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Hjazi A, Jasim SA, Al-Dhalimy AMB, Bansal P, Kaur H, Qasim MT, Mohammed IH, Deorari M, Jawad MA, Zwamel AH. HOXA9 versus HOXB9; particular focus on their controversial role in tumor pathogenesis. J Appl Genet 2024; 65:473-492. [PMID: 38753266 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-024-00868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
The Homeobox (HOX) gene family is essential to regulating cellular processes because it maintains the exact coordination required for tissue homeostasis, cellular differentiation, and embryonic development. The most distinctive feature of this class of genes is the presence of the highly conserved DNA region known as the homeobox, which is essential for controlling their regulatory activities. Important players in the intricate process of genetic regulation are the HOX genes. Many diseases, especially in the area of cancer, are linked to their aberrant functioning. Due to their distinctive functions in biomedical research-particularly in the complex process of tumor advancement-HOXA9 and HOXB9 have drawn particular attention. HOXA9 and HOXB9 are more significant than what is usually connected with HOX genes since they have roles in the intricate field of cancer and beyond embryonic processes. The framework for a focused study of the different effects of HOXA9 and HOXB9 in the context of tumor biology is established in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 11942, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Pooja Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, Jain (Deemed-to-Be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560069, India
- Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
| | - Harpreet Kaur
- School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Shobhit University, Gangoh, Uttar Pradesh, 247341, India
- Department of Health & Allied Sciences, Arka Jain University, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, 831001, India
| | - Maytham T Qasim
- College of Health and Medical Technology, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah, 64001, Iraq
| | - Israa Hussein Mohammed
- College of Nursing, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, Iraq
| | - Mahamedha Deorari
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Mohammed Abed Jawad
- Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Hussein Zwamel
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
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2
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Shenoy US, Adiga D, Alhedyan F, Kabekkodu SP, Radhakrishnan R. HOXA9 transcription factor is a double-edged sword: from development to cancer progression. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:709-728. [PMID: 38062297 PMCID: PMC11156722 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The HOXA9 transcription factor serves as a molecular orchestrator in cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and generation of the tumor microenvironment in hematological and solid malignancies. However, the multiple modes of regulation, multifaceted functions, and context-dependent interactions responsible for the dual role of HOXA9 as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in cancer remain obscure. Hence, unravelling its molecular complexities, binding partners, and interacting signaling molecules enables us to comprehend HOXA9-mediated transcriptional programs and molecular crosstalk. However, it is imperative to understand its central role in fundamental biological processes such as embryogenesis, foetus implantation, hematopoiesis, endothelial cell proliferation, and tissue homeostasis before designing targeted therapies. Indeed, it presents an enormous challenge for clinicians to selectively target its oncogenic functions or restore tumor-suppressive role without altering normal cellular functions. In addition to its implications in cancer, the present review also focuses on the clinical applications of HOXA9 in recurrence and drug resistance, which may provide a broader understanding beyond oncology, open new avenues for clinicians for accurate diagnoses, and develop personalized treatment strategies. Furthermore, we have also discussed the existing therapeutic options and accompanying challenges in HOXA9-targeted therapies in different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Sangeetha Shenoy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Divya Adiga
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Faisal Alhedyan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Raghu Radhakrishnan
- Department of Oral Pathology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India.
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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3
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Pan S, Yuan T, Xia Y, Yu W, Zhou X, Cheng F. Role of Histone Modifications in Kidney Fibrosis. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:888. [PMID: 38929505 PMCID: PMC11205584 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by persistent kidney dysfunction, ultimately resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal fibrosis is a crucial pathological feature of CKD and ESRD. However, there is no effective treatment for this condition. Despite the complex molecular mechanisms involved in renal fibrosis, increasing evidence highlights the crucial role of histone modification in its regulation. The reversibility of histone modifications offers promising avenues for therapeutic strategies to block or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory implications of histone modifications in fibrosis may provide novel insights into more effective and safer therapeutic approaches. This review highlights the regulatory mechanisms and recent advances in histone modifications in renal fibrosis, particularly histone methylation and histone acetylation. The aim is to explore the potential of histone modifications as targets for treating renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xiangjun Zhou
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; (S.P.); (T.Y.); (Y.X.); (W.Y.)
| | - Fan Cheng
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; (S.P.); (T.Y.); (Y.X.); (W.Y.)
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4
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Skopek R, Palusińska M, Kaczor-Keller K, Pingwara R, Papierniak-Wyglądała A, Schenk T, Lewicki S, Zelent A, Szymański Ł. Choosing the Right Cell Line for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Research. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5377. [PMID: 36982453 PMCID: PMC10049680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Immortalized cell lines are widely used in vitro tools in oncology and hematology research. While these cell lines represent artificial systems and may accumulate genetic aberrations with each passage, they are still considered valuable models for pilot, preliminary, and screening studies. Despite their limitations, cell lines are cost-effective and provide repeatable and comparable results. Choosing the appropriate cell line for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) research is crucial for obtaining reliable and relevant results. Several factors should be considered when selecting a cell line for AML research, such as specific markers and genetic abnormalities associated with different subtypes of AML. It is also essential to evaluate the karyotype and mutational profile of the cell line, as these can influence the behavior and response to the treatment of the cells. In this review, we evaluate immortalized AML cell lines and discuss the issues surrounding them concerning the revised World Health Organization and the French-American-British classifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Skopek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Palusińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kaczor-Keller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Rafał Pingwara
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Tino Schenk
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine Jena (CMB), Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Sławomir Lewicki
- Faculty of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences, Kazimierz Pulaski University of Technology and Humanities, 26-600 Radom, Poland
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy, 00-001 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Zelent
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szymański
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
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Roy A, Niharika, Chakraborty S, Mishra J, Singh SP, Patra SK. Mechanistic aspects of reversible methylation modifications of arginine and lysine of nuclear histones and their roles in human colon cancer. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 197:261-302. [PMID: 37019596 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Developmental proceedings and maintenance of cellular homeostasis are regulated by the precise orchestration of a series of epigenetic events that eventually control gene expression. DNA methylation and post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histones are well-characterized epigenetic events responsible for fine-tuning gene expression. PTMs of histones bear molecular logic of gene expression at chromosomal territory and have become a fascinating field of epigenetics. Nowadays, reversible methylation on histone arginine and lysine is gaining increasing attention as a significant PTM related to reorganizing local nucleosomal structure, chromatin dynamics, and transcriptional regulation. It is now well-accepted and reported that histone marks play crucial roles in colon cancer initiation and progression by encouraging abnormal epigenomic reprogramming. It is becoming increasingly clear that multiple PTM marks at the N-terminal tails of the core histones cross-talk with one another to intricately regulate DNA-templated biological processes such as replication, transcription, recombination, and damage repair in several malignancies, including colon cancer. These functional cross-talks provide an additional layer of message, which spatiotemporally fine-tunes the overall gene expression regulation. Nowadays, it is evident that several PTMs instigate colon cancer development. How colon cancer-specific PTM patterns or codes are generated and how they affect downstream molecular events are uncovered to some extent. Future studies would address more about epigenetic communication, and the relationship between histone modification marks to define cellular functions in depth. This chapter will comprehensively highlight the importance of histone arginine and lysine-based methylation modifications and their functional cross-talk with other histone marks from the perspective of colon cancer development.
