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Su P, Yu T, Zhang Y, Huang H, Chen M, Cao C, Kang W, Liu Y, Yu J. Upregulation of MELK promotes chemoresistance and induces macrophage M2 polarization via CSF-1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in gastric cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:287. [PMID: 39135038 PMCID: PMC11320770 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03453-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) stands out as one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting the digestive system, characterized by a substantial incidence rate and mortality. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been implicated in the advancement of various cancer types and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This study aims to delve into the involvement of MELK in chemoresistance and the tumor microenvironment of GC. METHODS The MELK expression was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Lentiviral transfection was employed to establish stable cell lines with either overexpressed or silenced MELK. The impact of MELK on the chemoresistance of GC cells and the polarization of macrophages was investigated through in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Additionally, the correlation between MELK and the cytokines colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), as well as stromal macrophages, was analysed. The prognostic significance of MELK, CSF-1, and CD206 expression levels in clinical samples was further investigated. RESULTS MELK was found to be highly expressed in chemoresistant GC cells and tissues. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo assays indicated that MELK overexpression conferred chemoresistance in GC cells. Additionally, MELK overexpression was observed to induce M2 macrophage polarization via the CSF-1/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thereby contributing to chemoresistance within the tumor microenvironment. The expression of MELK in GC tissues from neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients correlated positively with CSF-1 and CD206. Moreover, patients with higher expression levels of MELK, CSF-1, or CD206 exhibited significantly shorter OS and DFS rates. CONCLUSIONS Our investigation underscores the critical role of MELK in promoting chemoresistance and inducing M2 macrophage polarization in GC. It proposes novel targets and methods for the treatment of GC, as well as prognostic factors for neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Su
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Tian Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yingjing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hongyun Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Moxi Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Can Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Weiming Kang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yuqin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jianchun Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Li X, Gao W, Zhang Y. FOXM1 promotes TGF-β2-induced injury of human lens epithelial cells by up regulating VEGFA expression. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2023; 261:2547-2555. [PMID: 37079092 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06065-6] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore whether Fork head box protein M1 (FOXM1) is involved in TGF-β2-induced injury of human lens epithelial cells and its related mechanism. METHODS Human lens epithelium samples from cataract patients and healthy controls were collected. A cellular epithelial injury model was established by treating HLE-B3 cells with TGF-β2. QPCR, immunoblot assays were performed to detect the levels of FOXM1 in human cataract samples and the lens epithelial injury cell model. FOXM1 siRNA and pcDNA3.1-FOXM1 plasmids were transfected into the cells to knockdown and overexpress FOXM1, respectively. MTT and wound closure and transwell assays were performed to analyze cell proliferation and migration in HLE-B3 cells. Immunoblot assays were also conducted to detect the effects of FOXM1 on EMT, VEGFA and MAPK/ERK signaling. RESULTS We found high expression of FOXM1 in lens tissues of cataract patients. Silencing of FOXM1 in TGF-β2-induced HLE-B3 cells suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and the EMT process. Mechanistically, we found that downregulation of FOXM1 inhibited the VEGFA/MAPK signaling pathway in TGF-β2-induced HLE-B3 cells. CONCLUSION FOXM1 promoted TGF-β2-induced injury of human lens epithelial cells (hLECs) by promoting VEGFA expression. FOXM1 could be a potential drug target for the treatment of ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kashgar Prefecture Second People's Hospital, Kashgar, 844000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kashgar Prefecture Second People's Hospital, Kashgar, 844000, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yanlai Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Lab of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
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3
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Tang BF, Yan RC, Wang SW, Zeng ZC, Du SS. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase in tumor cell and tumor microenvironment: Emerging player and promising therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Lett 2023; 560:216126. [PMID: 36933780 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216126] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a member of the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) protein family, which is widely and highly expressed in multiple cancer types. Through direct and indirect interactions with other proteins, it mediates various cascades of signal transduction processes and plays an important role in regulating tumor cell survival, growth, invasion and migration and other biological functions. Interestingly, MELK also plays an important role in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment, which can not only predict the responsiveness of immunotherapy, but also affect the function of immune cells to regulate tumor progression. In addition, more and more small molecule inhibitors have been developed for the target of MELK, which exert important anti-tumor effects and have achieved excellent results in a number of clinical trials. In this review, we outline the structural features, molecular biological functions, potential regulatory mechanisms and important roles of MELK in tumors and tumor microenvironment, as well as substances targeting MELK. Although many molecular mechanisms of MELK in the process of tumor regulation are still unknown, it is worth affirming that MELK is a potential tumor molecular therapeutic target, and its unique superiority and important role provide clues and confidence for subsequent basic research and scientific transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu-Fu Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruo-Chen Yan
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Si-Wei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Chong Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Suo Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China.
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4
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Ren L, Guo JS, Li YH, Dong G, Li XY. Structural classification of MELK inhibitors and prospects for the treatment of tumor resistance: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Makki Almansour N. Computational Exploration of Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK) As a Cancer Drug Target. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:103335. [PMID: 35769060 PMCID: PMC9235044 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is of vital importance due to its significant role in cancer development and its association with poor prognosis in different cancers. Here, we employed several computer aided drug design approaches to shortlist potential binding molecules of MELK. For virtual screening, asinex oncology library (containing 6334 drugs) and comprehensive marine natural products database (containing approximately 32,000 drugs) were used. The study identified two drug molecules: Top-2 and Top-3 as high affinity binding MELK molecules compared to the control co-crystalized Top-1 inhibitor. Both the shortlisted compounds and the control showed high stable binding free energy and high GOLD score. The compounds and control also reported stable dynamics with root mean square deviations (RMSD) value ∼ 2 Å in 500 ns. Similarly, the MELK active site residues were observed in good stability with the compounds. Further, it was noticed the compounds/control formed multiple hydrogen bonds with the MELK active pocket residues which is the main reason of high intermolecular stability. Atomic level binding free energies determined van der Waals and electrostatic energies to play vital role in stable complex formation. From drug likeness and pharmacokinetics perspective, the compounds are ideal molecules for further investigation. Overall, the results are promising and might be tested in in vivo and in vitro studies against MELK.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Apoptosis is a major mechanism of cancer cell death. Thus, evasion of apoptosis results in therapy resistance. Here, we review apoptosis modulators in cancer and their recent developments, including MDM2 inhibitors and kinase inhibitors that can induce effective apoptosis. RECENT FINDINGS Both extrinsic pathways (external stimuli through cell surface death receptor) and intrinsic pathways (mitochondrial-mediated regulation upon genotoxic stress) regulate the complex process of apoptosis through orchestration of various proteins such as members of the BCL-2 family. Dysregulation within these complex steps can result in evasion of apoptosis. However, via the combined evolution of medicinal chemistry and molecular biology, omics assays have led to innovative inducers of apoptosis and inhibitors of anti-apoptotic regulators. Many of these agents are now being tested in cancer patients in early-phase trials. We believe that despite a sluggish speed of development, apoptosis targeting holds promise as a relevant strategy in cancer therapeutics.
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7
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Functional genomics for breast cancer drug target discovery. J Hum Genet 2021; 66:927-935. [PMID: 34285339 PMCID: PMC8384626 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-021-00962-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that develops through a multistep process via the accumulation of genetic/epigenetic alterations in various cancer-related genes. Current treatment options for breast cancer patients include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy including conventional cytotoxic and molecular-targeted anticancer drugs for each intrinsic subtype, such as endocrine therapy and antihuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapy. However, these therapies often fail to prevent recurrence and metastasis due to resistance. Overall, understanding the molecular mechanisms of breast carcinogenesis and progression will help to establish therapeutic modalities to improve treatment. The recent development of comprehensive omics technologies has led to the discovery of driver genes, including oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, contributing to the development of molecular-targeted anticancer drugs. Here, we review the development of anticancer drugs targeting cancer-specific functional therapeutic targets, namely, MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase), TOPK (T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase), and BIG3 (brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein 3), as identified through comprehensive breast cancer transcriptomics.
