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Petri BJ, Piell KM, Wilt AE, Howser AD, Winkler L, Whitworth MR, Valdes BL, Lehman NL, Clem BF, Klinge CM. MicroRNA regulation of the serine synthesis pathway in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Endocr Relat Cancer 2023; 30:e230148. [PMID: 37650685 PMCID: PMC10546957 DOI: 10.1530/erc-23-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite the successful combination of therapies improving survival of estrogen receptor α (ER+) breast cancer patients with metastatic disease, mechanisms for acquired endocrine resistance remain to be fully elucidated. The RNA binding protein HNRNPA2B1 (A2B1), a reader of N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) in transcribed RNA, is upregulated in endocrine-resistant, ER+ LCC9 and LY2 cells compared to parental MCF-7 endocrine-sensitive luminal A breast cancer cells. The miRNA-seq transcriptome of MCF-7 cells overexpressing A2B1 identified the serine metabolic processes pathway. Increased expression of two key enzymes in the serine synthesis pathway (SSP), phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), correlates with poor outcomes in ER+ breast patients who received tamoxifen (TAM). We reported that PSAT1 and PHGDH were higher in LCC9 and LY2 cells compared to MCF-7 cells and their knockdown enhanced TAM sensitivity in these-resistant cells. Here we demonstrate that stable, modest overexpression of A2B1 in MCF-7 cells increased PSAT1 and PHGDH and endocrine resistance. We identified four miRNAs downregulated in MCF-7-A2B1 cells that directly target the PSAT1 3'UTR (miR-145-5p and miR-424-5p), and the PHGDH 3'UTR (miR-34b-5p and miR-876-5p) in dual luciferase assays. Lower expression of miR-145-5p and miR-424-5p in LCC9 and ZR-75-1-4-OHT cells correlated with increased PSAT1 and lower expression of miR-34b-5p and miR-876-5p in LCC9 and ZR-75-1-4-OHT cells correlated with increased PHGDH. Transient transfection of these miRNAs restored endocrine-therapy sensitivity in LCC9 and ZR-75-1-4-OHT cells. Overall, our data suggest a role for decreased A2B1-regulated miRNAs in endocrine resistance and upregulation of the SSP to promote tumor progression in ER+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J. Petri
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Kellianne M. Piell
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Ali E. Wilt
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Alexa D. Howser
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Laura Winkler
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Mattie R. Whitworth
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Bailey L. Valdes
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Norman L. Lehman
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
- The Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Brian F. Clem
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
- The Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Carolyn M. Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
- The Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
- University of Louisville Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS)
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2
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Scherbakov AM, Basharina AA, Sorokin DV, Mikhaevich EI, Mizaeva IE, Mikhaylova AL, Bogush TA, Krasil’nikov MA. Targeting hormone-resistant breast cancer cells with docetaxel: a look inside the resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:103-115. [PMID: 37065867 PMCID: PMC10099602 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Aim: The study aims to analyze the effect of long-term incubation of ERα-positive MCF7 breast cancer cells with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (HT) on their sensitivity to tubulin polymerization inhibitor docetaxel. Methods: The analysis of cell viability was performed by the MTT method. The expression of signaling proteins was analyzed by immunoblotting and flow cytometry. ERα activity was evaluated by gene reporter assay. To establish hormone-resistant subline MCF7, breast cancer cells were treated with 4-hydroxytamoxifen for 12 months. Results: The developed MCF7/HT subline has lost sensitivity to 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and the resistance index was 2. Increased Akt activity (2.2-fold) and decreased ERα expression (1.5-fold) were revealed in MCF7/HT cells. The activity of the estrogen receptor α was reduced (1.5-fold) in MCF7/HT. Evaluation of class III β-tubulin expression (TUBB3), a marker associated with metastasis, revealed the following trends: higher expression of TUBB3 was detected in triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells compared to hormone-responsive MCF7 cells (P < 0.05). The lowest expression of TUBB3 was found in hormone-resistant MCF7/HT cells (MCF7/HT < MCF7 < MDA-MB-231, approximately 1:2:4). High TUBB3 expression strongly correlated with docetaxel resistance: IC50 value of docetaxel for MDA-MB-231 cells was greater than that for MCF7 cells, whereas resistant MCF7/HT cells were the most sensitive to the drug. The accumulation of cleaved PARP (a 1.6-fold increase) and Bcl-2 downregulation (1.8-fold) were more pronounced in docetaxel-treated resistant cells (P < 0.05). The expression of cyclin D1 decreased (2.8-fold) only in resistant cells after 4 nM docetaxel treatment, while this marker was unchanged in parental MCF7 breast cancer cells. Conclusion: Further development of taxane-based chemotherapy for hormone-resistant cancer looks highly promising, especially for cancers with low TUBB3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Scherbakov
- Department of Experimental Tumor Biology, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
- Correspondence to: Dr. Alexander M. Scherbakov, Department of Experimental Tumor Biology, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoye shosse 24 bldg.15, Moscow 115522, Russia. E-mail:
| | - Anna A. Basharina
- Group of Molecular Tumor Markers, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
| | - Danila V. Sorokin
- Department of Experimental Tumor Biology, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina I. Mikhaevich
- Department of Experimental Tumor Biology, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
| | - Iman E. Mizaeva
- Group of Molecular Tumor Markers, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
| | - Alexandra L. Mikhaylova
- Department of Experimental Tumor Biology, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana A. Bogush
- Group of Molecular Tumor Markers, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail A. Krasil’nikov
- Department of Experimental Tumor Biology, Blokhin N.N. National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115522, Russian Federation
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Lu C, Yang Y, Lingmei L, Qiujuan H, Qianru G, Lisha Q, Wenfeng C, Yun N, Peisen Z. Identification of hub genes in AR-induced tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 197:71-82. [PMID: 36334189 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06788-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 30% of patients with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC) exhibit intrinsic or recurrent resistance to tamoxifen (TAM) adjuvant endocrine therapy. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in about 90% of ER-positive patients. Our previous studies found that BC patients with an AR:ER expression ratio ≥ 2.0 are more susceptible to TAM resistance. However, the specific mechanism by which a high AR:ER ratio promotes TAM resistance remains unknown. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed on 10 cases of BC tissues with AR:ER ratios ≥ 2.0 and 3 cases with AR:ER ratios < 2.0. We then compared our data with the screened TAM-resistant and TAM-sensitive cases from the TCGA BC database. Bioinformatics methods were used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and to perform gene enrichment analysis. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was used to screen hub genes in the AR-induced TAM resistance process. RESULTS PAM50 analysis showed that the molecular phenotype of BC patients with AR:ER ratios ≥ 2.0 was similar to that of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), whereas the BC samples with AR:ER ratios < 2.0 were classified as the luminal subtype. Among the AR:ER ratio ≥ 2.0 and AR:ER < 2.0 BC tumours, 1855 DEGs were identified. Gene enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were enriched mainly in proliferation-related molecular pathways, such as the cell cycle, necroptosis, metabolic pathways and DNA replication. WGCNA analysis showed that SEC14L2, RIIAD1, STC2 and MAGEA6 served as hub genes in AR-induced TAM resistance and were associated with BC survival prognosis in the TCGA cohort. CONCLUSIONS A high AR:ER expression ratio is a biomarker for patients who might develop TAM resistance, and AR expression seems to be a possible mechanism of resistance to endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cao Lu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Li Lingmei
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Huang Qiujuan
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Guo Qianru
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qi Lisha
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Cao Wenfeng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Niu Yun
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Zhang Peisen
- Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300222, China.
