1
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Improved Targeting of Therapeutics by Nanocarrier-Based Delivery in Cancer Immunotherapy and Their Future Perspectives. BIONANOSCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12668-023-01065-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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2
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Mung KL, Meinander A, Koskinen PJ. PIM
kinases phosphorylate lactate dehydrogenase A at serine 161 and suppress its nuclear ubiquitination. FEBS J 2022; 290:2489-2502. [PMID: 36239424 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is a glycolytic enzyme catalysing the reversible conversion of pyruvate to lactate. It has been implicated as a substrate for PIM kinases, yet the relevant target sites and functional consequences of phosphorylation have remained unknown. Here, we show that all three PIM family members can phosphorylate LDHA at serine 161. When we investigated the physiological consequences of this phosphorylation in PC3 prostate cancer and MCF7 breast cancer cells, we noticed that it suppressed ubiquitin-mediated degradation of nuclear LDHA and promoted interactions between LDHA and 14-3-3 proteins. By contrast, in CRISPR/Cas9-edited knock-out cells lacking all three PIM family members, ubiquitination of nuclear LDHA was dramatically increased followed by its decreased expression. Our data suggest that PIM kinases support nuclear LDHA expression and activities by promoting phosphorylation-dependent interactions of LDHA with 14-3-3ε, which shields nuclear LDHA from ubiquitin-mediated degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Meinander
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, BioCity Åbo Akademi University Turku Finland
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3
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Mung KL, Eccleshall WB, Santio NM, Rivero-Müller A, Koskinen PJ. PIM kinases inhibit AMPK activation and promote tumorigenicity by phosphorylating LKB1. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:68. [PMID: 34193159 PMCID: PMC8247201 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00749-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The oncogenic PIM kinases and the tumor-suppressive LKB1 kinase have both been implicated in the regulation of cell growth and metabolism, albeit in opposite directions. Here we investigated whether these kinases interact with each other to influence AMPK activation and tumorigenic growth of prostate and breast cancer cells. METHODS We first determined how PIM and LKB1 kinases affect AMPK phosphorylation levels. We then used in vitro kinase assays to demonstrate that LKB1 is phosphorylated by PIM kinases, and site-directed mutagenesis to identify the PIM target sites in LKB1. The cellular functions of PIM and LKB1 kinases were evaluated using either pan-PIM inhibitors or CRISPR/Cas9 genomic editing, with which all three PIM family members and/or LKB1 were knocked out from PC3 prostate and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. In addition to cell proliferation assays, we examined the effects of PIM and/or LKB1 loss on tumor growth using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) xenograft model. RESULTS We provide both genetic and pharmacological evidence to demonstrate that inhibition of PIM expression or activity increases phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 in both PC3 and MCF7 cells, but not in their derivatives lacking LKB1. This is explained by our observation that all three PIM family kinases can phosphorylate LKB1 at Ser334. Wild-type LKB1, but not its phosphodeficient derivative, can restore PIM inhibitor-induced AMPK phosphorylation in LKB1 knock-out cells. In the CAM model, loss of LKB1 enhances tumorigenicity of PC3 xenografts, while cells lacking both LKB1 and PIMs exhibit slower proliferation rates and form smaller tumors. CONCLUSION PIM kinases are novel negative regulators of LKB1 that affect AMPK activity in an LKB1-dependent fashion. The impairment of cell proliferation and tumor growth in cells lacking both LKB1 and PIMs indicates that these kinases possess a shared signaling role in the context of cancer. These data also suggest that PIM inhibitors may be a rational therapeutic option for LKB1-deficient tumors. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwan Long Mung
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, 20500, Turku, Finland
| | - William B Eccleshall
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, 20500, Turku, Finland.,Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Niina M Santio
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, 20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, 20500, Turku, Finland.,Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Päivi J Koskinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, 20500, Turku, Finland.
