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Báez-Flores J, Rodríguez-Martín M, Lacal J. The therapeutic potential of neurofibromin signaling pathways and binding partners. Commun Biol 2023; 6:436. [PMID: 37081086 PMCID: PMC10119308 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04815-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromin controls many cell processes, such as growth, learning, and memory. If neurofibromin is not working properly, it can lead to health problems, including issues with the nervous, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems and cancer. This review examines neurofibromin's binding partners, signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets. In addition, it summarizes the different post-translational modifications that can affect neurofibromin's interactions with other molecules. It is essential to investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie neurofibromin variants in order to provide with functional connections between neurofibromin and its associated proteins for possible therapeutic targets based on its biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Báez-Flores
- Laboratory of Functional Genetics of Rare Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mario Rodríguez-Martín
- Laboratory of Functional Genetics of Rare Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jesus Lacal
- Laboratory of Functional Genetics of Rare Diseases, Department of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Salamanca (USAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Ganapathy S, Peng B, Shen L, Yu T, Lafontant J, Li P, Xiong R, Makriyannis A, Chen C. Suppression of PKC causes oncogenic stress for triggering apoptosis in cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 8:30992-31002. [PMID: 28415683 PMCID: PMC5458183 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Gain of functional mutations in ras occurs in more than 30% of human malignancies and in particular 90% of pancreatic cancer. Mutant ras, via activating multiple effector pathways, not only promote cell growth or survival, but also apoptosis, depending upon cell types or circumstances. In order to further study the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by oncogenic ras, we employed the ras loop mutant genes and demonstrated that Akt functioned downstream of Ras in human pancreatic cancer or HPNE cells ectopically expressing mutated K-ras for the induction of apoptosis after the concurrent suppression of PKC α and β. In this apoptotic process, the redox machinery was aberrantly switched on in the pancreatic cancer cells as well as prostate cancer DU145 cells. p73 was phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus, accompanied with UPR activation and induction of apoptosis. The in vitro results were corroborated by the in vivo data. Thus, our study indicated that PKC α and β appeared coping with oncogenic Ras or mutated Akt to maintain the balance of the homeostasis in cancer cells. Once these PKC isoforms were suppressed, the redox state in the cancer cells was disrupted, which elicited persistent oncogenic stress and subsequent apoptotic crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bo Peng
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ling Shen
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tianqi Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean Lafontant
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ping Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,The Institute of Clinic Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rui Xiong
- The Institute of Clinic Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Changyan Chen
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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Ganapathy S, Fagman JB, Shen L, Yu T, Zhou X, Dai W, Makriyannis A, Chen C. Ral A, via activating the mitotic checkpoint, sensitizes cells lacking a functional Nf1 to apoptosis in the absence of protein kinase C. Oncotarget 2016; 7:84326-84337. [PMID: 27741517 PMCID: PMC5356664 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nf1 mutations or deletions are suggested to underlie the tumor predisposition of NF1 (neurofibromatosis type 1) and few treatments are available for treating NF1 patients with advanced malignant tumors. Aberrant activation of Ras in Nf1-deficient conditions is responsible for the promotion of tumorigenesis in NF1. PKC is proven to be an important factor in supporting the viability of Nf1-defected cells, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycerol (HMG, a PKC inhibitor) preferentially sensitizes Nf1-defected cells to apoptosis, via triggering a persistent mitotic arrest. In this process, Ral A is activated. Subsequently, Chk1 is phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus. Silencing Ral A significantly blocks Chk1 nuclear translocation and releases HMG-treated Nf1-deficient cells from mitotic arrest, resulting in the reduction of the magnitude of apoptosis. Thus, our study reveals that PKC is able to maintain the homeostasis or viability of Nf1-defected cells and may serve as a potential target for developing new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johan B Fagman
- The Institute of Clinic Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, SE
| | - Ling Shen
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tianqi Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo, NY, USA
| | | | - Changyan Chen
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
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