1
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Tarr J, Salovich JM, Aichinger M, Jeon K, Veerasamy N, Sensintaffar JL, Arnhof H, Samwer M, Christov PP, Kim K, Wunberg T, Schweifer N, Trapani F, Arnold A, Martin F, Zhao B, Miriyala N, Sgubin D, Fogarty S, Moore WJ, Stott GM, Olejniczak ET, Engelhardt H, Rudolph D, Lee T, McConnell DB, Fesik SW. Discovery of a Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) Inhibitor That Demonstrates Potent In Vivo Activities in Mouse Models of Hematological and Solid Tumors. J Med Chem 2024; 67:14370-14393. [PMID: 39102508 PMCID: PMC11345828 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) is a key regulator of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Overexpression of Mcl-1 is correlated with high tumor grade, poor survival, and both intrinsic and acquired resistance to cancer therapies. Herein, we disclose the structure-guided design of a small molecule Mcl-1 inhibitor, compound 26, that binds to Mcl-1 with subnanomolar affinity, inhibits growth in cell culture assays, and possesses low clearance in mouse and dog pharmacokinetic (PK) experiments. Evaluation of 26 as a single agent in Mcl-1 sensitive hematological and solid tumor xenograft models resulted in regressions. Co-treatment of Mcl-1-sensitive and Mcl-1 insensitive lung cancer derived xenografts with 26 and docetaxel or topotecan, respectively, resulted in an enhanced tumor response. These findings support the premise that pro-apoptotic priming of tumor cells by other therapies in combination with Mcl-1 inhibition may significantly expand the subset of cancers in which Mcl-1 inhibitors may prove beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- James
C. Tarr
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - James M. Salovich
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Martin Aichinger
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - KyuOk Jeon
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Nagarathanam Veerasamy
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - John L. Sensintaffar
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Heribert Arnhof
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Samwer
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Plamen P. Christov
- Molecular
Design and Synthesis Center, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37323-0146, United States
| | - Kwangho Kim
- Molecular
Design and Synthesis Center, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37323-0146, United States
| | - Tobias Wunberg
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Schweifer
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesca Trapani
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Allison Arnold
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Florian Martin
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Nagaraju Miriyala
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Danielle Sgubin
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Stuart Fogarty
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - William J. Moore
- Leidos
Biomedical Research, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4907, United States
| | - Gordon M. Stott
- Leidos
Biomedical Research, Frederick National
Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21701-4907, United States
| | - Edward T. Olejniczak
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Harald Engelhardt
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dorothea Rudolph
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Taekyu Lee
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Darryl B. McConnell
- Discovery
Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Regional
Center Vienna GmbH & Co KG, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephen W. Fesik
- Department
of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School
of Medicine, 2215 Garland Avenue, 607 Light Hall, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
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2
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He XL, Hu YH, Chen JM, Zhang DQ, Yang HL, Zhang LZ, Mu YP, Zhang H, Chen GF, Liu W, Liu P. SNS-032 attenuates liver fibrosis by anti-active hepatic stellate cells via inhibition of cyclin dependent kinase 9. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1016552. [PMID: 36313366 PMCID: PMC9597511 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1016552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common pathological process of all chronic liver diseases. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a central role in the development of liver fibrosis. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a cell cycle kinase that regulates mRNA transcription and elongation. A CDK9 inhibitor SNS-032 has been reported to have good effects in anti-tumor. However, the role of SNS-032 in the development of liver fibrosis is unclear. In this study, SNS-032 was found to alleviate hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the activation and inducing the apoptosis of active HSCs in carbon tetrachloride-induced model mice. In vitro, SNS-032 inhibited the activation and proliferation of active HSCs and induced the apoptosis of active HSCs by downregulating the expression of CDK9 and its downstream signal transductors, such phosphorylated RNA polymerase II and Bcl-2. CDK9 short hairpin RNA was transfected into active HSCs to further elucidate the mechanism of the above effects. Similar results were observed in active HSCs after CDK9 knockdown. In active HSCs with CDK9 knockdown, the expression levels of CDK9, phosphorylated RNA polymerase II, XIAP, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and ɑ-SMA significantly decreased, whereas those of cleaved-PARP1 and Bax decreased prominently. These results indicated that SNS-032 is a potential drug and CDK9 might be a new prospective target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Li He
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Hong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Mei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ding-Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin-Zhang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Ping Mu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gao-Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Liu, ; Ping Liu,
