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Ancona P, Trentini A, Terrazzan A, Grassilli S, Navals P, Gates EWJ, Rosta V, Cervellati C, Bergamini CM, Pignatelli A, Keillor JW, Taccioli C, Bianchi N. Transcriptomics Studies Reveal Functions of Transglutaminase 2 in Breast Cancer Cells Using Membrane Permeable and Impermeable Inhibitors. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168569. [PMID: 38604527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) performs many functions both under physiological and pathological conditions. In cancer, its expression is associated with aggressiveness, propensity to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Since TG2 performs key functions both outside and inside the cell, using inhibitors with different membrane permeability we analyzed the changes in the transcriptome induced in two triple-negative cell lines (MDA-MB-436 and MDA-MB-231) with aggressive features. By characterizing pathways and gene networks, we were able to define the effects of TG2 inhibitors (AA9, membrane-permeable, and NCEG2, impermeable) in relation to the roles of the enzyme in the intra- and extracellular space within the context of breast cancer. The deregulated genes revealed p53 and integrin signaling to be the common pathways with some genes showing opposite changes in expression. In MDA-MB-436, AA9 induced apoptosis, modulated cadherin, Wnt, gastrin and cholecystokinin receptors (CCKR) mediated signaling, with RHOB and GNG2 playing significant roles, and affected the Warburg effect by decreasing glycolytic enzymes. In MDA-MB-231 cells, AA9 strongly impacted HIF-mediated hypoxia, including AKT and mTOR pathway. These effects suggest an anti-tumor activity by blocking intracellular TG2 functions. Conversely, the use of NCEG2 stimulated the expression of ATP synthase and proteins involved in DNA replication, indicating a potential promotion of cell proliferation through inhibition of extracellular TG2. To effectively utilize these molecules as an anti-tumor strategy, an appropriate delivery system should be evaluated to target specific functions and avoid adverse effects. Additionally, considering combinations with other pathway modulators is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Ancona
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Trentini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Pauline Navals
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Eric W J Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Valentina Rosta
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Carlo Cervellati
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Carlo M Bergamini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Angela Pignatelli
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Cristian Taccioli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
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Gallo M, Ferrari E, Terrazzan A, Brugnoli F, Spisni A, Taccioli C, Aguiari G, Trentini A, Volinia S, Keillor JW, Bergamini CM, Bianchi N, Pertinhez TA. Metabolic characterisation of transglutaminase 2 inhibitor effects in breast cancer cell lines. FEBS J 2023; 290:5411-5433. [PMID: 37597264 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16931] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), which mediates post-translational modifications of multiple intracellular enzymes, is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. We used 1 H-NMR metabolomics to study the effects of AA9, a novel TG2 inhibitor, on two breast cancer cell lines with distinct phenotypes, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. AA9 can promote apoptosis in both cell lines, but it is particularly effective in MD-MB-231, inhibiting transamidation reactions and decreasing cell migration and invasiveness. This metabolomics study provides evidence of a major effect of AA9 on MDA-MB-231 cells, impacting glutamate and aspartate metabolism, rather than on MCF-7 cells, characterised by choline and O-phosphocholine decrease. Interestingly, AA9 treatment induces myo-inositol alteration in both cell lines, indicating action on phosphatidylinositol metabolism, likely modulated by the G protein activity of TG2 on phospholipase C. Considering the metabolic deregulations that characterise various breast cancer subtypes, the existence of a metabolic pathway affected by AA9 further points to TG2 as a promising hot spot. The metabolomics approach provides a powerful tool to monitor the effectiveness of inhibitors and better understand the role of TG2 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Spisni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Cristian Taccioli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Italy
| | - Gianluca Aguiari
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Trentini
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Carlo M Bergamini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Italy
