPK, focal adhesion kinase, GSK3, and β-catenin), which mediate many of its physiological acinar-cell effects, as well as effects in pathophysiological conditions. To define PAK4's role, the effect of two different PAK4 inhibitors, PF-3758309 and LCH-7749944, was examined under experimental conditions that only inhibited PAK4 activation and not activation of the other pancreatic PAK, Group I PAK2. The inhibitors' effects on activation of these five signaling cascades by both physiological and pathophysiological concentrations of CCK, as well as by 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC-activator, were examined. CCK/TPA activation of focal adhesion kinases(PYK2/p125FAK) and the accompanying adapter proteins (paxillin/p130CAS), Mek1/2, and p44/42, but not c-Raf or other MAPKs (JNK/p38), were mediated by PAK4. Activation of PI3K/Akt/p70s6K was independent of PAK4, whereas GSK3 and β-catenin stimulation was PAK4-dependent. These results, coupled with recent studies showing PAK4 is important in pancreatic fluid/electrolyte/enzyme secretion and acinar cell growth, show that PAK4 plays an important role in different cellular signaling cascades, which have been shown to mediate numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes in pancreatic acinar cells.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In pancreatic acinar cells, cholecystokinin (CCK) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate (TPA) activation of focal adhesion kinases (p125FAK,PYK2) and its accompanying adapter proteins, p130CAS/paxillin; Mek1/2, p44/42, GSK3, and β-catenin are mediated by PAK4. PI3K/Akt/p70s6K, c-Raf, JNK, or p38 pathways are independent of PAK4 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ramos-Álvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lingaku Lee
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert T. Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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18
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Abril-Rodriguez G, Torrejon DY, Liu W, Zaretsky JM, Nowicki TS, Tsoi J, Puig-Saus C, Baselga-Carretero I, Medina E, Quist MJ, Garcia AJ, Senapedis W, Baloglu E, Kalbasi A, Cheung-Lau G, Berent-Maoz B, Comin-Anduix B, Hu-Lieskovan S, Wang CY, Grasso CS, Ribas A. PAK4 inhibition improves PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. NATURE CANCER 2019; 1:46-58. [PMID: 34368780 PMCID: PMC8340852 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-019-0003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lack of tumor infiltration by immune cells is the main mechanism of primary resistance to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade therapies for cancer. It has been postulated that cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms may actively exclude T cells from tumors, suggesting that the finding of actionable molecules that could be inhibited to increase T cell infiltration may synergize with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Here, we show that p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is enriched in non-responding tumor biopsies with low T cell and dendritic cell infiltration. In mouse models, genetic deletion of PAK4 increased T cell infiltration and reversed resistance to PD-1 blockade in a CD8 T cell-dependent manner. Furthermore, combination of anti-PD-1 with the PAK4 inhibitor KPT-9274 improved anti-tumor response compared with anti-PD-1 alone. Therefore, high PAK4 expression is correlated with low T cell and dendritic cell infiltration and a lack of response to PD-1 blockade, which could be reversed with PAK4 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Abril-Rodriguez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Davis Y Torrejon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesse M Zaretsky
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Theodore S Nowicki
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jennifer Tsoi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cristina Puig-Saus
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ignacio Baselga-Carretero
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Egmidio Medina
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Quist
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alejandro J Garcia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Anusha Kalbasi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gardenia Cheung-Lau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Beata Berent-Maoz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Begoña Comin-Anduix
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Siwen Hu-Lieskovan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cun-Yu Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling, Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Catherine S Grasso
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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19
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Shamloo B, Usluer S. p21 in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081178. [PMID: 31416295 PMCID: PMC6721478 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
p21 functions as a cell cycle inhibitor and anti-proliferative effector in normal cells, and is dysregulated in some cancers. Earlier observations on p21 knockout models emphasized the role of this protein in cell cycle arrest under the p53 transcription factor activity. Although tumor-suppressor function of p21 is the most studied aspect of this protein in cancer, the role of p21 in phenotypic plasticity and its oncogenic/anti-apoptotic function, depending on p21 subcellular localization and p53 status, have been under scrutiny recently. Basic science and translational studies use precision gene editing to manipulate p21 itself, and proteins that interact with it; these studies have led to regulatory/functional/drug sensitivity discoveries as well as therapeutic approaches in cancer field. In this review, we will focus on targeting p21 in cancer research and its potential in providing novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Shamloo
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Sinem Usluer
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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20
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Rezey AC, Gerlach BD, Wang R, Liao G, Tang DD. Plk1 Mediates Paxillin Phosphorylation (Ser-272), Centrosome Maturation, and Airway Smooth Muscle Layer Thickening in Allergic Asthma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7555. [PMID: 31101859 PMCID: PMC6525254 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43927-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic asthma is characterized by airway smooth muscle layer thickening, which is largely attributed to cell division that requires the formation of centrosomes. Centrosomes play a pivotal role in regulating bipolar spindle formation and cell division. Before mitosis, centrosomes undergo maturation characterized by expansion of pericentriolar material proteins, which facilitates spindle formation and mitotic efficiency of many cell types. Although polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) has been implicated in centrosome maturation, the mechanisms by which Plk1 regulates the cellular process are incompletely elucidated. Here, we identified paxillin as a new Plk1-interacting protein in human airway smooth muscle cells. We unexpectedly found that phosphorylated paxillin (Ser-272) was localized in centrosomes of human smooth muscle cells, which regulated centrosome maturation and spindle assembly. Plk1 knockdown inhibited paxillin Ser-272 phosphorylation, centrosome maturation, and cell division. Furthermore, exposure to allergens enhanced airway smooth muscle layer and paxillin phosphorylation at this residue in mice, which was reduced by smooth muscle conditional knockout of Plk1. These findings suggest that Plk1 regulates centrosome maturation and cell division in part by modulating paxillin phosphorylation on Ser-272. Furthermore, Plk1 contributes to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced thickening of the airway smooth muscle layer by affecting paxillin phosphorylation at this position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa C Rezey
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Brennan D Gerlach
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Dale D Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, New York, USA.