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Suba Z. Rosetta Stone for Cancer Cure: Comparison of the Anticancer Capacity of Endogenous Estrogens, Synthetic Estrogens and Antiestrogens. Oncol Rev 2023; 17:10708. [PMID: 37152665 PMCID: PMC10154579 DOI: 10.3389/or.2023.10708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This work presents the history of the recognition of principal regulatory capacities of estrogen hormones having been mistakenly regarded as breast cancer promoting agents for more than 120 years. Comprehensive analysis of the results of clinical, epidemiological, immunological and molecular studies justified that endogenous estrogens are the principal regulators of embryonic development, survival and reproduction via orchestrating appropriate expression and even edition of all genes in mammalians. Medical use of chemically modified synthetic estrogens caused toxic complications; thromboembolic events and increased cancer risk in female organs as they proved to be endocrine disruptors deregulating estrogen receptors (ERs) rather than their activators. Synthetic estrogen treatment exhibits ambiguous correlations with cancer risk at different sites, which may be attributed to an inhibition of the unliganded activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) coupled with compensatory liganded activation. The principle of estrogen induced breast cancer led to the introduction of antiestrogen therapies against this tumor; inhibition of the liganded activation of estrogen receptors and aromatase enzyme activity. The initial enthusiasm turned into disappointment as the majority of breast cancers proved to be primarily resistant to antiestrogens. In addition, nearly all patients showing earlier good tumor responses to endocrine therapy, later experienced secondary resistance leading to metastatic disease and fatal outcome. Studying the molecular events in tumors responsive and unresponsive to antiestrogen therapy, it was illuminated that a complete inhibition of liganded ER activation stimulates the growth of cancers, while a successful compensatory upregulation of estrogen signal may achieve DNA restoration, tumor regression and patient's survival. Recognition of the principal role of endogenous estrogens in gene expression, gene edition and DNA repair, estrogen treatment and stimulation of ER expression in patients may bring about a great turn in medical practice.
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Halim F, Azhar Y, Suwarman S, Hernowo B. p53 Mutation as Plausible Predictor for Endocrine Resistance Therapy in Luminal Breast Cancer. F1000Res 2022; 11:330. [PMID: 36519010 PMCID: PMC9718986 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.108628.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine therapy resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer is a significant issue to be tackled, but currently, no specific biomarker could be used to anticipate this event. p53 mutation is widely known as one of Breast Cancer's most prominent genetic alterations. Its mutation could generate various effects in Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Receptor molecular works, tangled in events leading to the aggravation of endocrine therapy resistance. Hence the possibility of p53 mutation utilization as an endocrine therapy resistance predictive biomarker is plausible. The purpose of this review is to explore the latest knowledge of p53 role in Estrogen Receptor and Progesterone Receptor molecular actions, thus aggravating the Endocrine Therapy resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer, from which we could define possibilities and limitations to utilize p53 as the predictive biomarker of endocrine therapy resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freda Halim
- Department of Surgery, Pelita Harapan University, Tangerang, Indonesia,
| | - Yohana Azhar
- Department of Surgery - Oncology, Head and Neck Division, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Universitas Padjajaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Suwarman Suwarman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Universitas Padjajaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Bethy Hernowo
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Universitas Padjajaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
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Ozyurt R, Ozpolat B. Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-Estrogen Therapy Resistance and Novel Targeted Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5206. [PMID: 36358625 PMCID: PMC9655708 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, constituting one-third of all cancers in women, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Anti-estrogen therapies, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators, significantly improve survival in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC patients, which represents about 70% of cases. However, about 60% of patients inevitably experience intrinsic or acquired resistance to anti-estrogen therapies, representing a major clinical problem that leads to relapse, metastasis, and patient deaths. The resistance mechanisms involve mutations of the direct targets of anti-estrogen therapies, compensatory survival pathways, as well as alterations in the expression of non-coding RNAs (e.g., microRNA) that regulate the activity of survival and signaling pathways. Although cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have significantly improved survival, the efficacy of these therapies alone and in combination with anti-estrogen therapy for advanced ER+ BC, are not curative in advanced and metastatic disease. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms causing treatment resistance is critical for developing highly effective therapies and improving patient survival. This review focuses on the key mechanisms that contribute to anti-estrogen therapy resistance and potential new treatment strategies alone and in combination with anti-estrogen drugs to improve the survival of BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumeysa Ozyurt
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Nanomedicine, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bulent Ozpolat
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Nanomedicine, 6670 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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7
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Zhuang T, Wang B, Tan X, Wu L, Li X, Li Z, Cai Y, Fan R, Yang X, Zhang C, Xia Y, Niu Z, Liu B, Cao Q, Ding Y, Zhou Z, Huang Q, Yang H. TRIM3 facilitates estrogen signaling and modulates breast cancer cell progression. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:45. [PMID: 35392925 PMCID: PMC8991925 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00861-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. More than 70% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor (ER) alpha positive. Compared with ER alpha-negative breast cancer, which is more aggressive and has a shorter survival time, ER alpha-positive breast cancer could benefit from endocrine therapy. Selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as tamoxifen, are widely used in endocrine therapy. Approximately half of ER alpha-positive breast cancer patients will eventually develop endocrine resistance, making it a major clinical challenge in therapy. Thus, decoding the throughput of estrogen signaling, including the control of ER alpha expression and stability, is critical for the improvement of breast cancer therapeutics. METHODS TRIM3 and ER alpha protein expression levels were measured by western blotting, while the mRNA levels of ER alpha target genes were measured by RT-PCR. A CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability. RNA sequencing data were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Identification of ER alpha signaling activity was accomplished with luciferase assays, RT-PCR and western blotting. Protein stability assays and ubiquitin assays were used to detect ER alpha protein degradation. Ubiquitin-based immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the specific ubiquitination modification on the ER alpha protein. RESULTS In our current study, we found that TRIM3, an E3 ligase, can promote ER alpha signaling activity and breast cancer progression. TRIM3 depletion inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation and migration, while unbiased RNA sequencing data indicated that TRIM3 is required for the activity of estrogen signaling on the -genome-wide scale. The immunoprecipitation assays indicated that TRIM3 associates with ER alpha and promotes its stability, possibly by inducing K63-linked polyubiquitination of ER alpha. In conclusion, our data implicate a nongenomic mechanism by which TRIM3 stabilizes the ER alpha protein to control ER alpha target gene expression linked to breast cancer progression. CONCLUSION Our study provides a novel posttranslational mechanism in estrogen signaling. Modulation of TRIM3 expression or function could be an interesting approach for breast cancer treatment. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhuang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Beibei Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Tan
- Department of Oncology, Dong Ying People' S Hospital, Dongying, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Wu
- College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongbo Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqing Cai
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongrong Fan
- Department of Bioscience and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, 14157, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Xiao Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenmiao Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Xia
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiguo Niu
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingtian Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Cao
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinlu Ding
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhipeng Zhou
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qingsong Huang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huijie Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration, Invasion and Precision Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Fan P, Jordan VC. Estrogen Receptor and the Unfolded Protein Response: Double-Edged Swords in Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Target Oncol 2022; 17:111-124. [PMID: 35290592 PMCID: PMC9007905 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-022-00870-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a target for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer patients. Paradoxically, it is also the initial site for estrogen (E2) to induce apoptosis in endocrine-resistant breast cancer. How ERα exhibits distinct functions, in different contexts, is the focus of numerous investigations. Compelling evidence demonstrated that unfolded protein response (UPR) is closely correlated with ER-positive breast cancer. Treatment with antiestrogens initially induces mild UPR through ERα with activation of three sensors of UPR-PRK-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6)-in the endoplasmic reticulum. Subsequently, these sensors interact with stress-associated transcription factors such as c-MYC, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), leading to acquired endocrine resistance. Paradoxically, E2 further activates sustained secondary UPR via ERα to induce apoptosis in endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Specifically, PERK plays a key role in inducing apoptosis, whereas IRE1α and ATF6 are involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated degradation after E2 treatment. Furthermore, persistent activation of PERK deteriorates stress responses in mitochondria and triggers of NF-κB/tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) axis, ultimately determining cell fate to apoptosis. The discovery of E2-induced apoptosis has clinical relevance for treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer. All of these findings demonstrate that ERα and associated UPR are double-edged swords in therapy for ER-positive breast cancer, depending on the duration and intensity of UPR stress. Herein, we address the mechanistic progress on how UPR leads to endocrine resistance and commits E2 to inducing apoptosis in endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Fan
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Unit 1354, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA
| | - V Craig Jordan
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Unit 1354, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas, TX 77030, USA.
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9
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Vafeiadou V, Hany D, Picard D. Hyperactivation of MAPK Induces Tamoxifen Resistance in SPRED2-Deficient ERα-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040954. [PMID: 35205702 PMCID: PMC8870665 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tamoxifen has been used for more than 40 years to treat breast tumors that are dependent on the hormone estrogen for their growth. However, resistance and recurrence of the tumors during the course of the treatment are common. Understanding the mechanisms that drive tamoxifen resistance and discovering new biomarkers for early detection are keys for designing appropriate personalized therapies. Here, we show that low levels of SPRED2 may be useful as a novel biomarker of tamoxifen resistance. We found that SPRED2 deficiency causes a hyperactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/ERK2, which in turn enhances estrogen signaling and diminishes the toxic effects of tamoxifen on breast cancer cells. Treatment with the ERK1/2 inhibitor, ulixertinib, could restore their sensitivity to tamoxifen. Therefore, we propose that patients with estrogen-dependent breast cancer characterized by low expression levels of SPRED2 may be candidates for a combination therapy with tamoxifen and ulixertinib. Abstract Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Most breast tumors depend on the expression of the estrogen receptor α (ERα) for their growth. For this reason, targeting ERα with antagonists such as tamoxifen is the therapy of choice for most patients. Although initially responsive to tamoxifen, about 40% of the patients will develop resistance and ultimately a recurrence of the disease. Thus, finding new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches to treatment-resistant tumors is of high significance. SPRED2, an inhibitor of the MAPK signal transduction pathway, has been found to be downregulated in various cancers. In the present study, we found that SPRED2 is downregulated in a large proportion of breast-cancer patients. Moreover, the knockdown of SPRED2 significantly increases cell proliferation and leads to tamoxifen resistance of breast-cancer cells that are initially tamoxifen-sensitive. We found that resistance occurs through increased activation of the MAPKs ERK1/ERK2, which enhances the transcriptional activity of ERα. Treatment of SPRED2-deficient breast cancer cells with a combination of the ERK 1/2 inhibitor ulixertinib and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) can inhibit cell growth and proliferation and overcome the induced tamoxifen resistance. Taken together, these results indicate that SPRED2 may also be a tumor suppressor for breast cancer and that it is a key regulator of cellular sensitivity to 4-OHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Vafeiadou
- Département de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (V.V.); (D.H.)
| | - Dina Hany
- Département de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (V.V.); (D.H.)
