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Sciarrillo R, Terrana F, Comandatore A, Supadmanaba IGP, Wang B, Hassouni BE, Mantini G, Jansen G, Avan A, Carbone D, Diana P, Peters GJ, Morelli L, Cloos J, Assaraf YG, Giovannetti E. Exploring Splicing Modulation as an Innovative Approach to Combat Pancreatic Cancer: SF3B1 Emerges as a Prognostic Indicator and Therapeutic Target. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3173-3184. [PMID: 38904016 PMCID: PMC11186358 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.92671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant challenges in terms of prognosis and treatment. Recent research has identified splicing deregulation as a new cancer hallmark. Herein, we investigated the largely uncharacterized alternative splicing profile and the key splicing factor SF3B1 in PDAC pancreatic cells and tissues as a potential discovery source of plausible drug targets and new predictive biomarkers of clinical outcome. The research involved a transcriptome-wide analysis, comparing profiles of splicing profiles in PDAC primary cells with normal ductal cells. This revealed more than 400 significant differential splicing events in genes involved in regulation of gene expression, primarily related to mRNA splicing, and metabolism of nucleic acids. PDAC cultures were highly sensitive to the SF3B1 modulators, E7107 and Pladienolide-B, showing IC50s in the low nanomolar range. These compounds induced apoptosis, associated to induction of the MCL-1/S splice variant. and reduced cell migration, associated to RON mis-splicing. In an orthotopic mouse model, E7107 showed promising results. Furthermore, we evaluated SF3B1 expression in specimens from 87 patients and found a significant association of SF3B1 expression with progression-free and overall survival. In conclusion, SF3B1 emerges as both a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in PDAC, impacting cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. These findings warrant future studies on this new therapeutic strategy against PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Sciarrillo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Terrana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Comandatore
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - I Gede Putu Supadmanaba
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Btissame El Hassouni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giulia Mantini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Avan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Kim J, Koh DI, Lee M, Park YS, Hong SW, Shin JS, Lee MS, Kim MH, Lee JH, Jeong J, Bae S, Hong JK, Jeong HR, Ryu YS, Kim SM, Choi M, Kim H, Ryu H, Hur SC, Park J, Hur DY, Jin DH. Targeting isoforms of RON kinase (MST1R) drives antitumor efficacy. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:2491-2507. [PMID: 37926711 PMCID: PMC10733321 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01235-9] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON, MST1R) is a single-span transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) aberrantly expressed in numerous cancers, including various solid tumors. How naturally occurring splicing isoforms of RON, especially those which are constitutively activated, affect tumorigenesis and therapeutic response, is largely unknown. Here, we identified that presence of activated RON could be a possible factor for the development of resistance against anti-EGFR (cetuximab) therapy in colorectal cancer patient tissues. Also, we elucidated the roles of three splicing variants of RON, RON Δ155, Δ160, and Δ165 as tumor drivers in cancer cell lines. Subsequently, we designed an inhibitor of RON, WM-S1-030, to suppress phosphorylation thereby inhibiting the activation of the three RON variants as well as the wild type. Specifically, WM-S1-030 treatment led to potent regression of tumor growth in solid tumors expressing the RON variants Δ155, Δ160, and Δ165. Two mechanisms for the RON oncogenic activity depending on KRAS genotype was evaluated in our study which include activation of EGFR and Src, in a trimeric complex, and stabilization of the beta-catenin. In terms of the immunotherapy, WM-S1-030 elicited notable antitumor immunity in anti-PD-1 resistant cell derived mouse model, likely via repression of M1/M2 polarization of macrophages. These findings suggest that WM-S1-030 could be developed as a new treatment option for cancer patients expressing these three RON variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-In Koh
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minki Lee
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Sun Park
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, AMIST, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Jae-Sik Shin
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi So Lee
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Hwa Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Jun Ki Hong
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Yea Seong Ryu
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Mi Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingee Choi
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ryu
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Chul Hur
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Park
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Young Hur
- Department of Anatomy and Tumor Immunology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Jin