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute of Liver Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Liu, ; Ping Liu,
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3
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Sun J, Yang T, Wei T, Zhou L, Shan T, Chen J, Gu L, Chen B, Liu L, Jiang Q, Du C, Ma Y, Wang H, Chen F, Guo X, Ji Y, Wang L. CDK9 binds and activates SGK3 to promote cardiac repair after injury via the GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:970745. [PMID: 36082129 PMCID: PMC9445272 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.970745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian heart possesses entire regeneration capacity after birth, which is lost in adulthood. The role of the kinase network in myocardial regeneration remains largely elusive. SGK3 (threonine-protein kinase 3) is a functional kinase we identified previously with the capacity to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. However, the upstream signals regulating SGK3 are still unknown. Based on the quantitative phosphoproteomics data and pulldown assay, we identified cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) as a novel therapeutic target in regeneration therapy. The direct combination between CDK9 and SGK3 was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). CDK9 is highly expressed in the newborn period and rarely detected in the adult myocardium. In vitro, the proliferation ratio of primary cardiomyocytes was significantly elevated by CDK9 overexpression while inhibited by CDK9 knockdown. In vivo, inhibition of CDK9 shortened the time window of cardiac regeneration after apical resection (AR) in neonatal mice, while overexpression of CDK9 significantly promoted mature cardiomyocytes (CMs) to re-enter the cell cycle and cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI) in adult mice. Mechanistically, CDK9 promoted cardiac repair by directly activating SGK3 and downstream GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Consequently, our study indicated that CDK9 might be a novel target for MI therapy by stimulating myocardial regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiateng Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tongtong Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianwen Wei
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liuhua Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tiankai Shan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiawen Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingfeng Gu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingrui Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiqi Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chong Du
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Ma
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, China International Cooperation Center for Environment and Human Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translation, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liansheng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Liansheng Wang,
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4
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Kaveh A, Bruton FA, Oremek MEM, Tucker CS, Taylor JM, Mullins JJ, Rossi AG, Denvir MA. Selective Cdk9 inhibition resolves neutrophilic inflammation and enhances cardiac regeneration in larval zebrafish. Development 2022; 149:272181. [PMID: 34523672 PMCID: PMC8601713 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sustained neutrophilic inflammation is detrimental for cardiac repair and associated with adverse outcomes following myocardial infarction (MI). An attractive therapeutic strategy to treat MI is to reduce or remove infiltrating neutrophils to promote downstream reparative mechanisms. CDK9 inhibitor compounds enhance the resolution of neutrophilic inflammation; however, their effects on cardiac repair/regeneration are unknown. We have devised a cardiac injury model to investigate inflammatory and regenerative responses in larval zebrafish using heartbeat-synchronised light-sheet fluorescence microscopy. We used this model to test two clinically approved CDK9 inhibitors, AT7519 and flavopiridol, examining their effects on neutrophils, macrophages and cardiomyocyte regeneration. We found that AT7519 and flavopiridol resolve neutrophil infiltration by inducing reverse migration from the cardiac lesion. Although continuous exposure to AT7519 or flavopiridol caused adverse phenotypes, transient treatment accelerated neutrophil resolution while avoiding these effects. Transient treatment with AT7519, but not flavopiridol, augmented wound-associated macrophage polarisation, which enhanced macrophage-dependent cardiomyocyte number expansion and the rate of myocardial wound closure. Using cdk9−/− knockout mutants, we showed that AT7519 is a selective CDK9 inhibitor, revealing the potential of such treatments to promote cardiac repair/regeneration. Summary: This study is the first to show that resolving neutrophilic inflammation using a clinically approved immunomodulatory drug (AT7519) improves heart regeneration in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Kaveh
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Finnius A Bruton
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Magdalena E M Oremek
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Carl S Tucker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | | | - John J Mullins
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Adriano G Rossi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Martin A Denvir
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
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5