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21
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P21 activated kinase signaling in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 54:40-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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22
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Xie X, Shi X, Guan H, Guo Q, Fan C, Dong W, Wang G, Li F, Shan Z, Cao L, Teng W. P21-activated kinase 4 involves TSH induced papillary thyroid cancer cell proliferation. Oncotarget 2018; 8:24882-24891. [PMID: 28178642 PMCID: PMC5421896 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer is a common endocrine malignancy. Although p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is involved in the development of different types of tumor, its function has not been investigated in papillary thyroid cancer. Here, we identified a role for PAK4 in papillary thyroid cancer progression. Levels of PAK4 and PAK4 phosphorylated at serine 474 correlated significantly with tumor size and TNM stage. Furthermore, stable knockdown of PAK4 retarded cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, thyroid stimulating hormone-induced cellular proliferation in papillary thyroid cancer was found to be dependent on TSHR/cAMP/PKA/PAK4 signaling, with levels of phosphorylated PAK4 correlating positively with serum thyroid stimulating hormone and PKA Cα levels in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. These findings revealed a novel function of PAK4 in thyroid stimulating hormone-induced papillary thyroid cancer progression and suggest that PAK4 may become a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Xie
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoguang Shi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Haixia Guan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Qiqiang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, College of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Chenling Fan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Wenwu Dong
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Guiling Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Zhongyan Shan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Liu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, College of Translational Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Weiping Teng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
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23
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Simvastatin Ameliorates PAK4 Inhibitor-Induced Gut and Lung Injury. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2017:8314276. [PMID: 29445744 PMCID: PMC5763212 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8314276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
P21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4), a key regulator of cytoskeletal rearrangement and endothelial microparticles (EMPs), is released after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. In addition, it participates in LPS-induced lung injury. In this study, forty-eight Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into two groups, including PAK4 inhibitor (P) and PAK4 inhibitor + simvastatin (P + S) treatment groups. All rats were given PAK4 inhibitor (15 mg/kg/d) orally. Immediately after PAK4 inhibitor administration, simvastatin was injected intraperitoneally to P + S group animals at 20 mg/kg/day. Then, treatment effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier and lung injury caused by PAK4 inhibitor and simvastatin were assessed. The results showed that gut Zonula Occludens- (ZO-) 1, PAK4, mitogen-activated protein kinase 4 (MPAK4), and CD11c protein levels were reduced, while plasma endotoxin levels were increased after administration of PAK4 inhibitor. Furthermore, compared with normal rats, wet-to-dry (W/D) values of lung tissues and circulating EMP levels were increased in the treatment group, while PAK4 and CD11c protein amounts were reduced. Therefore, in this lung injury process induced by PAK4 inhibitor, the protective effects of simvastatin were reflected by intestinal mucosal barrier protection, inflammatory response regulation via CD11c+ cells, and cytoskeleton stabilization. In summary, PAK4 is a key regulator in the pathophysiological process of acute lung injury (ALI) and can be a useful target for ALI treatment.
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24
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Simvastatin Attenuates Acute Lung Injury via Regulating CDC42-PAK4 and Endothelial Microparticles. Shock 2018; 47:378-384. [PMID: 27513084 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Simvastatin has lung vascular-protective effects via augmentation of endothelial barrier function. Accordingly, on the basis of our previous study, we hypothesized that endothelial cell (EC) protection by simvastatin is dependent on the stabilization on cytoskeletons. METHODS Sixty C57BL/6 mice were divided into two experimental groups: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (L group) and LPS+simvastatin treated group (L+S group). All mice in these two groups received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg/d). Simvastatin was administered intraperitoneally immediately after the LPS injection in animals of the L+S group at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day. Lung injury degree and the protective effects of simvastatin against LPS-induced lung injury were assessed at the time-points of 24, 48, and 72 h postinjection. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), serum creatinine (Scr) were identified to assess the hepatic and renal side-effects of simvastatin. RESULTS LPS inhibited the cytoskeletal regulating proteins of Cdc42 and PAK4, and was accompanied by an increased circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) level. The adherent junction (AJ) protein of VE-cadherin was also decreased by LPS, and was accompanied by a thickening alveolar wall, increased lung W/D values, and high albumin concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage. Protective effects of simvastatin against LPS-induced lung injury were illustrated by regulating and stabilizing cytoskeletons, as well as intercellular AJs. The values of ALT and Scr were all lower than the common upper limits according to assay kits. CONCLUSION An increased serous EMP level associated with Cdc42-PAK4 can be deemed as a useful pulmonary injury marker in LPS-treated mice, and our results might be more relevant in guiding the clinical treatment of ALI by intervening Cdc42-PAK4 or EMPs.
