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Hieber C, Mustafa AHM, Neuroth S, Henninger S, Wollscheid HP, Zabkiewicz J, Lazenby M, Alvares C, Mahboobi S, Butter F, Brenner W, Bros M, Krämer OH. Inhibitors of the tyrosine kinases FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 and WEE1 induce apoptosis and DNA damage synergistically in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117076. [PMID: 38971011 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperactive FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase-3 mutants with internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) are frequent driver mutations of aggressive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Inhibitors of FLT3 produce promising results in rationally designed cotreatment schemes. Since FLT3-ITD modulates DNA replication and DNA repair, valid anti-leukemia strategies could rely on a combined inhibition of FLT3-ITD and regulators of cell cycle progression and DNA integrity. These include the WEE1 kinase which controls cell cycle progression, nucleotide synthesis, and DNA replication origin firing. We investigated how pharmacological inhibition of FLT3 and WEE1 affected the survival and genomic integrity of AML cell lines and primary AML cells. We reveal that promising clinical grade and preclinical inhibitors of FLT3 and WEE1 synergistically trigger apoptosis in leukemic cells that express FLT3-ITD. An accumulation of single and double strand DNA damage precedes this process. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses show that FLT3-ITD and WEE1 sustain the expression of the ribonucleotide reductase subunit RRM2, which provides dNTPs for DNA replication. Unlike their strong pro-apoptotic effects on leukemia cells with FLT3-ITD, inhibitors of FLT3 and WEE1 do not damage healthy human blood cells and murine hematopoietic stem cells. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of FLT3-ITD and WEE1 might become an improved, rationally designed therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Hieber
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Al-Hassan M Mustafa
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt.
| | - Sarah Neuroth
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Sven Henninger
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | | | - Joanna Zabkiewicz
- Department of Haematology, Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Michelle Lazenby
- Department of Haematology, Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Caroline Alvares
- Department of Haematology, Cardiff Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Siavosh Mahboobi
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93040, Germany.
| | - Falk Butter
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, Mainz 55128, Germany; Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology (IMVZ), Friedrich Loeffler Institute, Greifswald 17493, Germany.
| | - Walburgis Brenner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
| | - Oliver H Krämer
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany.
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2
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Wang H, Ma Z, Xu M, Xiong M, Chen X, Zhou Y, Tang W, Li X, Chen W, Ma H, Ye X. Coptisine-mediated downregulation of E2F7 induces G2/M phase arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through inhibition of E2F4/NFYA/NFYB transcription factors. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 397:111063. [PMID: 38795876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.111063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Coptisine (COP) has been shown to exhibit a wide range of anticancer properties, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the precise mechanism of COP in the treatment of HCC remains elusive. This study aims to investigate the potential mechanism of action of COP against HCC. By evaluating the anti-HCC activity of COP in different HCC cells lines and in xenografted nude mice, it was found that COP inhibited HCC in vitro and in vivo. Through RNA-Seq analysis, E2F7 was identified as a potential target of COP against HCC, as well as the cell cycle as a possible pathway. The overexpression of E2F7 and the inhibition of CHK1 demonstrated that COP inhibits the activity of HCC and induces G2/M phase arrest of HCC cells by down-regulating E2F7 and influencing the CHK1/CDC25A pathway. Finally, the promoter fragmentation experiments and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that COP down-regulated E2F7 by inhibiting the E2F4/NFYA/NFYB transcription factors. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that COP downregulates E2F7 by affecting key transcription factors, thereby inducing cell cycle arrest and inhibits HCC cell growth. This provides further evidence of the efficacy of COP in the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Zhengcai Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Minmin Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Mengyuan Xiong
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Xiantao Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Wanyu Tang
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Xuegang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Wanqun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 400000, China.
| | - Hang Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Xiaoli Ye
- Engineering Research Center of Coptis Development & Utilization (Ministry of Education), School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Knoblochova L, Duricek T, Vaskovicova M, Zorzompokou C, Rayova D, Ferencova I, Baran V, Schultz RM, Hoffmann ER, Drutovic D. CHK1-CDC25A-CDK1 regulate cell cycle progression and protect genome integrity in early mouse embryos. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56530. [PMID: 37694680 PMCID: PMC10561370 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
After fertilization, remodeling of the oocyte and sperm genomes is essential to convert these highly differentiated and transcriptionally quiescent cells into early cleavage-stage blastomeres that are transcriptionally active and totipotent. This developmental transition is accompanied by cell cycle adaptation, such as lengthening or shortening of the gap phases G1 and G2. However, regulation of these cell cycle changes is poorly understood, especially in mammals. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a protein kinase that regulates cell cycle progression in somatic cells. Here, we show that CHK1 regulates cell cycle progression in early mouse embryos by restraining CDK1 kinase activity due to CDC25A phosphatase degradation. CHK1 kinase also ensures the long G2 phase needed for genome activation and reprogramming gene expression in two-cell stage mouse embryos. Finally, Chk1 depletion leads to DNA damage and chromosome segregation errors that result in aneuploidy and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Knoblochova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
- Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Tomas Duricek
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
| | - Michaela Vaskovicova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
| | - Chrysoula Zorzompokou
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
| | - Diana Rayova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
| | - Ivana Ferencova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
| | - Vladimir Baran
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of SciencesKosiceSlovakia
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCAUSA
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - David Drutovic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLibechovCzech Republic
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4
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Herken BW, Wong GT, Norman TM, Gilbert LA. Environmental challenge rewires functional connections among human genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.09.552346. [PMID: 37609173 PMCID: PMC10441384 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.552346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental question in biology is how a limited number of genes combinatorially govern cellular responses to environmental changes. While the prevailing hypothesis is that relationships between genes, processes, and ontologies could be plastic to achieve this adaptability, quantitatively comparing human gene functional connections between specific environmental conditions at scale is very challenging. Therefore, it remains unclear whether and how human genetic interaction networks are rewired in response to changing environmental conditions. Here, we developed a framework for mapping context-specific genetic interactions, enabling us to measure the plasticity of human genetic architecture upon environmental challenge for ~250,000 interactions, using cell cycle interruption, genotoxic perturbation, and nutrient deprivation as archetypes. We discover large-scale rewiring of human gene relationships across conditions, highlighted by dramatic shifts in the functional connections of epigenetic regulators (TIP60), cell cycle regulators (PP2A), and glycolysis metabolism. Our study demonstrates that upon environmental perturbation, intra-complex genetic rewiring is rare while inter-complex rewiring is common, suggesting a modular and flexible evolutionary genetic strategy that allows a limited number of human genes to enable adaptation to a large number of environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W. Herken
- Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco 94518, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco 94518, USA
| | - Garrett T. Wong
- Biological and Medical Informatics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco 94518, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco 94518, USA
| | | | - Luke A. Gilbert
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco 94518, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco 94518, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco 94518, USA
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto 94305, USA
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5
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Yang H, Huebner K, Hampel C, Erlenbach-Wuensch K, Selvamani SB, Shukla V, Geppert CI, Hartmann A, Mahadevan V, Schneider-Stock R. ATF2 loss promotes 5-FU resistance in colon cancer cells via activation of the ATR-Chk1 damage response pathway. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:480. [PMID: 37237279 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10940-0] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of ATF2 in colon cancer (CC) is controversial. Recently, we reported that low ATF2 expression is characteristic of highly invasive tumors, suggesting that ATF2 might also be involved in therapy resistance. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the best-known chemotherapeutic drug for CC, but drug resistance affects its curative effect. To date, the role of ATF2 in the 5-FU response remains elusive. METHODS/RESULTS For our study, we had available HCT116 cells (wild-type p53) and HT29 colon tumor cells (mutant p53) and their corresponding CRISPR‒Cas9-generated ATF2-KO clones. We observed that loss of ATF2 triggered dose- and time-dependent 5-FU resistance in HCT116 cells by activating the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway with high p-ATRThr1989 and p-Chk1Ser317 levels accompanied by an increase in the DNA damage marker γ-H2AX in vitro and in vivo using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Chk1 inhibitor studies causally displayed the link between DDR and drug resistance. There were contradictory findings in HT29 ATF2-KO cells upon 5-FU exposure with low p-Chk1Ser317 levels, strong apoptosis induction, but no effects on DNA damage. In ATF2-silenced HCT116 p53-/- cells, 5-FU did not activate the DDR pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays revealed that upon 5-FU treatment, ATF2 binds to ATR to prevent Chk1 phosphorylation. Indeed, in silico modelling showed reduced ATR-Chk1 binding when ATF2 was docked into the complex. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a novel ATF2 scaffold function involved in the DDR pathway. ATF2-negative cells are highly resistant due to effective ATR/Chk1 DNA damage repair. Mutant p53 seems to overwrite the tumor suppressor function of ATF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Experimental Tumorpathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91504, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany
| | - Kerstin Huebner
- Experimental Tumorpathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91504, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany
| | - Chuanpit Hampel
- Experimental Tumorpathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91504, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany
| | - Katharina Erlenbach-Wuensch
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany
| | - Selva Babu Selvamani
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore, 560100, India
| | - Vikas Shukla
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore, 560100, India
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen‑EMN (CCC ER‑EMN), Östliche Stadtmauerstr. 30, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | | | - Regine Schneider-Stock
- Experimental Tumorpathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsstr. 22, 91504, Erlangen, Germany.
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, Erlangen, 91504, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen‑EMN (CCC ER‑EMN), Östliche Stadtmauerstr. 30, Erlangen, 91054, Germany.