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Zuo J, Xu M, Wang D, Bai W, Li G. Role of competitive endogenous RNA networks in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1234. [PMID: 34532371 PMCID: PMC8421985 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The present study aimed to construct a network of competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) related to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD), to provide a novel rationale for CAD treatment. Methods Bioinformatics methods were applied to screen for differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNAs), microRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) from the GSE68506, GSE59421, and GSE20129 datasets of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The miRcode database was used to predict lncRNA-binding miRNAs. The miRTarBase, miRDB, and TargetScan databases were used to predict the target genes of these miRNAs. An mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA ceRNA network of CAD was established. Results Between the CAD and normal control groups there were 264 DElncRNAs, 106 DEmiRNAs, and 1,879 DEmRNAs. We screened these differentially expressed gens (DEGs) respectively. There were 21 DElncRNAs, 13 DEmiRNAs, and 143 DEmRNAs in the ceRNA network by using Cytoscape application. The DEmRNAs were involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the NF-κB signaling pathway. The key genes in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were HSP90AA1, CDKN1A, MCL1, MDM2, MAPK1, ABL1, LYN, CRK, CDK9, and FAS. Conclusions The ceRNA network constructed in this study identified new candidate molecules for the treatment of CAD, providing some more comprehensive and higher-quality choices for the target treatment of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiebin Zuo
- Cardiac Surgery and Structural Heart Disease Unit of Cardiovascular Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Mengxi Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Danning Wang
- Cardiac Surgery and Structural Heart Disease Unit of Cardiovascular Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Weizhe Bai
- Cardiac Surgery and Structural Heart Disease Unit of Cardiovascular Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Gang Li
- Cardiac Surgery and Structural Heart Disease Unit of Cardiovascular Center, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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6
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CDK9 keeps RNA polymerase II on track. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5543-5567. [PMID: 34146121 PMCID: PMC8257543 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03878-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the kinase component of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), is essential for transcription of most protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). By releasing promoter-proximally paused RNAPII into gene bodies, CDK9 controls the entry of RNAPII into productive elongation and is, therefore, critical for efficient synthesis of full-length messenger (m)RNAs. In recent years, new players involved in P-TEFb-dependent processes have been identified and an important function of CDK9 in coordinating elongation with transcription initiation and termination has been unveiled. As the regulatory functions of CDK9 in gene expression continue to expand, a number of human pathologies, including cancers, have been associated with aberrant CDK9 activity, underscoring the need to properly regulate CDK9. Here, I provide an overview of CDK9 function and regulation, with an emphasis on CDK9 dysregulation in human diseases.
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7
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Li YF, Wang YX, Wang H, Ma Y, Wang LS. Posttranslational Modifications: Emerging Prospects for Cardiac Regeneration Therapy. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2021; 15:49-60. [PMID: 34031843 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-021-10135-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) following ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a hard nut to crack and a leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiac regeneration aims to promote cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation by transitioning the cell cycle state of CMs from arrest to re-entry. Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) have recently attracted extensive attention in the field of cardiac regeneration due to their reversibility and effects on the stability, activity, and subcellular localization of target proteins. The balance of PTMs is disrupted when neonatal CMs withdraw from the cell cycle, resulting in significant dysfunction of downstream substrate protein localization, expression, and activity, ultimately limiting the maintenance of cardiac regeneration ability. In this review, we summarize recent research concerning the role of PTMs in cardiac regeneration, while focusing on phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, methylation, and neddylation, and the effects of these modifications on CM proliferation, which may provide potential targets for future treatments for IHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Fei Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ya-Xin Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yao Ma
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Lian-Sheng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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8