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Yang Y, Zhang M, Wang Y. The roles of histone modifications in tumorigenesis and associated inhibitors in cancer therapy. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER CENTER 2022; 2:277-290. [PMID: 39036551 PMCID: PMC11256729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jncc.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications are key factors in chromatin packaging, and are responsible for gene regulation during cell fate determination and development. Abnormal alterations in histone modifications potentially affect the stability of the genome and disrupt gene expression patterns, leading to many diseases, including cancer. In recent years, mounting evidence has shown that various histone modifications altered by aberrantly expressed modifier enzymes contribute to tumor development and metastasis through the induction of epigenetic, transcriptional, and phenotypic changes. In this review, we will discuss the existing histone modifications, both well-studied and rare ones, and their roles in solid tumors and hematopoietic cancers, to identify the molecular pathways involved and investigate targeted therapeutic drugs to reorganize the chromatin and enhance cancer treatment efficiency. Finally, clinical inhibitors of histone modifications are summarized to better understand the developmental stage of cancer therapy in using these drugs to inhibit the histone modification enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer and Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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7
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Lipase-triggered drug release from BCL2 inhibitor ABT-199-loaded nanoparticles to elevate anti-leukemic activity through enhanced drug targeting on the mitochondrial membrane. Acta Biomater 2022; 145:246-259. [PMID: 35405327 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Selective BCL2 inhibitor ABT-199 has been approved to treat hematological malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, acquired drug resistance and severe side effects occur after extended treatment limiting the clinical usage of ABT-199. Here, we successfully encapsulated pure ABT-199 in amphiphilic mPEG-b-PTMC169 block copolymer, forming mPEG-b-PTMC169@ABT-199 nanoparticles (abbreviated as PEG-ABT-199), which presented better aqueous dispersion and higher efficiency of loading and encapsulation than pure ABT-199. We then compared the anti-leukemic ability of pure ABT-199 and PEG-ABT-199 in vitro and in vivo. PEG-ABT-199 had a lower IC50 value compared with pure ABT-199 in MV4-11 and MOLM-13 cell lines. In addition, PEG-ABT-199 significantly induced apoptosis and decreased colony number than pure ABT-199. Most importantly, PEG-ABT-199 markedly reduced leukemic burden, inhibited the infiltration of leukemic blasts in the spleen, and extended the overall survival (OS) in MLL-AF9-transduced murine AML compared with free ABT-199. Meanwhile, the blank PEG169 NP was non-toxic to normal hematopoiesis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that PEG169 NP is a safe carrier. Mechanistically, PEG-ABT-199 enhanced mitochondria-targeted delivery of ABT-199 to trigger the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), the release of cytochrome c (cyt-c), and mitochondria-based apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that PEG-ABT-199 has more vital anti-leukemic ability than pure ABT-199. PEG-ABT-199 has potential application in clinical trials to alleviate side effects and improve anti-leukemia ability. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: ATB-199, an orally selective inhibitor for BCL2 protein, presents marked activity in relapsed or refractory AML, T-ALL, and CLL patients. However, ABT-199 resistance severely limits the further clinical usage because of off-target effects, non-specific toxicities, and low delivery of drugs. To reduce the side-effects and improve the solubility and bioavailability, ABT-199 was encapsulated into the amphiphilic mPEG-b-PTMC block copolymer by co-assembly method to obtain mPEG-b-PTMC@ABT-199 nanoparticles (PEG-ABT-199). PEG-ABT-199 has several advantages compared with pure ABT-199. 1.PEG-ABT-199 presents better aqueous dispersion and higher efficiencies of loading and encapsulation than pure ABT-199. 2. PEG-ABT-199 substantially enhances the anti-leukemic ability in vitro and in vivo compared with pure ABT-199. 3. PEG-ABT-199 has little effects on normal cells. 4. PEG-ABT-199 can reduce treatment cost.
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8
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Kurani H, Razavipour SF, Harikumar KB, Dunworth M, Ewald AJ, Nasir A, Pearson G, Van Booven D, Zhou Z, Azzam D, Wahlestedt C, Slingerland J. DOT1L Is a Novel Cancer Stem Cell Target for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:1948-1965. [PMID: 35135840 PMCID: PMC9365344 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although chemotherapies kill most cancer cells, stem cell-enriched survivors seed metastasis, particularly in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). TNBCs arise from and are enriched for tumor stem cells. Here, we tested if inhibition of DOT1L, an epigenetic regulator of normal tissue stem/progenitor populations, would target TNBC stem cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Effects of DOT1L inhibition by EPZ-5676 on stem cell properties were tested in three TNBC lines and four patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and in isolated cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched ALDH1+ and ALDH1- populations. RNA sequencing compared DOT1L regulated pathways in ALDH1+ and ALDH1- cells. To test if EPZ-5676 decreases CSC in vivo, limiting dilution assays of EPZ-5676/vehicle pretreated ALDH1+ and ALDH1- cells were performed. Tumor latency, growth, and metastasis were evaluated. Antitumor activity was also tested in TNBC PDX and PDX-derived organoids. RESULTS ALDH1+ TNBC cells exhibit higher DOT1L and H3K79me2 than ALDH1-. DOT1L maintains MYC expression and self-renewal in ALDH1+ cells. Global profiling revealed that DOT1L governs oxidative phosphorylation, cMyc targets, DNA damage response, and WNT activation in ALDH1+ but not in ALDH1- cells. EPZ-5676 reduced tumorspheres and ALDH1+ cells in vitro and decreased tumor-initiating stem cells and metastasis in xenografts generated from ALDH1+ but not ALDH1- populations in vivo. EPZ-5676 significantly reduced growth in vivo of one of two TNBC PDX tested and decreased clonogenic 3D growth of two other PDX-derived organoid cultures. CONCLUSIONS DOT1L emerges as a key CSC regulator in TNBC. Present data support further clinical investigation of DOT1L inhibitors to target stem cell-enriched TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetakshi Kurani
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Seyedeh Fatemeh Razavipour
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Kuzhuvelil B. Harikumar
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.,Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Matthew Dunworth
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew J. Ewald
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Apsra Nasir
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Gray Pearson
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Derek Van Booven
- John P. Hussman Institute of Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zhiqun Zhou
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Diana Azzam
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Joyce Slingerland
- Breast Cancer Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.,Corresponding Author: Joyce Slingerland, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, New Research Building, Room E212, 3970 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007. Phone: 305-898-9910; E-mail:
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9
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Lee C, Kim J. Genome maintenance in retinoblastoma: Implications for therapeutic vulnerabilities (Review). Oncol Lett 2022; 23:192. [PMID: 35527780 PMCID: PMC9073582 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a pediatric ocular malignancy that is initiated mostly by biallelic inactivation of the RB transcriptional corepressor 1 (RB1) tumor suppressor gene in the developing retina. Unlike the prevailing prediction based on multiple studies involving RB1 gene disruption in experimental models, human RB tumors have been demonstrated to possess a relatively stable genome, characterized by a low mutation rate and a few recurrent chromosomal alterations related to somatic copy number changes. This suggests that RB may harbor heightened genome maintenance mechanisms to counteract or compensate for the risk of massive genome instability, which can potentially be driven by the early RB1 loss as a tumor-initiating event. Although the genome maintenance mechanisms might have been evolved to promote RB cell survival by preventing lethal genomic defects, emerging evidence suggests that the dependency of RB cells on these mechanisms also exposes their unique vulnerability to chemotherapy, particularly when the genome maintenance machineries are tumor cell-specific. This review summarizes the genome maintenance mechanisms identified in RB, including findings on the roles of chromatin regulators in DNA damage response/repair and protein factors involved in maintaining chromosome stability and promoting survival in RB. In addition, advantages and challenges for exploiting these therapeutic vulnerabilities in RB are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunsik Lee
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jong Kim
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
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Jin Y, Liu T, Luo H, Liu Y, Liu D. Targeting Epigenetic Regulatory Enzymes for Cancer Therapeutics: Novel Small-Molecule Epidrug Development. Front Oncol 2022; 12:848221. [PMID: 35419278 PMCID: PMC8995554 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.848221] [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: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the epigenetic enzyme-mediated transcription of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes is closely associated with the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of tumors. Based on the reversibility of epigenetic mechanisms, small-molecule compounds that target epigenetic regulation have become promising therapeutics. These compounds target epigenetic regulatory enzymes, including DNA methylases, histone modifiers (methylation and acetylation), enzymes that specifically recognize post-translational modifications, chromatin-remodeling enzymes, and post-transcriptional regulators. Few compounds have been used in clinical trials and exhibit certain therapeutic effects. Herein, we summarize the classification and therapeutic roles of compounds that target epigenetic regulatory enzymes in cancer treatment. Finally, we highlight how the natural compounds berberine and ginsenosides can target epigenetic regulatory enzymes to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Tianjia Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Haoming Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yangyang Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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11
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Alexandrova E, Salvati A, Pecoraro G, Lamberti J, Melone V, Sellitto A, Rizzo F, Giurato G, Tarallo R, Nassa G, Weisz A. Histone Methyltransferase DOT1L as a Promising Epigenetic Target for Treatment of Solid Tumors. Front Genet 2022; 13:864612. [PMID: 35495127 PMCID: PMC9043692 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.864612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone lysine methyltransferase DOT1L (DOT1-like histone lysine methyltransferase) is responsible for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression through specific methylation of lysine79 residue of histone H3 (H3K79) in actively transcribed genes. Its normal activity is crucial for embryonic development and adult tissues functions, whereas its aberrant functioning is known to contribute to leukemogenesis. DOT1L is the only lysine methyltransferase that does not contain a SET domain, which is a feature that allowed the development of selective DOT1L inhibitors that are currently investigated in Phase I clinical trials for cancer treatment. Recently, abnormal expression of this enzyme has been associated with poor survival and increased aggressiveness of several solid tumors. In this review evidences of aberrant DOT1L expression and activity in breast, ovarian, prostate, colon, and other solid tumors, and its relationships with biological and clinical behavior of the disease and response to therapies, are summarized. Current knowledge of the structural basis of DOT1L ability to regulate cell proliferation, invasion, plasticity and stemness, cell cycle progression, cell-to-cell signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and chemoresistance, through cooperation with several molecular partners including noncoding RNAs, is also reviewed. Finally, available options for the treatment of therapeutically challenging solid tumors by targeting DOT1L are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Alexandrova