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6
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Baran V, Mayer A. Checkpoint Kinase 1 Is a Key Signal Transducer of DNA Damage in the Early Mammalian Cleavage Embryo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076778. [PMID: 37047751 PMCID: PMC10095474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
After fertilization, remodeling of the oocyte and sperm genome is essential for the successful initiation of mitotic activity in the fertilized oocyte and subsequent proliferative activity of the early embryo. Despite the fact that the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle control in early mammalian embryos are in principle comparable to those in somatic cells, there are differences resulting from the specific nature of the gene totipotency of the blastomeres of early cleavage embryos. In this review, we focus on the Chk1 kinase as a key transduction factor in monitoring the integrity of DNA molecules during early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Baran
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4, 040 00 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Alexandra Mayer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12000 Prague, Czech Republic
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7
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Conte MI, Poli MC, Taglialatela A, Leuzzi G, Chinn IK, Salinas SA, Rey-Jurado E, Olivares N, Veramendi-Espinoza L, Ciccia A, Lupski JR, Aldave Becerra JC, Mace EM, Orange JS. Partial loss-of-function mutations in GINS4 lead to NK cell deficiency with neutropenia. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e154948. [PMID: 36345943 PMCID: PMC9675456 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human NK cell deficiency (NKD) is a primary immunodeficiency in which the main clinically relevant immunological defect involves missing or dysfunctional NK cells. Here, we describe a familial NKD case in which 2 siblings had a substantive NKD and neutropenia in the absence of other immune system abnormalities. Exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in Go-Ichi-Ni-San (GINS) complex subunit 4 (GINS4, also known as SLD5), an essential component of the human replicative helicase, which we demonstrate to have a damaging impact upon the expression and assembly of the GINS complex. Cells derived from affected individuals and a GINS4-knockdown cell line demonstrate delayed cell cycle progression, without signs of improper DNA synthesis or increased replication stress. By modeling partial GINS4 depletion in differentiating NK cells in vitro, we demonstrate the causal relationship between the genotype and the NK cell phenotype, as well as a cell-intrinsic defect in NK cell development. Thus, biallelic partial loss-of-function mutations in GINS4 define a potentially novel disease-causing gene underlying NKD with neutropenia. Together with the previously described mutations in other helicase genes causing NKD, and with the mild defects observed in other human cells, these variants underscore the importance of this pathway in NK cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde I. Conte
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - M. Cecilia Poli
- Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Roberto del Rio, Santiago, Chile
| | - Angelo Taglialatela
- Department of Genetics and Development, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Giuseppe Leuzzi
- Department of Genetics and Development, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ivan K. Chinn
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Retrovirology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sandra A. Salinas
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Emma Rey-Jurado
- Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nixa Olivares
- Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Liz Veramendi-Espinoza
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima, Peru
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Department of Genetics and Development, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - James R. Lupski
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Emily M. Mace
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jordan S. Orange
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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8
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Lohmüller M, Roeck BF, Szabo TG, Schapfl MA, Pegka F, Herzog S, Villunger A, Schuler F. The SKP2-p27 axis defines susceptibility to cell death upon CHK1 inhibition. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:2771-2787. [PMID: 35673965 PMCID: PMC9348596 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1; encoded by CHEK1) is an essential gene that monitors DNA replication fidelity and prevents mitotic entry in the presence of under-replicated DNA or exogenous DNA damage. Cancer cells deficient in p53 tumor suppressor function reportedly develop a strong dependency on CHK1 for proper cell cycle progression and maintenance of genome integrity, sparking interest in developing kinase inhibitors. Pharmacological inhibition of CHK1 triggers B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2 (BCL2)-regulated cell death in malignant cells largely independently of p53, and has been suggested to kill p53-deficient cancer cells even more effectively. Next to p53 status, our knowledge about factors predicting cancer cell responsiveness to CHK1 inhibitors is limited. Here, we conducted a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9-based loss-of-function screen to identify genes defining sensitivity to chemical CHK1 inhibitors. Next to the proapoptotic BCL2 family member, BCL2 Binding Component 3 (BBC3; also known as PUMA), the F-box protein S-phase Kinase-Associated Protein 2 (SKP2) was validated to tune the cellular response to CHK1 inhibition. SKP2 is best known for degradation of the Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B; also known as p27), thereby promoting G1-S transition and cell cycle progression in response to mitogens. Loss of SKP2 resulted in the predicted increase in p27 protein levels, coinciding with reduced DNA damage upon CHK1-inhibitor treatment and reduced cell death in S-phase. Conversely, overexpression of SKP2, which consequently results in reduced p27 protein levels, enhanced cell death susceptibility to CHK1 inhibition. We propose that assessing SKP2 and p27 expression levels in human malignancies will help to predict the responsiveness to CHK1-inhibitor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lohmüller
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernhard F Roeck
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tamas G Szabo
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marina A Schapfl
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fragka Pegka
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebastian Herzog
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Villunger
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Fabian Schuler
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
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9
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Naruse C, Sugihara K, Miyazaki T, Pan X, Sugiyama F, Asano M. A degron system targeting endogenous PD-1 inhibits the growth of tumor cells in mice. NAR Cancer 2022; 4:zcac019. [PMID: 35734392 PMCID: PMC9204894 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcac019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, targeted protein degradation systems have been developed using the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Here, we established Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) knockdown mice as a model system for subjecting endogenous mouse proteins to the small molecule-assisted shutoff (SMASh) degron system. SMASh degron-tagged PD-1-mCherry in Jurkat cells and CD3+ splenocytes were degraded by the NS3/4A protease inhibitors, asunaprevir (ASV) or grazoprevir (GRV). Growth of MC-38 colon adenocarcinoma cells injected in Pdcd1-mCherry-SMASh homozygous knock-in (KI) mice was repressed by ASV or GRV. Moreover, growth of MC-38 cells was suppressed in wild-type mice transplanted with KI bone marrow cells after GRV treatment. This is the first study to use a degron tag targeting an endogenous mouse protein in vivo. Our experimental system using the SMASh degron may be employed for treating diseases and characterizing the cellular functions of essential proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Naruse
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho , Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kazushi Sugihara
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho , Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Miyazaki
- Department of Pathology, Gifu University Hospital , 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1104, Japan
| | - Xuchi Pan
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho , Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Sugiyama
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai , Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Masahide Asano
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho , Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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10
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Lebrec V, Poteau M, Morretton JP, Gavet O. Chk1 dynamics in G2 phase upon replication stress predict daughter cell outcome. Dev Cell 2022; 57:638-653.e5. [PMID: 35245445 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In human cells, ATR/Chk1 signaling couples S phase exit with the expression of mitotic inducers and prevents premature mitosis upon replication stress (RS). Nonetheless, under-replicated DNA can persist at mitosis, prompting chromosomal instability. To decipher how the DNA replication checkpoint (DRC) allows cells to enter mitosis over time upon RS, we developed a FRET-based Chk1 activity sensor. During unperturbed growth, a basal Chk1 activity level is sustained throughout S phase and relies on replication origin firing. Incremental RS triggers stepwise Chk1 over-activation that delays S-phase, suggesting a rheostat-like role for DRC coupled with the replication machinery. Upon RS, Chk1 is inactivated as DNA replication terminates but surprisingly is reactivated in a subset of G2 cells, which relies on Cdk1/2 and Plk1 and prevents mitotic entry. Cells can override active Chk1 signaling and reach mitosis onset, revealing checkpoint adaptation. Cell division following Chk1 reactivation in G2 results in a p53/p21-dependent G1 arrest, eliminating the daughter cells from proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivianne Lebrec
- UMR9019 CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Marion Poteau
- UMR9019 CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Morretton
- UMR9019 CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - Olivier Gavet
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris VI, UFR927, 75005 Paris, France; UMR9019 CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France.