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Mandal R, Becker S, Strebhardt K. Targeting CDK9 for Anti-Cancer Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2181. [PMID: 34062779 PMCID: PMC8124690 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) is one of the most important transcription regulatory members of the CDK family. In conjunction with its main cyclin partner-Cyclin T1, it forms the Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) whose primary function in eukaryotic cells is to mediate the positive transcription elongation of nascent mRNA strands, by phosphorylating the S2 residues of the YSPTSPS tandem repeats at the C-terminus domain (CTD) of RNA Polymerase II (RNAP II). To aid in this process, P-TEFb also simultaneously phosphorylates and inactivates a number of negative transcription regulators like 5,6-dichloro-1-β-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) Sensitivity-Inducing Factor (DSIF) and Negative Elongation Factor (NELF). Significantly enhanced activity of CDK9 is observed in multiple cancer types, which is universally associated with significantly shortened Overall Survival (OS) of the patients. In these cancer types, CDK9 regulates a plethora of cellular functions including proliferation, survival, cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair and metastasis. Due to the extremely critical role of CDK9 in cancer cells, inhibiting its functions has been the subject of intense research, resulting the development of multiple, increasingly specific small-molecule inhibitors, some of which are presently in clinical trials. The search for newer generation CDK9 inhibitors with higher specificity and lower potential toxicities and suitable combination therapies continues. In fact, the Phase I clinical trials of the latest, highly specific CDK9 inhibitor BAY1251152, against different solid tumors have shown good anti-tumor and on-target activities and pharmacokinetics, combined with manageable safety profile while the phase I and II clinical trials of another inhibitor AT-7519 have been undertaken or are undergoing. To enhance the effectiveness and target diversity and reduce potential drug-resistance, the future of CDK9 inhibition would likely involve combining CDK9 inhibitors with inhibitors like those against BRD4, SEC, MYC, MCL-1 and HSP90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranadip Mandal
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (R.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Sven Becker
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (R.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Klaus Strebhardt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (R.M.); (S.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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9
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Yang X, Luo W, Li L, Hu X, Xu M, Wang Y, Feng J, Qian J, Guan X, Zhao Y, Liang G. CDK9 inhibition improves diabetic nephropathy by reducing inflammation in the kidneys. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 416:115465. [PMID: 33631230 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic inflammatory renal disease induced by hyperglycemia. Recent studies have implicated cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) in inflammatory responses and renal fibrosis. In this study, we explored a potential role of CDK9 in DN by using cultured mouse mesangial cell line SV40 MES-13 and streptozotocin-induced type 1 mouse model of diabetes. We inhibited CDK9 in mice and in cultured cells by a highly selective CDK9 inhibitor, LDC000067 (LDC), and evaluated inflammatory and fibrogenic outcome by mRNA and protein analyses. Our studies show that treatment of diabetic mice with LDC significantly inhibits the levels of inflammatory cytokines and fibrogenic genes in kidney specimens. These reductions were associated with improved renal function. We also found that LDC treatment suppressed MAPK-AP1 activation. We then confirmed the involvement of CDK9 in cultured SV40 MES-13 cells and showed that deficiency in CDK9 prevents glucose-induced inflammatory and fibrogenic proteins. This protection was also afforded by suppression of MAPK-AP1. Taken together, our results how that hyperglycemia activates CDK9-MAPK-AP1 axis in kidneys to induce inflammation and fibrosis, leading to renal dysfunction. Our findings also suggest that CDK9 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Yang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wu Luo
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Hu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingjiang Xu
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianpeng Feng
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianchang Qian
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinfu Guan
- The Affiliated Cangnan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunjie Zhao
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Guang Liang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Affiliated Cangnan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Regulation of cardiomyocyte fate plasticity: a key strategy for cardiac regeneration. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:31. [PMID: 33500391 PMCID: PMC7838318 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00413-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
With the high morbidity and mortality rates, cardiovascular diseases have become one of the most concerning diseases worldwide. The heart of adult mammals can hardly regenerate naturally after injury because adult cardiomyocytes have already exited the cell cycle, which subseqently triggers cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Although a series of pharmacological treatments and surgical methods have been utilized to improve heart functions, they cannot replenish the massive loss of beating cardiomyocytes after injury. Here, we summarize the latest research progress in cardiac regeneration and heart repair through altering cardiomyocyte fate plasticity, which is emerging as an effective strategy to compensate for the loss of functional cardiomyocytes and improve the impaired heart functions. First, residual cardiomyocytes in damaged hearts re-enter the cell cycle to acquire the proliferative capacity by the modifications of cell cycle-related genes or regulation of growth-related signals. Additionally, non-cardiomyocytes such as cardiac fibroblasts, were shown to be reprogrammed into cardiomyocytes and thus favor the repair of damaged hearts. Moreover, pluripotent stem cells have been shown to transform into cardiomyocytes to promote heart healing after myocardial infarction (MI). Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that environmental oxygen, energy metabolism, extracellular factors, nerves, non-coding RNAs, etc. play the key regulatory functions in cardiac regeneration. These findings provide the theoretical basis of targeting cellular fate plasticity to induce cardiomyocyte proliferation or formation, and also provide the clues for stimulating heart repair after injury.