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25
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Li Z, Li X, Xu L, Tao Y, Yang C, Chen X, Fang F, Wu Y, Ding X, Zhao H, Li M, Qian G, Xu Y, Ren J, Du W, Wang J, Lu J, Hu S, Pan J. Inhibition of neuroblastoma proliferation by PF-3758309, a small-molecule inhibitor that targets p21-activated kinase 4. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:2705-2716. [PMID: 29048629 PMCID: PMC5780023 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid childhood tumor. Despite the availability of advanced multimodal therapy, high-risk patients still have low survival rates. p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) has been shown to regulate many cellular processes in cancer cells, including migration, polarization and proliferation. However, the role of PAK4 in neuroblastoma remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that PAK4 was overexpressed in neuroblastoma tissues and was correlated with tumor malignance and prognosis. To investigate the function of PAK4 in neuroblastoma, we used a small-molecule inhibitor that targets PAK4, that is, PF-3758309. Our results showed that PF-3758309 significantly induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell lines. Meanwhile, the inhibition of PAK4 by PF-3758309 increased the expression of CDKN1A, BAD and BAK1 and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. In addition, we screened the target genes of PAK4 by PCR array and found that 23 genes were upregulated (including TP53I3, TBX3, EEF1A2, CDKN1A, IFNB1 and MAPK8IP2) and 20 genes were downregulated (including TNFSF8, Bcl2-A1, Bcl2L1, SOCS3, BIRC3 and NFKB1) after PAK4 inhibition by PF-3758309. Moreover, PAK4 was found to regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis via the ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated, for the first time, the expression and function of PAK4 in neuroblastomas and the inhibitory effect of PF-3758309, which deserves further investigation as an alternative strategy for neuroblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiheng Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Lixiao Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Xin Ding
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - He Zhao
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Guanghui Qian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Yunyun Xu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Junli Ren
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Du
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215003, P.R. 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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27
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Zhao M, Spiess M, Johansson HJ, Olofsson H, Hu J, Lehtiö J, Strömblad S. Identification of the PAK4 interactome reveals PAK4 phosphorylation of N-WASP and promotion of Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. Oncotarget 2017; 8:77061-77074. [PMID: 29100370 PMCID: PMC5652764 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell motility and F-actin remodeling, but the PAK4 interactome has not been systematically analyzed. Here, we comprehensively characterized the human PAK4 interactome by iTRAQ quantitative mass spectrometry of PAK4-immunoprecipitations. Consistent with its multiple reported functions, the PAK4 interactome was enriched in diverse protein networks, including the 14-3-3, proteasome, replication fork, CCT and Arp2/3 complexes. Because PAK4 co-immunoprecipitated most subunits of the Arp2/3 complex, we hypothesized that PAK4 may play a role in Arp2/3 dependent actin regulation. Indeed, we found that PAK4 interacts with and phosphorylates the nucleation promoting factor N-WASP at Ser484/Ser485 and promotes Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization in vitro. Also, PAK4 ablation in vivo reduced N-WASP Ser484/Ser485 phosphorylation and altered the cellular balance between G- and F-actin as well as the actin organization. By presenting the PAK4 interactome, we here provide a powerful resource for further investigations and as proof of principle, we also indicate a novel mechanism by which PAK4 regulates actin cytoskeleton remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zhao
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthias Spiess
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik J Johansson
- Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helene Olofsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jianjiang Hu
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Cancer Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Staffan Strömblad
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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28
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Pdx1-Cre-driven conditional gene depletion suggests PAK4 as dispensable for mouse pancreas development. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7031. [PMID: 28765528 PMCID: PMC5539201 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07322-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Constitutive depletion of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) in the mouse causes embryonic lethality associated with heart and brain defects. Given that conventional gene depletion of PAK1 or PAK3 caused functional deficits in the mouse pancreas, while gene depletion of PAK5 or PAK6 did not, we asked if PAK4 might have a functional role in pancreas development. We therefore introduced conditional, Pdx1-Cre-mediated, pancreatic PAK4 gene depletion in the mouse, verified by loss of PAK4 protein expression in the pancreas. PAK4 knock-out (KO) mice were born at Mendelian ratios in both genders. Further, morphological and immunohistochemical examinations and quantifications indicated that exocrine, endocrine and ductal compartments retained the normal proportions and distributions upon PAK4 gene depletion. In addition, body weight records and a glucose tolerance test revealed no differences between WT and PAK4 KO mice. Together, this suggests that PAK4 is dispensable for mouse pancreas development. This will facilitate future use of our Pdx1-Cre-driven conditional PAK4 KO mouse model for testing in vivo potential functions of PAK4 in pancreatic disease models such as for pancreatitis and different pancreatic cancer forms.