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11
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Elbæk CR, Petrosius V, Benada J, Erichsen L, Damgaard RB, Sørensen CS. WEE1 kinase protects the stability of stalled DNA replication forks by limiting CDK2 activity. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110261. [PMID: 35045293 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular feedback systems ensure genome maintenance during DNA replication. When replication forks stall, newly replicated DNA is protected by pathways that limit excessive DNA nuclease attacks. Here we show that WEE1 activity guards against nascent DNA degradation at stalled forks. Furthermore, we identify WEE1-dependent suppression of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) as a major activity counteracting fork degradation. We establish DNA2 as the nuclease responsible for excessive fork degradation in WEE1-inhibited cells. In addition, WEE1 appears to be unique among CDK activity suppressors in S phase because neither CHK1 nor p21 promote fork protection as WEE1 does. Our results identify a key role of WEE1 in protecting stalled forks, which is separate from its established role in safeguarding DNA replication initiation. Our findings highlight how WEE1 inhibition evokes massive genome challenges during DNA replication, and this knowledge may improve therapeutic strategies to specifically eradicate cancer cells that frequently harbor elevated DNA replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Reiter Elbæk
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløesvej 5, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark; Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Valdemaras Petrosius
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløesvej 5, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark
| | - Jan Benada
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløesvej 5, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark
| | - Louisa Erichsen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløesvej 5, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark
| | - Rune Busk Damgaard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Claus Storgaard Sørensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløesvej 5, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark.
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12
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Kumbale CM, Voit EO, Zhang Q. Emergence and Enhancement of Ultrasensitivity through Posttranslational Modulation of Protein Stability. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1741. [PMID: 34827739 PMCID: PMC8615576 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Signal amplification in biomolecular networks converts a linear input to a steeply sigmoid output and is central to a number of cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, adaptation, and biological rhythms. One canonical signal amplifying motif is zero-order ultrasensitivity that is mediated through the posttranslational modification (PTM) cycle of signaling proteins. The functionality of this signaling motif has been examined conventionally by supposing that the total amount of the protein substrates remains constant, as by the classical Koshland-Goldbeter model. However, covalent modification of signaling proteins often results in changes in their stability, which affects the abundance of the protein substrates. Here, we use mathematical models to explore the signal amplification properties in such scenarios and report some novel aspects. Our analyses indicate that PTM-induced protein stabilization brings the enzymes closer to saturation. As a result, ultrasensitivity may emerge or is greatly enhanced, with a steeper sigmoidal response, higher magnitude, and generally longer response time. In cases where PTM destabilizes the protein, ultrasensitivity can be regained through changes in the activities of the involved enzymes or from increased protein synthesis. Importantly, ultrasensitivity is not limited to modified or unmodified protein substrates-when protein turnover is considered, the total free protein substrate can also exhibit ultrasensitivity under several conditions. When full enzymatic reactions are used instead of Michaelis-Menten kinetics for the modeling, the total free protein substrate can even exhibit nonmonotonic dose-response patterns. It is conceivable that cells use inducible protein stabilization as a strategy in the signaling network to boost signal amplification while saving energy by keeping the protein substrate levels low at basal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M. Kumbale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 950 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Eberhard O. Voit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 950 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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13
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Zhao J, Yu SZ, Cai Q, Ma D, Jiang L, Yang LP, Yu ZY. Identifying the Key Genes in Mouse Liver Regeneration After Partial Hepatectomy by Bioinformatics Analysis and in vitro/ vivo Experiments. Front Genet 2021; 12:670706. [PMID: 34249092 PMCID: PMC8260846 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.670706] [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: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The liver is the only organ that can completely regenerate after various injuries or tissue loss. There are still a large number of gene functions in liver regeneration that have not been explored. This study aimed to identify key genes in the early stage of liver regeneration in mice after partial hepatectomy (PH). Materials and Methods We first analyzed the expression profiles of genes in mouse liver at 48 and 72 h after PH from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene ontology (GO), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to identify key genes in liver regeneration. Finally, we validated key genes in vivo and in vitro. Results We identified 46 upregulated genes and 19 downregulated genes at 48 h after PH, and 223 upregulated genes and 40 downregulated genes at 72 h after PH, respectively. These genes were mainly involved in cell cycle, DNA replication, and p53 signaling pathway. Among of these genes, cycle-related genes (Ccna2, Cdkn1a, Chek1, and Mcm5) and Ube2c were highly expressed in the residual liver both at 48 and 72 h after PH. Furthermore, Ube2c knockdown not only caused abnormal expression of Ccna2, Cdkn1a, Chek1, and Mcm5, but also inhibited transition of hepatocytes from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle in vitro. Conclusion Mouse hepatocytes enter the proliferation phase at 48 h after PH. Ube2c may mediate cell proliferation by regulating or partially regulating Ccna2, Cdkn1a, Chek1, and Mcm5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Shi-Zhe Yu
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiang Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Duo Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Long Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Ling-Peng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, China
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14