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11
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Kaveh A, Bruton FA, Buckley C, Oremek MEM, Tucker CS, Mullins JJ, Taylor JM, Rossi AG, Denvir MA. Live Imaging of Heart Injury in Larval Zebrafish Reveals a Multi-Stage Model of Neutrophil and Macrophage Migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:579943. [PMID: 33195220 PMCID: PMC7604347 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.579943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils and macrophages are crucial effectors and modulators of repair and regeneration following myocardial infarction, but they cannot be easily observed in vivo in mammalian models. Hence many studies have utilized larval zebrafish injury models to examine neutrophils and macrophages in their tissue of interest. However, to date the migratory patterns and ontogeny of these recruited cells is unknown. In this study, we address this need by comparing our larval zebrafish model of cardiac injury to the archetypal tail fin injury model. Our in vivo imaging allowed comprehensive mapping of neutrophil and macrophage migration from primary hematopoietic sites, to the wound. Early following injury there is an acute phase of neutrophil recruitment that is followed by sustained macrophage recruitment. Both cell types are initially recruited locally and subsequently from distal sites, primarily the caudal hematopoietic tissue (CHT). Once liberated from the CHT, some neutrophils and macrophages enter circulation, but most use abluminal vascular endothelium to crawl through the larva. In both injury models the innate immune response resolves by reverse migration, with very little apoptosis or efferocytosis of neutrophils. Furthermore, our in vivo imaging led to the finding of a novel wound responsive mpeg1+ neutrophil subset, highlighting previously unrecognized heterogeneity in neutrophils. Our study provides a detailed analysis of the modes of immune cell migration in larval zebrafish, paving the way for future studies examining tissue injury and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryan Kaveh
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Finnius A. Bruton
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Buckley
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena E. M. Oremek
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Carl S. Tucker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - John J. Mullins
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adriano G. Rossi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Martin A. Denvir
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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12
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He X, Lian Z, Yang Y, Wang Z, Fu X, Liu Y, Li M, Tian J, Yu T, Xin H. Long Non-coding RNA PEBP1P2 Suppresses Proliferative VSMCs Phenotypic Switching and Proliferation in Atherosclerosis. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 22:84-98. [PMID: 32916601 PMCID: PMC7490454 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the dysfunction of which is closely associated with the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Abnormal phenotypic switching and proliferation of VSMCs constitute a significant event in the progression of atherosclerosis. The present study identified a novel lncRNA, PEBP1P2, which serves as a valuable regulator of VSMCs in phenotypic transformation and proliferation. The expression of PEBP1P2 was remarkably decreased in proliferating VSMCs and pathological arteries when using a balloon injury model of rats. Furthermore, we found that PEBP1P2 represses proliferation, migration, and dedifferentiation during phenotype switching in VSMCs induced by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). Mechanistically, cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) was confirmed to be the direct target of PEBP1P2, which was proven to mediate phenotypic switching and proliferation of VSMCs and was rescued by PEBP1P2. Then, we explored the clinical significance, as we observed the decreased expression of PEBP1P2 in the serum of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and human advanced carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Finally, PEBP1P2 overexpression distinctly suppressed neointima formation and VSMC phenotypic switching in vivo. Taken together, PEBP1P2 inhibits proliferation and migration in VSMCs by directly binding to CDK9, implying that it may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of proliferative vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingqiang He
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China; Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi, P.R. China
| | - Zhexun Lian
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiuxiu Fu
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Min Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jiawei Tian
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Tao Yu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, P.R. China; Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China.
| | - Hui Xin
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, P.R. China.