- On leave from: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria 21311, Egypt
| | - Didier Picard
- Département de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland; (V.V.); (D.H.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Nagy Z, Jeselsohn R. ESR1 fusions and therapeutic resistance in metastatic breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1037531. [PMID: 36686845 PMCID: PMC9848494 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1037531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent female malignant tumor, and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The most common subtype of breast cancer is hormone receptor positive that expresses the estrogen receptor (ER). Targeting ER with endocrine therapy (ET) is the current standard of care for ER positive (ER+) breast cancer, reducing mortality by up to 40% in early- stage disease. However, resistance to ET represents a major clinical challenge for ER+ breast cancer patients leading to disease recurrence or progression of metastatic disease. Salient drivers of ET resistance are missense mutations in the ER gene (ESR1) leading to constitutive transcriptional activity and reduced ET sensitivity. These mutations are particularly prominent and deleterious in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In addition to activating ESR1 point mutations, emerging evidence imposes that chromosomal translocation involving the ESR1 gene can also drive ET resistance through the formation of chimeric transcription factors with constitutive transcriptional activity. Although these ESR1 gene fusions are relatively rare, they are enriched in ET resistant metastatic disease. This review discusses the characteristics of ER fusion proteins and their association with clinical outcomes in more aggressive and metastatic breast cancer. The structure and classification of ER fusion proteins based on function and clinical significance are also addressed. Finally, this review summarizes the metastatic phenotypes exhibited by the ER fusion proteins and their role in intrinsic ET resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Rinath Jeselsohn, ; Zsuzsanna Nagy,
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Rinath Jeselsohn, ; Zsuzsanna Nagy,
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11
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Escher TE, Dandawate P, Sayed A, Hagan CR, Anant S, Lewis-Wambi J. Enhanced IFNα Signaling Promotes Ligand-Independent Activation of ERα to Promote Aromatase Inhibitor Resistance in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5130. [PMID: 34680281 PMCID: PMC8534010 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) reduce estrogen levels up to 98% as the standard practice to treat postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. However, approximately 30% of ER+ breast cancers develop resistance to treatment. Enhanced interferon-alpha (IFNα) signaling is upregulated in breast cancers resistant to AIs, which drives expression of a key regulator of survival, interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1). However, how upregulated IFNα signaling mediates AI resistance is unknown. In this study, we utilized MCF-7:5C cells, a breast cancer cell model of AI resistance, and demonstrate that these cells exhibit enhanced IFNα signaling and ligand-independent activation of the estrogen receptor (ERα). Experiments demonstrated that STAT1, the mediator of intracellular signaling for IFNα, can interact directly with ERα. Notably, inhibition of IFNα signaling significantly reduced ERα protein expression and ER-regulated genes. In addition, loss of ERα suppressed IFITM1 expression, which was associated with cell death. Notably, chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments validated that both ERα and STAT1 associate with ERE sequences in the IFITM1 promoter. Overall, hyperactivation of IFNα signaling enhances ligand-independent activation of ERα, which promotes ER-regulated, and interferon stimulated gene expression to promote survival in AI-resistant breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E. Escher
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (T.E.E.); (P.D.); (A.S.); (C.R.H.); (S.A.)
| | - Prasad Dandawate
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (T.E.E.); (P.D.); (A.S.); (C.R.H.); (S.A.)
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Afreen Sayed
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (T.E.E.); (P.D.); (A.S.); (C.R.H.); (S.A.)
| | - Christy R. Hagan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (T.E.E.); (P.D.); (A.S.); (C.R.H.); (S.A.)
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Shrikant Anant
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (T.E.E.); (P.D.); (A.S.); (C.R.H.); (S.A.)
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Joan Lewis-Wambi
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA; (T.E.E.); (P.D.); (A.S.); (C.R.H.); (S.A.)
