1
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Rodrigo S, Senasinghe K, Quazi S. Molecular and therapeutic effect of CRISPR in treating cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:81. [PMID: 36650384 PMCID: PMC9845174 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01930-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer has become one of the common causes of mortality around the globe due to mutations in the genome which allows rapid growth of cells uncontrollably without repairing DNA errors. Cancers could arise due alterations in DNA repair mechanisms (errors in mismatch repair genes), activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Each cancer type is different and each individual has a unique genetic change which leads them to cancer. Studying genetic and epigenetic alterations in the genome leads to understanding the underlying features. CAR T therapy over other immunotherapies such as monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapies has been widely used to treat cancer in recent days and gene editing has now become one of the promising treatments for many genetic diseases. This tool allows scientists to change the genome by adding, removing or altering genetic material of an organism. Due to advance in genetics and novel molecular techniques such as CRISPR, TALEN these genes can be edited in such a way that their original function could be replaced which in turn improved the treatment possibilities and can be used against malignancies and even cure cancer in future along with CAR T cell therapy due to the specific recognition and attacking of tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawani Rodrigo
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Kaveesha Senasinghe
- Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Sameer Quazi
- GenLab Biosolutions Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560043, India.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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2
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Takahashi D, Yonezawa K, Okizaki Y, Caaveiro JMM, Ueda T, Shimada A, Sakane F, Shimizu N. Ca 2+ -induced structural changes and intramolecular interactions in N-terminal region of diacylglycerol kinase alpha. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4365. [PMID: 35762720 PMCID: PMC9202544 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are multi-domain lipid kinases that modulate the levels of lipid messengers, diacylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to its α isozyme (DGKα) as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. However, little progress has been made on the structural biology of DGKs, and a detailed understanding of the Ca2+ -triggered activation of DGKα, for which the N-terminal domains likely play a critical role, remains unclear. We have recently shown that Ca2+ binding to DGKα-EF induces conformational changes from a protease-susceptible "open" conformation in the apo state to a well-folded one in its holo state. Here, we further studied the structural properties of DGKα N-terminal (RVH and EF) domains using a series of biophysical techniques. We first revealed that the N-terminal RVH domain is a novel Ca2+ -binding domain, but the Ca2+ -induced conformational changes mainly occur in the EF domain. This was corroborated by NMR experiments showing that the EF domain adopts a molten-globule like structure in the apo state. Further analyses using SEC-SAXS and NMR indicate that the partially unfolded EF domain interacts with RVH domain, likely via hydrophobic interactions in the absence of Ca2+ , and this interaction is modified in the presence of Ca2+ . Taken together, these results present novel insights into the structural rearrangement of DGKα N-terminal domains upon binding to Ca2+ , which is essential for the activation of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Protein Structure, Function, and Design, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical ScienceKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Kento Yonezawa
- Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure ScienceHigh Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)TsukubaJapan
- Center for Digital Green‐Innovation (CDG)Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)IkomaJapan
| | - Yuki Okizaki
- Department of Protein Structure, Function, and Design, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical ScienceKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Jose M. M. Caaveiro
- Department of Global Healthcare, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical ScienceKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Tadashi Ueda
- Department of Protein Structure, Function, and Design, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical ScienceKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Atsushi Shimada
- Division of Structural Biology, Medical Institute of BioregulationKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of ScienceChiba UniversityChibaJapan
| | - Nobutaka Shimizu
- Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure ScienceHigh Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)TsukubaJapan
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3