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29
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Lu SX, Zhang CZ, Luo RZ, Wang CH, Liu LL, Fu J, Zhang L, Wang H, Xie D, Yun JP. Zic2 promotes tumor growth and metastasis via PAK4 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2017; 402:71-80. [PMID: 28577975 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The dysregulation of transcription factors contributes to the unlimited growth of cancer cells. Zic2 has been shown to be crucial to the progression of human cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Our data showed that Zic2 expression gradually increased from normal to cancer to metastatic tissues. Zic2 overexpression promoted, whereas Zic2 knockdown inhibited, cell proliferation and migration in vitro as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Gene microarray results indicated that PAK4 was a potential target of Zic2. The knockdown of Zic2 decreased, whereas Zic2 re-expression increased, the expression of PAK4. ChIP and luciferase assays indicated that Zic2 directly bound to the PAK4 promoter and modulated its activity. PAK4 interference attenuated Zic2-mediated cell growth via modulating the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. In a cohort of 615 patients, Zic2 was positively correlated with PAK4 and associated with worse overall and disease-free survival. Multivariate analyses revealed that Zic2 and PAK4 were independent indicators of a poor outcome in HCC. In addition, Zic2 expression was inversely correlated with miR-1271 expression. Re-introduction of miR-1271 attenuated Zic2-promoted cell proliferation and migration. Taken together, our findings suggest that the newly identified miR-1271/Zic2/PAK4 axis plays an important role in HCC progression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Xun Lu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chris Zhiyi Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Rong-Zhen Luo
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chun-Hua Wang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Li-Li Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jia Fu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Lanjing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center of Princeton, Plainsboro, NJ, USA; Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dan Xie
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jing-Ping Yun
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China; Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
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30
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Li X, Li J, Li F. P21 activated kinase 4 binds translation elongation factor eEF1A1 to promote gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. Oncol Rep 2017; 37:2857-2864. [PMID: 28393218 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
P21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4), as an effector of Cdc42, playing important roles in regulating the processes of cytoskeleton organization. PAK4 has been considered to be an oncogenic protein, which has strong relationship with gastric cancer metastasis. However, the mechanism of PAK4 in regulating gastric cancer metastasis is still not fully understood. In this study, using yeast two-hybrid system, we identified that the eukaryotic elongation factor 1 α1 (eEF1A1) is a new binding partner of PAK4. The interaction between PAK4 and eEF1A1 was confirmed by GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation. PAK4 co-localized with eEF1A1 in the cytoplasm of gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of PAK4 enhanced the expression level of eEF1A1 and vice versa. PAK4 and eEF1A1 could cooperate to promote gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the expression of PAK4 and eEF1A1 in clinical gastric cancer samples were examined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis indicated that there was positive correlation between the expression of PAK4 and eEF1A1. This study demonstrated for the first time that PAK4 interacted with eEF1A1 to promote migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, thereby providing new insights into the function of PAK4 and eEF1A1 in the progression of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Jiabin Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
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31
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Nicholas NS, Pipili A, Lesjak MS, Wells CM. Differential role for PAK1 and PAK4 during the invadopodia lifecycle. Small GTPases 2017; 10:289-295. [PMID: 28301299 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1295830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PAK1 and PAK4 are members of the p-21 activated kinase family of serine/threonine kinases. PAK1 has previously been implicated in both the formation and disassembly of invasive cell protrusions, termed invadopodia. We recently reported a novel role for PAK4 during invadopodia maturation and confirmed a specific role for PAK1 in invadopodia formation; findings we will review here. Moreover, we found that PAK4 induction of maturation is delivered via interaction with the RhoA regulator PDZ-RhoGEF. We can now reveal that loss of PAK4 expression leads to changes in invadopodia dynamics. Ultimately we propose that PAK4 but not PAK1 is a key mediator of RhoA activity and provide further evidence that modulation of PAK4 expression levels leads to changes in RhoA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Nicholas
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK.,b National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London , London , UK
| | - Aikaterini Pipili
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK.,b National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital and King's College London , London , UK
| | - Michaela S Lesjak
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- a Division of Cancer Studies , New Hunts House, Guy's Campus, King's College London , London , UK
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32
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He LF, Xu HW, Chen M, Xian ZR, Wen XF, Chen MN, Du CW, Huang WH, Wu JD, Zhang GJ. Activated-PAK4 predicts worse prognosis in breast cancer and promotes tumorigenesis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling. Oncotarget 2017; 8:17573-17585. [PMID: 28407679 PMCID: PMC5392270 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is sufficient to transform noncancerous mammary epithelial cells and to form tumors in the mammary glands of mice. The accumulated information suggests that PAK4 might be an oncogenic protein in breast cancer. In this study, we sought to identify the role for PAK4 in breast cancer progression. Immunohistochemical study revealed that high PAK4 expression is associated with larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and advanced stage cancer in 93 invasive breast carcinoma patients. Moreover, high PAK4 expression was significantly associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. PAK4 remained an independent adverse prognosticator after univariate and multivariate analysis. Ectopic expression of wild-type PAK4 in MDA-MB-231 cells activated PI3K/AKT signaling and resulted in the enhancement of the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas PAK4-induced effects were blocked by the PAK4 kinase inhibitor PF- 3758309, PAK4 siRNAs or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Furthermore, a kinase-active PAK4 (S474E) strongly induced PI3K/AKT activation, and promoted proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer cells. A kinase-inactive PAK4 KD (K350A/K351A) did partially upregulate PI3K/AKT, and promoted invasive phenotype. Taken together, these findings suggest that PAK4-activated PI3K/AKT signaling is both kinase-dependent and -independent, which contributes to breast cancer progression. Thus, our results imply that dual inhibition of PAK4 and PI3K/AKT signaling might be a potential therapeutic approach for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Fang He
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Wu Xu
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou, University Medical College, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Chen
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Rong Xian
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Fen Wen
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Min-Na Chen
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Cai-Wen Du
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-He Huang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun-Dong Wu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Guo-Jun Zhang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
- Changjiang Scholar Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
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33
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King H, Thillai K, Whale A, Arumugam P, Eldaly H, Kocher HM, Wells CM. PAK4 interacts with p85 alpha: implications for pancreatic cancer cell migration. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42575. [PMID: 28205613 PMCID: PMC5312077 DOI: 10.1038/srep42575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is amplified in pancreatic cancer tissue. PAK4 is a member of the PAK family of serine/threonine kinases, which act as effectors for several small GTPases, and has been specifically identified to function downstream of HGF-mediated c-Met activation in a PI3K dependent manner. However, the functionality of PAK4 in pancreatic cancer and the contribution made by HGF signalling to pancreatic cancer cell motility remain to be elucidated. We now find that elevated PAK4 expression is coincident with increased expression levels of c-Met and the p85α subunit of PI3K. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pancreatic cancer cells have a specific motility response to HGF both in 2D and 3D physiomimetic organotypic assays; which can be suppressed by inhibition of PI3K. Significantly, we report a specific interaction between PAK4 and p85α and find that PAK4 deficient cells exhibit a reduction in Akt phosphorylation downstream of HGF signalling. These results implicate a novel role for PAK4 within the PI3K pathway via interaction with p85α. Thus, PAK4 could be an essential player in PDAC progression representing an interesting therapeutic opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen King
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Andrew Whale
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, UK
| | - Prabhu Arumugam
- Barts Cancer Institute, a CRUK centre of Excellance, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Hesham Eldaly
- Dept of Haematopathology Oncology Diagnostic Service, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hemant M Kocher
- Barts Cancer Institute, a CRUK centre of Excellance, Queen Mary University of London, UK
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34
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Functional role and therapeutic targeting of p21-activated kinase 4 in multiple myeloma. Blood 2017; 129:2233-2245. [PMID: 28096095 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-06-724831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated oncogenic serine/threonine kinases play a pathological role in diverse forms of malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM), and thus represent potential therapeutic targets. Here, we evaluated the biological and functional role of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and its potential as a new target in MM for clinical applications. PAK4 promoted MM cell growth and survival via activation of MM survival signaling pathways, including the MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. Furthermore, treatment with orally bioavailable PAK4 allosteric modulator (KPT-9274) significantly impacted MM cell growth and survival in a large panel of MM cell lines and primary MM cells alone and in the presence of bone marrow microenvironment. Intriguingly, we have identified FGFR3 as a novel binding partner of PAK4 and observed significant activity of KPT-9274 against t(4;14)-positive MM cells. This set of data supports PAK4 as an oncogene in myeloma and provide the rationale for the clinical evaluation of PAK4 modulator in myeloma.