- Wellmarkerbio Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Brownmiller T, Caplen NJ. The HNRNPF/H RNA binding proteins and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1788. [PMID: 37042074 PMCID: PMC10523889 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1788] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The members of the HNRNPF/H family of heterogeneous nuclear RNA proteins-HNRNPF, HNRNPH1, HNRNPH2, HNRNPH3, and GRSF1, are critical regulators of RNA maturation. Documented functions of these proteins include regulating splicing, particularly alternative splicing, 5' capping and 3' polyadenylation of RNAs, and RNA export. The assignment of these proteins to the HNRNPF/H protein family members relates to differences in the amino acid composition of their RNA recognition motifs, which differ from those of other RNA binding proteins (RBPs). HNRNPF/H proteins typically bind RNA sequences enriched with guanine (G) residues, including sequences that, in the presence of a cation, have the potential to form higher-order G-quadruplex structures. The need to further investigate members of the HNRNPF/H family of RBPs has intensified with the recent descriptions of their involvement in several disease states, including the pediatric tumor Ewing sarcoma and the hematological malignancy mantle cell lymphoma; newly described groups of developmental syndromes; and neuronal-related disorders, including addictive behavior. Here, to foster the study of the HNRNPF/H family of RBPs, we discuss features of the genes encoding these proteins, their structures and functions, and emerging contributions to disease. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayvia Brownmiller
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Natasha J Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Hunt BG, Fox LH, Davis JC, Jones A, Lu Z, Waltz SE. An Introduction and Overview of RON Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:517. [PMID: 36833444 PMCID: PMC9956929 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
RON is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) of the MET receptor family that is canonically involved in mediating growth and inflammatory signaling. RON is expressed at low levels in a variety of tissues, but its overexpression and activation have been associated with malignancies in multiple tissue types and worse patient outcomes. RON and its ligand HGFL demonstrate cross-talk with other growth receptors and, consequentially, positions RON at the intersection of numerous tumorigenic signaling programs. For this reason, RON is an attractive therapeutic target in cancer research. A better understanding of homeostatic and oncogenic RON activity serves to enhance clinical insights in treating RON-expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G. Hunt
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Levi H. Fox
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - James C. Davis
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Angelle Jones
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Zhixin Lu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
| | - Susan E. Waltz
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
- Research Service, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
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5
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Cazes A, Childers BG, Esparza E, Lowy AM. The MST1R/RON Tyrosine Kinase in Cancer: Oncogenic Functions and Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14082037. [PMID: 35454943 PMCID: PMC9027306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14082037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary MST1R/RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a highly conserved transmembrane protein present on epithelial cells, macrophages, and recently identified in a T-cell subset. RON activation attenuates inflammation in healthy tissue. Interestingly, it is overexpressed in several epithelial neoplasms with increasing levels of expression associated with worse outcomes. Though the mechanisms involved are still under investigation, RON is involved in carcinogenesis via immune modulation of the immune tumor microenvironment, activation of numerous oncogenic pathways, and is protective under cellular stress. Alternatively, inhibition of RON abrogates tumor progression in both animal and human tissue models. Given this, RON is a targetable protein of great interest for cancer treatment. Here, we review RON’s function in tissue inflammation and cancer progression, and review cancer clinical trials to date that have used agents targeting RON signaling. Abstract The MST1R/RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a homologue of the more well-known MET receptor. Like MET, RON orchestrates cell signaling pathways that promote oncogenesis and enable cancer cell survival; however, it has a more unique role in the regulation of inflammation. RON was originally described as a transmembrane receptor expressed on tissue resident macrophages and various epithelial cells. RON is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and its activation modifies multiple signaling pathways with resultant changes in epithelial and immune cells which together modulate oncogenic phenotypes. While several RON isoforms have been identified with differences in structure, activation, and pathway regulation, increased RON expression and/or activation is consistently associated with worse outcomes. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting RON have been developed, making RON an actionable therapeutic target.