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Chaudhuri A, Kumar DN, Dehari D, Patil R, Singh S, Kumar D, Agrawal AK. Endorsement of TNBC Biomarkers in Precision Therapy by Nanotechnology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092661. [PMID: 37174125 PMCID: PMC10177107 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease which accounts globally for approximately 1 million new cases annually, wherein more than 200,000 of these cases turn out to be cases of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is an aggressive and rare breast cancer subtype that accounts for 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. Chemotherapy remains the only therapy regimen against TNBC. However, the emergence of innate or acquired chemoresistance has hindered the chemotherapy used to treat TNBC. The data obtained from molecular technologies have recognized TNBC with various gene profiling and mutation settings that have helped establish and develop targeted therapies. New therapeutic strategies based on the targeted delivery of therapeutics have relied on the application of biomarkers derived from the molecular profiling of TNBC patients. Several biomarkers have been found that are targets for the precision therapy in TNBC, such as EGFR, VGFR, TP53, interleukins, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, c-MET, androgen receptor, BRCA1, glucocorticoid, PTEN, ALDH1, etc. This review discusses the various candidate biomarkers identified in the treatment of TNBC along with the evidence supporting their use. It was established that nanoparticles had been considered a multifunctional system for delivering therapeutics to target sites with increased precision. Here, we also discuss the role of biomarkers in nanotechnology translation in TNBC therapy and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiswarya Chaudhuri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Dulla Naveen Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Deepa Dehari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rohit Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (A Central University), Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Agrawal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India
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Canella R, Brugnoli F, Gallo M, Keillor JW, Terrazzan A, Ferrari E, Grassilli S, Gates EWJ, Volinia S, Bertagnolo V, Bianchi N, Bergamini CM. A Multidisciplinary Approach Establishes a Link between Transglutaminase 2 and the Kv10.1 Voltage-Dependent K + Channel in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010178. [PMID: 36612174 PMCID: PMC9818547 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the multifunctionality of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) includes extra- and intracellular functions, we investigated the effects of intracellular administration of TG2 inhibitors in three breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436 and MDA-MB-468, which are representative of different triple-negative phenotypes, using a patch-clamp technique. The first cell line has a highly voltage-dependent a membrane current, which is low in the second and almost absent in the third one. While applying a voltage protocol to responsive single cells, injection of TG2 inhibitors triggered a significant decrease of the current in MDA-MB-231 that we attributed to voltage-dependent K+ channels using the specific inhibitors 4-aminopyridine and astemizole. Since the Kv10.1 channel plays a dominant role as a marker of cell migration and survival in breast cancer, we investigated its relationship with TG2 by immunoprecipitation. Our data reveal their physical interaction affects membrane currents in MDA-MB-231 but not in the less sensitive MDA-MB-436 cells. We further correlated the efficacy of TG2 inhibition with metabolic changes in the supernatants of treated cells, resulting in increased concentration of methyl- and dimethylamines, representing possible response markers. In conclusion, our findings highlight the interference of TG2 inhibitors with the Kv10.1 channel as a potential therapeutic tool depending on the specific features of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Canella
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federica Brugnoli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mariana Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Jeffrey W. Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Grassilli
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Eric W. J. Gates
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Stefano Volinia
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Valeria Bertagnolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0532-455854
| | - Carlo M. Bergamini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Li Y, Zhan Z, Yin X, Fu S, Deng X. Targeted Therapeutic Strategies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:731535. [PMID: 34778045 PMCID: PMC8581040 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.731535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, which is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression and the absence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression/amplification. Conventional chemotherapy is the mainstay of systemic treatment for TNBC. However, lack of molecular targeted therapies and poor prognosis of TNBC patients have prompted a great effort to discover effective targets for improving the clinical outcomes. For now, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi's) and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of TNBC. Moreover, agents that target signal transduction, angiogenesis, epigenetic modifications, and cell cycle are under active preclinical or clinical investigations. In this review, we highlight the current major developments in targeted therapies of TNBC, with some descriptions about their (dis)advantages and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhijun Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuemin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Shujun Fu
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiyun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Stem Cell Research, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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