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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12
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Bhukta S, Gopinath P, Dandela R. Target identification of anticancer natural products using a chemical proteomics approach. RSC Adv 2021; 11:27950-27964. [PMID: 35480761 PMCID: PMC9038044 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra04283a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a strong demand worldwide for the identification and development of potential anticancer drugs based on natural products. Natural products have been explored for their diverse biological and therapeutic applications from ancient time. In order to enhance the efficacy and selectivity and to minimize the undesired side effects of anti cancer natural products (ANPs), it is essential to understand their target proteins and their mechanistic pathway. Chemical proteomics is one of the most powerful tools to connect ANP target identification and quantification where labeling and non-labeling based approaches have been used. Herein, we have discussed the various strategies to systemically develop selective ANP based chemical probes to characterise their specific and non-specific target proteins using a chemical proteomic approach in various cancer cell lysates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swadhapriya Bhukta
- Department of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology Indianoil Odisha Campus, Samantpuri Bhubaneswar 751013 India
| | - Pushparathinam Gopinath
- Department of Chemistry, SRM-Institute of Science and Technology Kattankulathur 603203 Chennai Tamilnadu India
| | - Rambabu Dandela
- Department of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology Indianoil Odisha Campus, Samantpuri Bhubaneswar 751013 India
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13
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Souza SA, Held A, Lu WJ, Drouhard B, Avila B, Leyva-Montes R, Hu M, Miller BR, Ng HL. Mechanisms of allosteric and mixed mode aromatase inhibitors. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:892-905. [PMID: 34458816 PMCID: PMC8341375 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00046b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aromatase (CYP19) catalyzes the last biosynthetic step of estrogens in mammals and is a primary drug target for hormone-related breast cancer. However, treatment with aromatase inhibitors is often associated with adverse effects and drug resistance. In this study, we used virtual screening targeting a predicted cytochrome P450 reductase binding site on aromatase to discover four novel non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. The inhibitors have potencies comparable to the noncompetitive tamoxifen metabolite, endoxifen. Our two most potent inhibitors, AR11 and AR13, exhibit both mixed-type and competitive-type inhibition. The cytochrome P450 reductase-CYP19 coupling interface likely acts as a transient binding site. Our modeling shows that our inhibitors bind better at different sites near the catalytic site. Our results predict the location of multiple ligand binding sites on aromatase. The combination of modeling and experimental results supports the important role of the reductase binding interface as a low affinity, promiscuous ligand binding site. Our new inhibitors may be useful as alternative chemical scaffolds that may show different adverse effects profiles than current clinically used aromatase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson A Souza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University Manhattan KS USA
| | - Abby Held
- Department of Chemistry, Truman State University Kirksville MO USA
| | - Wenjie J Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Honolulu HI USA
| | - Brendan Drouhard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University Manhattan KS USA
| | - Bryant Avila
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University Manhattan KS USA
| | - Raul Leyva-Montes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University Manhattan KS USA
| | - Michelle Hu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Honolulu HI USA
| | - Bill R Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Truman State University Kirksville MO USA
| | - Ho Leung Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University Manhattan KS USA
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14
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Lainé M, Fanning SW, Chang YF, Green B, Greene ME, Komm B, Kurleto JD, Phung L, Greene GL. Lasofoxifene as a potential treatment for therapy-resistant ER-positive metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:54. [PMID: 33980285 PMCID: PMC8117302 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01431-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endocrine therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Constitutively active mutations in the ligand binding domain of ERα render tumors resistant to endocrine agents. Breast cancers with the two most common ERα mutations, Y537S and D538G, have low sensitivity to fulvestrant inhibition, a typical second-line endocrine therapy. Lasofoxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator with benefits on bone health and breast cancer prevention potential. This study investigated the anti-tumor activity of lasofoxifene in breast cancer xenografts expressing Y537S and D538G ERα mutants. The combination of lasofoxifene with palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, was also evaluated. Methods Luciferase-GFP tagged MCF7 cells bearing wild-type, Y537S, or D538G ERα were injected into the mammary ducts of NSG mice (MIND model), which were subsequently treated with lasofoxifene or fulvestrant as single agents or in combination with palbociclib. Tumor growth and metastasis were monitored with in vivo and ex vivo luminescence imaging, terminal tumor weight measurements, and histological analysis. Results As a monotherapy, lasofoxifene was more effective than fulvestrant at inhibiting primary tumor growth and reducing metastases. Adding palbociclib improved the effectiveness of both lasofoxifene and fulvestrant for tumor suppression and metastasis prevention at four distal sites (lung, liver, bone, and brain), with the combination of lasofoxifene/palbociclib being generally more potent than that of fulvestrant/palbociclib. X-ray crystallography of the ERα ligand binding domain (LBD) shows that lasofoxifene stabilizes an antagonist conformation of both wild-type and Y537S LBD. The ability of lasofoxifene to promote an antagonist conformation of Y537S, combined with its long half-life and bioavailability, likely contributes to the observed potent inhibition of primary tumor growth and metastasis of MCF7 Y537S cells. Conclusions We report for the first time the anti-tumor activity of lasofoxifene in mouse models of endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer. The results demonstrate the potential of using lasofoxifene as an effective therapy for women with advanced or metastatic ER+ breast cancers expressing the most common constitutively active ERα mutations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-021-01431-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Lainé
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Ya-Fang Chang
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Bradley Green
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Marianne E Greene
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Barry Komm
- Komm-Sandin Pharma Consulting, Newtown Square, PA, USA
| | - Justyna D Kurleto
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Linda Phung
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Geoffrey L Greene
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, GCIS W421C, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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15
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Knox AK, Kalchschmid C, Schuster D, Gaggia F, Gust R. Heterodimeric GW7604 Derivatives: Modification of the Pharmacological Profile by Additional Interactions at the Coactivator Binding Site. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5766-5786. [PMID: 33904307 PMCID: PMC8279417 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02230] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
(E/Z)-3-(4-((E)-1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylbut-1-enyl)phenyl)acrylic
acid (GW7604)
as a derivative of (Z)-4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT)
was linked by diaminoalkane spacers to molecules that are known binders
to the coactivator binding site (benzimidazole or thioxo-quinazolinone
scaffolds). With this modification, an optimization of the pharmacological
profile was achieved. The most active thioxo-quinazolinone derivative 16 showed extraordinarily high affinity to the estrogen receptor
(ER) β (RBA = 110%), inhibited effectively the coactivator recruitment
(IC50 = 20.88 nM (ERα) and 28.34 nM (ERβ)),
acted as a pure estradiol (E2) antagonist in a transactivation assay
(IC50 = 18.5 nM (ERα) and 7.5 nM (ERβ)), and
downregulated the ERα content in MCF-7 cells with an efficacy
of 60% at 1 μM. The cytotoxicity was restricted to hormone-dependent
MCF-7 (IC50 = 4.2 nM) and tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7TamR
cells (IC50 = 476.6 nM). The compounds bearing a thioxo-quinazolinone
moiety can therefore be assigned as pure E2-antagonistic selective
ER degraders/downregulators. By contrast, the benzimidazole derivatives
acted solely as pure antagonists without degradation of the ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K Knox
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, CMBI - Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, CCB - Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christina Kalchschmid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, CMBI - Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, CCB - Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, CMBI - Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, CCB - Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Francesca Gaggia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, CMBI - Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, CCB - Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ronald Gust