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8
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Zhang X, Wang J, Wang Y, Liu G, Li H, Yu J, Wu R, Liang J, Yu R, Liu X. MELK Inhibition Effectively Suppresses Growth of Glioblastoma and Cancer Stem-Like Cells by Blocking AKT and FOXM1 Pathways. Front Oncol 2021; 10:608082. [PMID: 33520717 PMCID: PMC7842085 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.608082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating disease yet no effective drug treatment has been established to date. Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) are insensitive to treatment and may be one of the reasons for the relapse of GBM. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase gene (MELK) plays an important role in the malignant proliferation and the maintenance of GSC stemness properties of GBM. However, the therapeutic effect of targeted inhibition of MELK on GBM remains unclear. This study analyzed the effect of a MELK oral inhibitor, OTSSP167, on GBM proliferation and the maintenance of GSC stemness. OTSSP167 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration of GBM. OTSSP167 treatment reduced the expression of cell cycle G2/M phase-related proteins, Cyclin B1 and Cdc2, while up-regulation the expression of p21 and subsequently induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. OTSSP167 effectively prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice and inhibited tumor cell growth in in vivo mouse models. It also reduced protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation levels by OTSSP167 treatment, thereby disrupting the proliferation and invasion of GBM cells. Furthermore, OTSSP167 inhibited the proliferation, neurosphere formation and self-renewal capacity of GSCs by reducing forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) phosphorylation and transcriptional activity. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of OTSSP167 on the proliferation of GSCs was 4-fold more effective than GBM cells. In conclusion, MELK inhibition suppresses the growth of GBM and GSCs by double-blocking AKT and FOXM1 signals. Targeted inhibition of MELK may thus be potentially used as a novel treatment for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,The Graduate School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yifeng Wang
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Guanzheng Liu
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Huan Li
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiefeng Yu
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Runqiu Wu
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Rutong Yu
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xuejiao Liu
- Institute of Nervous System Diseases, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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9
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Ikeda Y, Sato S, Yabuno A, Shintani D, Ogasawara A, Miwa M, Zewde M, Miyamoto T, Fujiwara K, Nakamura Y, Hasegawa K. High expression of maternal embryonic leucine-zipper kinase (MELK) impacts clinical outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer and its inhibition suppresses ovarian cancer cells growth ex vivo. J Gynecol Oncol 2020; 31:e93. [PMID: 33078598 PMCID: PMC7593222 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2020.31.e93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is receiving an attention as a therapeutic target in various types of cancers. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of MELK expression in ovarian cancer using clinical samples, and assessed the efficacy of a small molecule MELK inhibitor, OTS167, using patient-derived ovarian cancer cells as well as cell lines. Methods Expression levels of MELK in 11 ovarian cancer cell lines were confirmed by western blotting. Inhibitory concentration of OTS167 was determined by colorimetric assay. MELK messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was evaluated in 228 ovarian cancer patients by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Growth inhibition of OTS167 was also evaluated using freshly-isolated primary ovarian cancer cells including spheroid formation condition. Results MELK mRNA expression was significantly higher in ovarian cancer than in normal ovaries (p<0.001), and high MELK mRNA expression was observed in patients with advanced stage, positive ascites cytology and residual tumor size. Patients with high MELK mRNA expression showed shorter progression-free survival (p=0.001). Expression of MELK was also confirmed in 10 of 11 ovarian cancer cell lines tested, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration of MELK inhibitor, OTS167, ranged from 9.3 to 60 nM. Additionally, OTS167 showed significant growth inhibitory effect against patient-derived ovarian cancer cells, regardless of their tumor locations, histologic subtypes and stages. Conclusions We demonstrated MELK as both a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer using clinical ovarian cancer samples. MELK inhibition by OTS167 may be an effective approach to treat ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Ikeda
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan.,Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sho Sato
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Akira Yabuno
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Shintani
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Aiko Ogasawara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Maiko Miwa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Makda Zewde
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosei Hasegawa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan.
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Thangaraj K, Ponnusamy L, Natarajan SR, Manoharan R. MELK/MPK38 in cancer: from mechanistic aspects to therapeutic strategies. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:2161-2173. [PMID: 33010478 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK)/Murine protein serine-threonine kinase 38 (MPK38) is a member of the AMP-related serine-threonine kinase family, which has been reported to be involved in the regulation of many cellular events, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism, partly by phosphorylation and regulation of several signaling molecules. The abnormal expression of MELK has been associated with tumorigenesis and malignant progression in various types of cancer. Currently, several small-molecule inhibitors of MELK are under investigation although only OTS167 has entered clinical trials. In this review, we elaborate on the relative contributions of MELK pathways in the physiological process, their oncogenic role in carcinogenesis, and targeted agents under development for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Thangaraj
- Department of Biochemistry, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai 600025, India
| | - Lavanya Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai 600025, India
| | - Sathan Raj Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai 600025, India
| | - Ravi Manoharan
- Department of Biochemistry, Guindy Campus, University of Madras, Chennai 600025, India.