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13
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Cassandri M, Fioravanti R, Pomella S, Valente S, Rotili D, Del Baldo G, De Angelis B, Rota R, Mai A. CDK9 as a Valuable Target in Cancer: From Natural Compounds Inhibitors to Current Treatment in Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1230. [PMID: 32903585 PMCID: PMC7438590 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) are well-known reliable targets for cancer treatment being often deregulated. Among them, since the transcription-associated CDK9 represents the sentry of cell transcriptional homeostasis, it can be a valuable target for managing cancers in which the transcriptional machinery is dysregulated by tumor-driver oncogenes. Here we give an overview of some natural compounds identified as CDK inhibitors with reported activity also against CDK9, that were taken as a model for the development of highly active synthetic anti-CDK9 agents. After, we summarize the data on CDK9 inhibition in a group of rare pediatric solid tumors such as rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, synovial sarcoma and malignant rhabdoid tumors (soft tissue sarcomas), highlighting the more recent results in this field. Finally, we discuss the perspective and challenge of CDK9 modulation in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Cassandri
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Biagio De Angelis
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Rota
- Department of Oncohematology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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14
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Bywater MJ, Burkhart DL, Straube J, Sabò A, Pendino V, Hudson JE, Quaife-Ryan GA, Porrello ER, Rae J, Parton RG, Kress TR, Amati B, Littlewood TD, Evan GI, Wilson CH. Reactivation of Myc transcription in the mouse heart unlocks its proliferative capacity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1827. [PMID: 32286286 PMCID: PMC7156407 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15552-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It is unclear why some tissues are refractory to the mitogenic effects of the oncogene Myc. Here we show that Myc activation induces rapid transcriptional responses followed by proliferation in some, but not all, organs. Despite such disparities in proliferative response, Myc is bound to DNA at open elements in responsive (liver) and non-responsive (heart) tissues, but fails to induce a robust transcriptional and proliferative response in the heart. Using heart as an exemplar of a non-responsive tissue, we show that Myc-driven transcription is re-engaged in mature cardiomyocytes by elevating levels of the positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEFb), instating a large proliferative response. Hence, P-TEFb activity is a key limiting determinant of whether the heart is permissive for Myc transcriptional activation. These data provide a greater understanding of how Myc transcriptional activity is determined and indicate modification of P-TEFb levels could be utilised to drive regeneration of adult cardiomyocytes for the treatment of heart myopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan J Bywater
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Deborah L Burkhart
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Jasmin Straube
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Arianna Sabò
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Vera Pendino
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - James E Hudson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Enzo R Porrello
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - James Rae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Robert G Parton
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Theresia R Kress
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Bruno Amati
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) - IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Trevor D Littlewood
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Gerard I Evan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK.
| | - Catherine H Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK.
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15
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Franco LC, Morales F, Boffo S, Giordano A. CDK9: A key player in cancer and other diseases. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:1273-1284. [PMID: 28722178 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) is part of a functional diverse group of enzymes responsible for cell cycle control and progression. It associates mainly with Cyclin T1 and forms the Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (p-TEFb) complex responsible for regulation of transcription elongation and mRNA maturation. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of CDK9 in many relevant pathologic processes, like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and viral replication. Herein we provide an overview of the different pathways in which CDK9 is directly and indirectly involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Carolina Franco
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de las Americas (UDLA), Quito, Ecuador.,Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, PA, Pennsylvania
| | - Fátima Morales
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, PA, Pennsylvania.,Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Silvia Boffo
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, PA, Pennsylvania
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, PA, Pennsylvania.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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16
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Hoodless LJ, Lucas CD, Duffin R, Denvir MA, Haslett C, Tucker CS, Rossi AG. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of CDK9 drives neutrophil apoptosis to resolve inflammation in zebrafish in vivo. Sci Rep 2016; 5:36980. [PMID: 27833165 PMCID: PMC5105078 DOI: 10.1038/srep36980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophilic inflammation is tightly regulated and subsequently resolves to limit tissue damage and promote repair. When the timely resolution of inflammation is dysregulated, tissue damage and disease results. One key control mechanism is neutrophil apoptosis, followed by apoptotic cell clearance by phagocytes such as macrophages. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor drugs induce neutrophil apoptosis in vitro and promote resolution of inflammation in rodent models. Here we present the first in vivo evidence, using pharmacological and genetic approaches, that CDK9 is involved in the resolution of neutrophil-dependent inflammation. Using live cell imaging in zebrafish with labelled neutrophils and macrophages, we show that pharmacological inhibition, morpholino-mediated knockdown and CRISPR/cas9-mediated knockout of CDK9 enhances inflammation resolution by reducing neutrophil numbers via induction of apoptosis after tailfin injury. Importantly, knockdown of the negative regulator La-related protein 7 (LaRP7) increased neutrophilic inflammation. Our data show that CDK9 is a possible target for controlling resolution of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Hoodless
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher D. Lucas
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Rodger Duffin
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Martin A. Denvir
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Haslett
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Carl S. Tucker
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Adriano G. Rossi
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
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17
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Cardiomyocyte proliferation in zebrafish and mammals: lessons for human disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 74:1367-1378. [PMID: 27812722 PMCID: PMC5357290 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes proliferate profusely during early development and for a brief period after birth in mammals. Within a month after birth, this proliferative capability is dramatically reduced in mammals unlike lower vertebrates where it persists into adult life. The zebrafish, for example, retains the ability to regenerate the apex of the heart following resection by a mechanism predominantly driven by cardiomyocyte proliferation. Differences in proliferative capacity of cardiomyocytes in adulthood between mammals and lower vertebrates are closely liked to ontogenetic or phylogenetic factors. Elucidation of these factors has the potential to provide enormous benefits if they lead to the development of therapeutic strategies that facilitate cardiomyocyte proliferation. In this review, we highlight the differences between Mammalian and Zebrafish cardiomyocytes, which could explain at least in part the different proliferative capacities in these two species. We discuss the advantages of the zebrafish as a model of cardiomyocyte proliferation, particularly at the embryonic stage. We also identify a number of key molecular pathways with potential to reveal key steps in switching cardiomyocytes from a quiescent to a proliferative phenotype.