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pecoraro
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Jessica Lamberti
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Viola Melone
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Assunta Sellitto
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Francesca Rizzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Nassa, ; Alessandro Weisz,
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- Medical Genomics Program and Division of Oncology, AOU “S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, Campus of Medicine of the University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Nassa, ; Alessandro Weisz,
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12
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Cao YC, Shan SK, Guo B, Li CC, Li FXZ, Zheng MH, Xu QS, Wang Y, Lei LM, Tang KX, Ou-Yang WL, Duan JY, Wu YY, Ullah MHE, Zhou ZA, Xu F, Lin X, Wu F, Liao XB, Yuan LQ. Histone Lysine Methylation Modification and Its Role in Vascular Calcification. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:863708. [PMID: 35784574 PMCID: PMC9243330 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.863708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone methylation is an epigenetic change mediated by histone methyltransferase, and has been connected to the beginning and progression of several diseases. The most common ailments that affect the elderly are cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. They are the leading causes of death, and their incidence is linked to vascular calcification (VC). The key mechanism of VC is the transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into osteoblast-like phenotypes, which is a highly adjustable process involving a variety of complex pathophysiological processes, such as metabolic abnormalities, apoptosis, oxidative stress and signalling pathways. Many researchers have investigated the mechanism of VC and related targets for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Their findings revealed that histone lysine methylation modification may play a key role in the various stages of VC. As a result, a thorough examination of the role and mechanism of lysine methylation modification in physiological and pathological states is critical, not only for identifying specific molecular markers of VC and new therapeutic targets, but also for directing the development of new related drugs. Finally, we provide this review to discover the association between histone methylation modification and VC, as well as diverse approaches with which to investigate the pathophysiology of VC and prospective treatment possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Chi Cao
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Su-Kang Shan
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bei Guo
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chang-Chun Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fu-Xing-Zi Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zheng
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiu-Shuang Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li-Min Lei
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ke-Xin Tang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-Lu Ou-Yang
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jia-Yue Duan
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yun-Yun Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Muhammad Hasnain Ehsan Ullah
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi-Ang Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Liao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ling-Qing Yuan
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Ling-Qing Yuan,
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13
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Targeting of histone methyltransferase DOT1L plays a dual role in chemosensitization of retinoblastoma cells and enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1141. [PMID: 34887387 PMCID: PMC8660841 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04431-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant and exclusive expression of chromatin regulators in retinoblastoma (RB) in contrast to terminally differentiated normal retina presents a unique opportunity of selective targeting for RB. However, precise roles of these chromatin regulators in RB development and their potential as therapeutic targets have not been defined thoroughly. Here, we report that targeting of disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L), a histone H3K79 methyltransferase, sensitizes RB cells to chemotherapeutic drugs by impairing the DNA damage response and thereby potentiating apoptosis while it is largely inefficacious as a single-agent therapy. Moreover, we identified high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) as a novel DOT1L target gene in RB cells and found that its aberrant expression is dependent on DOT1L. As HMGA2 depletion reduced CHK1 phosphorylation during DNA damage response and augmented the drug sensitivity in RB cells, our results suggested that DOT1L targeting has a dual role in chemosensitization of RB cells by directly interfering with the immediate involvement of DOT1L in early DNA damage response upon genotoxic insults and also by downregulating the expression of HMGA2 as a rather late effect of DOT1L inhibition. Furthermore, we provide the first preclinical evidence demonstrating that combined therapy with a DOT1L inhibitor significantly improves the therapeutic efficacy of etoposide in murine orthotopic xenografts of RB by rendering the response to etoposide more potent and stable. Taken together, these results support the therapeutic benefits of DOT1L targeting in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in RB, with mechanistic insights into how DOT1L targeting can improve the current chemotherapy in an RB cell-selective manner.
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14
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He L, Lomberk G. Collateral Victim or Rescue Worker?-The Role of Histone Methyltransferases in DNA Damage Repair and Their Targeting for Therapeutic Opportunities in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:735107. [PMID: 34869318 PMCID: PMC8636273 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.735107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted DNA damage signaling greatly threatens cell integrity and plays significant roles in cancer. With recent advances in understanding the human genome and gene regulation in the context of DNA damage, chromatin biology, specifically biology of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), has emerged as a popular field of study with great promise for cancer therapeutics. Here, we discuss how key histone methylation pathways contribute to DNA damage repair and impact tumorigenesis within this context, as well as the potential for their targeting as part of therapeutic strategies in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishu He
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Gwen Lomberk
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,LaBahn Pancreatic Cancer Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States,*Correspondence: Gwen Lomberk,
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15
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Blasi F, Bruckmann C. MEIS1 in Hematopoiesis and Cancer. How MEIS1-PBX Interaction Can Be Used in Therapy. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040044. [PMID: 34698191 PMCID: PMC8544432 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040044] [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: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently MEIS1 emerged as a major determinant of the MLL-r leukemic phenotype. The latest and most efficient drugs effectively decrease the levels of MEIS1 in cancer cells. Together with an overview of the latest drugs developed to target MEIS1 in MLL-r leukemia, we review, in detail, the role of MEIS1 in embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and suggest how a more profound knowledge of MEIS1 biochemistry can be used to design potent and effective drugs against MLL-r leukemia. In addition, we present data showing that the interaction between MEIS1 and PBX1 can be blocked efficiently and might represent a new avenue in anti-MLL-r and anti-leukemic therapy.
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16
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Xiao W, Zhou Q, Wen X, Wang R, Liu R, Wang T, Shi J, Hu Y, Hou J. Small-Molecule Inhibitors Overcome Epigenetic Reprogramming for Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:702360. [PMID: 34603017 PMCID: PMC8484527 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.702360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment is a significant challenge for the global health system, although various pharmacological and therapeutic discoveries have been made. It has been widely established that cancer is associated with epigenetic modification, which is reversible and becomes an attractive target for drug development. Adding chemical groups to the DNA backbone and modifying histone proteins impart distinct characteristics on chromatin architecture. This process is mediated by various enzymes modifying chromatin structures to achieve the diversity of epigenetic space and the intricacy in gene expression files. After decades of effort, epigenetic modification has represented the hallmarks of different cancer types, and the enzymes involved in this process have provided novel targets for antitumor therapy development. Epigenetic drugs show significant effects on both preclinical and clinical studies in which the target development and research offer a promising direction for cancer therapy. Here, we summarize the different types of epigenetic enzymes which target corresponding protein domains, emphasize DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA-mediated cooperation with epigenetic modification, and highlight recent achievements in developing targets for epigenetic inhibitor therapy. This article reviews current anticancer small-molecule inhibitors targeting epigenetic modified enzymes and displays their performances in different stages of clinical trials. Future studies are further needed to address their off-target effects and cytotoxicity to improve their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Xiao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command of PLA, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiaodan Zhou
- Department of Ultrasonic, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Information Department of Medical Security Center, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command of PLA, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruijie Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yonghe Hu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command of PLA, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Hou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command of PLA, Chengdu, China
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17
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Antherieu G, Bidet A, Huet S, Hayette S, Migeon M, Boureau L, Sujobert P, Thomas X, Ghesquières H, Pigneux A, Heiblig M. Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation Abrogates Negative Impact on Outcome of AML Patients with KMT2A Partial Tandem Duplication. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092272. [PMID: 34068470 PMCID: PMC8126020 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a new subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presenting a direct partial tandem duplication (PTD) of the KMT2A gene was described. The consequences of this alteration in terms of outcome and response to treatment remain unclear. We analyzed retrospectively a cohort of KMT2A-PTD-mutated patients with newly diagnosed AML. With a median follow-up of 3.6 years, the median overall survival was 12.1 months. KMT2A-PTD-mutated patients were highly enriched in mutations affecting epigenetic actors and the RTK/RAS signaling pathway. Integrating KMT2A-PTD in ELN classification abrogates its predictive value on survival suggesting that this mutation may overcome other genomic marker effects. In patients receiving intensive chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) significantly improved the outcome compared to non-transplanted patients. In the multivariate analysis, only HSCT at any time in complete remission (HR = 2.35; p = 0.034) and FLT3-ITD status (HR = 0.29; p = 0.014) were independent variables associated with overall survival, whereas age was not. In conclusion, our results emphasize that KMT2A-PTD should be considered as a potential adverse prognostic factor. However, as KMT2A-PTD-mutated patients are usually considered an intermediate risk group, upfront HSCT should be considered in first CR due to the high relapse rate observed in this subset of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Antherieu
- Department of Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (G.A.); (X.T.); (H.G.)