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6
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Kato A, Ng S, Thangasamy A, Han H, Zhou W, Raeppel S, Fallon M, Guha S, Ammanamanchi S. A potential signaling axis between RON kinase receptor and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in pancreatic cancer. Mol Carcinog 2021; 60:734-745. [PMID: 34347914 PMCID: PMC9292374 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) of a pancreatic cancer cohort identified high MST1R (RON tyrosine kinase receptor) expression correlated with poor prognosis in human pancreatic cancer. RON expression is null/minimal in normal pancreas but elevates from pan-in lesions through invasive carcinomas. We report using multiple approaches RON directly regulates HIF-1α, a critical driver of genes involved in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. RON and HIF-1α are highly co-expressed in the 101 human PDAC tumors analyzed and RON expression correlated with HIF-1α expression in a subset of PDAC cell lines. knockdown of RON expression in RON positive cells blocked HIF-1α expression, whereas ectopic RON expression in RON null cells induced HIF-1α expression suggesting the direct regulation of HIF-1α by RON kinase receptor. RON regulates HIF-1α through an unreported transcriptional mechanism involving PI3 kinase-mediated AKT phosphorylation and Sp1-dependent HIF-1α promoter activity leading to increased HIF-1α mRNA expression. RON/HIF-1α modulation altered the invasive behavior of PDAC cells. A small-molecule RON kinase inhibitor decreased RON ligand, MSP-induced HIF-1α expression, and invasion of PDAC cells. Immunohistochemical analysis on RON knockdown orthotopic PDAC tumor xenograft confirmed that RON inhibition significantly blocked HIF-1α expression. RON/HIF-1α co-expression also exists in triple-negative breast cancer cells, a tumor type that also lacks molecular therapeutic targets. This is the first report describing RON/HIF-1α axis in any tumor type and is a potential novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihisa Kato
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Serina Ng
- Division of Molecular Medicine, TGen, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Amalraj Thangasamy
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Haiyong Han
- Division of Molecular Medicine, TGen, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Wendi Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Banner University Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Michael Fallon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Sushovan Guha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Sudhakar Ammanamanchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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7
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Cazes A, Betancourt O, Esparza E, Mose ES, Jaquish D, Wong E, Wascher AA, Tiriac H, Gymnopoulos M, Lowy AM. A MET Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate Overcomes Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:2100-2110. [PMID: 33451980 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease associated with a poor 5-year overall survival. Most patients are ineligible for surgery due to late diagnosis and are treated primarily with chemotherapy with very limited success. Pancreatic cancer is relatively insensitive to chemotherapy due to multiple factors, including reduced bioavailability of drugs to tumor cells. One strategy to improve drug efficacy with reduced toxicity is the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), which have now been used successfully to treat both solid and liquid tumors. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of TR1801-ADC, a newly developed ADC composed of a MET antibody conjugated to the highly potent pyrrolobenzodiazepine toxin-linker, tesirine. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We first evaluated MET expression and subcellular localization in pancreatic cancer cell lines, human tumors, and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). We then tested TR1801-ADC efficacy in vitro in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Preclinical evaluation of TR1801-ADC efficacy was conducted on PDXs selected on the basis of their MET expression level. RESULTS We show that MET is highly expressed and located at the plasma membrane of pancreatic cancer cells. We found that TR1801-ADC induces a specific cytotoxicity in pancreatic cancer cell lines and a profound tumor growth inhibition, even in a gemcitabine-resistant tumor. We also noted synergism between TR1801-ADC and gemcitabine in vitro and an improved response to the combination in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Together, these results suggest the promise of agents such as TR1801-ADC as a novel approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Cazes
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Edgar Esparza
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Evangeline S Mose
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Dawn Jaquish
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Eric Wong
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Alexis A Wascher
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Hervé Tiriac
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Andrew M Lowy
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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The HNRNPA2B1-MST1R-Akt axis contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in head and neck cancer. J Transl Med 2020; 100:1589-1601. [PMID: 32669614 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-0466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of splicing factors and alternative splicing are increasingly viewed as major contributory factors in tumorigenesis. In this study, we report overexpression of a key splicing factor, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (HNRNPA2B1), and thereby misregulation of alternative splicing, which is associated with the poor prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC). The role of HNRNPA2B1 in HNC tumorigenesis via deregulation of alternative splicing is not well understood. Here, we found that the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of HNRNPA2B1 results in inhibition of HNC cells growth via the misregulation of alternative splicing of MST1R, WWOX, and CFLAR. We investigated the mechanism of HNRNPA2B1-mediated HNC cells growth and found that HNRNPA2B1 plays an important role in the alternative splicing of a proto-oncogene, macrophage stimulating 1 receptor (MST1R), which encodes for the recepteur d'origine nantais (RON), a receptor tyrosine kinase. Our results indicate that HNRNPA2B1 mediates the exclusion of cassette exon 11 from MST1R, resulting in the generation of RON∆165 isoform, which was found to be associated with the activation of Akt/PKB signaling in HNC cells. Using the MST1R-minigene model, we validated the role of HNRNPA2B1 in the generation of RON∆165 isoform. The depletion of HNRNPA2B1 results in the inclusion of exon 11, thereby reduction of RON∆165 isoform. The decrease of RON∆165 isoform causes inhibition of Akt/PKB signaling, which results in the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of vimentin leading to the reduced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The overexpression of HNRNPA2B1 in HNRNPA2B1 knockout cells rescues the expression of the RON∆165 isoform and leads to activation of Akt/PKB signaling and induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in HNC cells. In summary, our study identifies HNRNPA2B1 as a putative oncogene in HNC that promotes Akt/PKB signaling via upregulation of RON∆165 isoform and promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition in head and neck cancer cells.