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18
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Matrone G, Mullins JJ, Tucker CS, Denvir MA. Effects of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 inhibition on zebrafish larvae. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:3060-3069. [PMID: 27715402 PMCID: PMC5134698 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1231283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CDK9 is a known regulator of cellular transcription, growth and proliferation. Small molecule inhibitors are currently being developed and assessed in clinical trials as anti-cancer drugs. The zebrafish embryo provides an ideal model to explore the effects of CDK9 inhibition in-vivo. This has not been adequately explored previously at the level of a whole organism. We have compared and contrasted the effects of pharmacological and molecular inhibition of CDK9 on somatic growth, apoptosis and cellular proliferation in zebrafish larvae between 0 to 120 hours post fertilisation (hpf) using flavopiridol, a selective CDK9 antagonist, and CDK9-targeting morpholino. We demonstrate that the inhibition of CDK9 diminishes cellular proliferation and increases apoptosis. Subsequently, it affects somatic growth and development of a number of key embryonic structures including the brain, heart, eye and blood vessels. For the first time, we have localized CDK9 at a subcellular level in whole-mounted larvae. This works shows, at a high-throughput level, that CDK9 clearly plays a fundamental role in early cellular growth and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Matrone
- a British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK.,b Department of Cardiovascular Sciences , Methodist Hospital Research Institute , Houston , TX , USA
| | - John J Mullins
- a British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Carl S Tucker
- a British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
| | - Martin A Denvir
- a British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , UK
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19
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Directed Differentiation of Zebrafish Pluripotent Embryonic Cells to Functional Cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Reports 2016; 7:370-382. [PMID: 27569061 PMCID: PMC5032289 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A cardiomyocyte differentiation in vitro system from zebrafish embryos remains to be established. Here, we have determined pluripotency window of zebrafish embryos by analyzing their gene-expression patterns of pluripotency factors together with markers of three germ layers, and have found that zebrafish undergoes a very narrow period of pluripotency maintenance from zygotic genome activation to a brief moment after oblong stage. Based on the pluripotency and a combination of appropriate conditions, we established a rapid and efficient method for cardiomyocyte generation in vitro from primary embryonic cells. The induced cardiomyocytes differentiated into functional and specific cardiomyocyte subtypes. Notably, these in vitro generated cardiomyocytes exhibited typical contractile kinetics and electrophysiological features. The system provides a new paradigm of cardiomyocyte differentiation from primary embryonic cells in zebrafish. The technology provides a new platform for the study of heart development and regeneration, in addition to drug discovery, disease modeling, and assessment of cardiotoxic agents. Zebrafish embryos may start to exit from pluripotency shortly after the oblong stage Beating cell clusters are efficiently generated from zebrafish blastomeres Beating cell clusters contain specific cardiomyocyte subtypes Induced cardiomyocytes possess normal electrophysiological features
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20
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Matrone G, Wilson KS, Maqsood S, Mullins JJ, Tucker CS, Denvir MA. CDK9 and its repressor LARP7 modulate cardiomyocyte proliferation and response to injury in the zebrafish heart. Development 2016. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.134148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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