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Wang W, Wang S, Pan L. Identification of key differentially expressed mRNAs and microRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer using bioinformatics analysis. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:3720-3732. [PMID: 32855723 PMCID: PMC7444408 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9105] [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: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of NSCLC remains to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the differential expression of mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in NSCLC and to determine how these RNA molecules interact with one another to affect disease progression. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified from the GSE18842, GSE32863 and GSE29250 datasets downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO database). Functional and pathway enrichment analysis were performed based on Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. STRING, Cytoscape and MCODE were applied to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and to screen hub genes. The interactions between miRNAs and mRNAs were predicted using miRWalk 3.0 and a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed. The prognostic value of the identified hub genes was then evaluated via Kaplan-Meier survival analyses using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A total of 782 DEGs and 46 DEMs were identified from the 3 GEO datasets. The enriched pathways and functions of the DEGs and target genes of the DEMs included osteoclast differentiation, cell adhesion, response to a drug, plasma membrane, extracellular exosome and protein binding. A subnetwork composed of 11 genes was extracted from the PPI network and the genes in this subnetwork were mainly involved in the cell cycle, cell division and DNA replication. A miRNA-gene regulatory network was constructed with 247 miRNA-gene pairs based on 6 DEMs and 210 DEGs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the expression of ubiquitin E2 ligase C, cell division cycle protein 20, DNA topoisomerase IIα, aurora kinase A and B, cyclin B2, maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase, slit guidance ligand 3, phosphoglucomutase 5, endomucin, cysteine dioxygenase type 1, dihydropyrimidinase-like 2, miR-130b, miR-1181 and miR-127 was significantly associated with overall survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. In the present study, a miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in NSCLC was established, which may provide future avenues for scientific exploration and therapeutic targeting of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, P.R. China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, P.R. China
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, P.R. China
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Jeddo SFA, Wei X, Li K, Li X, Yang Q, Dongol S, Li J. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase serves as a poor prognosis marker and therapeutic target in osteosarcoma. Oncol Rep 2020; 44:1037-1048. [PMID: 32705239 PMCID: PMC7388486 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bones and frequently affects young children and adolescents. There are several challenges associated with treating osteosarcoma owing to the aggressiveness of the disease, as well as the risk of chemoresistance. Numerous studies are being performed with the aim of identifying improved prognostic and therapeutic markers for this malignancy. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is an oncogene that has been studied in several types of cancer in recent years. In the present study, the expression of MELK in osteosarcoma and normal tissue samples was examined, and the effects of MELK expression on osteosarcoma cellular proliferation, metastasis, the cell cycle and apoptosis were demonstrated using CCK-8, wound healing, migration and invasion and apoptosis assays. The role of MELK in cancer progression in osteosarcoma was determined, revealing the association between MELK expression and prognosis of osteosarcoma. It was demonstrated that knockdown of MELK resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro along with potentiation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the effect of the targeted MELK inhibitor, OTSSP167, on tumor progression of osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo was assessed. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that MELK promoted osteosarcoma proliferation and metastasis by regulating PCNA and MMP9 expression via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Thus, the present study revealed the oncogenic role played by MELK, and established MELK as a valuable prognostic and therapeutic marker in osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim F A Jeddo
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xianfu Wei
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Ka Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Samina Dongol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Jianmin Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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MELK Accelerates the Progression of Colorectal Cancer via Activating the FAK/Src Pathway. Biochem Genet 2020; 58:771-782. [DOI: 10.1007/s10528-020-09974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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14
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McDonald IM, Graves LM. Enigmatic MELK: The controversy surrounding its complex role in cancer. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8195-8203. [PMID: 32350113 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.013433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ser/Thr protein kinase MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase) has been considered an attractive therapeutic target for managing cancer since 2005. Studies using expression analysis have indicated that MELK expression is higher in numerous cancer cells and tissues than in their normal, nonneoplastic counterparts. Further, RNAi-mediated MELK depletion impairs proliferation of multiple cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and these growth defects can be rescued with exogenous WT MELK, but not kinase-dead MELK complementation. Pharmacological MELK inhibition with OTS167 (alternatively called OTSSP167) and NVS-MELK8a, among other small molecules, also impairs cancer cell growth. These collective results led to MELK being classified as essential for cancer proliferation. More recently, in 2017, the proliferation of TNBC and other cancer cell lines was reported to be unaffected by genetic CRISPR/Cas9-mediated MELK deletion, calling into question the essentiality of this kinase in cancer. To date, the requirement of MELK in cancer remains controversial, and mechanisms underlying the disparate growth effects observed with RNAi, pharmacological inhibition, and CRISPR remain unclear. Our objective with this review is to highlight the evidence on both sides of this controversy, to provide commentary on the purported requirement of MELK in cancer, and to emphasize the need for continued elucidation of the functions of MELK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA .,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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15
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Chen L, Wei Q, Bi S, Xie S. Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis via Stimulating FOXM1 Signaling in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:10. [PMID: 32047721 PMCID: PMC6997270 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy and is one of the most important cause of cancer related mortalities in the world. However, there is no clinically effective targeted therapeutic drugs for ESCC due to lack of valuable molecular therapeutic targets. In the present study, we investigated the biological function and molecular mechanisms of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) in ESCC. The expression of MELK mRNA and protein was determined in cell lines and clinical samples of ESCC. MTT, focus formation and soft agar assays were carried out to measure cell proliferation and colony formation. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to assess the capacity of tumor cell migration and invasion. Nude mice models of subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis were performed to examine the function of MELK in tumorigenecity and metastasis of ESCC cells. High expression of MELK was observed in ESCC cell line and human samples, especially in the metastatic tumor tissues. Moreover, overexpression of MELK promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and increased the expression and enzyme activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ESCC cells. More importantly, enhanced expression of MELK greatly accelerated tumor growth and lung metastasis of ESCC cells in vivo. In contrast, knockdown of MELK by lentiviral shRNA resulted in an opposite effect both in vitro and in animal models. Mechanistically, MELK facilitated the phosphorylation of FOXM1, leading to activation of its downstream targets (PLK1, Cyclin B1, and Aurora B), and thereby promoted tumorigenesis and metastasis of ESCC cells. In conclusion, MELK enhances tumorigenesis, migration, invasion and metastasis of ESCC cells via activation of FOXM1 signaling pathway, suggesting MELK is a potential therapeutic target for ESCC patients, even those in an advanced stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qiuren Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shuning Bi
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Songqiang Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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16
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Mutant P53 induces MELK expression by release of wild-type P53-dependent suppression of FOXM1. NPJ Breast Cancer 2020; 6:2. [PMID: 31909186 PMCID: PMC6941974 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-019-0143-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and is associated with a poor prognosis due to frequent distant metastasis and lack of effective targeted therapies. Previously, we identified maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) to be highly expressed in TNBCs as compared with ER-positive breast cancers. Here we determined the molecular mechanism by which MELK is overexpressed in TNBCs. Analysis of publicly available data sets revealed that MELK mRNA is elevated in p53-mutant breast cancers. Consistent with this observation, MELK protein levels are higher in p53-mutant vs. p53 wild-type breast cancer cells. Furthermore, inactivation of wild-type p53, by loss or mutation of the p53 gene, increases MELK expression, whereas overexpression of wild-type p53 in p53-null cells reduces MELK promoter activity and MELK expression. We further analyzed MELK expression in breast cancer data sets and compared that with known wild-type p53 target genes. This analysis revealed that MELK expression strongly correlates with genes known to be suppressed by wild-type p53. Promoter deletion studies identified a p53-responsive region within the MELK promoter that did not map to the p53 consensus response elements, but to a region containing a FOXM1-binding site. Consistent with this result, knockdown of FOXM1 reduced MELK expression in p53-mutant TNBC cells and expression of wild-type p53 reduced FOXM1 expression. ChIP assays demonstrated that expression of wild-type p53 reduces binding of E2F1 (a critical transcription factor controlling FOXM1 expression) to the FOXM1 promoter, thereby, reducing FOXM1 expression. These results show that wild-type p53 suppresses FOXM1 expression, and thus MELK expression, through indirect mechanisms. Overall, these studies demonstrate that wild-type p53 represses MELK expression by inhibiting E2F1A-dependent transcription of FOXM1 and that mutation-driven loss of wild-type p53, which frequently occurs in TNBCs, induces MELK expression by suppressing FOXM1 expression and activity in p53-mutant breast cancers.
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17
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McDonald IM, Grant GD, East MP, Gilbert TSK, Wilkerson EM, Goldfarb D, Beri J, Herring LE, Vaziri C, Cook JG, Emanuele MJ, Graves LM. Mass spectrometry-based selectivity profiling identifies a highly selective inhibitor of the kinase MELK that delays mitotic entry in cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:2359-2374. [PMID: 31896573 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011083] [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: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been implicated in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation. RNAi-mediated MELK depletion impairs growth and causes G2/M arrest in numerous cancers, but the mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. Furthermore, the MELK inhibitor OTSSP167 has recently been shown to have poor selectivity for MELK, complicating the use of this inhibitor as a tool compound to investigate MELK function. Here, using a cell-based proteomics technique called multiplexed kinase inhibitor beads/mass spectrometry (MIB/MS), we profiled the selectivity of two additional MELK inhibitors, NVS-MELK8a (8a) and HTH-01-091. Our results revealed that 8a is a highly selective MELK inhibitor, which we further used for functional studies. Resazurin and crystal violet assays indicated that 8a decreases triple-negative breast cancer cell viability, and immunoblotting revealed that impaired growth is due to perturbation of cell cycle progression rather than induction of apoptosis. Using double-thymidine synchronization and immunoblotting, we observed that MELK inhibition delays mitotic entry, which was associated with delayed activation of Aurora A, Aurora B, and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Following this delay, cells entered and completed mitosis. Using live-cell microscopy of cells harboring fluorescent proliferating cell nuclear antigen, we confirmed that 8a significantly and dose-dependently lengthens G2 phase. Collectively, our results provide a rationale for using 8a as a tool compound for functional studies of MELK and indicate that MELK inhibition delays mitotic entry, likely via transient G2/M checkpoint activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Gavin D Grant
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Michael P East
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Thomas S K Gilbert
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Emily M Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Dennis Goldfarb
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; Institute for Informatics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Joshua Beri
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Laura E Herring
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Cyrus Vaziri
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Jeanette Gowen Cook
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Michael J Emanuele
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Core Facility, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599.