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4
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Landor SKJ, Santio NM, Eccleshall WB, Paramonov VM, Gagliani EK, Hall D, Jin SB, Dahlström KM, Salminen TA, Rivero-Müller A, Lendahl U, Kovall RA, Koskinen PJ, Sahlgren C. PIM-induced phosphorylation of Notch3 promotes breast cancer tumorigenicity in a CSL-independent fashion. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100593. [PMID: 33775697 PMCID: PMC8100066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the developmentally important Notch signaling pathway is implicated in several types of cancer, including breast cancer. However, the specific roles and regulation of the four different Notch receptors have remained elusive. We have previously reported that the oncogenic PIM kinases phosphorylate Notch1 and Notch3. Phosphorylation of Notch1 within the second nuclear localization sequence of its intracellular domain (ICD) enhances its transcriptional activity and tumorigenicity. In this study, we analyzed Notch3 phosphorylation and its functional impact. Unexpectedly, we observed that the PIM target sites are not conserved between Notch1 and Notch3. Notch3 ICD (N3ICD) is phosphorylated within a domain, which is essential for formation of a transcriptionally active complex with the DNA-binding protein CSL. Through molecular modeling, X-ray crystallography, and isothermal titration calorimetry, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of N3ICD sterically hinders its interaction with CSL and thereby inhibits its CSL-dependent transcriptional activity. Surprisingly however, phosphorylated N3ICD still maintains tumorigenic potential in breast cancer cells under estrogenic conditions, which support PIM expression. Taken together, our data indicate that PIM kinases modulate the signaling output of different Notch paralogs by targeting distinct protein domains and thereby promote breast cancer tumorigenesis via both CSL-dependent and CSL-independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian K J Landor
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Niina M Santio
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - William B Eccleshall
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Valeriy M Paramonov
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ellen K Gagliani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel Hall
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shao-Bo Jin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Käthe M Dahlström
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland
| | - Tiina A Salminen
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi, Turku, Finland
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Urban Lendahl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rhett A Kovall
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Cecilia Sahlgren
- Faculty of Science and Engineering/Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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5
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Santio NM, Vainio V, Hoikkala T, Mung KL, Lång M, Vahakoski R, Zdrojewska J, Coffey ET, Kremneva E, Rainio EM, Koskinen PJ. PIM1 accelerates prostate cancer cell motility by phosphorylating actin capping proteins. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:121. [PMID: 32771000 PMCID: PMC7414696 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00618-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The PIM family kinases promote cancer cell survival and motility as well as metastatic growth in various types of cancer. We have previously identified several PIM substrates, which support cancer cell migration and invasiveness. However, none of them are known to regulate cellular movements by directly interacting with the actin cytoskeleton. Here we have studied the phosphorylation-dependent effects of PIM1 on actin capping proteins, which bind as heterodimers to the fast-growing actin filament ends and stabilize them. Methods Based on a phosphoproteomics screen for novel PIM substrates, we have used kinase assays and fluorescence-based imaging techniques to validate actin capping proteins as PIM1 substrates and interaction partners. We have analysed the functional consequences of capping protein phosphorylation on cell migration and adhesion by using wound healing and real-time impedance-based assays. We have also investigated phosphorylation-dependent effects on actin polymerization by analysing the protective role of capping protein phosphomutants in actin disassembly assays. Results We have identified capping proteins CAPZA1 and CAPZB2 as PIM1 substrates, and shown that phosphorylation of either of them leads to increased adhesion and migration of human prostate cancer cells. Phosphorylation also reduces the ability of the capping proteins to protect polymerized actin from disassembly. Conclusions Our data suggest that PIM kinases are able to induce changes in actin dynamics to support cell adhesion and movement. Thus, we have identified a novel mechanism through which PIM kinases enhance motility and metastatic behaviour of cancer cells. Video abstract
Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Niina M Santio
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Veera Vainio
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Tuuli Hoikkala
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Kwan Long Mung
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Mirka Lång
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Riitta Vahakoski
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Justyna Zdrojewska
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Eleanor T Coffey
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Elena Kremneva
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva-Marja Rainio
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Päivi J Koskinen
- Section of Physiology and Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland.