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35
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Kumar R, Sanawar R, Li X, Li F. Structure, biochemistry, and biology of PAK kinases. Gene 2016; 605:20-31. [PMID: 28007610 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PAKs, p21-activated kinases, play central roles and act as converging junctions for discrete signals elicited on the cell surface and for a number of intracellular signaling cascades. PAKs phosphorylate a vast number of substrates and act by remodeling cytoskeleton, employing scaffolding, and relocating to distinct subcellular compartments. PAKs affect wide range of processes that are crucial to the cell from regulation of cell motility, survival, redox, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, to gene expression. Understandably, their dysregulation disrupts cellular homeostasis and severely impacts key cell functions, and many of those are implicated in a number of human diseases including cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiac disorders. Here we provide an overview of the members of the PAK family and their current status. We give special emphasis to PAK1 and PAK4, the prototypes of groups I and II, for their profound roles in cancer, the nervous system, and the heart. We also highlight other family members. We provide our perspective on the current advancements, their growing importance as strategic therapeutic targets, and our vision on the future of PAKs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Cancer Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India.
| | - Rahul Sanawar
- Cancer Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Center of Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, India
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Chinese Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Chinese Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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36
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Ross-Adams H, Ball S, Lawrenson K, Halim S, Russell R, Wells C, Strand SH, Ørntoft TF, Larson M, Armasu S, Massie CE, Asim M, Mortensen MM, Borre M, Woodfine K, Warren AY, Lamb AD, Kay J, Whitaker H, Ramos-Montoya A, Murrell A, Sørensen KD, Fridley BL, Goode EL, Gayther SA, Masters J, Neal DE, Mills IG. HNF1B variants associate with promoter methylation and regulate gene networks activated in prostate and ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 7:74734-74746. [PMID: 27732966 PMCID: PMC5342698 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two independent regions within HNF1B are consistently identified in prostate and ovarian cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS); their functional roles are unclear. We link prostate cancer (PC) risk SNPs rs11649743 and rs3760511 with elevated HNF1B gene expression and allele-specific epigenetic silencing, and outline a mechanism by which common risk variants could effect functional changes that increase disease risk: functional assays suggest that HNF1B is a pro-differentiation factor that suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in unmethylated, healthy tissues. This tumor-suppressor activity is lost when HNF1B is silenced by promoter methylation in the progression to PC. Epigenetic inactivation of HNF1B in ovarian cancer also associates with known risk SNPs, with a similar impact on EMT. This represents one of the first comprehensive studies into the pleiotropic role of a GWAS-associated transcription factor across distinct cancer types, and is the first to describe a conserved role for a multi-cancer genetic risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Ross-Adams
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen Ball
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kate Lawrenson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Silvia Halim
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Roslin Russell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claire Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Siri H. Strand
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Torben F. Ørntoft
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | | | | | - Charles E. Massie
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mohammad Asim
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Michael Borre
- Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kathryn Woodfine
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne Y. Warren
- Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alastair D. Lamb
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan Kay
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hayley Whitaker
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Adele Murrell
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
| | | | - Brooke L. Fridley
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Simon A. Gayther
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John Masters
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - David E. Neal
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ian G. Mills
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Prostate Cancer Research Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Departments of Cancer Prevention and Urology, Institute of Cancer Research and Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Prostate Cancer UK/Movember Centre of Excellence for Prostate Cancer Research, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Guo B, Hui Q, Zhang Y, Chang P, Tao K. miR-194 is a negative regulator of GEF-H1 pathway in melanoma. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:2412-20. [PMID: 27573550 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and associated mortality of melanoma continues to increase worldwide. At present, there is no curative therapy for advanced stage of melanoma. It is necessary to find new indicators of prognosis and therapeutic targets. Increasing evidence shows that miRNA can provide potential candidate biomarkers for melanoma and therapeutic targets. GEF-H1, a regulator of RhoA, as oncogenic driver in melanoma, promotes the growth and invasion of melanoma. miR-194 is a tumor-suppressor gene in multiple tumors, such as bladder and non-small cell lung cancer, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma. In the present study, we demonstrated that GEF-H1 serves as target of miR-194. Overexpression of miR-194 downregulates the GEF-H1/RhoA pathway, inhibits melanoma cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, miR-194 expression is negatively associated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. Briefly, our findings provided new theoretical basis for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyu Guo
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Hui
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Peng Chang
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Kai Tao
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
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Xu HT, Lai WL, Liu HF, Wong LLY, Ng IOL, Ching YP. PAK4 Phosphorylates p53 at Serine 215 to Promote Liver Cancer Metastasis. Cancer Res 2016; 76:5732-5742. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-3373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Significance of kinase activity in the dynamic invadosome. Eur J Cell Biol 2016; 95:483-492. [PMID: 27465307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invadosomes are actin rich protrusive structures that facilitate invasive migration in multiple cell types. Comprised of invadopodia and podosomes, these highly dynamic structures adhere to and degrade the extracellular matrix, and are also thought to play a role in mechanosensing. Many extracellular signals have been implicated in invadosome stimulation, activating complex signalling cascades to drive the formation, activity and turnover of invadosomes. While the structural components of invadosomes have been well studied, the regulation of invadosome dynamics is still poorly understood. Protein kinases are essential to this regulation, affecting all stages of invadosome dynamics and allowing tight spatiotemporal control of their activity. Invadosome organisation and function have been linked to pathophysiological states such as cancer invasion and metastasis; therapeutic targeting of invadosome regulatory components is thus warranted. In this review, we discuss the involvement of kinase signalling in every stage of the invadosome life cycle and evaluate its significance.