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18
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Cigliano A, Pilo MG, Mela M, Ribback S, Dombrowski F, Pes GM, Cossu A, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Utpatel K. Inhibition of MELK Protooncogene as an Innovative Treatment for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2019; 56:E1. [PMID: 31861475 PMCID: PMC7023300 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a pernicious tumor characterized by a dismal outcome and scarce therapeutic options. To substantially improve the prognosis of iCCA patients, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for development and progression of this disease is imperative. In the present study, we aimed at elucidating the role of the maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) protooncogene in iCCA. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the expression of MELK and two putative targets, Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1) and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), in a collection of human iCCA by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effects on iCCA growth of both the multi-kinase inhibitor OTSSP167 and specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) against MELK were investigated in iCCA cell lines. Results: Expression of MELK was significantly higher in tumors than in corresponding non-neoplastic liver counterparts, with highest levels of MELK being associated with patients' shorter survival length. In vitro, OTSSP167 suppressed the growth of iCCA cell lines in a dose-dependent manner by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. These effects were amplified when OTSSP167 administration was coupled to the DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin. Similar results, but less remarkable, were obtained when MELK was silenced by specific siRNA in the same cells. At the molecular level, siRNA against MELK triggered downregulation of MELK and its targets. Finally, we found that MELK is a downstream target of the E2F1 transcription factor. Conclusion: Our results indicate that MELK is ubiquitously overexpressed in iCCA, where it may represent a prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target. In particular, the combination of OTSSP167 (or other, more specific MELK inhibitors) with DNA-damaging agents might be a potentially effective therapy for human iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cigliano
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (D.F.C.); (K.U.)
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (M.G.P.); (M.M.); (S.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Maria Giulia Pilo
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (M.G.P.); (M.M.); (S.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Marta Mela
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (M.G.P.); (M.M.); (S.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (M.G.P.); (M.M.); (S.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Frank Dombrowski
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (M.G.P.); (M.M.); (S.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Giovanni Mario Pes
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonio Cossu
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.M.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (D.F.C.); (K.U.)
| | - Diego Francesco Calvisi
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (D.F.C.); (K.U.)
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany; (M.G.P.); (M.M.); (S.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Kirsten Utpatel
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (M.E.); (D.F.C.); (K.U.)
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19
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Zang X, Qian C, Ruan Y, Xie J, Luo T, Xu B, Jiang J. Higher maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase mRNA expression level is a poor prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients. Biomark Med 2019; 13:1349-1361. [PMID: 31599664 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To elucidate potential prognostic significance of MELK mRNA expression in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients. Methods: A loop algorithm based on R software was used to select genes with the best prognostic value. Mantel-Haenszel method and functional enrichment analysis were used to perform this analysis. Results: MELK mRNA expression level in tumor tissue is significantly higher than that in normal/benign tissue (p < 0.001), and gradually increases from stage I to IV (lung adenocarcinoma: p = 0.011; lung squamous cell carcinoma: p = 0.002), and is negatively correlated with prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients (HR: 2.025 in univariate analysis; HR: 2.162 in multivariate analysis). However, it does not show a significant correlation in lung squamous cell carcinoma patients. Conclusion: MELK is a poor biomarker for non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients and can potentially be used as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Zang
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Chunyan Qian
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Ye Ruan
- Department of Oncology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Junwen Xie
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Ting Luo
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Clinical Trials Research Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province 213000, PR China
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20
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Jeon J, Cheong JH. Clinical Implementation of Precision Medicine in Gastric Cancer. J Gastric Cancer 2019; 19:235-253. [PMID: 31598369 PMCID: PMC6769368 DOI: 10.5230/jgc.2019.19.e25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. Currently, clinical treatment decisions are mostly made based on the extent of the tumor and its anatomy, such as tumor-node-metastasis staging. Recent advances in genome-wide molecular technology have enabled delineation of the molecular characteristics of GC. Based on this, efforts have been made to classify GC into molecular subtypes with distinct prognosis and therapeutic response. Simplified algorithms based on protein and RNA expressions have been proposed to reproduce the GC classification in the clinical field. Furthermore, a recent study established a single patient classifier (SPC) predicting the prognosis and chemotherapy response of resectable GC patients based on a 4-gene real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. GC patient stratification according to SPC will enable personalized therapeutic strategies in adjuvant settings. At the same time, patient-derived xenografts and patient-derived organoids are now emerging as novel preclinical models for the treatment of GC. These models recapitulate the complex features of the primary tumor, which is expected to facilitate both drug development and clinical therapeutic decision making. An integrated approach applying molecular patient stratification and patient-derived models in the clinical realm is considered a turning point in precision medicine in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewook Jeon
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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21
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Nie ML, Han J, Huang HC, Guo T, Huangfu LT, Cheng XJ, Li XM, Du H, Li QD, Wen XZ, Ji JF. The novel lncRNA p4516 acts as a prognostic biomarker promoting gastric cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:5375-5391. [PMID: 31354346 PMCID: PMC6578592 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s201793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Emerging evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in oncogenesis and tumor progression. We previously found a novel lncRNA p4516 which was closely associated with prognosis by preliminary study of lncRNA expression profile from paired tumors and nontumor tissues in 198 gastric cancer (GC) patients. However, the exact biological functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms of p4516 in gastric tumorigenesis still remain unclear. Materials and methods: The RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) analysis, cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA isolation and qRT-PCR were applied to determine the subcellular localization of p4516. Expression levels of p4516 were assessed using qRT-PCR in both GC cell lines and in 142 primary GC tissues. Correlations between p4516 expression and GC patients’ clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were employed to investigate the role of p4516 in proliferation, migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were used to examine the protein expression levels. Results: LncRNA p4516 was mainly localized in the nucleus of GC cells and p4516 tended to have higher expression levels in GC cells compared to the normal gastric mucosa-derived cells GES-1. Furthermore, higher expression levels of p4516 correlated with worse clinical outcomes in GC patients and acted as an independent prognostic biomarker. Functional analysis revealed that p4516 participated in the regulation of GC cell proliferation, invasion and migration both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, p4516 was involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the oncogenic role of novel lncRNA p4516 in the gastric carcinogenesis for the first time. High expression of p4516 may act as prognostic marker in patient with gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lin Nie
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Han
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Han-Chen Huang
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Noncoding RNA, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China.,Centre for Cognitive Machines and Computational Health (CMaCH), The School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Long-Tao Huangfu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Jing Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing-Da Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Zi Wen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Fu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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22
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Chlenski A, Park C, Dobratic M, Salwen HR, Budke B, Park JH, Miller R, Applebaum MA, Wilkinson E, Nakamura Y, Connell PP, Cohn SL. Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK), a Potential Therapeutic Target for Neuroblastoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:507-516. [PMID: 30674566 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) activates pathways that mediate aggressive tumor growth and therapy resistance in many types of adult cancers. Pharmacologic and genomic inhibition of MELK impairs tumor growth and increases sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. On the basis of these promising preclinical studies, early-phase adult clinical trials testing the MELK inhibitor OTS167 are ongoing. To investigate whether MELK is also a therapeutic target in neuroblastoma, we analyzed MELK expression in primary tumors and cell lines, and examined the effects of OTS167 on neuroblastoma growth. In primary tumors, high levels of MELK were associated with advanced stage disease and inferior survival. Higher levels of MELK were also detected in tumorigenic versus nontumorigenic neuroblastoma cell lines, and cells with higher levels of MELK expression were more sensitive to OTS167 than low-MELK expressing cells. OTS167 suppressed the growth of neuroblastoma xenografts, and in a preclinical model of minimal residual disease, survival was prolonged with MELK inhibition. OTS167 treatment downregulated MELK and its target enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a component of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that is known to modulate the DNA damage response. We also show that OTS167 reduced the formation of collapsed replication forks induced by camptothecin or radiation. Taken together, our results indicate that MELK indirectly mediates efficient processing of replication-associated DNA lesions in neuroblastoma, and that OTS167 sensitizes cells to DNA-damaging agents by abrogating this process. Further studies evaluating the activity of combination treatment regimens with OTS167 in neuroblastoma are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chanyoung Park