| | - Audrey Bidet
- Hematology Biology, Molecular Hematology, Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600 Pessac, France; (A.B.); (M.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Sarah Huet
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (S.H.); (S.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Sandrine Hayette
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (S.H.); (S.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Marina Migeon
- Hematology Biology, Molecular Hematology, Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600 Pessac, France; (A.B.); (M.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Lisa Boureau
- Hematology Biology, Molecular Hematology, Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600 Pessac, France; (A.B.); (M.M.); (L.B.)
| | - Pierre Sujobert
- Department of Molecular Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (S.H.); (S.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Xavier Thomas
- Department of Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (G.A.); (X.T.); (H.G.)
| | - Hervé Ghesquières
- Department of Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (G.A.); (X.T.); (H.G.)
| | - Arnaud Pigneux
- Hematology and Cell Therapy, Bordeaux University Hospital, 33600 Pessac, France;
| | - Mael Heiblig
- Department of Hematology, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre Bénite, France; (G.A.); (X.T.); (H.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-478-862-240; Fax: +33-472-678-880
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18
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Targeting DNA Repair and Chromatin Crosstalk in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030381. [PMID: 33498525 PMCID: PMC7864178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Targeting aberrant DNA repair in cancers in addition to transcription and replication is an area of interest for cancer researchers. Inhibition of DNA repair selectively in cancer cells leads to cytotoxic or cytostatic effects and overcomes survival advantages imparted by chromosomal translocations or mutations. In this review, we highlight the relevance of DNA repair-linked events in developmental diseases and cancers and also discuss mechanisms to overcome these events that participate in different cellular processes. Abstract Aberrant DNA repair pathways that underlie developmental diseases and cancers are potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Targeting DNA repair signal effectors, modulators and checkpoint proteins, and utilizing the synthetic lethality phenomena has led to seminal discoveries. Efforts to efficiently translate the basic findings to the clinic are currently underway. Chromatin modulation is an integral part of DNA repair cascades and an emerging field of investigation. Here, we discuss some of the key advancements made in DNA repair-based therapeutics and what is known regarding crosstalk between chromatin and repair pathways during various cellular processes, with an emphasis on cancer.
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19
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The Role of Histone Acetylation-/Methylation-Mediated Apoptotic Gene Regulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238894. [PMID: 33255318 PMCID: PMC7727670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics, an inheritable phenomenon, which influences the expression of gene without altering the DNA sequence, offers a new perspective on the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is projected to account for a significant share of HCC incidence due to the growing prevalence of various metabolic disorders. One of the major molecular mechanisms involved in epigenetic regulation, post-translational histone modification seems to coordinate various aspects of NASH which will further progress to HCC. Mounting evidence suggests that the orchestrated events of cellular and nuclear changes during apoptosis can be regulated by histone modifications. This review focuses on the current advances in the study of acetylation-/methylation-mediated histone modification in apoptosis and the implication of these epigenetic regulations in HCC. The reversibility of epigenetic alterations and the agents that can target these alterations offers novel therapeutic approaches and strategies for drug development. Further molecular mechanistic studies are required to enhance information governing these epigenetic modulators, which will facilitate the design of more effective diagnosis and treatment options.
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20
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Wong NHM, So CWE. Novel therapeutic strategies for MLL-rearranged leukemias. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194584. [PMID: 32534041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
MLL rearrangement is one of the key drivers and generally regarded as an independent poor prognostic marker in acute leukemias. The standard of care for MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias has remained largely unchanged for the past 50 years despite unsatisfying clinical outcomes, so there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that a vast number of epigenetic regulators are directly or indirectly involved in MLL-r leukemia, and they are responsible for supporting the aberrant gene expression program mediated by MLL-fusions. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications can be reversed by pharmacologic targeting of the responsible epigenetic regulators. This leads to significant interest in developing epigenetic therapies for MLL-r leukemia. Intriguingly, many of the epigenetic enzymes also involve in DNA damage response (DDR), which can be potential targets for synthetic lethality-induced therapies. In this review, we will summarize some of the recent advances in the development of epigenetic and DDR therapeutics by targeting epigenetic regulators or protein complexes that mediate MLL-r leukemia gene expression program and key players in DDR that safeguard essential genome integrity. The rationale and molecular mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic effects will also be discussed with a focus on how these treatments can disrupt MLL-fusion mediated transcriptional programs and impair DDR, which may help overcome treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nok-Hei Mickey Wong
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Team, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Department of Haematological Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Leukemia and Stem Cell Biology Team, King's College London, London, UK.
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21
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Inhibition of Methyltransferase DOT1L Sensitizes to Sorafenib Treatment AML Cells Irrespective of MLL-Rearrangements: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Pediatric AML. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071972. [PMID: 32698374 PMCID: PMC7409321 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis for which there are few effective targeted approaches, despite the numerous genetic alterations, including MLL gene rearrangements (MLL-r). The histone methyltransferase DOT1L is involved in supporting the proliferation of MLL-r cells, for which a target inhibitor, Pinometostat, has been evaluated in a clinical trial recruiting pediatric MLL-r leukemic patients. However, modest clinical effects have been observed. Recent studies have reported that additional leukemia subtypes lacking MLL-r are sensitive to DOT1L inhibition. Here, we report that targeting DOT1L with Pinometostat sensitizes pediatric AML cells to further treatment with the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib, irrespectively of MLL-r. DOT1L pharmacologic inhibition induces AML cell differentiation and modulates the expression of genes with relevant roles in cancer development. Such modifications in the transcriptional program increase the apoptosis and growth suppression of both AML cell lines and primary pediatric AML cells with diverse genotypes. Through ChIP-seq analysis, we identified the genes regulated by DOT1L irrespective of MLL-r, including the Sorafenib target BRAF, providing mechanistic insights into the drug combination activity. Our results highlight a novel therapeutic strategy for pediatric AML patients.
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22
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Kozako T, Itoh Y, Honda SI, Suzuki T. Epigenetic Control Using Small Molecules in Cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-32857-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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23
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Sarno F, Nebbioso A, Altucci L. DOT1L: a key target in normal chromatin remodelling and in mixed-lineage leukaemia treatment. Epigenetics 2019; 15:439-453. [PMID: 31790636 PMCID: PMC7188393 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1699991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation of histone 3 at lysine 79 (H3K79) is one of the principal mechanisms involved in gene expression. The histone methyltransferase DOT1L, which mono-, di- and trimethylates H3K79 using S-adenosyl-L-methionine as a co-factor, is involved in cell development, cell cycle progression, and DNA damage repair. However, changes in normal expression levels of this enzyme are found in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer. High levels of H3K79me are also detected in acute myeloid leukaemia patients bearing MLL rearrangements (MLL-r). MLL translocations are found in approximately 80% of paediatric patients, leading to poor prognosis. DOT1L is recruited on DNA and induces hyperexpression of HOXA9 and MEIS1. Based on these findings, selective drugs have been developed to induce apoptosis in MLL-r leukaemia cells by specifically inhibiting DOT1L. The most potent DOT1L inhibitor pinometostat has been investigated in Phase I clinical trials for treatment of paediatric and adult patients with MLL-driven leukaemia, showing promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Sarno
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Napoli, Napoli, Italy
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24
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Lambert M, Alioui M, Jambon S, Depauw S, Van Seuningen I, David-Cordonnier MH. Direct and Indirect Targeting of HOXA9 Transcription Factor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060837. [PMID: 31213012 PMCID: PMC6627208 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 (Homeobox A9) is a homeotic transcription factor known for more than two decades to be associated with leukemia. The expression of HOXA9 homeoprotein is associated with anterior-posterior patterning during embryonic development, and its expression is then abolished in most adult cells, with the exception of hematopoietic progenitor cells. The oncogenic function of HOXA9 was first assessed in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in the mixed-phenotype associated lineage leukemia (MPAL) subtype. HOXA9 expression in AML is associated with aggressiveness and a poor prognosis. Since then, HOXA9 has been involved in other hematopoietic malignancies and an increasing number of solid tumors. Despite this, HOXA9 was for a long time not targeted to treat cancer, mainly since, as a transcription factor, it belongs to a class of protein long considered to be an "undruggable" target; however, things have now evolved. The aim of the present review is to focus on the different aspects of HOXA9 targeting that could be achieved through multiple ways: (1) indirectly, through the inhibition of its expression, a strategy acting principally at the epigenetic level; or (2) directly, through the inhibition of its transcription factor function by acting at either the protein/protein interaction or the protein/DNA interaction interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lambert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Meryem Alioui
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Samy Jambon
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Sabine Depauw
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Isabelle Van Seuningen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S1172 - JPArc - Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert Neurosciences and Cancer, F-59000 Lille, France.
- Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, F-59045 Lille, France.
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Brenner AK, Aasebø E, Hernandez-Valladares M, Selheim F, Berven F, Grønningsæter IS, Bartaula-Brevik S, Bruserud Ø. The Capacity of Long-Term in Vitro Proliferation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Supported Only by Exogenous Cytokines Is Associated with a Patient Subset with Adverse Outcome. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010073. [PMID: 30634713 PMCID: PMC6356272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy, which is highly heterogeneous with regard to chemosensitivity and biological features. The AML cell population is organized in a hierarchy that is reflected in the in vitro growth characteristics, with only a minority of cells being able to proliferate for more than two weeks. In this study, we investigated the ability of AML stem cells to survive and proliferate in suspension cultures in the presence of exogenous mediators but without supporting non-leukemic cells. We saw that a high number of maintained stem cells (i.e., a large number of clonogenic cells after five weeks of culture) was associated with decreased overall survival for patients receiving intensive chemotherapy; this prognostic impact was also detected in the multivariate/adjusted analysis. Furthermore, the patients with many clonogenic cells presented more frequently with mutations in transcription-related genes, and also showed a higher abundance of proteins involved in transcription at the time of diagnosis. In conclusion, the growth characteristics of the long-term proliferating leukemic stem cells seem to have an independent prognostic impact in human AML, and these characteristics appear to be reflected by the mutational landscape and the proteome of the patients at the time of diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette K Brenner
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital; 5021 Bergen, Norwa.
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Elise Aasebø
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
- The Proteomics Unit at the University of Bergen, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Maria Hernandez-Valladares
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
- The Proteomics Unit at the University of Bergen, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Frode Selheim
- The Proteomics Unit at the University of Bergen, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Frode Berven
- The Proteomics Unit at the University of Bergen, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Ida-Sofie Grønningsæter
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital; 5021 Bergen, Norwa.
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Sushma Bartaula-Brevik
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Øystein Bruserud
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital; 5021 Bergen, Norwa.
- Section for Hematology, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
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26
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The histone methyltransferase DOT1L is required for proper DNA damage response, DNA repair, and modulates chemotherapy responsiveness. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:4. [PMID: 30616689 PMCID: PMC6323691 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) is a non-SET domain containing methyltransferase known to catalyze mono-, di-, and tri-methylation of histone 3 on lysine 79 (H3K79me). DOT1L-mediated H3K79me has been implicated in chromatin-associated functions including gene transcription, heterochromatin formation, and DNA repair. Recent studies have uncovered a role for DOT1L in the initiation and progression of leukemia and other solid tumors. The development and availability of small molecule inhibitors of DOT1L may provide new and unique therapeutic options for certain types or subgroups of cancer. Methods In this study, we examined the role of DOT1L in DNA double-strand break (DSB) response and repair by depleting DOT1L using siRNA or inhibiting its methyltransferase activity using small molecule inhibitors in colorectal cancer cells. Cells were treated with different agents to induce DNA damage in DOT1L-depleted or -inhibited cells and analyzed for DNA repair efficiency and survival. Further, rectal cancer patient samples were analyzed for H3K79me3 levels in order to determine whether it may serve as a potential marker for personalized therapy. Results Our results indicate that DOT1L is required for a proper DNA damage response following DNA double-strand breaks by regulating the phosphorylation of the variant histone H2AX (γH2AX) and repair via homologous recombination (HR). Importantly, we show that small molecule inhibitors of DOT1L combined with chemotherapeutic agents that are used to treat colorectal cancers show additive effects. Furthermore, examination of H3K79me3 levels in rectal cancer patients demonstrates that lower levels correlate with a poorer prognosis. Conclusions In this study, we conclude that DOT1L plays an important role in an early DNA damage response and repair of DNA double-strand breaks via the HR pathway. Moreover, DOT1L inhibition leads to increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and PARP inhibition, which further highlights its potential clinical utility. Our results further suggest that H3K79me3 can be useful as a predictive and or prognostic marker for rectal cancer patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-018-0601-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Xu X, Schneider B. Therapeutic targeting potential of chromatin-associated proteins in MLL-rearranged acute leukemia. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 42:117-130. [DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0414-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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28
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CDKI-73: an orally bioavailable and highly efficacious CDK9 inhibitor against acute myeloid leukemia. Invest New Drugs 2018; 37:625-635. [PMID: 30194564 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-018-0661-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia with dismal long-term prognosis with age. The most aggressive subtype of AML is MLL-AML that is characterized by translocations of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL) and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) plays a crucial role in the MLL-driven oncogenic transcription, and hence, inhibiting activity of CDK9 has been proposed as a promising strategy for treatment of AML. We investigated the therapeutic potential of CDKI-73, one of the most potent CDK9 inhibitors, against a panel of AML cell lines and samples derived from 97 patients. CDKI-73 induced cancer cells undergoing apoptosis through transcriptional downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Mcl-1 and XIAP by majorly targeting CDK9. Contrastively, it was relatively low toxic to the bone marrow cells of healthy donors. In MV4-11 xenograft mouse models, oral administration of CDKI-73 resulted in a marked inhibition of tumor growth (p < 0.0001) and prolongation of animal life span (P < 0.001) without causing body weight loss and other overt toxicities. The study suggests that CDKI-73 can be developed as a highly efficacious and orally deliverable therapeutic agent for treatment of AML.
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Biswas S, Rao CM. Epigenetic tools (The Writers, The Readers and The Erasers) and their implications in cancer therapy. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 837:8-24. [PMID: 30125562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Addition of chemical tags on the DNA and modification of histone proteins impart a distinct feature on chromatin architecture. With the advancement in scientific research, the key players underlying these changes have been identified as epigenetic modifiers of the chromatin. Indeed, the plethora of enzymes catalyzing these modifications, portray the diversity of epigenetic space and the intricacy in regulating gene expression. These epigenetic players are categorized as writers: that introduce various chemical modifications on DNA and histones, readers: the specialized domain containing proteins that identify and interpret those modifications and erasers: the dedicated group of enzymes proficient in removing these chemical tags. Research over the past few decades has established that these epigenetic tools are associated with numerous disease conditions especially cancer. Besides, with the involvement of epigenetics in cancer, these enzymes and protein domains provide new targets for cancer drug development. This is certain from the volume of epigenetic research conducted in universities and R&D sector of pharmaceutical industry. Here we have highlighted the different types of epigenetic enzymes and protein domains with an emphasis on methylation and acetylation. This review also deals with the recent developments in small molecule inhibitors as potential anti-cancer drugs targeting the epigenetic space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhankar Biswas
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - C Mallikarjuna Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
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30
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Ling Y, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Huang Z. Protein Kinase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Drugs in AML: Advances and Challenges. Curr Pharm Des 2018; 23:4303-4310. [PMID: 28671056 PMCID: PMC6302345 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170703164114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant blood disorder and the cure rate has been remarkably improved over the past decade. However, recurrent or refractory leu-kemia remains the major problem of the AML and no clearly effective therapy has been es-tablished so far. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are both far dissatisfying the patients partly for their individual variety. Be-sides, conventional treatments usually have many side effects to result in poor prognosis. Therefore, an urgent need is necessary to update therapies of AML. To date, protein kinase inhibitors as new drugs offer hope for AML treatment and many of them are on clinical tri-als. Here, this review will provide a brief summary of protein kinase inhibitors investigated in AML thus far, mainly including tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors and serine/threonine kinase inhibitors. We also presented the sketch of signal pathways involving protein kinase inhibitors, as well as discussed the clinical applications and the challenges of inhibitors in AML treatment
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zikang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, P.R. China.,China-America Cancer Research Institute, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Dongguan Scientific Research Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, P.R. China