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Antibody-drug conjugates targeting RON receptor tyrosine kinase as a novel strategy for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:1160-1173. [PMID: 32479905 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a challenge to oncologists. Currently, the lack of effective therapy has fostered a major effort to discover new targets and therapeutics to combat this disease. The recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of TNBC. Clinical studies have revealed that aberrant RON expression is crucial in regulating TNBC malignant phenotypes. Increased RON expression also has prognostic value for breast cancer progress. These features provide the rationale to target RON for TNBC treatment. In this review, we discuss the importance of RON in TNBC tumorigenesis and the development of anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for clinical application. The findings from preclinical studies lay the foundation for clinical trials of this novel biotherapeutic for TNBC therapy.
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10
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Yao HP, Suthe SR, Tong XM, Wang MH. Targeting RON receptor tyrosine kinase for treatment of advanced solid cancers: antibody-drug conjugates as lead drug candidates for clinical trials. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920920069. [PMID: 32426050 PMCID: PMC7222236 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920920069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor tyrosine kinase, belonging to the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition proto-oncogene family, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancers derived from the colon, lung, breast, and pancreas. These findings lay the foundation for targeting RON for cancer treatment. However, development of RON-targeted therapeutics has not gained sufficient attention for the last decade. Although therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (TMABs) targeting RON have been validated in preclinical studies, results from clinical trials have met with limited success. This outcome diminishes pharmaceutical enthusiasm for further development of RON-targeted therapeutics. Recently, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting RON have drawn special attention owing to their increased therapeutic activity. The rationale for developing anti-RON ADCs is based on the observation that cancer cells are not sufficiently addicted to RON signaling for survival. Thus, TMAB-mediated inhibition of RON signaling is ineffective for clinical application. In contrast, anti-RON ADCs combine a target-specific antibody with potent cytotoxins for cancer cell killing. This approach not only overcomes the shortcomings in TMAB-targeted therapies but also holds the promise for advancing anti-RON ADCs into clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the latest advancements in the development of anti-RON ADCs for targeted cancer therapy including drug conjugation profile, pharmacokinetic properties, cytotoxic effect in vitro, efficacy in tumor models, and toxicological activities in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Ping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sreedhar Reddy Suthe
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
| | - Xiang-Min Tong
- Department of Hematology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital and People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Hai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, 1406 Coulter Street, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
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Berning P, Hennemann C, Tulotta C, Schaefer C, Lechtape B, Hotfilder M, El Gourari Y, Jürgens H, Snaar-Jagalska E, Hempel G, Dirksen U, Potratz J. The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase RON and Its Isoforms as Therapeutic Targets in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040904. [PMID: 32272784 PMCID: PMC7226494 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) RON is linked to an aggressive metastatic phenotype of carcinomas. While gaining interest as a therapeutic target, RON remains unstudied in sarcomas. In Ewing sarcoma, we identified RON among RTKs conferring resistance to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) targeting. Therefore, we explored RON in pediatric sarcoma cell lines and an embryonic Tg(kdrl:mCherry) zebrafish model, using an shRNA-based approach. To examine RON–IGF1R crosstalk, we employed the clinical-grade monoclonal antibody IMC-RON8, alone and together with the IGF1R-antibody IMC-A12. RON silencing demonstrated functions in vitro and in vivo, particularly within micrometastatic cellular capacities. Signaling studies revealed a unidirectional IGF1-mediated cross-activation of RON. Yet, IMC-A12 failed to sensitize cells to IMC-RON8, suggesting additional mechanisms of RON activation. Here, RT-PCR revealed that childhood sarcomas express short-form RON, an isoform resistant to antibody-mediated targeting. Interestingly, in contrast to carcinomas, treatment with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor did not diminish but increased short-form RON expression. Thus, this first report supports a role for RON in the metastatic progression of Ewing sarcoma. While principal molecular functions appear transferrable between carcinomas, Ewing sarcoma and possibly more common sarcoma subtypes, RON highlights that specific regulations of cellular networks and isoforms require better understanding to successfully transfer targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Berning
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Carolin Hennemann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Tulotta
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christiane Schaefer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Birgit Lechtape
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marc Hotfilder
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Yassmine El Gourari
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Heribert Jürgens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ewa Snaar-Jagalska
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Gorlaeus Laboratories, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Georg Hempel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstraße 48, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics III, West German Cancer Centre, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jenny Potratz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Correspondence:
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12
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RON receptor tyrosine kinase in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Pathogenic mechanism in malignancy and pharmaceutical target for therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188360. [PMID: 32234337 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers with poor prognosis and high mortality. Molecular aberrations associated with PDAC pathogenesis and progression have been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, these findings have not been translated into clinical practice. Lack of therapeutics for PDAC treatment is another challenge. Recent application of molecularly targeted and immunoregulatory therapies appears to be disappointing. Thus, discovery of new targets and therapeutics is urgently needed to combat this malignant disease. The RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a tumorigenic determinant in PDAC malignancy, which provides the rationale to target RON for PDAC treatment. In this review, we summarize the latest evidence of RON in PDAC pathogenesis and the development of anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates for potential PDAC therapy. The finding that anti-RON antibody-drug conjugates show efficacy in preclinical animal models highlights the potential of this novel class of anti-cancer biotherapeutics in future clinical trials.