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marija Dobratic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Helen R Salwen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Brian Budke
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jae-Hyun Park
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ryan Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mark A Applebaum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Emma Wilkinson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Philip P Connell
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Susan L Cohn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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23
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Ma YT, Xing XF, Dong B, Cheng XJ, Guo T, Du H, Wen XZ, Ji JF. Higher autocrine motility factor/glucose-6-phosphate isomerase expression is associated with tumorigenesis and poorer prognosis in gastric cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:4969-4980. [PMID: 30464597 PMCID: PMC6208529 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s177441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) is a glycolytic-related enzyme that inter-converts glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate in the cytoplasm. This protein is also secreted into the extracellular matrix by cancer cells and is, therefore, also called autocrine motility factor (AMF). Methods To clarify the roles of AMF/GPI in gastric cancer (GC), we collected 335 GC tissues and the corresponding adjacent noncancerous tissues, performed immunohistochemical studies, and analyzed the relationship between AMF/GPI expression and the patients’ clinicopathologic features. Results AMF/GPI expression was found to be significantly higher in the GC group than in the corresponding noncancerous tissue group (P<0.001). Additionally, AMF/GPI expression positively associated with a higher TNM stage and poorer prognosis in patients. Through Kaplan–Meier analysis and according to the Oncomine database, we found that AMF/GPI was overexpressed in GC tissues compared to normal mucosa, and the patients with higher AMF/GPI expression had poorer outcomes. We used AMF/GPI-silenced GC cell lines to observe how changes in AMP/GPI affect cellular phenotypes. AMF/GPI knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis, and induced apoptosis in GC cells. Conclusion These findings suggest that AMF/GPI overexpression is involved in carcinogenesis and promotes the aggressive phenotypes of GC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Teng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, , .,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China,
| | - Xiao-Fang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, ,
| | - Bin Dong
- Department of Pathology, Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, ,
| | - Ting Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, ,
| | - Hong Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, ,
| | - Xian-Zi Wen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, ,
| | - Jia-Fu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China, , .,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China,
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24
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Wang J, Wang Y, Shen F, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Zou X, Zhou J, Chen Y. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase: A novel biomarker and a potential therapeutic target of cervical cancer. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5665-5678. [PMID: 30334367 PMCID: PMC6246930 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryo leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors and involved in cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor formation etc However, the biological effects of MELK in cervical cancer are still uninvestigated. This study aimed to explore the expression of MELK in cervical cancer, as well as its effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage repair on cervical cancer cell line in vitro and to provide novel ideas for further improving the clinical efficacy of cervical cancer. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, RT‐qPCR, CCK8, and immunofluorescence techniques were used to detect the expression of MELK in cervical cancer tissues, paracancerous tissues, and cervical cancer cell lines. Several cervical cancer cell lines were treated with MELK knockdown by siRNA and MELK selective inhibitor OTSSP167. The effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and colony formation capacity, and tumor cell DNA damage repair‐related factor were detected in cell lines. Our data showed that the high expression rate of MELK in cervical cancer patients was 56.92%. MELK expression in cervical cancer samples was significantly higher than that in paraneoplastic tissues. Highly expressed MELK correlated with the cervical histopathological grading and greatly increased with the cervical histopathological grading, from normal cervix and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia to cervical cancer. Moreover, the abnormal expression of MELK was related to cervical cancer metastasis at early stage. The knockdown of MELK with siRNA and OTSSP167 had strong inhibition effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, and colony formation of cervical cancer cells. MELK knockdown could also aggravate the DNA damage of cervical cancer cells possibly by homologous recombination repair pathway. Therefore, MELK may be a predicting marker of poor prognosis of cervical cancer and may also be a new therapeutic target for cervical cancer, providing ideas for improving the therapeutic effect of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yamei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fangrong Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanting Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yinghui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xinwei Zou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Youguo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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25
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Meel MH, de Gooijer MC, Guillén Navarro M, Waranecki P, Breur M, Buil LCM, Wedekind LE, Twisk JWR, Koster J, Hashizume R, Raabe EH, Montero Carcaboso A, Bugiani M, van Tellingen O, van Vuurden DG, Kaspers GJL, Hulleman E. MELK Inhibition in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:5645-5657. [PMID: 30061363 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor, for which no effective therapeutic options currently exist. We here determined the potential of inhibition of the maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) for the treatment of DIPG.Experimental Design: We evaluated the antitumor efficacy of the small-molecule MELK inhibitor OTSSP167 in vitro in patient-derived DIPG cultures, and identified the mechanism of action of MELK inhibition in DIPG by RNA sequencing of treated cells. In addition, we determined the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration of OTSSP167 and evaluated its translational potential by treating mice bearing patient-derived DIPG xenografts.Results: This study shows that MELK is highly expressed in DIPG cells, both in patient samples and in relevant in vitro and in vivo models, and that treatment with OTSSP167 strongly decreases proliferation of patient-derived DIPG cultures. Inhibition of MELK in DIPG cells functions through reducing inhibitory phosphorylation of PPARγ, resulting in an increase in nuclear translocation and consequent transcriptional activity. Brain pharmacokinetic analyses show that OTSSP167 is a strong substrate for both MDR1 and BCRP, limiting its BBB penetration. Nonetheless, treatment of Mdr1a/b;Bcrp1 knockout mice carrying patient-derived DIPG xenografts with OTSSP167 decreased tumor growth, induced remissions, and resulted in improved survival.Conclusions: We show a strong preclinical effect of the kinase inhibitor OTSSP167 in the treatment of DIPG and identify the MELK-PPARγ signaling axis as a putative therapeutic target in this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5645-57. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël H Meel
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C de Gooijer
- Division of Pharmacology/Mouse Cancer Clinic, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Miriam Guillén Navarro
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Piotr Waranecki
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Breur
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Levi C M Buil
- Division of Pharmacology/Mouse Cancer Clinic, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laurine E Wedekind
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology Research Group, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jos W R Twisk
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Departments of Neurological Surgery, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Eric H Raabe
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Angel Montero Carcaboso
- Preclinical Therapeutics and Drug Delivery Research Program, Department of Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Olaf van Tellingen
- Division of Pharmacology/Mouse Cancer Clinic, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dannis G van Vuurden
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gertjan J L Kaspers
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Departments of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. .,Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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26