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Cooke M, Kazanietz MG. Overarching roles of diacylglycerol signaling in cancer development and antitumor immunity. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabo0264. [PMID: 35412850 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abo0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a lipid second messenger that is generated in response to extracellular stimuli and channels intracellular signals that affect mammalian cell proliferation, survival, and motility. DAG exerts a myriad of biological functions through protein kinase C (PKC) and other effectors, such as protein kinase D (PKD) isozymes and small GTPase-regulating proteins (such as RasGRPs). Imbalances in the fine-tuned homeostasis between DAG generation by phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes and termination by DAG kinases (DGKs), as well as dysregulation in the activity or abundance of DAG effectors, have been widely associated with tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. DAG is also a key orchestrator of T cell function and thus plays a major role in tumor immunosurveillance. In addition, DAG pathways shape the tumor ecosystem by arbitrating the complex, dynamic interaction between cancer cells and the immune landscape, hence representing powerful modifiers of immune checkpoint and adoptive T cell-directed immunotherapy. Exploiting the wide spectrum of DAG signals from an integrated perspective could underscore meaningful advances in targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Cooke
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA
| | - Marcelo G Kazanietz
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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4
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Granade ME, Manigat LC, Lemke MC, Purow BW, Harris TE. Identification of ritanserin analogs that display DGK isoform specificity. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 197:114908. [PMID: 34999054 PMCID: PMC8858877 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) family of lipid enzymes catalyzes the conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA). Both DAG and PA are lipid signaling molecules that are of notable importance in regulating cell processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. There are ten mammalian DGK enzymes that appear to have distinct biological functions. DGKα has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in numerous cancers including glioblastoma (GBM) and melanoma as treatment with small molecule DGKα inhibitors results in reduced tumor sizes and prolonged survival. Importantly, DGKα has also been identified as an immune checkpoint due to its promotion of T cell anergy, and its inhibition has been shown to improve T cell activation. There are few small molecule DGKα inhibitors currently available, and the application of existing compounds to clinical settings is hindered by species-dependent variability in potency, as well as concerns regarding isotype specificity particularly amongst other type I DGKs. In order to resolve these issues, we have screened a library of compounds structurally analogous to the DGKα inhibitor, ritanserin, in an effort to identify more potent and specific alternatives. We identified two compounds that more potently and selectively inhibit DGKα, one of which (JNJ-3790339) demonstrates similar cytotoxicity in GBM and melanoma cells as ritanserin. Consistent with its inhibitor profile towards DGKα, JNJ-3790339 also demonstrated improved activation of T cells compared with ritanserin. Together our data support efforts to identify DGK isoform-selective inhibitors as a mechanism to produce pharmacologically relevant cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell E Granade
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Laryssa C Manigat
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Michael C Lemke
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Benjamin W Purow
- University of Virginia, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
| | - Thurl E Harris
- University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
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5
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Faecal Proteomics and Functional Analysis of Equine Melanocytic Neoplasm in Grey Horses. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020094. [PMID: 35202347 PMCID: PMC8875177 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine melanocytic neoplasm (EMN) is a common disease in older grey horses. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential proteins throughout EMN stages from faecal proteomic outlining using functional analysis. Faecal samples were collected from the rectum of 25 grey horses divided into three groups; normal group without EMN (n = 10), mild EMN (n = 6) and severe EMN (n = 9). Based on the results, 5910 annotated proteins out of 8509 total proteins were assessed from proteomic profiling. We observed differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the normal group and the EMN group, and 109 significant proteins were obtained, of which 28 and 81 were involved in metabolic and non-metabolic functions, respectively. We found 10 proteins that play a key role in lipid metabolism, affecting the tumour microenvironment and, consequently, melanoma progression. Interestingly, FOSL1 (FOS like 1, AP-1 transcription factor subunit) was considered as a potential highly expressed protein in a mild EMN group involved in melanocytes cell and related melanoma. Diacylglycerol kinase (DGKB), TGc domain-containing protein (Tgm2), structural maintenance of chromosomes 4 (SMC4) and mastermind-like transcriptional coactivator 2 (MAML2) were related to lipid metabolism, facilitating melanoma development in the severe-EMN group. In conclusion, these potential proteins can be used as candidate biomarkers for the monitoring of early EMN, the development of EMN, further prevention and treatment.