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Ditano JP, Sakurikar N, Eastman A. Activation of CDC25A phosphatase is limited by CDK2/cyclin A-mediated feedback inhibition. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:1308-1319. [PMID: 34156324 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.1938813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1 complexed with cyclin B is a driver of mitosis, while CDK2 drives S phase entry and replicon initiation. CDK2 activity increases as cells progress through S phase, and its cyclin partner switches from cyclin E to cyclin A. Activation of CDK2 requires dephosphorylation of tyrosine-15 by CDC25A. DNA damage activates the checkpoint protein CHK1, which phosphorylates and degrades CDC25A to prevent activation of CDK2 and protect from cell cycle progression before damage is repaired. CHK1 inhibitors were developed to circumvent this arrest and enhance the efficacy of many cancer chemotherapeutic agents. CHK1 inhibition results in the accumulation of CDC25A and activation of CDK2. We demonstrate that inhibition of CDK2 or suppression of cyclin A also results in accumulation of CDC25A suggesting a feedback loop that prevents over activation of this pathway. The feedback inhibition of CDC25A targets phosphorylation of S88-CDC25A, which resides within a CDK consensus sequence. In contrast, it appears that CDK complexes with cyclin B (and possibly cyclin E) stabilize CDC25A in a feed-forward activation loop. While CDK2/cyclin A would normally be active at late S/G2, we propose that this feedback inhibitory loop prevents over activation of CDK2 in early S phase, while still leaving CDK2/cyclin E to catalyze replicon initiation. One importance of this observation is that a subset of cancer cell lines are very sensitive to CHK1 inhibition, which is mediated by CDK2/cyclin A activity in S phase cells. Hence, dysregulation of this feedback loop might facilitate sensitivity of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P Ditano
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Nandini Sakurikar
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Alan Eastman
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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15
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Li M, Huang T, Li X, Shi Z, Sheng Y, Hu M, Song K. GDC-0575, a CHK1 Inhibitor, Impairs the Development of Colitis and Colitis-Associated Cancer by Inhibiting CCR2 + Macrophage Infiltration in Mice. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:2661-2672. [PMID: 33897258 PMCID: PMC8058335 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s297132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) plays an important role in DNA damage response and cell cycle progression. Thus, targeting CHK1 is an efficient strategy for cancer therapy. Purpose The present study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of GDC-0575, a CHK1-specific inhibitor, in colitis-associated cancer (CAC) and colitis. Methods We established a DSS-induced acute colitis model and an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced CAC model using mice and tested the effect of GDC-0575 on them. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were employed to investigate the infiltration of immune cells, and inflammatory cytokine expression in the colon of mice with CAC or colitis was investigated using ELISA and qPCR. We also investigated the correlation between CHK1 and CCL2/CCR2 in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. Results Administration of GDC-0575 significantly inhibited CHK1 expression in the colon and dramatically impaired the development of CAC and colitis in mice. Moreover, the inhibition of CHK1 expression resulted in efficient inhibition of infiltration by iNOS-positive macrophages, but had no significant effect on CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Significant downregulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β and dramatic upregulation of IL-10 were observed in the colons of both mice with CAC and colitis treated with GDC-0575. CCL2 expression was also downregulated by GDC-0575 in both mice with CAC and colitis; this was followed by the inhibition of CCR2+ macrophage infiltration in the colon. Furthermore, we report a positive correlation between CHK1 expression and CCL2/CCR2 expression in the malignant tissues of patients with CRC. Conclusion Taken together, we infer that GDC-0575 impairs the development of CAC and colitis by regulating cytokine expression and inhibiting CCR2+ macrophage infiltration in mice colon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianqing Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Shi
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Sheng
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
| | - Mimi Hu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kui Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, 416000, People's Republic of China
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16
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Pavan ICB, Peres de Oliveira A, Dias PRF, Basei FL, Issayama LK, Ferezin CDC, Silva FR, Rodrigues de Oliveira AL, Alves dos Reis Moura L, Martins MB, Simabuco FM, Kobarg J. On Broken Ne(c)ks and Broken DNA: The Role of Human NEKs in the DNA Damage Response. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030507. [PMID: 33673578 PMCID: PMC7997185 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NIMA-related kinases, or NEKs, are a family of Ser/Thr protein kinases involved in cell cycle and mitosis, centrosome disjunction, primary cilia functions, and DNA damage responses among other biological functional contexts in vertebrate cells. In human cells, there are 11 members, termed NEK1 to 11, and the research has mainly focused on exploring the more predominant roles of NEKs in mitosis regulation and cell cycle. A possible important role of NEKs in DNA damage response (DDR) first emerged for NEK1, but recent studies for most NEKs showed participation in DDR. A detailed analysis of the protein interactions, phosphorylation events, and studies of functional aspects of NEKs from the literature led us to propose a more general role of NEKs in DDR. In this review, we express that NEK1 is an activator of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR), and its activation results in cell cycle arrest, guaranteeing DNA repair while activating specific repair pathways such as homology repair (HR) and DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. For NEK2, 6, 8, 9, and 11, we found a role downstream of ATR and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) that results in cell cycle arrest, but details of possible activated repair pathways are still being investigated. NEK4 shows a connection to the regulation of the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair of DNA DSBs, through recruitment of DNA-PK to DNA damage foci. NEK5 interacts with topoisomerase IIβ, and its knockdown results in the accumulation of damaged DNA. NEK7 has a regulatory role in the detection of oxidative damage to telomeric DNA. Finally, NEK10 has recently been shown to phosphorylate p53 at Y327, promoting cell cycle arrest after exposure to DNA damaging agents. In summary, this review highlights important discoveries of the ever-growing involvement of NEK kinases in the DDR pathways. A better understanding of these roles may open new diagnostic possibilities or pharmaceutical interventions regarding the chemo-sensitizing inhibition of NEKs in various forms of cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Carolina Betim Pavan
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Andressa Peres de Oliveira
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Pedro Rafael Firmino Dias
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Fernanda Luisa Basei
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Luidy Kazuo Issayama
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Camila de Castro Ferezin
- Graduate Program in “Biologia Funcional e Molecular”, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-857, Brazil;
| | - Fernando Riback Silva
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Ana Luisa Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Lívia Alves dos Reis Moura