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Wu F, Gao P, Wu W, Wang Z, Yang J, Di J, Jiang B, Su X. STK25-induced inhibition of aerobic glycolysis via GOLPH3-mTOR pathway suppresses cell proliferation in colorectal cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:144. [PMID: 29996891 PMCID: PMC6042396 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0808-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serine/threonine protein kinase 25 (STK25) is critical in regulating whole-body glucose and insulin homeostasis and the accumulation of ectopic lipids. The Warburg effect, also known as aerobic glycolysis, is an essential metabolic characteristic of cancer cells. However, the effects of STK25 on aerobic glycolysis of cancer cells remain unexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of STK25 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The influences of STK25 on the cell proliferation were evaluated by MTT and colony formation assays. The roles of STK25 in aerobic glycolysis were determined by glucose uptake and lactate production assays. The interaction between STK25 and GOLPH3 was detected by co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull-down, and His-tag pull-down assays. Western blot was used to measure the expression of glycolytic genes, and the status of kinases in mTOR pathway. Moreover, a xenograft mouse model was used to investigate the effects of STK25 in vivo. The prognostic significance of STK25 was analyzed using public CRC datasets by a log-rank test. RESULTS STK25 suppressed proliferation, glycolysis and glycolytic gene expression in CRC cells. STK25 interacted with GOLPH3 and mediated glycolysis through GOLPH3-regulated mTOR signaling. Consistent with these observations, silencing of STK25 promoted tumor growth and glycolytic gene expression in an in vivo xenograft mouse model. Moreover, high levels of STK25 correlated with favorable prognosis in patients with CRC. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that STK25 negatively regulates the proliferation and glycolysis via GOLPH3-dependent mTOR signaling. Accordingly, STK25 could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wu
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China.,Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, 010010, China
| | - Pin Gao
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Zaozao Wang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Jiabo Di
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Beihai Jiang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
| | - Xiangqian Su
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
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27
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Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, Zhang Y, Kar A, Razzaghi R, Xu M, Gowan K, Raeburn CD, Albuja-Cruz M, Jones KL, Somerset H, Fishbein L, Leong S, Wierman ME. Elucidating the Role of the Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2532-2544. [PMID: 29790920 PMCID: PMC6669820 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive cancer with a 5-year survival rate <35%. Mortality remains high due to lack of targeted therapies. Using bioinformatic analyses, we identified maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) as 4.1-fold overexpressed in ACC compared with normal adrenal samples. High MELK expression in human tumors correlated with shorter survival and with increased expression of genes involved in cell division and growth. We investigated the functional effects of MELK inhibition using newly developed ACC cell lines with variable MELK expression, CU-ACC1 and CU-ACC2, compared with H295R cells. In vitro treatment with the MELK inhibitor, OTSSP167, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in rates of cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell survival, with relative sensitivity of each ACC cell line based upon the level of MELK overexpression. To confirm a MELK-specific antitumorigenic effect, MELK was inhibited in H295R cells via multiple short hairpin RNAs. MELK silencing resulted in 1.9-fold decrease in proliferation, and 3- to 10-fold decrease in colony formation in soft agar and clonogenicity assays, respectively. In addition, although MELK silencing had no effect on survival in normoxia, exposure to a hypoxia resulted in a sixfold and eightfold increase in apoptosis as assessed by caspase-3 activation and TUNEL, respectively. Together these data suggest that MELK is a modulator of tumor cell growth and survival in a hypoxic microenvironment in adrenal cancer cells and support future investigation of its role as a therapeutic kinase target in patients with ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kiseljak-Vassiliades
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Research Service Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - Yu Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Adwitiya Kar
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Raud Razzaghi
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mei Xu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Katherine Gowan
- Department of Pediatrics, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Maria Albuja-Cruz
- Department of Surgery, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Hilary Somerset
- Department of Pathology, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lauren Fishbein
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Research Service Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - Stephen Leong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Margaret E Wierman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Research Service Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
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28
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Inhibition of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase with OTSSP167 displays potent anti-leukemic effects in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Oncogene 2018; 37:5520-5533. [PMID: 29895969 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0333-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
TP53 pathway defects contributed to therapy resistance and adverse clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which represents an unmet clinical need with few therapeutic options. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a novel oncogene, which plays crucial roles in mitotic progression and stem cell maintenance. OTSSP167, an orally administrated inhibitor targeting MELK, is currently in a phase I/II clinical trial in patients with advanced breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. Yet, no investigation has been elucidated to date regarding the oncogenic role of MELK and effects of OTSSP167 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Previous studies confirmed MELK inhibition abrogated cancer cell survival via p53 signaling pathway. Thus, we aimed to determine the biological function of MELK and therapeutic potential of OTSSP167 in CLL. Herein, MELK over-expression was observed in CLL cells, and correlated with higher WBC count, advanced stage, elevated LDH, increased β2-MG level, unmutated IGHV, positive ZAP-70, deletion of 17p13 and inferior prognosis of CLL patients. In accordance with functional enrichment analyses in gene expression profiling, CLL cells with depletion or inhibition of MELK exhibited impaired cell proliferation, enhanced fast-onset apoptosis, induced G2/M arrest, attenuated cell chemotaxis and promoted sensitivity to fludarabine and ibrutinib. However, gain-of-function assay showed increased cell proliferation and cell chemotaxis. In addition, OTSSP167 treatment reduced phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2. It decreased FoxM1 phosphorylation, expression of FoxM1, cyclin B1 and CDK1, while up-regulating p53 and p21 expression. Taken together, MELK served as a candidate of therapeutic target in CLL. OTSSP167 exhibits potent anti-tumor activities in CLL cells, highlighting a novel molecule-based strategy for leukemic interventions.
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29
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Wang A, Cui M, Qu H, Di J, Wang Z, Xing J, Wu F, Wu W, Wang X, Shen L, Jiang B, Su X. Induction of anti-EGFR immune response with mimotopes identified from a phage display peptide library by panitumumab. Oncotarget 2018; 7:75293-75306. [PMID: 27659529 PMCID: PMC5342741 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in several epithelial tumors. Anti-EGFR humanized monoclonal antibodies, cetuximab and panitumumab, in combination with chemotherapy have improved the prognosis for patients with wild-type RAS tumors. To identify mimotopes of EGFR and develop mimotope-based EGFR vaccines, we screened a phage display peptide library with panitumumab. Two EGFR mimotopes P19 and P26, which could be recognized by panitumumab specifically, were isolated. To enhance the immune responses, we generated recombinant proteins of P19 or P26 fused to a heat-shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70), and evaluated the efficacy of Hsc70-P19 and Hsc70-P26 as vaccines in vivo. Immunization with Hsc70-P19 or Hsc70-P26 fusion protein stimulated the immune system to produce specific antibodies against peptides as well as EGFR. Moreover, antibodies elicited against mimotopes could induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and inhibit the proliferation of EGFR-overexpressing A431 cells. Treatment with Hsc70-P19 and Hsc70-P26 significantly reduced tumor growth in BALB/c transplantable lung cancer models. Although there was no sequence homology between the phage-derived peptides and EGFR by alignments, both peptides mimic the conformational structure of EGFR binding to panitumumab. In conclusion, the mimotopes we identified from phage display peptide library could be promising candidate vaccines for active anti-EGFR immunotherapy against cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidong Wang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Ming Cui
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Hong Qu
- Center for Bioinformatics, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jiabo Di
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Zaozao Wang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jiadi Xing
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Xicheng Wang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Lin Shen
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Beihai Jiang
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Xiangqian Su
- Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery IV, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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30
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Settleman J, Sawyers CL, Hunter T. Challenges in validating candidate therapeutic targets in cancer. eLife 2018; 7:e32402. [PMID: 29417929 PMCID: PMC5805407 DOI: 10.7554/elife.32402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 30 published articles have suggested that a protein kinase called MELK is an attractive therapeutic target in human cancer, but three recent reports describe compelling evidence that it is not. These reports highlight the caveats associated with some of the research tools that are commonly used to validate candidate therapeutic targets in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tony Hunter
- Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaUnited States
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31
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Zhou S, Li GB, Luo L, Zhong L, Chen K, Li H, Jiang XJ, Fu Q, Long X, Bao JK. Structure-based discovery of new maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase inhibitors. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 16:1489-1495. [PMID: 29411820 DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02344h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The new MELK inhibitor16showed no inhibitory effect on cancer growth, but can suppress the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, a key kinase in regulating cancer cell migration and invasion.