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13
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Therapeutic anti-cancer activity of antibodies targeting sulfhydryl bond constrained epitopes on unglycosylated RON receptor tyrosine kinase. Oncogene 2019; 38:7342-7356. [PMID: 31417186 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0946-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and its ligand, serum macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), are well-established oncogenic drivers for tumorigenesis and metastasis. RON is often found to be alternatively spliced resulting in various isoforms that are constitutively active. RON is therefore an attractive target for cancer therapeutics, including small molecular inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. While small molecule inhibitors of RON may inhibit other protein kinases including the highly similar MET kinase, monoclonal antibodies targeting RON are more specific, potentially inducing fewer side effects. Although anti-RON monoclonal antibody therapies have been developed and tested in clinical trials, they were met with limited success. Cancer cells have been associated with aberrant glycosylation mechanisms. Notably for RON, the loss of N-bisected glycosylation is a direct cause for tumorigenesis and poorer prognosis in cancer patients. Particularly in gastric cancer, aberrant RON glycosylation augments RON activation. Here, we present a novel panel of monoclonal antibodies which potentially widens the specific targeting of not only the glycosylated RON, but also unglycosylated and aberrantly glycosylated RON. Our antibodies can bind strongly to deglycosylated RON from tunicamycin treated cells, recognise RON in IHC/IF and possess superior therapeutic efficacy in RON expressing xenograft tumours. Our most potent antibody in xenograft assays, is directed to the RON alpha chain and targets a sulfhydryl bond constrained epitope that appears to be cryptic in the crystal structure. This establishes the paradigm that such constrained and cryptic epitopes represent good targets for therapeutic antibodies.
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14
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Guo Q, Huang F, Goncalves C, Del Rincón SV, Miller WH. Translation of cancer immunotherapy from the bench to the bedside. Adv Cancer Res 2019; 143:1-62. [PMID: 31202357 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The tremendous success of immune checkpoint blockades has revolutionized cancer management. Our increased understanding of the cell types that compose the tumor microenvironment (TME), including those of the innate and adaptive immune system, has helped to shape additional immune modulatory strategies in cancer care. Pre-clinical and clinical investigations targeting novel checkpoint interactions and key pathways that regulate cancer immunity continue to increase rapidly. Various combinatorial drug regimens are being tested in attempt to achieve durable response and survival rates of patients with cancer. This review provides an overview of specific components of the TME, an introduction to novel immune checkpoints, followed by a survey of present day and future combination immune modulatory therapies. The idea that the immune system can recognize and destroy tumor cells was first described in the cancer immunosurveillance hypothesis of Burnet and Thomas. However, early experimental evidence failed to support the concept. It was not until the late 1990s when seminal papers clearly showed the existence of cancer immunosurveillance, leading to the cancer immunoediting hypothesis. In this century, progress in the understanding of negative regulators of the immune response led to the discovery that inhibition of these regulators in patients with cancer could lead to dramatic and durable remissions. Drs. Tasuku Honjo and James P. Allison were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2018 for their pioneering work in this field. We now see rapid advances in cancer immunology and emerging effective therapies revolutionizing cancer care across tumor types in the clinic, while pre-clinical research is moving from a focus on the malignant cells themselves to dissect the highly heterogenic and complex multi-cellular tumor microenvironment (TME).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Guo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fan Huang
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christophe Goncalves
- Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia V Del Rincón
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wilson H Miller
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Jewish General Hospital, Segal Cancer Centre, Department of Oncology, Montreal, QC, Canada; Rossy Cancer Network, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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15
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Coltri PP, Dos Santos MGP, da Silva GHG. Splicing and cancer: Challenges and opportunities. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2019; 10:e1527. [PMID: 30773852 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer arises from alterations in several metabolic processes affecting proliferation, growth, replication and death of cells. A fundamental challenge in the study of cancer biology is to uncover molecular mechanisms that lead to malignant cellular transformation. Recent genomic analyses revealed that many molecular alterations observed in cancers come from modifications in the splicing process, including mutations in pre-mRNA regulatory sequences, mutations in spliceosome components, and altered ratio of specific splicing regulators. While alterations in splice site preferences might generate alternative isoforms enabling different biological functions, these might also be responsible for nonfunctional isoforms that can eventually cause dysregulation in cellular processes. Molecular characteristics of regulatory sequences and proteins might also be important prognostic tools revealing a cancer-specific splicing pattern and linking splicing control to cancer development. The connection between cancer biology and splicing regulation is of primary importance to understand the mechanisms leading to disease and also to improve development of therapeutic approaches. Splicing modulation is being explored in new anti-cancer therapies and further investigation of targeted splicing factors is critical for the success of these strategies. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms RNA-Based Catalysis > RNA Catalysis in Splicing and Translation RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia P Coltri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria G P Dos Santos
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme H G da Silva
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Maniscalco L, Guil-Luna S, Iussich S, Gattino F, Trupia C, Millan Y, de Las Mulas JM, Cespedez RS, Saeki K, Accornero P, De Maria R. Expression of the Short Form of RON/STK in Feline Mammary Carcinoma. Vet Pathol 2018; 56:220-229. [PMID: 30558510 DOI: 10.1177/0300985818806967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RON is a tyrosine kinase receptor activated by the macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) ligand that is overexpressed in human breast cancer. In humans, RON protein can be present in different isoforms, and the most studied isoform is represented by the short form of RON ( sf-RON), which is generated by an alternative promoter located in intron 10 of the RON complementary DNA (cDNA). It plays an important role in breast cancer progression. Considering the many similarities between feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) and human breast cancer, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of both RON and MSP in FMCs and to identify the presence of the sf-RON transcript. Tissue samples of spontaneous mammary tumors were collected from 60 queens (10 benign lesions, 50 carcinomas). All of the samples were tested for RON and MSP expression by immunohistochemistry; moreover, RNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue samples, and the cDNA was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to identify the presence of sf-RON. Immunohistochemistry detected the expression of RON and MSP in 34 of 50 (68%) and 29 of 50 (58%) FMCs, respectively. RT-PCR revealed the presence of the short-form in 18 of 47 (38%) FMCs. This form originates, as in humans, from an alternative promoter (P2), and it codes for the proper feline short form ( sf-RON). sf-RON expression was associated with poorly differentiated tumors and with a shorter disease-free ( P < .05; hazard ratio [HR], 2.2) period and a shorter survival ( P < .05; HR, 2.2). These results support FMC as a suitable model in comparative oncology and identify sf-RON expression as potential predictor of outcomes for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Maniscalco
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Silvia Guil-Luna
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,3 Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, IMIBIC, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Selina Iussich
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Francesca Gattino
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Calogero Trupia
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Yolanda Millan
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juana Martín de Las Mulas
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez Cespedez
- 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Comparative Pathology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - K Saeki
- 4 Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paolo Accornero
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Raffaella De Maria
- 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
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17
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Braun S, Enculescu M, Setty ST, Cortés-López M, de Almeida BP, Sutandy FXR, Schulz L, Busch A, Seiler M, Ebersberger S, Barbosa-Morais NL, Legewie S, König J, Zarnack K. Decoding a cancer-relevant splicing decision in the RON proto-oncogene using high-throughput mutagenesis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3315. [PMID: 30120239 PMCID: PMC6098099 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05748-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations causing aberrant splicing are frequently implicated in human diseases including cancer. Here, we establish a high-throughput screen of randomly mutated minigenes to decode the cis-regulatory landscape that determines alternative splicing of exon 11 in the proto-oncogene MST1R (RON). Mathematical modelling of splicing kinetics enables us to identify more than 1000 mutations affecting RON exon 11 skipping, which corresponds to the pathological isoform RON∆165. Importantly, the effects correlate with RON alternative splicing in cancer patients bearing the same mutations. Moreover, we highlight heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H (HNRNPH) as a key regulator of RON splicing in healthy tissues and cancer. Using iCLIP and synergy analysis, we pinpoint the functionally most relevant HNRNPH binding sites and demonstrate how cooperative HNRNPH binding facilitates a splicing switch of RON exon 11. Our results thereby offer insights into splicing regulation and the impact of mutations on alternative splicing in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Braun
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mihaela Enculescu