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, CMBI - Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, CCB - Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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16
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Roßwag S, Cotarelo CL, Pantel K, Riethdorf S, Sleeman JP, Schmidt M, Thaler S. Functional Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from Metastatic ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer Reveals Dependence on HER2 and FOXM1 for Endocrine Therapy Resistance and Tumor Cell Survival: Implications for Treatment of ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081810. [PMID: 33920089 PMCID: PMC8070196 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Acquired endocrine resistance and late recurrence in patients with ER+/HER2− breast cancer are complex and not fully understood. Here, we evaluated mechanisms of acquired resistance in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from an ER+/HER2− breast cancer patient who initially responded but later progressed under endocrine treatment. We found a switch from ERα-dependent to HER2-dependent and ERα-independent expression of FOXM1, which may enable disseminated ER+/HER2− cells to re-initiate tumor cell growth and metastasis formation in the presence of endocrine treatment. We found that NFkB signaling sustains HER2 and FOXM1 expression in CTCs in the presence of ERα inhibitors suggesting that NFkB and FOXM1 might be an efficient therapeutic approach to prevent late recurrence and to treat endocrine resistance. Collectively our data show that CTCs from patients with endocrine resistance allow mechanisms of acquired endocrine resistance to be delineated, and can be used to test potential drug regimens for combatting resistance. Abstract Mechanisms of acquired endocrine resistance and late recurrence in patients with ER+/HER2− breast cancer are complex and not fully understood. Here, we evaluated mechanisms of acquired resistance in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from an ER+/HER2− breast cancer patient who initially responded but later progressed under endocrine treatment. We found a switch from ERα-dependent to HER2-dependent and ERα-independent expression of FOXM1, which may enable disseminated ER+/HER2− cells to re-initiate tumor cell growth and metastasis formation in the presence of endocrine treatment. Our results also suggest a role for HER2 in resistance, even in ER+ breast cancer cells that have neither HER2 amplification nor activating HER2 mutations. We found that NFkB signaling sustains HER2 and FOXM1 expression in CTCs in the presence of ERα inhibitors. Inhibition of NFkB signaling blocked expression of HER2 and FOXM1 in the CTCs, and induced apoptosis. Thus, targeting of NFkB and FOXM1 might be an efficient therapeutic approach to prevent late recurrence and to treat endocrine resistance. Collectively our data show that CTCs from patients with endocrine resistance allow mechanisms of acquired endocrine resistance to be delineated, and can be used to test potential drug regimens for combatting resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Roßwag
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany or (S.R.); (J.P.S.)
| | - Cristina L. Cotarelo
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (K.P.); (S.R.)
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; (K.P.); (S.R.)
| | - Jonathan P. Sleeman
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany or (S.R.); (J.P.S.)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Campus Nord, Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems—Biological Information Processing, 76344 Eggenstein-Leupoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marcus Schmidt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sonja Thaler
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany or (S.R.); (J.P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-621-3837-1599
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17
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Semenas J, Wang T, Sajid Syed Khaja A, Firoj Mahmud AKM, Simoulis A, Grundström T, Fällman M, Persson JL. Targeted inhibition of ERα signaling and PIP5K1α/Akt pathways in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:968-986. [PMID: 33275817 PMCID: PMC8024724 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective ERα modulator, tamoxifen, is well tolerated in a heavily pretreated castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) patient cohort. However, its targeted gene network and whether expression of intratumor ERα due to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may play a role in PCa progression is unknown. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on castration-resistant PCa in vitro and in vivo. We found that tamoxifen is a potent compound that induced a high degree of apoptosis and significantly suppressed growth of xenograft tumors in mice, at a degree comparable to ISA-2011B, an inhibitor of PIP5K1α that acts upstream of PI3K/AKT survival signaling pathway. Moreover, depletion of tumor-associated macrophages using clodronate in combination with tamoxifen increased inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on aggressive prostate tumors. We showed that both tamoxifen and ISA-2011B exert their on-target effects on prostate cancer cells by targeting cyclin D1 and PIP5K1α/AKT network and the interlinked estrogen signaling. Combination treatment using tamoxifen together with ISA-2011B resulted in tumor regression and had superior inhibitory effect compared with that of tamoxifen or ISA-2011B alone. We have identified sets of genes that are specifically targeted by tamoxifen, ISA-2011B or combination of both agents by RNA-seq. We discovered that alterations in unique gene signatures, in particular estrogen-related marker genes are associated with poor patient disease-free survival. We further showed that ERα interacted with PIP5K1α through formation of protein complexes in the nucleus, suggesting a functional link. Our finding is the first to suggest a new therapeutic potential to inhibit or utilize the mechanisms related to ERα, PIP5K1α/AKT network, and MMP9/VEGF signaling axis, providing a strategy to treat castration-resistant ER-positive subtype of prostate cancer tumors with metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tianyan Wang
- Department of Molecular BiologyUmeå UniversitySweden
| | | | | | - Athanasios Simoulis
- Department of Clinical Pathology and CytologySkåne University HospitalMalmöSweden
| | | | - Maria Fällman
- Department of Molecular BiologyUmeå UniversitySweden
| | - Jenny L. Persson
- Department of Molecular BiologyUmeå UniversitySweden
- Division of Experimental Cancer ResearchDepartment of Translational MedicineLund UniversityClinical Research Centre in MalmöSweden
- Department of Biomedical ScienceMalmö UniversitySweden
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18
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Belachew EB, Sewasew DT. Molecular Mechanisms of Endocrine Resistance in Estrogen-Positive Breast Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:599586. [PMID: 33841325 PMCID: PMC8030661 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.599586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor is a vital receptor for therapeutic targets in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The main strategy for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers is blocking the estrogen action on estrogen receptors by endocrine therapy but this can be restricted via endocrine resistance. Endocrine resistance occurs due to both de novo and acquired resistance. This review focuses on the mechanisms of the ligand-dependent and ligand-independent pathways and other coregulators, which are responsible for endocrine resistance. It concludes that combinatorial drugs that target different signaling pathways and coregulatory proteins together with endocrine therapy could be a novel therapeutic modality to stop endocrine resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmael Besufikad Belachew
- Biology, Mizan Tepi University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Almeida M, Soares M, Fonseca-Moutinho J, Ramalhinho AC, Breitenfeld L. Influence of Estrogenic Metabolic Pathway Genes Polymorphisms on Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020094. [PMID: 33513690 PMCID: PMC7910923 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen metabolism plays an important role in tumor initiation and development. Lifetime exposure to high estrogens levels and deregulation of enzymes involved in estrogen biosynthetic and metabolic pathway are considered risk factors for breast cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of mutations acquisition during the lifetime in low penetrance genes that codify enzymes responsible for estrogen detoxification. Genotype analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms, CYP1B1 Val432Leu and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms was performed in 157 samples of women with hormone-dependent breast cancer and correlated with the age at diagnosis. The majority of patients with GSTT1 null genotype and with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were 50 years old or more at the diagnosis (p-value = 0.021 and 0.018, respectively). Older women with GSTM1 null genotype were also carriers of the CYP1B1Val allele (p-value = 0.012). As well, GSTT1 null and CYP1B1Val genotypes were correlated with diagnosis at later ages (p-value = 0.022). Similar results were found associating MTHFR C677T and GSTT1 null polymorphism (p-value = 0.034). Our results suggest that estrogen metabolic pathway polymorphisms constitute a factor to be considered simultaneously with models for breast cancer risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Almeida
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.A.); (M.S.); (J.F.-M.); (A.C.R.)