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Manigat LC, Granade ME, Taori S, Miller CA, Vass LR, Zhong XP, Harris TE, Purow BW. Loss of Diacylglycerol Kinase α Enhances Macrophage Responsiveness. Front Immunol 2021; 12:722469. [PMID: 34804012 PMCID: PMC8603347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.722469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are a family of enzymes responsible for the conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA). In addition to their primary function in lipid metabolism, DGKs have recently been identified as potential therapeutic targets in multiple cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM) and melanoma. Aside from its tumorigenic properties, DGKα is also a known promoter of T-cell anergy, supporting a role as a recently-recognized T cell checkpoint. In fact, the only significant phenotype previously observed in Dgka knockout (KO) mice is the enhancement of T-cell activity. Herein we reveal a novel, macrophage-specific, immune-regulatory function of DGKα. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) cultured from wild-type (WT) and KO mice, we observed increased responsiveness of KO macrophages to diverse stimuli that yield different phenotypes, including LPS, IL-4, and the chemoattractant MCP-1. Knockdown (KD) of Dgka in a murine macrophage cell line resulted in similar increased responsiveness. Demonstrating in vivo relevance, we observed significantly smaller wounds in Dgka-/- mice with full-thickness cutaneous burns, a complex wound healing process in which macrophages play a key role. The burned area also demonstrated increased numbers of macrophages. In a cortical stab wound model, Dgka-/- brains show increased Iba1+ cell numbers at the needle track versus that in WT brains. Taken together, these findings identify a novel immune-regulatory checkpoint function of DGKα in macrophages with potential implications for wound healing, cancer therapy, and other settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laryssa C. Manigat
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Mitchell E. Granade
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Suchet Taori
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Charlotte Anne Miller
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Luke R. Vass
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Xiao-Ping Zhong
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Thurl E. Harris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Benjamin W. Purow
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Sakane F, Hoshino F, Ebina M, Sakai H, Takahashi D. The Roles of Diacylglycerol Kinase α in Cancer Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205190. [PMID: 34680338 PMCID: PMC8534027 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205190] [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: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (DGK) phosphorylates DG to generate phosphatidic acid (PA). DGKα is highly expressed in several refractory cancer cells, including melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and glioblastoma cells, attenuates apoptosis, and promotes proliferation. In cancer cells, PA produced by DGKα plays an important role in proliferation/antiapoptosis. In addition to cancer cells, DGKα is highly abundant in T cells and induces a nonresponsive state (anergy), representing the main mechanism by which advanced cancers avoid immune action. In T cells, DGKα induces anergy through DG consumption. Therefore, a DGKα-specific inhibitor is expected to be a dual effective anticancer treatment that inhibits cancer cell proliferation and simultaneously activates T cell function. Moreover, the inhibition of DGKα synergistically enhances the anticancer effects of programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand 1 blockade. Taken together, DGKα inhibition provides a promising new treatment strategy for refractory cancers. Abstract Diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (DGK) phosphorylates DG to generate phosphatidic acid (PA). The α isozyme is activated by Ca2+ through its EF-hand motifs and tyrosine phosphorylation. DGKα is highly expressed in several refractory cancer cells including melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and glioblastoma cells. In melanoma cells, DGKα is an antiapoptotic factor that activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) through the atypical protein kinase C (PKC) ζ-mediated phosphorylation of NF-κB. DGKα acts as an enhancer of proliferative activity through the Raf–MEK–ERK pathway and consequently exacerbates hepatocellular carcinoma progression. In glioblastoma and melanoma cells, DGKα attenuates apoptosis by enhancing the phosphodiesterase (PDE)-4A1–mammalian target of the rapamycin pathway. As PA activates PKCζ, Raf, and PDE, it is likely that PA generated by DGKα plays an important role in the proliferation/antiapoptosis of cancer cells. In addition to cancer cells, DGKα is highly abundant in T cells and induces a nonresponsive state (anergy), which represents the main mechanism by which advanced cancers escape immune action. In T cells, DGKα attenuates the activity of Ras-guanyl nucleotide-releasing protein, which is activated by DG and avoids anergy through DG consumption. Therefore, a DGKα-specific inhibitor is expected to be a dual effective anticancer treatment that inhibits cancer cell proliferation and simultaneously enhances T cell functions. Moreover, the inhibition of DGKα synergistically enhances the anticancer effects of programmed cell death-1/programmed cell death ligand 1 blockade. Taken together, DGKα inhibition provides a promising new treatment strategy for refractory cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (F.H.); (M.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-43-290-3695
| | - Fumi Hoshino
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (F.H.); (M.E.)