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6
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Eerola SK, Santio NM, Rinne S, Kouvonen P, Corthals GL, Scaravilli M, Scala G, Serra A, Greco D, Ruusuvuori P, Latonen L, Rainio EM, Visakorpi T, Koskinen PJ. Phosphorylation of NFATC1 at PIM1 target sites is essential for its ability to promote prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:148. [PMID: 31730483 PMCID: PMC6858710 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0463-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progression of prostate cancer from benign local tumors to metastatic carcinomas is a multistep process. Here we have investigated the signaling pathways that support migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells, focusing on the role of the NFATC1 transcription factor and its post-translational modifications. We have previously identified NFATC1 as a substrate for the PIM1 kinase and shown that PIM1-dependent phosphorylation increases NFATC1 activity without affecting its subcellular localization. Both PIM kinases and NFATC1 have been reported to promote cancer cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis, but it has remained unclear whether the effects of NFATC1 are phosphorylation-dependent and which downstream targets are involved. Methods We used mass spectrometry to identify PIM1 phosphorylation target sites in NFATC1, and analysed their functional roles in three prostate cancer cell lines by comparing phosphodeficient mutants to wild-type NFATC1. We used luciferase assays to determine effects of phosphorylation on NFAT-dependent transcriptional activity, and migration and invasion assays to evaluate effects on cell motility. We also performed a microarray analysis to identify novel PIM1/NFATC1 targets, and validated one of them with both cellular expression analyses and in silico in clinical prostate cancer data sets. Results Here we have identified ten PIM1 target sites in NFATC1 and found that prevention of their phosphorylation significantly decreases the transcriptional activity as well as the pro-migratory and pro-invasive effects of NFATC1 in prostate cancer cells. We observed that also PIM2 and PIM3 can phosphorylate NFATC1, and identified several novel putative PIM1/NFATC1 target genes. These include the ITGA5 integrin, which is differentially expressed in the presence of wild-type versus phosphorylation-deficient NFATC1, and which is coexpressed with PIM1 and NFATC1 in clinical prostate cancer specimens. Conclusions Based on our data, phosphorylation of PIM1 target sites stimulates NFATC1 activity and enhances its ability to promote prostate cancer cell migration and invasion. Therefore, inhibition of the interplay between PIM kinases and NFATC1 may have therapeutic implications for patients with metastatic forms of cancer. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sini K Eerola
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Niina M Santio
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Sanni Rinne
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Petri Kouvonen
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Garry L Corthals
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Mauro Scaravilli
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Giovanni Scala
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Angela Serra
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Dario Greco
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pekka Ruusuvuori
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Signal processing laboratory, Tampere University of Technology, Pori, Finland
| | - Leena Latonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eeva-Marja Rainio
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland
| | - Tapio Visakorpi
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland
| | - Päivi J Koskinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20500, Turku, Finland.
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7
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Nilsson SME, Henschel H, Scotti G, Haapala M, Kiriazis A, Boije Af Gennäs G, Kotiaho T, Yli-Kauhaluoma J. Mechanism of the Oxidation of Heptafulvenes to Tropones Studied by Online Mass Spectrometry and Density Functional Theory Calculations. J Org Chem 2019; 84:13975-13982. [PMID: 31560537 PMCID: PMC7076690 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b02078] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
We
have identified the most likely reaction mechanism for oxidizing
heptafulvenes to the corresponding tropones by experimental and theoretical
investigations. The experimental studies were done by coupling a three-dimensional
printed miniaturized reactor with an integrated electrospray ionization
needle to a mass spectrometer. Using the experimentally observed ions
as a basis, nine alternative reaction pathways were investigated with
density functional theory calculations. The lowest energy reaction
pathway starts with the formation of an epoxide that is opened upon
the addition of a second equivalent of the oxidizing species meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The adduct formed then undergoes
a Criegee-like rearrangement to yield a positively charged hemiketal,
which on deprotonation dissociates into acetone and tropone. Overall,
the reaction mechanism resembles a Hock-like rearrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia M E Nilsson
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Henning Henschel
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology , University of Oulu , P.O. Box 5000 (Aapistie 5 A), FI-90220 Oulu , Finland.,Medical Research Center , University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital , P.O. Box 5000 (Aapistie 5 A), FI-90220 Oulu , Finland
| | - Gianmario Scotti
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Markus Haapala
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Alexandros Kiriazis
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Gustav Boije Af Gennäs
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Tapio Kotiaho
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 55 (A.I. Virtasen Aukio 1) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5 E) , FI-00014 University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
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8
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PIM-Related Kinases Selectively Regulate Olfactory Sensations in Caenorhabditis elegans. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0003-19.2019. [PMID: 31387876 PMCID: PMC6709224 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0003-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian PIM family of serine/threonine kinases regulate several cellular functions, such as cell survival and motility. Because PIM expression is observed in sensory organs, such as olfactory epithelium, we now wanted to explore the physiological roles of PIM kinases there. As our model organism, we used the Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, which express two PIM-related kinases, PRK-1 and PRK-2. We demonstrated PRKs to be true PIM orthologs with similar substrate specificity as well as sensitivity to PIM-inhibitory compounds. When we analyzed the effects of pan-PIM inhibitors on C. elegans sensory functions, we observed that PRK activity is selectively required to support olfactory sensations to volatile repellents and attractants sensed by AWB and AWCON neurons, respectively, but is dispensable for gustatory sensations. Analyses of prk-deficient mutant strains confirmed these findings and suggested that PRK-1, but not PRK-2 is responsible for the observed effects on olfaction. This regulatory role of PRK-1 is further supported by its observed expression in the head and tail neurons, including AWB and AWC neurons. Based on the evolutionary conservation of PIM-related kinases, our data may have implications in regulation of also mammalian olfaction.