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
| | - Mariana Bonjiorno Martins
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
- Graduate Program in “Biologia Funcional e Molecular”, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-857, Brazil;
| | | | - Jörg Kobarg
- Graduate Program in “Ciências Farmacêuticas”, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Cândido Portinari 200, Prédio 2, Campinas CEP 13083-871, Brazil; (I.C.B.P.); (A.P.d.O.); (P.R.F.D.); (F.L.B.); (L.K.I.); (F.R.S.); (A.L.R.d.O.); (L.A.d.R.M.); (M.B.M.)
- Graduate Program in “Biologia Funcional e Molecular”, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-857, Brazil;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-19-3521-8143
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17
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Chou HC, Bhalla K, Demerdesh OE, Klingbeil O, Hanington K, Aganezov S, Andrews P, Alsudani H, Chang K, Vakoc CR, Schatz MC, McCombie WR, Stillman B. The human origin recognition complex is essential for pre-RC assembly, mitosis, and maintenance of nuclear structure. eLife 2021; 10:61797. [PMID: 33522487 PMCID: PMC7877914 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin recognition complex (ORC) cooperates with CDC6, MCM2-7, and CDT1 to form pre-RC complexes at origins of DNA replication. Here, using tiling-sgRNA CRISPR screens, we report that each subunit of ORC and CDC6 is essential in human cells. Using an auxin-inducible degradation system, we created stable cell lines capable of ablating ORC2 rapidly, revealing multiple cell division cycle phenotypes. The primary defects in the absence of ORC2 were cells encountering difficulty in initiating DNA replication or progressing through the cell division cycle due to reduced MCM2-7 loading onto chromatin in G1 phase. The nuclei of ORC2-deficient cells were also large, with decompacted heterochromatin. Some ORC2-deficient cells that completed DNA replication entered into, but never exited mitosis. ORC1 knockout cells also demonstrated extremely slow cell proliferation and abnormal cell and nuclear morphology. Thus, ORC proteins and CDC6 are indispensable for normal cellular proliferation and contribute to nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Chen Chou
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States.,Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, United States
| | - Kuhulika Bhalla
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | | | - Olaf Klingbeil
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | | | - Sergey Aganezov
- Department of Computer Science, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Peter Andrews
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | - Habeeb Alsudani
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
| | | | - Michael C Schatz
- Department of Computer Science, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | | | - Bruce Stillman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States
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18
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Panagopoulos A, Altmeyer M. The Hammer and the Dance of Cell Cycle Control. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 46:301-314. [PMID: 33279370 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell cycle checkpoints secure ordered progression from one cell cycle phase to the next. They are important to signal cell stress and DNA lesions and to stop cell cycle progression when severe problems occur. Recent work suggests, however, that the cell cycle control machinery responds in more subtle and sophisticated ways when cells are faced with naturally occurring challenges, such as replication impediments associated with endogenous replication stress. Instead of following a stop and go approach, cells use fine-tuned deceleration and brake release mechanisms under the control of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein kinase (ATR) and checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) to more flexibly adapt their cell cycle program to changing conditions. We highlight emerging examples of such intrinsic cell cycle checkpoint regulation and discuss their physiological and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Panagopoulos
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Altmeyer
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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19
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Topatana W, Juengpanich S, Li S, Cao J, Hu J, Lee J, Suliyanto K, Ma D, Zhang B, Chen M, Cai X. Advances in synthetic lethality for cancer therapy: cellular mechanism and clinical translation. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:118. [PMID: 32883316 PMCID: PMC7470446 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00956-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is a lethal phenomenon in which the occurrence of a single genetic event is tolerable for cell survival, whereas the co-occurrence of multiple genetic events results in cell death. The main obstacle for synthetic lethality lies in the tumor biology heterogeneity and complexity, the inadequate understanding of synthetic lethal interactions, drug resistance, and the challenges regarding screening and clinical translation. Recently, DNA damage response inhibitors are being tested in various trials with promising results. This review will describe the current challenges, development, and opportunities for synthetic lethality in cancer therapy. The characterization of potential synthetic lethal interactions and novel technologies to develop a more effective targeted drug for cancer patients will be explored. Furthermore, this review will discuss the clinical development and drug resistance mechanisms of synthetic lethality in cancer therapy. The ultimate goal of this review is to guide clinicians at selecting patients that will receive the maximum benefits of DNA damage response inhibitors for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Win Topatana
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Sarun Juengpanich
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shijie Li
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jiasheng Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jiahao Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | | | - Diana Ma
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Mingyu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China. .,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Xiujun Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China. .,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. .,Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, No.3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
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20