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Jiang SH, Hou C, Chen N, Chen SF, Qiu HY, Xu Y, Chen SN, Wu DP. [Prognostic analysis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in 47 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and MLL rearrangement]. ZHONGHUA XUE YE XUE ZA ZHI = ZHONGHUA XUEYEXUE ZAZHI 2018; 39:558-562. [PMID: 30122014 PMCID: PMC7342217 DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2727.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the prognosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and MLL rearrangement. Methods: From September 2009 to May 2016, the clinical data of 47 patients with MLL-rearranged AML undergoing allo-HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among 47 MLL-rearranged AML patients, 24 were male and 23 female. The median age was 30 (15-58) years old. There are 36 (76%) patients were FAB-types M4/M5. Two-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse incidence and transplant-related mortality (TRM) were (64.4±8.4)%, (47.3±9.3)%, 41.0% and 17.9%, respectively. Of them, 45 patients were detected with 11q23 translocations, and 2 patients with normal karyotype were MLL partial tandem duplication. According to different chromosome karyotype, 47 patients were divided into three groups: 16 cases of t (6; 11), 15 cases of t (9; 11) and 16 cases of other types. Overall survival was compared between the three groups, there was no significant difference (χ(2)=1.509, P=0.472). On multivariate analysis, independent risk factor on OS was transplant age >45 years [HR=4.454(95%CI 1.314-15.099), P=0.016]. The multivariate analysis also confirmed the higher TRM in patients at non-CR state when transplanted [HR=10.370(95%CI 1.043-103.110), P=0.046]. Positive minimal residual disease (MRD) before transplantation was a negative prognostic factor on DFS [HR=4.236(95%CI 1.238-14.495), P=0.021] and relapse incidence (RI) [HR=5.491(95%CI 1.371-21.995), P=0.016]. Conclusion: Transplant age (>45 years), allo-HSCT in non-CR state adn positive MRD before transplantation were negative prognostic factors in allo-HSCT for MLL-rearranged AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Jiang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis of Ministry of Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Institute of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
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Szablewski V, Bret C, Kassambara A, Devin J, Cartron G, Costes-Martineau V, Moreaux J. An epigenetic regulator-related score (EpiScore) predicts survival in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and identifies patients who may benefit from epigenetic therapy. Oncotarget 2018; 9:19079-19099. [PMID: 29721185 PMCID: PMC5922379 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of lymphoma and shows considerable clinical and biological heterogeneity. Much research is currently focused on the identification of prognostic markers for more specific patients’ risk stratification and on the development of therapeutic approaches to improve the long-term outcome. Epigenetic alterations are involved in various cancers, including lymphoma. Interestingly, epigenetic alterations are reversible and drugs to target some of them have been developed. In this study, we demonstrated that the gene expression profile of epigenetic regulators has a prognostic value in DLBCL and identified pathways that could be involved in DLBCL poor outcome. We then designed a new risk score (EpiScore) based on the gene expression level of the epigenetic regulators DNMT3A, DOT1L, SETD8. EpiScore was predictive of overall survival in DLBCL and allowed splitting patients with DLBCL from two independent cohorts (n = 414 and n = 69) in three groups (high, intermediate and low risk). EpiScore was an independent predictor of survival when compared with previously described prognostic factors, such as the International Prognostic Index (IPI), germinal center B cell and activated B cell molecular subgroups, gene expression-based risk score (GERS) and DNA repair score. Immunohistochemistry analysis of DNMT3A in 31 DLBCL samples showed that DNMT3A overexpression (>42% of positive tumor cells) correlated with reduced overall and event-free survival. Finally, an HDAC gene signature was significantly enriched in the DLBCL samples included in the EpiScore high-risk group. We conclude that EpiScore identifies high-risk patients with DLBCL who could benefit from epigenetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Szablewski
- University of Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France.,Department of Biopathology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Bret
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UM UMR 9002, Montpellier, France.,University of Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France
| | - Alboukadel Kassambara
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UM UMR 9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Devin
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UM UMR 9002, Montpellier, France
| | - Guillaume Cartron
- University of Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France.,CHU Montpellier, Department of Clinical Hematology, Montpellier, France.,Montpellier University, UMR CNRS 5235, Montpellier, France
| | - Valérie Costes-Martineau
- University of Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France.,Department of Biopathology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Moreaux
- Department of Biological Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS-UM UMR 9002, Montpellier, France.,University of Montpellier, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France
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Lu L, Wen Y, Yao Y, Chen F, Wang G, Wu F, Wu J, Narayanan P, Redell M, Mo Q, Song Y. Glucocorticoids Inhibit Oncogenic RUNX1-ETO in Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Chromosome Translocation t(8;21). Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:2189-2201. [PMID: 29721072 PMCID: PMC5928880 DOI: 10.7150/thno.22800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a major blood cancer with poor prognosis. New therapies are needed to target oncogene-driven leukemia stem cells, which account for relapse and resistance. Chromosome translocation t(8;21), which produces RUNX1-ETO (R-E) fusion oncoprotein, is found in ~13% AML. R-E dominance negatively inhibits global gene expression regulated by RUNX1, a master transcription factor for hematopoiesis, causing increased self-renewal and blocked cell differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and eventually leukemia initiation. Methods: Connectivity-Map followed by biological activity testing were used to identify candidate compounds that can inhibit R-E-mediated gene transcription. Molecular mechanistic studies were also performed. Results: Glucocorticoid drugs, such as betamethasone and dexamethasone, were found to exhibit potent and selective in vitro and in vivo activities against R-E leukemia, as well as strong synergy when combined with chemotherapeutics. Microarray analysis showed that treatment with glucocorticoids significantly inhibited R-E's activity and reactivated that of RUNX1. Such gene expression changes caused differentiation and apoptosis of R-E leukemia cells. Our studies also show a possible molecular mechanism for the targeted therapy. Upon treatment with a glucocorticoid drug, more glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was translocated into the nucleus and bound to DNA, including promoters of RUNX1 target genes. GR was found to associate with RUNX1, but not R-E. This interaction increased binding of RUNX1 to DNA and reduced that of R-E, shifting to a RUNX1 dominance. Conclusion: Glucocorticoid drugs represent a targeted therapy for AML with chromosome translocation t(8:21). Given their high activity, favorable human pharmacokinetics as well as synergy with chemotherapeutics, glucocorticoids could be clinically useful to treat R-E AML.
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Modes of Interaction of KMT2 Histone H3 Lysine 4 Methyltransferase/COMPASS Complexes with Chromatin. Cells 2018; 7:cells7030017. [PMID: 29498679 PMCID: PMC5870349 DOI: 10.3390/cells7030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression is achieved by sequence-specific transcriptional regulators, which convey the information that is contained in the sequence of DNA into RNA polymerase activity. This is achieved by the recruitment of transcriptional co-factors. One of the consequences of co-factor recruitment is the control of specific properties of nucleosomes, the basic units of chromatin, and their protein components, the core histones. The main principles are to regulate the position and the characteristics of nucleosomes. The latter includes modulating the composition of core histones and their variants that are integrated into nucleosomes, and the post-translational modification of these histones referred to as histone marks. One of these marks is the methylation of lysine 4 of the core histone H3 (H3K4). While mono-methylation of H3K4 (H3K4me1) is located preferentially at active enhancers, tri-methylation (H3K4me3) is a mark found at open and potentially active promoters. Thus, H3K4 methylation is typically associated with gene transcription. The class 2 lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) are the main enzymes that methylate H3K4. KMT2 enzymes function in complexes that contain a necessary core complex composed of WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L, and DPY30, the so-called WRAD complex. Here we discuss recent findings that try to elucidate the important question of how KMT2 complexes are recruited to specific sites on chromatin. This is embedded into short overviews of the biological functions of KMT2 complexes and the consequences of H3K4 methylation.
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Wood K, Tellier M, Murphy S. DOT1L and H3K79 Methylation in Transcription and Genomic Stability. Biomolecules 2018; 8:E11. [PMID: 29495487 PMCID: PMC5871980 DOI: 10.3390/biom8010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The organization of eukaryotic genomes into chromatin provides challenges for the cell to accomplish basic cellular functions, such as transcription, DNA replication and repair of DNA damage. Accordingly, a range of proteins modify and/or read chromatin states to regulate access to chromosomal DNA. Yeast Dot1 and the mammalian homologue DOT1L are methyltransferases that can add up to three methyl groups to histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79). H3K79 methylation is implicated in several processes, including transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II, the DNA damage response and cell cycle checkpoint activation. DOT1L is also an important drug target for treatment of mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged leukemia where aberrant transcriptional activation is promoted by DOT1L mislocalisation. This review summarizes what is currently known about the role of Dot1/DOT1L and H3K79 methylation in transcription and genomic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Wood
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Michael Tellier
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Shona Murphy
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
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CCI-007, a novel small molecule with cytotoxic activity against infant leukemia with MLL rearrangements. Oncotarget 2018; 7:46067-46087. [PMID: 27317766 PMCID: PMC5216782 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need for the development of less toxic, more selective and targeted therapies for infants with leukemia characterized by translocation of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene. In this study, we performed a cell-based small molecule library screen on an infant MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) cell line, PER-485, in order to identify selective inhibitors for MLL-r leukemia. After screening initial hits for a cytotoxic effect against a panel of 30 cell lines including MLL-r and MLL wild-type (MLL-wt) leukemia, solid tumours and control cells, small molecule CCI-007 was identified as a compound that selectively and significantly decreased the viability of a subset of MLL-r and related leukemia cell lines with CALM-AF10 and SET-NUP214 translocation. CCI-007 induced a rapid caspase-dependent apoptosis with mitochondrial depolarization within twenty-four hours of treatment. CCI-007 altered the characteristic MLL-r gene expression signature in sensitive cells with downregulation of the expression of HOXA9, MEIS1, CMYC and BCL2, important drivers in MLL-r leukemia, within a few hours of treatment. MLL-r leukemia cells that were resistant to the compound were characterised by significantly higher baseline gene expression levels of MEIS1 and BCL2 in comparison to CCI-007 sensitive MLL-r leukemia cells. In conclusion, we have identified CCI-007 as a novel small molecule that displays rapid toxicity towards a subset of MLL-r, CALM-AF10 and SET-NUP214 leukemia cell lines. Our findings suggest an important new avenue in the development of targeted therapies for these deadly diseases and indicate that different therapeutic strategies might be needed for different subtypes of MLL-r leukemia.