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9
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Figueiredo P, Sipponen MH, Lintinen K, Correia A, Kiriazis A, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Österberg M, George A, Hirvonen J, Kostiainen MA, Santos HA. Preparation and Characterization of Dentin Phosphophoryn-Derived Peptide-Functionalized Lignin Nanoparticles for Enhanced Cellular Uptake. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1901427. [PMID: 31062448 PMCID: PMC8042775 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201901427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The surface modification of nanoparticles (NPs) using different ligands is a common strategy to increase NP-cell interactions. Here, dentin phosphophoryn-derived peptide (DSS) lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) are prepared and characterized, the cellular internalization of the DSS-functionalized LNPs (LNPs-DSS) into three different cancer cell lines is evaluated, and their efficacy with the widely used iRGD peptide is compared. It is shown that controlled extent of carboxylation of lignin improves the stability at physiological conditions of LNPs formed upon solvent exchange. Functionalization with DSS and iRGD peptides maintains the spherical morphology and moderate polydispersity of LNPs. The LNPs exhibit good cytocompatibility when cultured with PC3-MM2, MDA-MB-231, and A549 in the conventional 2D model and in the 3D cell spheroid morphology. Importantly, the 3D cell models reveal augmented internalization of peptide-functionalized LNPs and improve antiproliferative effects when the LNPs are loaded with a cytotoxic compound. Overall, LNPs-DSS show equal or even superior cellular internalization than the LNPs-iRGD, suggesting that DSS can also be used to enhance the cellular uptake of NPs into different types of cells, and release different cargos intracellularly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Figueiredo
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika H Sipponen
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Kalle Lintinen
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Alexandra Correia
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandros Kiriazis
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Monika Österberg
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Anne George
- Brodie Tooth Development Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Laboratory Department of Oral Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jouni Hirvonen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mauri A Kostiainen
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Santio NM, Landor SKJ, Vahtera L, Ylä-Pelto J, Paloniemi E, Imanishi SY, Corthals G, Varjosalo M, Manoharan GB, Uri A, Lendahl U, Sahlgren C, Koskinen PJ. Phosphorylation of Notch1 by Pim kinases promotes oncogenic signaling in breast and prostate cancer cells. Oncotarget 2017; 7:43220-43238. [PMID: 27281612 PMCID: PMC5190019 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a multistep process involving co-operation between several deregulated oncoproteins. In this study, we unravel previously unrecognized interactions and crosstalk between Pim kinases and the Notch signaling pathway, with implications for both breast and prostate cancer. We identify Notch1 and Notch3, but not Notch2, as novel Pim substrates and demonstrate that for Notch1, the serine residue 2152 is phosphorylated by all three Pim family kinases. This target site is located in the second nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of the Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD), and is shown to be important for both nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of N1ICD. Phosphorylation-dependent stimulation of Notch1 signaling promotes migration of prostate cancer cells, balances glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells, and supports in vivo growth of both types of cancer cells on chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes. Furthermore, Pim-induced growth of orthotopic prostate xenografts in mice is associated with enhanced nuclear Notch1 activity. Finally, simultaneous inhibition of Pim and Notch abrogates the cellular responses more efficiently than individual treatments, opening up new vistas for combinatorial cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niina M Santio
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Drug Research Doctoral Programme, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sebastian K-J Landor
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura Vahtera
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jani Ylä-Pelto
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Drug Research Doctoral Programme, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Susumu Y Imanishi
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Current address: Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Garry Corthals
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Current address: Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Asko Uri
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Urban Lendahl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Sahlgren
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Päivi J Koskinen
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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11
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Santio NM, Koskinen PJ. PIM kinases: From survival factors to regulators of cell motility. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 93:74-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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12
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The regulatory role of protein phosphorylation in human gammaherpesvirus associated cancers. Virol Sin 2017; 32:357-368. [PMID: 29116588 PMCID: PMC6704201 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-017-4081-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of specific sets of protein kinases by intracellular signal molecules
has become more and more apparent in the past decade. Phosphorylation, one of key