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Li Y, Liang Y, Ma T, Yang Q. Identification of DGUOK-AS1 as a Prognostic Factor in Breast Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1092. [PMID: 32766141 PMCID: PMC7379746 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Significant developments have been made in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, yet the prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Accumulating evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in the development and progression of human tumors. However, the regulatory mechanisms and clinical significance of most lncRNAs in breast cancer remain poorly understood. Methods: The lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. A lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed and visualized using Cytoscape. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database and hub genes were extracted using the cytoHubba plugin. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes analyses identified the functions and signaling pathways associated with these differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs). Expression of the key lncRNA and the relationship with prognosis of patients with breast cancer were evaluated. Results: Six differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), 29 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and 253 DEmRNAs were selected to construct the regulatory network. A PPI network was established and seven hub genes were identified. A lncRNA-miRNA-hub gene regulatory sub-network was established containing two DElncRNAs, five DEmiRNAs, and seven DEmRNAs. Hub genes were associated with breast cancer onset and progression. The upregulated DGUOK-AS1 was identified as the key lncRNA in breast cancer based on the competing endogenous RNA network. High DGUOK-AS1 expression was associated with adverse prognosis in patients with breast cancer and a prognostic nomogram built on Grade, LN status, and DGUOK-AS1 expression shows significant prognostic value. Conclusions: Our results reveal the significant roles of lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory networks in breast cancer and identified a novel prognosis predictor and promising therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalun Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Yiran Liang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tingting Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qifeng Yang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Pathology Tissue Bank, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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21
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Ito SS, Nakagawa Y, Matsubayashi M, Sakaguchi YM, Kobashigawa S, Matsui TK, Nanaura H, Nakanishi M, Kitayoshi F, Kikuchi S, Kajihara A, Tamaki S, Sugie K, Kashino G, Takahashi A, Hasegawa M, Mori E, Kirita T. Inhibition of the ATR kinase enhances 5-FU sensitivity independently of nonhomologous end-joining and homologous recombination repair pathways. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:12946-12961. [PMID: 32675286 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is cytotoxic and often used to treat various cancers. 5-FU is thought to inhibit the enzyme thymidylate synthase, which plays a role in nucleotide synthesis and has been found to induce single- and double-strand DNA breaks. ATR Ser/Thr kinase (ATR) is a principal kinase in the DNA damage response and is activated in response to UV- and chemotherapeutic drug-induced DNA replication stress, but its role in cellular responses to 5-FU is unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of ATR inhibition on 5-FU sensitivity of mammalian cells. Using immunoblotting, we found that 5-FU treatment dose-dependently induced the phosphorylation of ATR at the autophosphorylation site Thr-1989 and thereby activated its kinase. Administration of 5-FU with a specific ATR inhibitor remarkably decreased cell survival, compared with 5-FU treatment combined with other major DNA repair kinase inhibitors. Of note, the ATR inhibition enhanced induction of DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in 5-FU-treated cells. Using gene expression analysis, we found that 5-FU induced the activation of the intra-S cell-cycle checkpoint. Cells lacking BRCA2 were sensitive to 5-FU in the presence of ATR inhibitor. Moreover, ATR inhibition enhanced the efficacy of the 5-FU treatment, independently of the nonhomologous end-joining and homologous recombination repair pathways. These findings suggest that ATR could be a potential therapeutic target in 5-FU-based chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichiro S Ito
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Yosuke Nakagawa
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Masaya Matsubayashi
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko M Sakaguchi
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Shinko Kobashigawa
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Takeshi K Matsui
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan; Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Hitoki Nanaura
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan; Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Mari Nakanishi
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Fumika Kitayoshi
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Sotaro Kikuchi
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Atsuhisa Kajihara
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Tamaki
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Kazuma Sugie
- Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Genro Kashino
- Radioisotope Research Center, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | | | - Masatoshi Hasegawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
| | - Eiichiro Mori
- Department of Future Basic Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
| | - Tadaaki Kirita
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
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22
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Wu T, Yoon H, Xiong Y, Dixon-Clarke SE, Nowak RP, Fischer ES. Targeted protein degradation as a powerful research tool in basic biology and drug target discovery. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:605-614. [PMID: 32541897 PMCID: PMC7923177 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0438-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Controlled perturbation of protein activity is essential to study protein function in cells and living organisms. Small molecules that hijack the cellular protein ubiquitination machinery to selectively degrade proteins of interest, so-called degraders, have recently emerged as alternatives to selective chemical inhibitors, both as therapeutic modalities and as powerful research tools. These systems offer unprecedented temporal and spatial control over protein function. Here, we review recent developments in this field, with a particular focus on the use of degraders as research tools to interrogate complex biological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hojong Yoon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuan Xiong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Dixon-Clarke
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Radosław P Nowak
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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23
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Abstract
The conserved serine-threonine kinase, Cdc7, plays a crucial role in initiation of DNA replication by facilitating the assembly of an initiation complex. Cdc7 is expressed at a high level and exhibits significant kinase activity not only during S-phase but also during G2/M-phases. A conserved mitotic kinase, Aurora B, is activated during M-phase by association with INCENP, forming the chromosome passenger complex with Borealin and Survivin. We show that Cdc7 phosphorylates and stimulates Aurora B kinase activity in vitro. We identified threonine-236 as a critical phosphorylation site on Aurora B that could be a target of Cdc7 or could be an autophosphorylation site stimulated by Cdc7-mediated phosphorylation elsewhere. We found that threonines at both 232 (that has been identified as an autophosphorylation site) and 236 are essential for the kinase activity of Aurora B. Cdc7 down regulation or inhibition reduced Aurora B activity in vivo and led to retarded M-phase progression. SAC imposed by paclitaxel was dramatically reversed by Cdc7 inhibition, similar to the effect of Aurora B inhibition under the similar situation. Our data show that Cdc7 contributes to M-phase progression and to spindle assembly checkpoint most likely through Aurora B activation.