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Ljungman M, Parks L, Hulbatte R, Bedi K. The role of H3K79 methylation in transcription and the DNA damage response. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2017; 780:48-54. [PMID: 31395348 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin plays a critical role in organizing and protecting DNA. However, chromatin acts as an impediment for transcription and DNA repair. Histone modifications, such as H3K79 methylation, promote transcription and genomic stability by enhancing transcription elongation and by serving as landing sites for proteins involved in the DNA damage response. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of H3K79 methylation in transcription, how it affects genome stability and opportunities to develop impactful therapeutic interventions for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Ljungman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
| | - Luke Parks
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 256, 75105 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Radhika Hulbatte
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Karan Bedi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Lim SH, Dubielecka PM, Raghunathan VM. Molecular targeting in acute myeloid leukemia. J Transl Med 2017; 15:183. [PMID: 28851395 PMCID: PMC5576374 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous disease associated with distinct genetic and molecular abnormalities. Somatic mutations result in dysregulation of intracellular signaling pathways, epigenetics, and apoptosis of the leukemia cells. Understanding the basis for the dysregulated processes provides the platform for the design of novel targeted therapy for AML patients. The effort to devise new targeted therapy has been helped by recent advances in methods for high-throughput genomic screening and the availability of computer-assisted techniques for the design of novel agents that are predicted to specifically inhibit the mutant molecules involved in these intracellular events. In this review, we will provide the scientific basis for targeting the dysregulated molecular mechanisms and discuss the agents currently being investigated, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, for treating patients with AML. Successes in molecular targeting will ultimately change the treatment paradigm for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seah H. Lim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA
| | - Patrycja M. Dubielecka
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA
| | - Vikram M. Raghunathan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA
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Shen LY, Fan MY, Dong B, Yan WP, Chen KN. Increased HOXC6 expression predicts chemotherapy sensitivity in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:4835-4840. [PMID: 29085488 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6772] [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: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of homeobox C6 (HOXC6) predicts poor prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and promotes ESCC cell proliferation. Additionally, the expression of HOXC6 was upregulated in chemosensitive ESCC cell lines. Therefore, it was hypothesized that HOXC6 may be associated with chemosensitivity of ESCC. Patients with ESCC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery by a single-surgeon team between January 2000 and December 2012 were enrolled in the present study. Pretreatment biopsy specimens and postoperative resection samples were collected. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine HOXC6 expression, and the association between HOXC6 expression and tumor regression grade (TRG) was analyzed. In cell lines exhibiting stable knockdown of HOXC6, Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were used to evaluate the chemosensitivity of cells to various concentrations of cisplatin and paclitaxel. A total of 51 pretreatment biopsy specimens were assessed, and patients with increased expression of HOXC6 in pretreatment biopsy specimens exhibited higher TRGs. A total of 186 surgical samples were evaluated; HOXC6 was expressed at a decreased level in patients with higher TRG and at a high level in patients with lower TRG. In addition, downregulation of HOXC6 decreased the sensitivity of ESCC cell lines to cisplatin and paclitaxel, resulting in an increased half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Increased expression of HOXC6 prior to treatment was associated with chemosensitivity in ESCC tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Yan Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Ying Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P.R. China
| | - Bin Dong
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P.R. China
| | - Wan-Pu Yan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Neng Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P.R. China
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40
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Gursoy-Yuzugullu O, Carman C, Serafim RB, Myronakis M, Valente V, Price BD. Epigenetic therapy with inhibitors of histone methylation suppresses DNA damage signaling and increases glioma cell radiosensitivity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:24518-24532. [PMID: 28445939 PMCID: PMC5421867 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy is widely used to treat human malignancies, but many tumor types, including gliomas, exhibit significant radioresistance. Radiation therapy creates DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and DSB repair is linked to rapid changes in epigenetic modifications, including increased histone methylation. This increased histone methylation recruits DNA repair proteins which can then alter the local chromatin structure and promote repair. Consequently, combining inhibitors of specific histone methyltransferases with radiation therapy may increase tumor radiosensitivity, particularly in tumors with significant therapeutic resistance. Here, we demonstrate that inhibitors of the H4K20 methyltransferase SETD8 (UNC-0379) and the H3K9 methyltransferase G9a (BIX-01294) are effective radiosensitizers of human glioma cells. UNC-0379 blocked H4K20 methylation and reduced recruitment of the 53BP1 protein to DSBs, although this loss of 53BP1 caused only limited changes in radiosensitivity. In contrast, loss of H3K9 methylation through G9a inhibition with BIX-01294 increased radiosensitivity of a panel of glioma cells (SER2Gy range: 1.5 - 2.9). Further, loss of H3K9 methylation reduced DSB signaling dependent on H3K9, including reduced activation of the Tip60 acetyltransferase, loss of ATM signaling and reduced phosphorylation of the KAP-1 repressor. In addition, BIX-0194 inhibited DSB repair through both the homologous recombination and nonhomologous end-joining pathways. Inhibition of G9a and loss of H3K9 methylation is therefore an effective approach for increasing radiosensitivity of glioma cells. These results suggest that combining inhibitors of histone methyltransferases which are critical for DSB repair with radiation therapy may provide a new therapeutic route for sensitizing gliomas and other tumors to radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Gursoy-Yuzugullu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA 02215, USA
| | - Chelsea Carman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Marios Myronakis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA 02215, USA
| | - Valeria Valente
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Rodovia Araraquara-Jaú, Campos Ville, SP, 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Brendan D. Price
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA 02215, USA
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41
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Loeser H, Waldschmidt D, Kuetting F, Heydt C, Zander T, Plum P, Alakus H, Buettner R, Quaas A. Copy-number variation and protein expression of DOT1L in pancreatic adenocarcinoma as a potential drug target. Mol Clin Oncol 2017; 6:639-642. [PMID: 28529740 PMCID: PMC5432215 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2017.1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas has a poor prognosis. At present, no relevant personalized targets have been identified. Sequencing studies have implicated gene alterations of disruptor of telomeric silencing 1 like histone lysine methyltransferase (DOT1L) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. DOT1L is part of the histone modification system and catalyzes methylation of H3K79, which is crucial in cell signaling and DNA damage repair. DOT1L is considered to be a target of therapy in mixed lineage leukemia gene-deficient leukemia cases and a potential target in breast carcinoma. The frequencies and importance of DOT1L copy-number variations and their specific correlation with protein expression in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas have yet to be investigated. In the present study, tissue microarrays of 230 resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases were constructed. The tumor tissue was analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry. In total, 10/225 carcinoma cases (4.4%) analyzed by immunohistochemistry demonstrated intense nuclear protein expression of DOT1L and in 9/224 tumors analyzed using FISH (4.0%), copy-number variations (CNV) were detectable. No DOT1L amplification was detected in the carcinoma cohort. To the best of our knowledge, the present study describes for the first time the frequency of CNV of DOT1L using the gold standard fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and their specific correlation to the protein expression in adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. Although the positive cases by immunohistochemistry and copy-number variations by FISH were not congruent with each other, the data suggest a potential role for DOT1L in a small subset of pancreatic cancer cases. The significance of the two analysis methods concerning their druggability in pancreatic adenocarcinoma requires further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Loeser
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Dirk Waldschmidt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Fabian Kuetting
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Carina Heydt
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Zander
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Patrick Plum
- Department of Visceral Surgery, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Hakan Alakus
- Department of Visceral Surgery, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Buettner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Gastrointestinal Cancer Group Cologne, D-50937 Cologne, Germany
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Abstract
In the past few years, it has become clear that mutations in epigenetic regulatory genes are common in human cancers. Therapeutic strategies are now being developed to target cancers with mutations in these genes using specific chemical inhibitors. In addition, a complementary approach based on the concept of synthetic lethality, which allows exploitation of loss-of-function mutations in cancers that are not targetable by conventional methods, has gained traction. Both of these approaches are now being tested in several clinical trials. In this Review, we present recent advances in epigenetic drug discovery and development, and suggest possible future avenues of investigation to drive progress in this area.