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32
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Guan S, Lu J, Zhao Y, Yu Y, Li H, Chen Z, Shi Z, Liang H, Wang M, Guo K, Chen X, Sun W, Bieerkehazhi S, Xu X, Sun S, Agarwal S, Yang J. MELK is a novel therapeutic target in high-risk neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2017; 9:2591-2602. [PMID: 29416794 PMCID: PMC5788662 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is known to modulate intracellular signaling and control cellular processes. However, the role of MELK in oncogenesis is not well defined. In this study, using two microarray datasets of neuroblastoma (NB) patients, we identified that MELK expression is significantly correlated to poor overall survival, unfavorable prognosis, and high-risk status. We found that MELK is a direct transcription target of MYCN and MYC in NB, and MYCN increases MELK expression via direct promoter binding. Interestingly, knockdown of MELK expression significantly reduced the phosphorylation of target protein Retinoblastoma (pRb) and inhibited NB cell growth. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of MELK activity by small-molecule inhibitor OTSSP167 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, anchorage-independent colony formation, blocked cell cycle progression, and induced apoptosis in different NB cell lines including a drug-resistant cell line. Additionally, OTSSP167 suppressed NB tumor growth in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Overall, our data suggest that MELK is a novel therapeutic target for NB and its inhibitor OTSSP167 is a promising drug for further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Guan
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China.,Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jiaxiong Lu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yang Yu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China
| | - Zhenghu Chen
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongcheng Shi
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Haoqian Liang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mopei Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Tumor Chemotherapy and Radiation Sickness, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kevin Guo
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenjing Sun
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Shayahati Bieerkehazhi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Surong Sun
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Wu S, Chen X, Hu C, Wang J, Shen Y, Zhong Z. Up-Regulated Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase Predicts Poor Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in a Chinese Han Population. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:5705-5713. [PMID: 29192136 PMCID: PMC5721591 DOI: 10.12659/msm.907600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been implicated in various types of tumors, but its expression profile and clinicopathologic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Chinese Han people remains unknown. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate the expression pattern of MELK in HCC tissues obtained from a Chinese Han population. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of MELK, from RNA to protein levels, in HCC or disease-free human liver tissues was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays and immunohistochemistry staining, and its prognostic significance was determined based on its impact on HCC patients' survival. RESULTS We found that HCC tissues expressed a higher level of MELK RNA than non-tumor tissues in tumor-related public databases (P<0.001). Hence, we assessed MELK mRNA expression within 32 HCC samples and their adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues in our center. Subsequently, MELK protein expression was evaluated within 101 HCC specimens and 40 disease-free liver tissues. Notably, it revealed that high MELK protein expression was significantly related with tumor number, tumor size, higher pathological tumor-nodule-metastasis stage, vascular invasion, and recurrence (P<0.05, all). Furthermore, elevated MELK protein expression was correlated with decreased overall survival and disease-free survival (P=0.004 and P=0.002, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analysis results show that MELK protein may serve as an independent prognostic indicator for determining prognosis of HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS We found that, in a Chinese Han population, MELK was highly expressed within HCC tissues from RNA to protein levels, and may be a potential independent prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Xujian Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Chundong Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Yiyu Shen
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
| | - Zhengxiang Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China (mainland)
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Bolomsky A, Heusschen R, Schlangen K, Stangelberger K, Muller J, Schreiner W, Zojer N, Caers J, Ludwig H. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase is a novel target for proliferation-associated high-risk myeloma. Haematologica 2017; 103:325-335. [PMID: 29122991 PMCID: PMC5792277 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2017.172973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of high-risk patients is a major challenge in multiple myeloma. This is especially true for patients assigned to the gene expression profiling-defined proliferation subgroup. Although recent efforts have identified some key players of proliferative myeloma, genetic interactions and players that can be targeted with clinically effective drugs have to be identified in order to overcome the poor prognosis of these patients. We therefore examined maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) for its implications in hyper-proliferative myeloma and analyzed the activity of the MELK inhibitor OTSSP167 both in vitro and in vivoMELK was found to be significantly overexpressed in the proliferative subgroup of myeloma. This finding translated into poor overall survival in patients with high vs low MELK expression. Enrichment analysis of upregulated genes in myeloma cells of MELKhigh patients confirmed the strong implications in myeloma cell proliferation. Targeting MELK with OTSSP167 impaired the growth and survival of myeloma cells, thereby affecting central survival factors such as MCL-1 and IRF4 This activity was also observed in the 5TGM.1 murine model of myeloma. OTSSP167 reduced bone marrow infiltration and serum paraprotein levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we revealed a strong link between MELK and other proliferation-associated high-risk genes (PLK-1, EZH2, FOXM1, DEPDC1) and MELK inhibition also impaired the expression of those genes. We therefore conclude that MELK is an essential component of a proliferative gene signature and that pharmacological inhibition of MELK represents an attractive novel approach to overcome the poor prognosis of high-risk patients with a proliferative expression pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnold Bolomsky
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Department of Medicine I, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roy Heusschen
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA-I3, University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Karin Schlangen
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Section for Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria and
| | - Kathrin Stangelberger
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Department of Medicine I, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Wolfgang Schreiner
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Section for Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria and
| | - Niklas Zojer
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Department of Medicine I, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jo Caers
- Laboratory of Hematology, GIGA-I3, University of Liège, Belgium .,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University and CHU of Liège, Belgium
| | - Heinz Ludwig
- Wilhelminen Cancer Research Institute, Department of Medicine I, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
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Pitner MK, Taliaferro JM, Dalby KN, Bartholomeusz C. MELK: a potential novel therapeutic target for TNBC and other aggressive malignancies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:849-859. [PMID: 28764577 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1363183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an unmet need in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients for targeted therapies. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a promising target for inhibition based on the abundance of correlative and functional data supporting its role in various cancer types. Areas covered: This review endeavors to outline the role of MELK in cancer. Studies covering a range of biological functions including proliferation, apoptosis, cancer stem cell phenotypes, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and therapy resistance are discussed here in order to understand the potential of MELK as a clinically significant target for TNBC patients. Expert opinion: Targeting MELK may offer a novel therapeutic opportunity in TNBC and other cancers. Despite the abundance of correlative data, there is still much we do not know. There are a lack of potent, specific inhibitors against MELK, as well as an insufficient understanding of MELK's downstream substrates. Addressing these issues is the first step toward identifying a patient population that could benefit from MELK inhibition in combination with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kathryn Pitner
- a Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Juliana M Taliaferro
- b Division of Medicinal Chemistry , The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy , Austin , TX , USA
| | - Kevin N Dalby
- b Division of Medicinal Chemistry , The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy , Austin , TX , USA
| | - Chandra Bartholomeusz
- a Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology , The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA
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G2/M checkpoint plays a vital role at the early stage of HCC by analysis of key pathways and genes. Oncotarget 2017; 8:76305-76317. [PMID: 29100313 PMCID: PMC5652707 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study was designed to explore the molecular mechanism at the early stage of hepatocarcinoma (HCC) and identify the candidate genes and pathways changed significantly. We downloaded the gene expression file dataset GSE6764 from GEO, adopted the Robust Multi-array Average (RMA) algorithm to preprocess the raw file. 797 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out based on the SAM method using R language. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used to perform canonical pathway analysis in order to calculate the most significantly changed pathways and predict the upstream regulators. In order to confirm the results from the DEGs which based on the individual gene level, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was done from the gene set level and the leading edge analysis was performed to find out the most appeared genes in several gene sets. The PPI network was built using GeneMANIA and the key genes were calculated using cytoHubba plugin based on cytoscape 3.4.0. We found that the Cell Cycle: G2/M DNA damage checkpoint regulation is the top-ranked pathways at the early stage of HCC by IPA. The high expression of several genes including CCNB1, CDC25B, XPO1, GMPS, KPNA2 and MELK is correlated with high risk, poor prognosis and shorter overall survival time in HCC patients by use of Kaplan-Meier Survival analysis. Taken together, our study showed that the G2/M checkpoint plays a vital role at the early HCC and the genes participate in the process may serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis.