| | - Mafalda Soares
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.A.); (M.S.); (J.F.-M.); (A.C.R.)
| | - José Fonseca-Moutinho
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.A.); (M.S.); (J.F.-M.); (A.C.R.)
- Academic Hospital of Cova da Beira (CHUCB), Quinta do Alvito, 6200-251 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Ramalhinho
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.A.); (M.S.); (J.F.-M.); (A.C.R.)
- Academic Hospital of Cova da Beira (CHUCB), Quinta do Alvito, 6200-251 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Luiza Breitenfeld
- Health Sciences Research Centre (CICS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (M.A.); (M.S.); (J.F.-M.); (A.C.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-2753-290-51
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Epigenetic modification and a role for the E3 ligase RNF40 in cancer development and metastasis. Oncogene 2020; 40:465-474. [PMID: 33199825 PMCID: PMC7819849 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01556-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RNF40 (OMIM: 607700) is a really interesting new gene (RING) finger E3 ubiquitin ligase containing multiple coiled-coil domains and a C-terminal RING finger motif, which engage in protein–DNA and protein–protein interactions. RNF40 encodes a polypeptide of 1001 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 113,678 Da. RNF40 and its paralog RNF20 form a stable heterodimer complex that can monoubiquitylate histone H2B at lysine 120 as well as other nonhistone proteins. Cancer is a major public health problem and the second leading cause of death. Through its protein ubiquitylation activity, RNF40 acts as a tumor suppressor or oncogene to play major epigenetic roles in cancer development, progression, and metastasis, highlighting the essential function of RNF40 and the importance of studying it. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about RNF40 gene structure and the role of RNF40 in histone H2B monoubiquitylation, DNA damage repair, apoptosis, cancer development, and metastasis. We also underscore challenges in applying this information to cancer prognosis and prevention and highlight the urgent need for additional investigations of RNF40 as a potential target for cancer therapeutics.
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Niu Z, Li X, Feng S, Huang Q, Zhuang T, Yan C, Qian H, Ding Y, Zhu J, Xu W. The deubiquitinating enzyme USP1 modulates ERα and modulates breast cancer progression. J Cancer 2020; 11:6992-7000. [PMID: 33123289 PMCID: PMC7591989 DOI: 10.7150/jca.50477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, while the luminal types (ERα positive) accounts for two third of all breast cancer cases. Although ERα positive breast cancer could be effective controlled by endocrine therapy, most of the patients will develop endocrine resistance, which becomes a headache clinical issue for breast cancer field. Endocrine resistance could be caused by multiple pathway disorders, the dys-regulation of ERα signaling might be a critical factor, which makes it urgent and important to reveal the potential molecular mechanism of ERα signaling. In our current study, we identified a new deubiquitination enzyme USP1 through screening the whole DUB (Deubiquitinases) siRNA library. The expression of USP1 is elevated in human breast cancer compared with normal mammary tissues. Importantly, USP1 expression levels are specially correlated with poor survival in ERα positive patients. USP1 depletion inhibited breast cancer cell progression and ERα signaling activity. Immuno-precipitation assays indicate that USP1 associates with ERα and promotes its stability possibly via inhibiting ERα K48-linked poly-ubiquitination. In conclusion, our data implicate a non-genomic mechanism by USP1 via stabilizing ERα protein controls ERα target gene expression linked to breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo Niu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, China
| | - Xin Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, China
| | - Suyin Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 200 Huihe Road, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qingsong Huang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, China
| | - Ting Zhuang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, China
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Medicine, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan P.R. China
| | - Hui Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Yinlu Ding
- Department of general surgery, the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China, 250033
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of general surgery, the Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China, 250033.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, China
| | - Wenrong Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
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The ubiquitin ligase RNF181 stabilizes ERα and modulates breast cancer progression. Oncogene 2020; 39:6776-6788. [PMID: 32973333 PMCID: PMC7605433 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
ERα positive breast cancer accounts for 70% of breast malignancies. Compared with ERα negative types, ERα positive breast cancer could be effective controlled by endocrine therapy. However, more than half of the patients will develop endocrine resistance, making it an important clinical issue for breast cancer therapy. Endocrine resistance might be caused by multiple alternations, including the components of ERα signaling, during tumor progression. Thus, it is urgent and necessary to uncover the molecular mechanisms that controls ERα expression and stability to improve breast cancer therapeutics. In our current study, we identifies that the ubiquitin ligase RNF181 stabilizes ERα and facilitates breast cancer progression. The expression of RNF181 is correlated with ERα level in human breast tumors and relates to poor survival in endocrine-treated patients. RNF181 depletion inhibits breast cancer progression in vivo and in vitro, reduces ERα protein level and its target gene expression, such as PS2 and GREB1. Unbiased RNA sequencing analysis indicates RNF181 is necessary for ERα signature gene expression in whole genomic level. Immuno-precipitation assays indicate that RNF181 associates with ERα and promotes its stability possibly via inducing ERα K63-linked poly-ubiquitination. In conclusion, our data implicate a non-genomic mechanism by RNF181 via stabilizing ERα protein controls ERα target gene expression linked to breast cancer progression.