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43
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Vedadi M, Blazer L, Eram MS, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Arrowsmith CH, Hajian T. Targeting human SET1/MLL family of proteins. Protein Sci 2017; 26:662-676. [PMID: 28160335 PMCID: PMC5368065 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The SET1 family of proteins, and in particular MLL1, are essential regulators of transcription and key mediators of normal development and disease. Here, we summarize the detailed characterization of the methyltransferase activity of SET1 complexes and the role of the key subunits, WDR5, RbBP5, ASH2L, and DPY30. We present new data on full kinetic characterization of human MLL1, MLL3, SET1A, and SET1B trimeric, tetrameric, and pentameric complexes to elaborate on substrate specificities and compare our findings with what has been reported before. We also review exciting recent work identifying potent inhibitors of oncogenic MLL1 function through disruption of protein–protein interactions within the MLL1 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8
| | - Levi Blazer
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7
| | - Mohammad S Eram
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7
| | | | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7.,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9
| | - Taraneh Hajian
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7
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44
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DOT1L as a therapeutic target for the treatment of DNMT3A-mutant acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2016; 128:971-81. [PMID: 27335278 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-11-684225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) are common in acute myeloid leukemia and portend a poor prognosis; thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed. The likely mechanism by which DNMT3A loss contributes to leukemogenesis is altered DNA methylation and the attendant gene expression changes; however, our current understanding is incomplete. We observed that murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in which Dnmt3a had been conditionally deleted markedly overexpress the histone 3 lysine 79 (H3K79) methyltransferase, Dot1l. We demonstrate that Dnmt3a(-/-) HSCs have increased H3K79 methylation relative to wild-type (WT) HSCs, with the greatest increases noted at DNA methylation canyons, which are regions highly enriched for genes dysregulated in leukemia and prone to DNA methylation loss with Dnmt3a deletion. These findings led us to explore DOT1L as a therapeutic target for the treatment of DNMT3A-mutant AML. We show that pharmacologic inhibition of DOT1L resulted in decreased expression of oncogenic canyon-associated genes and led to dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, and terminal differentiation in DNMT3A-mutant cell lines in vitro. We show in vivo efficacy of the DOT1L inhibitor EPZ5676 in a nude rat xenograft model of DNMT3A-mutant AML. DOT1L inhibition was also effective against primary patient DNMT3A-mutant AML samples, reducing colony-forming capacity (CFC) and inducing terminal differentiation in vitro. These studies suggest that DOT1L may play a critical role in DNMT3A-mutant leukemia. With pharmacologic inhibitors of DOT1L already in clinical trials, DOT1L could be an immediately actionable therapeutic target for the treatment of this poor prognosis disease.
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45
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Song Y, Wu F, Wu J. Targeting histone methylation for cancer therapy: enzymes, inhibitors, biological activity and perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:49. [PMID: 27316347 PMCID: PMC4912745 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0279-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational methylation of histone lysine or arginine residues plays important roles in gene regulation and other physiological processes. Aberrant histone methylation caused by a gene mutation, translocation, or overexpression can often lead to initiation of a disease such as cancer. Small molecule inhibitors of such histone modifying enzymes that correct the abnormal methylation could be used as novel therapeutics for these diseases, or as chemical probes for investigation of epigenetics. Discovery and development of histone methylation modulators are in an early stage and undergo a rapid expansion in the past few years. A number of highly potent and selective compounds have been reported, together with extensive preclinical studies of their biological activity. Several compounds have been in clinical trials for safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy, targeting several types of cancer. This review summarizes the biochemistry, structures, and biology of cancer-relevant histone methylation modifying enzymes, small molecule inhibitors and their preclinical and clinical antitumor activities. Perspectives for targeting histone methylation for cancer therapy are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Fangrui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jingyu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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46
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Abstract
S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is a sulfonium molecule with a structural hybrid of methionine and adenosine. As the second largest cofactor in the human body, its major function is to serve as methyl donor for SAM-dependent methyltransferases (MTases). The resultant transmethylation of biomolecules constitutes a significant biochemical mechanism in epigenetic regulation, cellular signaling, and metabolite degradation. Recently, numerous SAM analogs have been developed as synthetic cofactors to transfer the activated groups on MTase substrates for downstream ligation and identification. Meanwhile, new compounds built upon or derived from the SAM scaffold have been designed and tested as selective inhibitors for important MTase targets. Here, we summarized the recent development and application of SAM analogs as chemical biology tools for MTases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Yujun George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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47
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Feng Z, Yao Y, Zhou C, Chen F, Wu F, Wei L, Liu W, Dong S, Redell M, Mo Q, Song Y. Pharmacological inhibition of LSD1 for the treatment of MLL-rearranged leukemia. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:24. [PMID: 26970896 PMCID: PMC4789278 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0252-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene translocations are found in ~75% infant and 10% adult acute leukemia, showing a poor prognosis. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has recently been implicated to be a drug target for this subtype of leukemia. More studies using potent LSD1 inhibitors against MLL-rearranged leukemia are needed. METHODS LSD1 inhibitors were examined for their biochemical and biological activities against LSD1 and MLL-rearranged leukemia as well as other cancer cells. RESULTS Potent LSD1 inhibitors with biochemical IC50 values of 9.8-77 nM were found to strongly inhibit proliferation of MLL-rearranged leukemia cells with EC50 of 10-320 nM, while these compounds are generally non-cytotoxic to several other tumor cells. LSD1 inhibition increased histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation, downregulated expression of several leukemia-relevant genes, induced apoptosis and differentiation, and inhibited self-renewal of stem-like leukemia cells. Moreover, LSD1 inhibitors worked synergistically with inhibition of DOT1L, a histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79) methyltransferase, against MLL-rearranged leukemia. The most potent LSD1 inhibitor showed significant in vivo activity in a systemic mouse model of MLL-rearranged leukemia without overt toxicities. Mechanistically, LSD1 inhibitors caused significant upregulation of several pathways that promote hematopoietic differentiation and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS LSD1 is a drug target for MLL-rearranged leukemia, and LSD1 inhibitors are potential therapeutics for the malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fengju Chen
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fangrui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Liping Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, 1102 Bates Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Shuo Dong
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michele Redell
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, 1102 Bates Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Qianxing Mo
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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48
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Gelato KA, Shaikhibrahim Z, Ocker M, Haendler B. Targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer therapy: modulation of bromodomain proteins, methyltransferases, demethylases, and microRNAs. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 20:783-99. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2016.1134490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthias Ocker
- Global Drug Discovery, Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Gastroenterology/Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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49
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Fahrenkrog B. Histone modifications as regulators of life and death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. MICROBIAL CELL 2015; 3:1-13. [PMID: 28357312 PMCID: PMC5354586 DOI: 10.15698/mic2016.01.472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an integrated, genetically controlled
suicide program that not only regulates tissue homeostasis of multicellular
organisms, but also the fate of damaged and aged cells of lower eukaryotes, such
as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recent years have
revealed key apoptosis regulatory proteins in yeast that play similar roles in
mammalian cells. Apoptosis is a process largely defined by characteristic
structural rearrangements in the dying cell that include chromatin condensation
and DNA fragmentation. The mechanism by which chromosomes restructure during
apoptosis is still poorly understood, but it is becoming increasingly clear that
altered epigenetic histone modifications are fundamental parameters that
influence the chromatin state and the nuclear rearrangements within apoptotic
cells. The present review will highlight recent work on the epigenetic
regulation of programmed cell death in budding yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Fahrenkrog
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Profs. Jeener et Brachet 12; 6041 Charleroi, Belgium
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50
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Wu F, Zhou C, Yao Y, Wei L, Feng Z, Deng L, Song Y. 3-(Piperidin-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine Containing Compounds Are Potent Inhibitors of Lysine Specific Demethylase 1. J Med Chem 2015; 59:253-263. [PMID: 26652247 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of histone lysine residues plays important roles in gene expression regulation as well as cancer initiation. Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is responsible for maintaining balanced methylation levels at histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). LSD1 is a drug target for certain cancers, due to important functions of methylated H3K4 or LSD1 overexpression. We report the design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of 3-(piperidin-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine containing compounds as potent LSD1 inhibitors with Ki values as low as 29 nM. These compounds exhibited high selectivity (>160×) against related monoamine oxidase A and B. Enzyme kinetics and docking studies suggested they are competitive inhibitors against a dimethylated H3K4 substrate and provided a possible binding mode. The potent LSD1 inhibitors can increase cellular H3K4 methylation and strongly inhibit proliferation of several leukemia and solid tumor cells with EC50 values as low as 280 nM, while they had negligible effects on normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangrui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liping Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zizhen Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lisheng Deng
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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