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40
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Shi J, Guo B, Zhang Y, Hui Q, Chang P, Tao K. Guanine nucleotide exchange factor H1 can be a new biomarker of melanoma. Biologics 2016; 10:89-98. [PMID: 27462139 PMCID: PMC4939981 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s109643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Guanine nucleotide exchange factor H1 (GEF-H1), which couples microtubule dynamics to RhoA activation, is a microtubule-regulated exchange factor. Studies have shown that GEF-H1 can be involved in various cancer pathways; however, the clinical significance of GEF-H1 expression and functions in melanoma has not been established. In this study, we investigated the relationship between clinical outcomes and GEF-H1 functions in melanoma. A total of 60 cases of different grades of melanoma samples were used to detect the expression of GEF-H1. Results showed that both messenger RNA and protein levels of GEF-H1 were significantly higher in high-grade melanomas. Furthermore, patients with high GEF-H1 expression had a shorter overall survival (22 months) than patients with low level of GEF-H1 expression (33.38 months). We also found that GEF-H1 can promote the proliferation and metastasis of melanoma cells. In summary, these results suggested that GEF-H1 may be a valuable biomarker for assessing the degree and prognosis of melanoma following surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shi
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingyu Guo
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiang Hui
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Chang
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Tao
- Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
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41
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Park JK, Kim S, Han YJ, Kim SH, Kang NS, Lee H, Park S. The discovery and the structural basis of an imidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine-based p21-activated kinase 4 inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:2580-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Gilloteaux J, Bhalla A, Faour O, Jamison JM. Formation of intracellular lumina in human prostate carcinoma (DU145) cells, maturation into signet cells, and the cribriform morphology of tumors. Ultrastruct Pathol 2016; 40:189-99. [PMID: 27044781 DOI: 10.3109/01913123.2016.1155684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The intracellular or intracytoplasmic lumen (IL) is an enigmatic histological structure that occurs in various tumor cells. A reassessment of diverse ILs fine-structure micrographs obtained out of previous studies encompassing the human prostate carcinoma (DU145) cell line and xenotransplanted carcinomas enabled us to propose aspects of ILs development in cancer cells: a combination of altered expressions in intercellular contacts and their cytoskeletal components would favor a disarray of self-apical polarity orientation; those defects, associated with a local, entwined enriched membranous structures growing as microvilli-like formations out of a disrupted endoplasm and trans-Golgi sorting, create ILs in cells' perikarya. These misplaced intracytoplasmic domains can become enlarged through spaces made between the finger-like structures by accruing membranes of coalescent intracytoplasmic vesicles then adding microvilli and glycocalyx to constitute ILs. Cationic mucins added with or without a progressive or total loss of microvilli and content generate signet or ring cell, while ILs enlarge. Variable build-ups of these cells' populations in carcinomas result in architectural mix-up of adjacent cells around these voids, misconstrued as new lumen, and establish a "cribriform" tumor pattern that often implies a poor cancer prognosis. Alternatively, cytotoxic changes caused by anticancer pro-oxidant treatment favor membrane alterations and exaggerate the ILs in xenotransplants into intracellular crypts that accompany other tumor degenerative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Gilloteaux
- a Department of Anatomical Sciences , St. George's University International School of Medicine, K. B. Taylor Global Scholar's Programme with Northumbria University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.,b Faculté de Médecine , Laboratoire des Cellules et Tissus, Unité de Recherche en Physiologie Moléculaire (URPhyM), University of Namur , Namur , Belgium
| | - Aneil Bhalla
- a Department of Anatomical Sciences , St. George's University International School of Medicine, K. B. Taylor Global Scholar's Programme with Northumbria University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK
| | - Omar Faour
- a Department of Anatomical Sciences , St. George's University International School of Medicine, K. B. Taylor Global Scholar's Programme with Northumbria University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK
| | - James M Jamison
- c The Apatone Development Center , St. Thomas Hospital, Summa Research Foundation , Akron , OH , USA
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43
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Dart AE, Box GM, Court W, Gale ME, Brown JP, Pinder SE, Eccles SA, Wells CM. PAK4 promotes kinase-independent stabilization of RhoU to modulate cell adhesion. J Cell Biol 2016; 211:863-79. [PMID: 26598620 PMCID: PMC4657161 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201501072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PAK4, via a novel kinase-independent mechanism, protects RhoU from a Rab40A/Cullin 5 ubiquitin ligase complex–driven K48 ubiquitination to regulate breast cancer cell adhesion. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a Cdc42 effector protein thought to regulate cell adhesion disassembly in a kinase-dependent manner. We found that PAK4 expression is significantly higher in high-grade human breast cancer patient samples, whereas depletion of PAK4 modifies cell adhesion dynamics of breast cancer cells. Surprisingly, systematic analysis of PAK4 functionality revealed that PAK4-driven adhesion turnover is neither dependent on Cdc42 binding nor kinase activity. Rather, reduced expression of PAK4 leads to a concomitant loss of RhoU expression. We report that RhoU is targeted for ubiquitination by the Rab40A–Cullin 5 complex and demonstrate that PAK4 protects RhoU from ubiquitination in a kinase-independent manner. Overexpression of RhoU rescues the PAK4 depletion phenotype, whereas loss of RhoU expression reduces cell adhesion turnover and migration. These data support a new kinase-independent mechanism for PAK4 function, where an important role of PAK4 in cellular adhesions is to stabilize RhoU protein levels. Thus, PAK4 and RhoU cooperate to drive adhesion turnover and promote cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Dart
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - Gary M Box
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - William Court