posttranslational modification events, is activated by kinase or regulatory protein
and is vital for controlling many physiological functions of eukaryotic cells such
as cell proliferation, differentiation, malignant transformation, and signal
transduction mediated by external stimuli. Moreovers, the reversible modification of
phosphorylation and dephosphorylation can result in different features of the target
substrate molecules including DNA binding, protein-protein interaction, subcellular
location and enzymatic activity, and is often hijacked by viral infection.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcomaassociated herpesvirus (KSHV), two
human oncogenic gamma-herpesviruses, are shown to tightly associate with many
malignancies. In this review, we summarize the recent progresses on understanding of
molecular properties and regulatory modes of cellular and viral proteins
phosphorylation influenced by these two tumor viruses, and highlight the potential
therapeutic targets and strategies against their related cancers. ![]()
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13
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Figueiredo P, Ferro C, Kemell M, Liu Z, Kiriazis A, Lintinen K, Florindo HF, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Hirvonen J, Kostiainen MA, Santos HA. Functionalization of carboxylated lignin nanoparticles for targeted and pH-responsive delivery of anticancer drugs. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2017; 12:2581-2596. [PMID: 28960138 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To carboxylate kraft lignin toward the functionalization of carboxylated lignin nanoparticles (CLNPs) with a block copolymer made of PEG, poly(histidine) and a cell-penetrating peptide and then evaluate the chemotherapeutic potential of the innovative nanoparticles. MATERIALS & METHODS The produced nanoparticles were characterized and evaluated in vitro for stability and biocompatibility and the drug release profiles and antiproliferative effect were also assessed. RESULTS The prepared CLNPs showed spherical shape and good size distribution, good stability in physiological media and low cytotoxicity in all the tested cell lines. A poorly water-soluble cytotoxic agent was successfully loaded into the CLNPs, improving its release profiles in a pH-sensitive manner and showing an enhanced antiproliferative effect in the different cancer cells compared with a normal endothelial cell line. CONCLUSION The resulting CLNPs are promising candidates for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Figueiredo
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cláudio Ferro
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marianna Kemell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Zehua Liu
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexandros Kiriazis
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kalle Lintinen
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Helena F Florindo
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouni Hirvonen
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mauri A Kostiainen
- Biohybrid Materials, Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems, Aalto University, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Helsinki Institute of Life Science, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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14
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Kiriazis A, Aumüller IB, Arnaudova R, Brito V, Rüffer T, Lang H, Silvestre SM, Koskinen PJ, Yli-Kauhaluoma J. Nucleophilic Substitution of Hydrogen Facilitated by Quinone Methide Moieties in Benzo[cd]azulen-3-ones. Org Lett 2017; 19:2030-2033. [PMID: 28379712 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b00588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The built-in o- and p-QM (QM = quinone methide) moieties in benzo[cd]azulen-3-ones account for an easy switch between the bridged 10π- and 6π-aromatic systems in organic synthesis. We report conjugate additions, oxidative nucleophilic substitutions of hydrogen, and reversible Michael additions under very mild conditions. In the presence of thiol nucleophiles, the protonated σH-adducts could be isolated and characterized. The typical preference for either the o- or p-QM moiety led to high regioselectivity. Furthermore, the inhibitory potency of the novel benzo[cd]azulenes against the human Pim-1 kinase was evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Kiriazis
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ingo B Aumüller
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ralica Arnaudova
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biology, University of Turku , Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Vanessa Brito
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior , Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Tobias Rüffer
- Technische Universität Chemnitz, Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Institut für Chemie , D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Heinrich Lang
- Technische Universität Chemnitz, Fakultät für Naturwissenschaften, Institut für Chemie , D-09107 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Samuel M Silvestre
- Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior , Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.,Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology , 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Päivi J Koskinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku , Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki , P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5 E, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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15