| | - Masayuki Ebina
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (F.H.); (M.E.)
| | - Hiromichi Sakai
- Department of Biosignaling and Radioisotope Experiment, Interdisciplinary Center for Science Research, Organization for Research and Academic Information, Shimane University, Izumo 693-8501, Japan;
| | - Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
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Okada N, Sugiyama K, Shichi S, Shirai Y, Goto K, Sakane F, Kitamura H, Taketomi A. Combination therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with diacylglycerol kinase alpha inhibition and anti-programmed cell death-1 ligand blockade. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:889-903. [PMID: 34482409 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03041-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Activation of diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKα) augments proliferation and suppresses apoptosis of cancer cells and induces T lymphocyte anergy. We investigated the dual effects of DGKα inhibition on tumorigenesis and anti-tumor immunity with the aim of establishing a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer. We examined the effects of a DGKα inhibitor (DGKAI) on liver cancer cell proliferation and cytokine production by immune cells in vitro and on tumorigenesis and host immunity in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse model. Oral DGKAI significantly suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in model mice. Tumor infiltration of T cells and dendritic cells was also enhanced in mice treated with DGKAI, and the production of cytokines and cytotoxic molecules by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was increased. Depletion of CD8+ T cells reduced the effect of DGKAI. Furthermore, interferon-γ stimulation augmented the expression of programmed cell death-1 ligand (PD-L1) on cancer cells, and DGKAI plus an anti-PD-L1 antibody strongly suppressed the tumor growth. These results suggest that DGKα inhibition may be a promising new treatment strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Okada
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15 W7 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ko Sugiyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15 W7 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shichi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15 W7 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Shirai
- Department of Applied Chemistry in Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kaoru Goto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hidemitsu Kitamura
- Division of Functional Immunology, Section of Disease Control, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akinobu Taketomi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, N15 W7 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
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Bozelli JC, Yune J, Takahashi D, Sakane F, Epand RM. Membrane morphology determines diacylglycerol kinase α substrate acyl chain specificity. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21602. [PMID: 33977628 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100264r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinases catalyze the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) to produce phosphatidic acid (PA). In humans, the alpha isoform (DGKα) has emerged as a potential target in the treatment of cancer due to its anti-tumor and pro-immune responses. However, its mechanism of action at a molecular level is not fully understood. In this work, a systematic investigation of the role played by the membrane in the regulation of the enzymatic properties of human DGKα is presented. By using a cell-free system with purified DGKα and model membranes of variable physical and chemical properties, it is shown that membrane physical properties determine human DGKα substrate acyl chain specificity. In model membranes with a flat morphology; DGKα presents high enzymatic activity, but it is not able to differentiate DAG molecular species. Furthermore, DGKα enzymatic properties are insensitive to membrane intrinsic curvature. However, in the presence of model membranes with altered morphology, specifically the presence of physically curved membrane structures, DGKα bears substrate acyl chain specificity for palmitic acid-containing DAG. The present results identify changes in membrane morphology as one possible mechanism for the depletion of specific pools of DAG as well as the production of specific pools of PA by DGKα, adding an extra layer of regulation on the interconversion of these two potent lipid-signaling molecules. It is proposed that the interplay between membrane physical (shape) and chemical (lipid composition) properties guarantee a fine-tuned signal transduction system dependent on the levels and molecular species of DAG and PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Bozelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jenny Yune
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Richard M Epand