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - Madeline E Gale
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
| | - John P Brown
- Breast Research Pathology, Department of Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, England, UK
| | - Sarah E Pinder
- Breast Research Pathology, Department of Research Oncology, Division of Cancer Studies, School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, England, UK
| | - Suzanne A Eccles
- Tumour Biology and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SM2 5NG, England, UK
| | - Claire M Wells
- Division of Cancer Studies, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, England, UK
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44
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Morse EM, Sun X, Olberding JR, Ha BH, Boggon TJ, Calderwood DA. PAK6 targets to cell-cell adhesions through its N-terminus in a Cdc42-dependent manner to drive epithelial colony escape. J Cell Sci 2015; 129:380-93. [PMID: 26598554 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.177493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The six serine/threonine kinases in the p21-activated kinase (PAK) family are important regulators of cell adhesion, motility and survival. PAK6, which is overexpressed in prostate cancer, was recently reported to localize to cell-cell adhesions and to drive epithelial cell colony escape. Here we report that PAK6 targeting to cell-cell adhesions occurs through its N-terminus, requiring both its Cdc42/Rac interactive binding (CRIB) domain and an adjacent polybasic region for maximal targeting efficiency. We find PAK6 localization to cell-cell adhesions is Cdc42-dependent, as Cdc42 knockdown inhibits PAK6 targeting to cell-cell adhesions. We further find the ability of PAK6 to drive epithelial cell colony escape requires kinase activity and is disrupted by mutations that perturb PAK6 cell-cell adhesion targeting. Finally, we demonstrate that all type II PAKs (PAK4, PAK5 and PAK6) target to cell-cell adhesions, albeit to differing extents, but PAK1 (a type I PAK) does not. Notably, the ability of a PAK isoform to drive epithelial colony escape correlates with its targeting to cell-cell adhesions. We conclude that PAKs have a broader role in the regulation of cell-cell adhesions than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Morse
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Xiaowen Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jordan R Olberding
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Titus J Boggon
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - David A Calderwood
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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45
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Li SQ, Wang ZH, Mi XG, Liu L, Tan Y. MiR-199a/b-3p suppresses migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by downregulating PAK4/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. IUBMB Life 2015; 67:768-77. [PMID: 26399456 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA-199a/b-3p is downregulated in several types of aggressive cancer, and its decrement significantly correlates with poor survival. Here, we aim to investigate the biological function of miR-199a/b-3p and its regulation of target genes in breast cancer cells with highly metastatic potential. In addition, we found that miR-199a/b-3p expression was much lower in MDA-MB-231, CAL120, and HCC1395 breast cancer cells with highly metastatic potential. Functional assays showed that restored miR-199a/b-3p expression inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell growth, cell-cycle progression, migration, and invasion. In addition, we experimentally demonstrated that PAK4 was the direct target of miR-199a/b-3p, hypo-expression of PAK4 suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, and overexpression of PAK4 significantly rescued the inhibitory effect of miR-199a/b-3p on MDA-MB-231 cell growth, migration, and invasion. Further, we also observed that miR-199a/b-3p could inactivate the PAK4/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, miR-199a/b-3p functions as a tumor suppressor and has an important role in breast cancer metastasis through PAK4/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Qing Li
- Laboratory Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Tumor Biotherapy Center, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Zi-Hang Wang
- Medical College, Yanbian University, Yanbian, China
| | - Xu-Guang Mi
- Tumor Biotherapy Center, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Tumor Biotherapy Center, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Tan
- Laboratory Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Tumor Biotherapy Center, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, China
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46
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Li D, Zhang Y, Li Z, Wang X, Qu X, Liu Y. Activated Pak4 expression correlates with poor prognosis in human gastric cancer patients. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:9431-6. [PMID: 26124003 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3368-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable advances in gastrectomy and chemotherapy, the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) has not noticeably improved due to lymph node or distant metastases. P21-activated serine/threonine kinase 4 (Pak4) plays an important role in cell morphology and cytoskeletal reorganization-both prerequisite steps for cell migration. However, it is still unclear if activated Pak4 (p-Pak4) is related to prognosis in GC patients. In our study, the level of p-Pak4 in 95 GC tissue specimens was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). We observed significant correlation between the level of p-Pak4 and grosstype (advanced stage GC vs. early stage GC, P = 0.04). Moreover, GC patients with higher p-Pak4 levels had a poorer prognosis than those with lower p-Pak4 levels (17 vs. 38 months, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that high phosphorylation level of Pak4, advanced stage GC, and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for GC patients (p-Pak4, P = 0.026; advanced stage GC, P = 0.030; lymph node metastasis, P = 0.016). In addition, in vitro assays indicated that knockdown of Pak4 accompanied with decreased p-Pak4, inhibited cell migration via downregulation of the traditional downstream signaling pathways of Pak4, LIMK1, and cofilin. In conclusion, this report reveals that high level of p-Pak4 correlates with poor prognosis in GC, thereby suggesting that p-Pak4 might be a potential prognostic marker for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Ximing Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Infectious disease of Geriatrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
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47