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Samarth T Setty
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Bernardo P de Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, Campus Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | | | - Laura Schulz
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anke Busch
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus Seiler
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Nuno L Barbosa-Morais
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Stefan Legewie
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Julian König
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Kathi Zarnack
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
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18
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Brown NE, Sullivan C, Waltz SE. Therapeutic Considerations for Ron Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer. EMS CANCER SCIENCE JOURNAL 2018; 1:003. [PMID: 30775725 PMCID: PMC6377156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Ron receptor tyrosine kinase was initially discovered as a protein which played a critical role in regulating inflammatory responses. This effect was primarily determined through studies in various macrophage populations. Since its initial discovery, a role has emerged for Ron as a driver of cancer within epithelial cells. After numerous publications have detailed a role for Ron in promoting tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis, Ron has been designated as an emerging therapeutic option in a variety of cancers. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the current literature regarding the role of Ron in prostate cancer and places special emphasis on the role of Ron in both epithelial cells and macrophages. Whole body loss of Ron signaling initially exposed a variety of prostate cancer growth mechanisms regulated by Ron. With the knowledge that Ron plays an integral part in regulating the function of epithelial cells and macrophages, studies commenced to discern the cell type specific functions for Ron in prostate cancer. A novel role for Ron in promoting Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer has recently been uncovered, and the results of these studies are summarized herein. Furthermore, this review gives a summary of several currently available compounds which show promise at targeting Ron in both epithelial and macrophage populations. OUTLOOK Sufficient evidence has been provided for the initiation of clinical trials focused on targeting Ron in both macrophage and epithelial compartments for the treatment of prostate cancer. A number of therapeutic avenues for targeting Ron in prostate cancer are currently available; however, special consideration will need to take place knowing that Ron signaling impacts multiple cell types. Further understanding of the cell type specific functions of Ron in prostate cancer will help inform and shape future clinical research and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E. Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Camille Sullivan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Susan E. Waltz
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Research Service, Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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19
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Scully KM, Lahmy R, Signaevskaia L, Sasik R, Medal R, Kim H, French R, James B, Wu Y, Lowy AM, Itkin-Ansari P. E47 Governs the MYC-CDKN1B/p27 KIP1-RB Network to Growth Arrest PDA Cells Independent of CDKN2A/p16 INK4A and Wild-Type p53. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 6:181-198. [PMID: 30003124 PMCID: PMC6039985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Oncogenic mutations in KRAS, coupled with inactivation of p53, CDKN2A/p16INK4A, and SMAD4, drive progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Overexpression of MYC and deregulation of retinoblastoma (RB) further promote cell proliferation and make identifying a means to therapeutically alter cell-cycle control pathways in PDA a significant challenge. We previously showed that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor E47 induced stable growth arrest in PDA cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we identified molecular mechanisms that underlie E47-induced growth arrest in low-passage, patient-derived primary and established PDA cell lines. METHODS RNA sequencing was used to profile E47-dependent transcriptomes in 5 PDA cell lines. Gene Ontology analysis identified cell-cycle control as the most altered pathway. Small interfering RNA/short hairpin RNA knockdown, small-molecule inhibitors, and viral expression were used to examine the function of E47-dependent genes in cell-cycle arrest. Cell morphology, expression of molecular markers, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity assays identified cellular senescence. RESULTS E47 uniformly inhibited PDA cell-cycle progression by decreasing expression of MYC, increasing the level of CDKN1B/p27KIP1, and restoring RB tumor-suppressor function. The molecular mechanisms by which E47 elicited these changes included altering both RNA transcript levels and protein stability of MYC and CDKN1B/p27KIP1. At the cellular level, E47 elicited a senescence-like phenotype characterized by increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and altered expression of senescence markers. CONCLUSIONS E47 governs a highly conserved network of cell-cycle control genes, including MYC, CDKN1B/p27KIP1, and RB, which can induce a senescence-like program in PDA cells that lack CDKN2A/p16INK4A and wild-type p53. RNA sequencing data are available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information GEO at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/; accession number: GSE100327.