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24
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Dent P. Investigational CHK1 inhibitors in early phase clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 28:1095-1100. [PMID: 31783714 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2019.1694661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitors have been in development for two decades. The initial CHK1 inhibitor staurosporine analog, UCN01, entered clinical trials whilst it was still considered to act via PKC inhibition; only later were trials performed in a more focused fashion to determine whether CHK1 inhibition could dysregulate cell cycle checkpoints. Many of the subsequently synthesized more specific CHK1 inhibitors have failed because of poor PK/PD or cumulative normal tissue toxicities in patients. CHK1 inhibitor monotherapy often demonstrates limited efficacy and in general, must be combined with other agents. The combination of CHK1 inhibitors with modern signaling regulators may be a better therapeutic strategy.Areas covered: This review discusses the history of, and translational use of CHK1 inhibitors; the latest generation of CHK1 inhibitors to enter clinic development are also examined.Expert opinion: Some CHK1 inhibitors can be administered safely, but that when they are combined with traditional cytotoxic DNA damaging agents, the normal tissue toxicities outweigh the very modest gains in therapeutic efficacy. Researchers need to think outside of the box and consider how CHK1 inhibitors can be combined with other signal transduction modulators such as MEK1/2 and PARP1 inhibitors to kill tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dent
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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25
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Lemmens B, Lindqvist A. DNA replication and mitotic entry: A brake model for cell cycle progression. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:3892-3902. [PMID: 31712253 PMCID: PMC6891093 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201909032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lemmens and Lindqvist discuss how DNA replication and mitosis are coordinated and propose a cell cycle model controlled by brakes. The core function of the cell cycle is to duplicate the genome and divide the duplicated DNA into two daughter cells. These processes need to be carefully coordinated, as cell division before DNA replication is complete leads to genome instability and cell death. Recent observations show that DNA replication, far from being only a consequence of cell cycle progression, plays a key role in coordinating cell cycle activities. DNA replication, through checkpoint kinase signaling, restricts the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that promote cell division. The S/G2 transition is therefore emerging as a crucial regulatory step to determine the timing of mitosis. Here we discuss recent observations that redefine the coupling between DNA replication and cell division and incorporate these insights into an updated cell cycle model for human cells. We propose a cell cycle model based on a single trigger and sequential releases of three molecular brakes that determine the kinetics of CDK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bennie Lemmens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet and Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arne Lindqvist
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Crncec A, Hochegger H. Triggering mitosis. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:2868-2888. [PMID: 31602636 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Entry into mitosis is triggered by the activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). This simple reaction rapidly and irreversibly sets the cell up for division. Even though the core step in triggering mitosis is so simple, the regulation of this cellular switch is highly complex, involving a large number of interconnected signalling cascades. We do have a detailed knowledge of most of the components of this network, but only a poor understanding of how they work together to create a precise and robust system that ensures that mitosis is triggered at the right time and in an orderly fashion. In this review, we will give an overview of the literature that describes the Cdk1 activation network and then address questions relating to the systems biology of this switch. How is the timing of the trigger controlled? How is mitosis insulated from interphase? What determines the sequence of events, following the initial trigger of Cdk1 activation? Which elements ensure robustness in the timing and execution of the switch? How has this system been adapted to the high levels of replication stress in cancer cells?
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrijana Crncec
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Helfrid Hochegger
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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27
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Investigation of Precise Molecular Mechanistic Action of Tobacco-Associated Carcinogen `NNK´ Induced Carcinogenesis: A System Biology Approach. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080564. [PMID: 31357510 PMCID: PMC6723528 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second deadliest disease listed by the WHO. One of the major causes of cancer disease is tobacco and consumption possibly due to its main component, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). A plethora of studies have been conducted in the past aiming to decipher the association of NNK with other diseases. However, it is strongly linked with cancer development. Despite these studies, a clear molecular mechanism and the impact of NNK on various system-level networks is not known. In the present study, system biology tools were employed to understand the key regulatory mechanisms and the perturbations that will happen in the cellular processes due to NNK. To investigate the system level influence of the carcinogen, NNK rewired protein–protein interaction network (PPIN) was generated from 544 reported proteins drawn out from 1317 articles retrieved from PubMed. The noise was removed from PPIN by the method of modulation. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment was performed on the seed proteins extracted from various modules to find the most affected pathways by the genes/proteins. For the modulation, Molecular COmplex DEtection (MCODE) was used to generate 19 modules containing 115 seed proteins. Further, scrutiny of the targeted biomolecules was done by the graph theory and molecular docking. GO enrichment analysis revealed that mostly cell cycle regulatory proteins were affected by NNK.
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