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Achary R, Mathi GR, Lee DH, Yun CS, Lee CO, Kim HR, Park CH, Kim P, Hwang JY. Novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidines bearing fused tricyclic ring moiety for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:2185-2191. [PMID: 28385505 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.03.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a series of novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidines bearing fused tricyclic ring moiety was described for ALK inhibitor. The pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, piperazine and phenanthridine moieties were employed at the 2-position of pyrimidine. Among the compounds synthesized, 28, 29, 36, and 42 showed promising anti-ALK activities in enzymatic- and cell-based assays. In vivo H3122 xenograft model study showed that compound 29 effectively suppressed ALK-driven tumor growth, similar to the extent of ceritinib, suggesting that it could be used for a novel ALK inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavendra Achary
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Gangadhar Rao Mathi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea; Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Soo Yun
- Center for Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Chong Ock Lee
- Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Rae Kim
- Center for Convergent Research of Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi Hoon Park
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Pilho Kim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong Yeon Hwang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea; Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Figueiredo P, Lintinen K, Kiriazis A, Hynninen V, Liu Z, Bauleth-Ramos T, Rahikkala A, Correia A, Kohout T, Sarmento B, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Hirvonen J, Ikkala O, Kostiainen MA, Santos HA. In vitro evaluation of biodegradable lignin-based nanoparticles for drug delivery and enhanced antiproliferation effect in cancer cells. Biomaterials 2017; 121:97-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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17
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Santio NM, Salmela M, Arola H, Eerola SK, Heino J, Rainio EM, Koskinen PJ. The PIM1 kinase promotes prostate cancer cell migration and adhesion via multiple signalling pathways. Exp Cell Res 2016; 342:113-24. [PMID: 26934497 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cells to migrate and form metastases is one of the fatal hallmarks of cancer that can be conquered only with better understanding of the molecules and regulatory mechanisms involved. The oncogenic PIM kinases have been shown to support cancer cell survival and motility, but the PIM-regulated pathways stimulating cell migration and invasion are less well characterized than those affecting cell survival. Here we have identified the glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3B) and the forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor as direct PIM targets, whose tumour-suppressive effects in prostate cancer cells are inhibited by PIM-induced phosphorylation, resulting in increased cell migration. Targeting GSK3B is also essential for the observed PIM-enhanced expression of the prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), which is an important regulator of both cell migration and adhesion. Accordingly, selective inhibition of PIM activity not only reduces cell migration, but also affects integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Taken together, these data provide novel mechanistic insights on how and why patients with metastatic prostate cancer may benefit from therapies targeting PIM kinases, and how such approaches may also be applicable to inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niina M Santio
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland; Drug Research Doctoral Programme, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Maria Salmela
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Heidi Arola
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Sini K Eerola
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Jyrki Heino
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Eeva-Marja Rainio
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Päivi J Koskinen
- Section of Genetics and Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland.
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18
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Pim Kinases Promote Migration and Metastatic Growth of Prostate Cancer Xenografts. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130340. [PMID: 26075720 PMCID: PMC4467846 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and methods Pim family proteins are oncogenic kinases implicated in several types of cancer and involved in regulation of cell proliferation, survival as well as motility. Here we have investigated the ability of Pim kinases to promote metastatic growth of prostate cancer cells in two xenograft models for human prostate cancer. We have also evaluated the efficacy of Pim-selective inhibitors to antagonize these effects. Results We show here that tumorigenic growth of both subcutaneously and orthotopically inoculated prostate cancer xenografts is enhanced by stable overexpression of either Pim-1 or Pim-3. Moreover, Pim-overexpressing orthotopic prostate tumors are highly invasive and able to migrate not only to the nearby prostate-draining lymph nodes, but also into the lungs to form metastases. When the xenografted mice are daily treated with the Pim-selective inhibitor DHPCC-9, both the volumes as well as the metastatic capacity of the tumors are drastically decreased. Interestingly, the Pim-promoted metastatic growth of the orthotopic xenografts is associated with enhanced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, forced Pim expression also increases phosphorylation of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor, which may enable the tumor cells to migrate towards tissues such as the lungs that express the CXCL12 chemokine ligand. Conclusions Our results indicate that Pim overexpression enhances the invasive properties of prostate cancer cells in vivo. These effects can be reduced by the Pim-selective inhibitor DHPCC-9, which can reach tumor tissues without serious side effects. Thus, Pim-targeting therapies with DHPCC-9-like compounds may help to prevent progression of local prostate carcinomas to fatally metastatic malignancies.
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