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Kohler RS, Kettelhack H, Knipprath-Mészaros AM, Fedier A, Schoetzau A, Jacob F, Heinzelmann-Schwarz V. MELK expression in ovarian cancer correlates with poor outcome and its inhibition by OTSSP167 abrogates proliferation and viability of ovarian cancer cells. Gynecol Oncol 2017; 145:159-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Edupuganti R, Taliaferro JM, Wang Q, Xie X, Cho EJ, Vidhu F, Ren P, Anslyn EV, Bartholomeusz C, Dalby KN. Discovery of a potent inhibitor of MELK that inhibits expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and TNBC cell growth. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:2609-2616. [PMID: 28351607 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in molecularly directed therapy, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, still without a suitable target for specific inhibitors. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is highly expressed in TNBC, where level of overexpression correlates with poor prognosis and an aggressive disease course. Herein, we describe the discovery through targeted kinase inhibitor library screening, and structure-guided design of a series of ATP-competitive indolinone derivatives with subnanomolar inhibition constants towards MELK. The most potent compound, 17, inhibits the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and proliferation of TNBC cells exhibiting selectivity for cells expressing high levels of MELK. These studies suggest that further elaboration of 17 will furnish MELK-selective inhibitors with potential for development in preclinical models of TNBC and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramakrishna Edupuganti
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA; The Targeted Drug Discovery and Development Program, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Juliana M Taliaferro
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Qiantao Wang
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Xuemei Xie
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eun Jeong Cho
- The Targeted Drug Discovery and Development Program, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Fnu Vidhu
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pengyu Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Eric V Anslyn
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Chandra Bartholomeusz
- Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kevin N Dalby
- Division of Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA; The Targeted Drug Discovery and Development Program, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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Calcagno DQ, Takeno SS, Gigek CO, Leal MF, Wisnieski F, Chen ES, Araújo TMT, Lima EM, Melaragno MI, Demachki S, Assumpção PP, Burbano RR, Smith MC. Identification of IL11RA and MELK amplification in gastric cancer by comprehensive genomic profiling of gastric cancer cell lines. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9506-9514. [PMID: 27920471 PMCID: PMC5116594 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i43.9506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To identify common copy number alterations on gastric cancer cell lines.
METHODS Four gastric cancer cell lines (ACP02, ACP03, AGP01 and PG100) underwent chromosomal comparative genome hybridization and array comparative genome hybridization. We also confirmed the results by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using the bacterial artificial chromosome clone and quantitative real time PCR analysis.
RESULTS The amplification of 9p13.3 was detected in all cell lines by both methodologies. An increase in the copy number of 9p13.3 was also confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Moreover, the interleukin 11 receptor alpha (IL11RA) and maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) genes, which are present in the 9p13.3 amplicon, revealed gains of the MELK gene in all the cell lines studied. Additionally, a gain in the copy number of IL11RA and MELK was observed in 19.1% (13/68) and 55.9% (38/68) of primary gastric adenocarcinoma samples, respectively.
CONCLUSION The characterization of a small gain region at 9p13.3 in gastric cancer cell lines and primary gastric adenocarcinoma samples has revealed MELK as a candidate target gene that is possibly related to the development of gastric cancer.
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Park JH, Chung S, Matsuo Y, Nakamura Y. Development of small molecular compounds targeting cancer stem cells. MEDCHEMCOMM 2016; 8:73-80. [PMID: 30108692 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00385k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are indicated to play critical roles in drug resistance, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer. Although molecular targeted therapies have contributed to the improvement of cancer treatments by targeting vulnerable pathways indispensable to the proliferation and survival of cancer cells, no relevant therapeutic modalities targeting CSCs have been developed yet. This review focuses on MELK (maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase), TOPK (T-lymphokine-activated killer cell-originated protein kinase), and TTK (tyrosine threonine kinase), which are over-expressed frequently in human cancers and play indispensable roles in the development and maintenance of cancer stem cells. In addition, we will discuss recently developed small molecules for these protein targets, which have shown remarkable anti-tumor efficacies in several preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hyun Park
- Department of Medicine , The University of Chicago , 900 E 57th street KCBD 6130 , Chicago , IL 60637 , USA . ; ; Tel: +1 773 834 1405
| | - Suyoun Chung
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc. , Kawasaki , 213-0012 , Japan
| | - Yo Matsuo
- OncoTherapy Science, Inc. , Kawasaki , 213-0012 , Japan
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Department of Medicine , The University of Chicago , 900 E 57th street KCBD 6130 , Chicago , IL 60637 , USA . ; ; Tel: +1 773 834 1405.,Department of Surgery , The University of Chicago , Chicago , IL 60637 , USA
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41
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Corso S, Giordano S. How Can Gastric Cancer Molecular Profiling Guide Future Therapies? Trends Mol Med 2016; 22:534-544. [PMID: 27260398 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is the third greatest global cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite its high prevalence, only recently have comprehensive genomic surveys shed light on its molecular alterations. As surgery is the only curative treatment strategy and chemotherapy has shown limited efficacy, new treatments are urgently needed. Many molecular therapies for gastric cancer have entered clinical trials but-apart from Trastuzumab and Ramucirumab-all have failed. We analyze the current knowledge of the genetic 'landscape' of gastric cancers, elaborating on novel, preclinical approaches. We posit that this knowledge lays the basis for identifying bona fide molecular targets and developing solid therapeutic approaches, requiring accurate patient selection and taking advantage of preclinical models to assist clinical development of novel combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Corso
- University of Torino, Department of Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Str. Provinciale 142, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Silvia Giordano
- University of Torino, Department of Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Str. Provinciale 142, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
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