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Compensatory Estrogen Signal Is Capable of DNA Repair in Antiestrogen-Responsive Cancer Cells via Activating Mutations. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:5418365. [PMID: 32774370 PMCID: PMC7407016 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5418365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells are embarrassed human cells exhibiting the remnants of same mechanisms for DNA stabilization like patients have in their healthy cells. Antiestrogens target the liganded activation of ERs, which is the principal means of genomic regulation in both patients and their tumors. The artificial blockade of liganded ER activation is an emergency situation promoting strong compensatory actions even in cancer cells. When tumor cells are capable of an appropriate upregulation of ER signaling resulting in DNA repair, a tumor response may be detected. In contrast, when ER signaling is completely inhibited, tumor cells show unrestrained proliferation, and tumor growth may be observed. The laboratory investigations of genomic mechanisms in antiestrogen-responsive and antiestrogen-unresponsive tumor cells have considerably enhanced our knowledge regarding the principal regulatory capacity of estrogen signaling. In antiestrogen-responsive tumor cells, a compensatory increased expression and liganded activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) result in an apoptotic death. Conversely, in antiestrogen resistant tumors exhibiting a complete blockade of liganded ER activation, a compensatory effort for unliganded ER activation is characteristic, conferred by the increased expression and activity of growth factor receptors. However, even extreme unliganded ER activation is incapable of DNA restoration when the liganded ER activation is completely blocked. Researchers mistakenly suspect even today that in tumors growing under antiestrogen treatment, the increased unliganded activation of estrogen receptor via activating mutations is an aggressive survival technique, whilst it is a compensatory effort against the blockade of liganded ER activation. The capacity of liganded ERs for genome modification in emergency states provides possibilities for estrogen/ER use in medical practice including cancer cure.
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Alzheimer's Disease, and Breast and Prostate Cancer Research: Translational Failures and the Importance to Monitor Outputs and Impact of Funded Research. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10071194. [PMID: 32674379 PMCID: PMC7401638 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071194] [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: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia and cancer are becoming increasingly prevalent in Western countries. In the last two decades, research focused on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer, in particular, breast cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (PC), has been substantially funded both in Europe and worldwide. While scientific research outcomes have contributed to increase our understanding of the disease etiopathology, still the prevalence of these chronic degenerative conditions remains very high across the globe. By definition, no model is perfect. In particular, animal models of AD, BC, and PC have been and still are traditionally used in basic/fundamental, translational, and preclinical research to study human disease mechanisms, identify new therapeutic targets, and develop new drugs. However, animals do not adequately model some essential features of human disease; therefore, they are often unable to pave the way to the development of drugs effective in human patients. The rise of new technological tools and models in life science, and the increasing need for multidisciplinary approaches have encouraged many interdisciplinary research initiatives. With considerable funds being invested in biomedical research, it is becoming pivotal to define and apply indicators to monitor the contribution to innovation and impact of funded research. Here, we discuss some of the issues underlying translational failure in AD, BC, and PC research, and describe how indicators could be applied to retrospectively measure outputs and impact of funded biomedical research.
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Alday-Parejo B, Richard F, Wörthmüller J, Rau T, Galván JA, Desmedt C, Santamaria-Martinez A, Rüegg C. MAGI1, a New Potential Tumor Suppressor Gene in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010223. [PMID: 31963297 PMCID: PMC7016640 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010223] [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: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) with inverted domain structure-1 (MAGI1) is an intracellular adaptor protein that stabilizes epithelial junctions consistent with a tumor suppressive function in several cancers of epithelial origin. Here we report, based on experimental results and human breast cancer (BC) patients’ gene expression data, that MAGI1 is highly expressed and acts as tumor suppressor in estrogen receptor (ER)+/HER2− but not in HER2+ or triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Within the ER+/HER2− subset, high MAGI1 expression associates with ESR1 and luminal genes GATA3 and FOXA1 expression and better prognosis, while low MAGI1 levels correlates with higher histological grade, more aggressive phenotype and worse prognosis. Experimentally, MAGI1 downregulation in the ER+ human BC cells MCF7 impairs ER expression and signaling, promotes cell proliferation, and reduces apoptosis and epithelial differentiation. MAGI1 downregulation in the ER+ murine BC cell line 67NR accelerates primary tumor growth and enhances experimental lung metastasis formation. MAGI1 expression is upregulated by estrogen/ER, downregulated by prostaglandin E2/COX-2axis, and negatively correlates with inflammation in ER+/HER2− BC patients. Taken together, we show that MAGI1 is a new potential tumor suppressor in ER+/HER2− breast cancer with possible prognostic value for the identification of patients at high-risk of relapse within this subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Alday-Parejo
- Laboratory of Experimental and Translational Oncology, Pathology, Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (B.A.-P.); (J.W.)
| | - François Richard
- Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Janine Wörthmüller
- Laboratory of Experimental and Translational Oncology, Pathology, Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (B.A.-P.); (J.W.)
| | - Tilman Rau
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.R.); (J.A.G.)
| | - José A. Galván
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland; (T.R.); (J.A.G.)
| | - Christine Desmedt
- Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (C.D.); (C.R.)
| | - Albert Santamaria-Martinez
- Tumor Ecology Laboratory, Pathology, Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland;
| | - Curzio Rüegg
- Laboratory of Experimental and Translational Oncology, Pathology, Department of Oncology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Sciences and Medicine, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (B.A.-P.); (J.W.)
- Correspondence: (C.D.); (C.R.)
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