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Key Words
- CDK, cyclin-dependent kinase
- CDKN1B/p27KIP1, CDKN1B/p27Kinase Inhibitory Protein 1
- CDKN2A/p16INK4A, CDKN2A/p16Inhibitor of CDK 4A
- CEBP-α, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha
- CENP-A, centromere protein A
- CIP, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1
- Cell Cycle
- DDR, DNA damage response
- ERK, extracellular signal–regulated kinase
- GO, Gene Ontology
- INK, Inhibitor of CDK
- KIP, Kinase Inhibitory Protein
- MSCV, murine stem cell virus
- OIS, oncogene-induced senescence
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- PDA, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
- Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
- RB, retinoblastoma
- RNA-seq, RNA sequencing
- SA-βgal, senescence-associated β-galactosidase
- SKP, S-phase Kinase-associated
- Senescence
- bHLH
- bHLH, basic helix-loop-helix
- lfdr, local false discovery rate
- mRNA, messenger RNA
- shRB, short hairpin RNA directed against RB
- shRNA, short hairpin RNA
- si-p27, small interfering RNA directed against p27
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M. Scully
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Reyhaneh Lahmy
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lia Signaevskaia
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Roman Sasik
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Rachel Medal
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Heejung Kim
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Randall French
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Brian James
- Genomics Core, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Yifan Wu
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Andrew M. Lowy
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Pamela Itkin-Ansari
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
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20
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Han DH, Kang CM, Lee SW, Hwang HK, Lee WJ. A missing link between RON expression and oncological outcomes in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:4225-4230. [PMID: 28943931 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alteration and activation of recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) expression is known to be associated with cancer progression and decreased survival in various types of human cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Therefore, in the present study, RON expression levels were determined in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer to evaluate the potential oncological role of RON in the clinical setting of distal pancreatic cancer. From January 2005 to December 2011, a total of 57 patients underwent radical distal pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer. Ductal adenocarcinoma was confirmed in all patients. Among these patients, 17 patients who received preoperative neoadjuvant treatment and 7 patients without available paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were excluded from the present study. RON expression in a the pancreatic cancer cell lines ASPC-1, BxPC-3, MiaPaCa-3 and Panc-1, as well as in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer specimens was determined by Western blot analysis. RON and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression in resected left-sided pancreatic cancer was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry using pre-diluted anti-RON and anti-VEGF antibodies. An association was identified between the oncological outcome and RON overexpression. Increased levels of RON expression were observed in two pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1 and BxPC-3. RON overexpression was detected in specimens from 15/33 patients (45.5%) using immunohistochemistry. No significant association was identified between RON overexpression and VEGF overexpression (25.5 vs. 87.9%; P=0.667). No significant differences in disease-free survival or disease-specific survival associated with RON overexpression were identified. Although the results of previous studies have suggested that RON is a potential target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, in the present study no association between RON overexpression and any adverse oncological effect was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Hoon Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Moo Kang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Whan Lee
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Kyoung Hwang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Jung Lee
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreaticobiliary Cancer Clinic, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul 120-752, Republic of Korea
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Faham N, Welm AL. RON Signaling Is a Key Mediator of Tumor Progression in Many Human Cancers. COLD SPRING HARBOR SYMPOSIA ON QUANTITATIVE BIOLOGY 2017; 81:177-188. [PMID: 28057847 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2016.81.031377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing body of literature covering RON receptor tyrosine kinase function in different types of human cancers, it is becoming clear that RON has prominent roles in both cancer cells and in the tumor-associated microenvironment. RON not only activates several oncogenic signaling pathways in cancer cells, leading to more aggressive behavior, but also promotes an immunosuppressive, alternatively activated phenotype in macrophages and limits the antitumor immune response. These two unique functions of this oncogene, the strong correlation between RON expression and poor outcomes in cancer, and the high tolerability of a new RON inhibitor make it an exciting therapeutic target, the blocking of which offers an advantage toward improving the survival of cancer patients. Here, we discuss recent findings on the role of RON signaling in cancer progression and its potential in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najme Faham
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
| | - Alana L Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
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22
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Strategies of targeting the extracellular domain of RON tyrosine kinase receptor for cancer therapy and drug delivery. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2016; 142:2429-2446. [PMID: 27503093 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-016-2214-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer is one of the most important life-threatening diseases in the world. The current efforts to combat cancer are being focused on molecular-targeted therapies. The main purpose of such approaches is based on targeting cancer cell-specific molecules to minimize toxicity for the normal cells. RON (Recepteur d'Origine Nantais) tyrosine kinase receptor is one of the promising targets in cancer-targeted therapy and drug delivery. METHODS In this review, we will summarize the available agents against extracellular domain of RON with potential antitumor activities. RESULTS The presented antibodies and antibody drug conjugates against RON in this review showed wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities promising the hope for them entering the clinical trials. CONCLUSION Due to critical role of extracellular domain of RON in receptor activation, the development of therapeutic agents against this region could lead to fruitful outcome in cancer therapy.
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