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Selamat W, Tay PLF, Baskaran Y, Manser E. The Cdc42 Effector Kinase PAK4 Localizes to Cell-Cell Junctions and Contributes to Establishing Cell Polarity. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129634. [PMID: 26068882 PMCID: PMC4466050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase PAK4 is a Cdc42 effector whose role is not well understood; overexpression of PAK4 has been associated with some cancers, and there are reports that correlate kinase level with increased cell migration in vitro. Here we report that PAK4 is primarily associated with cell-cell junctions in all the cell lines we tested, and fails to accumulate at focal adhesions or at the leading edge of migrating cells. In U2OS osteosarcoma and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, PAK4 depletion did not affect collective cell migration, but affected cell polarization. By contrast, Cdc42 depletion (as reported by many studies) caused a strong defect in junctional assembly in multiple cells lines. We also report that the depletion of PAK4 protein or treatment of cells with the PAK4 inhibitor PF-3758309 can lead to defects in centrosome reorientation (polarization) after cell monolayer wounding. These experiments are consistent with PAK4 forming part of a conserved cell-cell junctional polarity Cdc42 complex. We also confirm β-catenin as a target for PAK4 in these cells. Treatment of cells with PF-3758309 caused inhibition of β-catenin Ser-675 phosphorylation, which is located predominantly at cell-cell junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Widyawilis Selamat
- small G-protein Signaling and Kinases (sGSK) Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pei-Ling Felicia Tay
- small G-protein Signaling and Kinases (sGSK) Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yohendran Baskaran
- small G-protein Signaling and Kinases (sGSK) Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ed Manser
- small G-protein Signaling and Kinases (sGSK) Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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48
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Ha BH, Morse EM, Turk BE, Boggon TJ. Signaling, Regulation, and Specificity of the Type II p21-activated Kinases. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:12975-83. [PMID: 25855792 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r115.650416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of six serine/threonine kinases that act as key effectors of RHO family GTPases in mammalian cells. PAKs are subdivided into two groups: type I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3) and type II PAKs (PAK4, PAK5, and PAK6). Although these groups are involved in common signaling pathways, recent work indicates that the two groups have distinct modes of regulation and have both unique and common substrates. Here, we review recent insights into the molecular level details that govern regulation of type II PAK signaling. We also consider mechanisms by which signal transduction is regulated at the level of substrate specificity. Finally, we discuss the implications of these studies for clinical targeting of these kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth M Morse
- Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
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Luo P, Fei J, Zhou J, Zhang W. microRNA-126 suppresses PAK4 expression in ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. Oncol Lett 2015; 9:2225-2229. [PMID: 26137045 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary ovarian cancer is one of the predominant causes of mortality from gynecological cancer. The suppression of serine/threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs), proteins involved in cell morphology and cytoskeletal reorganization, has been hypothesized to improve the survival of patients with ovarian cancer. However, the association between microRNA-126 (miR-126) and PAK4 in the inhibition of ovarian cancer cell invasion remains to be established. The present study demonstrated changes in the level of PAK4 expression in ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells with altered miR-126 compared with normal SKOV3 cells. The SKOV3 cells that were transfected with LV3-miR-126 to increase miR-126 expression exhibited significantly downregulated expression levels of PAK4 (P<0.05), whilst transfection with the LV3-hsa-miR-126 inhibitor increased the expression of PAK4 in these cells (P<0.05), as assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed a significant increase in PAK4 expression in the SKOV3 cells transfected with the LV3-hsa-miR-126 inhibitor, and a decrease in those transfected with LV3-hsa-miR-126. The present study provides an experimental foundation for miR-126 as a potential tumor suppressor that may decrease PAK4 expression to inhibit ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Luo
- Department of Gynecology, Fuyang People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311400, P.R. China
| | - Jing Fei
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Weijiang Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
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Braadland PR, Ramberg H, Grytli HH, Taskén KA. β-Adrenergic Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2015; 4:375. [PMID: 25629002 PMCID: PMC4290544 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced sympathetic signaling, often associated with obesity and chronic stress, is increasingly acknowledged as a contributor to cancer aggressiveness. In prostate cancer, intact sympathetic nerves are critical for tumor formation, and sympathectomy induces apoptosis and blocks tumor growth. Perineural invasion, involving enrichment of intra-prostatic nerves, is frequently observed in prostate cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2), the most abundant receptor for sympathetic signals in prostate luminal cells, has been shown to regulate trans-differentiation of cancer cells to neuroendocrine-like cells and to affect apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, and metastasis. Epidemiologic studies have shown that use of β-blockers, inhibiting β-adrenergic receptor activity, is associated with reduced prostate cancer-specific mortality. In this review, we aim to present an overview on how β-adrenergic receptor and its downstream signaling cascade influence the development of aggressive prostate cancer, primarily through regulating neuroendocrine differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Rustøen Braadland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Håkon Ramberg
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Helene Hartvedt Grytli
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Kristin Austlid Taskén
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway ; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
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