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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dos Santos FRC, Guardia GDA, dos Santos FF, Ohara D, Galante PAF. Reboot: a straightforward approach to identify genes and splicing isoforms associated with cancer patient prognosis. NAR Cancer 2021; 3:zcab024. [PMID: 34316711 PMCID: PMC8210018 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the massive amount of data generated by modern sequencing technologies provides an unprecedented opportunity to find genes associated with cancer patient prognosis, connecting basic and translational research. However, treating high dimensionality of gene expression data and integrating it with clinical variables are major challenges to perform these analyses. Here, we present Reboot, an integrative approach to find and validate genes and transcripts (splicing isoforms) associated with cancer patient prognosis from high dimensional expression datasets. Reboot innovates by using a multivariate strategy with penalized Cox regression (LASSO method) combined with a bootstrap approach, in addition to statistical tests and plots to support the findings. Applying Reboot on data from 154 glioblastoma patients, we identified a three-gene signature (IKBIP, OSMR, PODNL1) whose increased derived risk score was significantly associated with worse patients' prognosis. Similarly, Reboot was able to find a seven-splicing isoforms signature related to worse overall survival in 177 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients with elevated risk scores after uni- and multivariate analyses. In summary, Reboot is an efficient, intuitive and straightforward way of finding genes or splicing isoforms signatures relevant to patient prognosis, which can democratize this kind of analysis and shed light on still under-investigated cancer-related genes and splicing isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe R C dos Santos
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP 01308-060, Brazil
- Programa Interunidades em Bioinformatica, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Gabriela D A Guardia
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP 01308-060, Brazil
| | - Filipe F dos Santos
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP 01308-060, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Daniel T Ohara
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP 01308-060, Brazil
| | - Pedro A F Galante
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP 01308-060, Brazil
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11
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CRISPR-based screens uncover determinants of immunotherapy response in multiple myeloma. Blood Adv 2021; 4:2899-2911. [PMID: 32589729 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells commonly develop resistance to immunotherapy by loss of antigen expression. Combinatorial treatments that increase levels of the target antigen on the surface of cancer cells have the potential to restore efficacy to immunotherapy. Here, we use our CRISPR interference- and CRISPR activation-based functional genomics platform to systematically identify pathways controlling cell surface expression of the multiple myeloma immunotherapy antigen B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). We discovered that pharmacologic inhibition of HDAC7 and the Sec61 complex increased cell surface BCMA, including in primary patient cells. Pharmacologic Sec61 inhibition enhanced the antimyeloma efficacy of a BCMA-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. A CRISPR interference chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) coculture screen enabled us to identify both antigen-dependent and antigen-independent mechanisms controlling response of myeloma cells to BCMA-targeted CAR-T cells. Thus, our study shows the potential of CRISPR screens to uncover mechanisms controlling response of cancer cells to immunotherapy and to suggest potential combination therapies.
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12
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Islam R, Pupovac A, Evtimov V, Boyd N, Shu R, Boyd R, Trounson A. Enhancing a Natural Killer: Modification of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051058. [PMID: 33946954 PMCID: PMC8146003 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent innate immune system effector lymphocytes armed with multiple mechanisms for killing cancer cells. Given the dynamic roles of NK cells in tumor surveillance, they are fast becoming a next-generation tool for adoptive immunotherapy. Many strategies are being employed to increase their number and improve their ability to overcome cancer resistance and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. These include the use of cytokines and synthetic compounds to bolster propagation and killing capacity, targeting immune-function checkpoints, addition of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to provide cancer specificity and genetic ablation of inhibitory molecules. The next generation of NK cell products will ideally be readily available as an “off-the-shelf” product and stem cell derived to enable potentially unlimited supply. However, several considerations regarding NK cell source, genetic modification and scale up first need addressing. Understanding NK cell biology and interaction within specific tumor contexts will help identify necessary NK cell modifications and relevant choice of NK cell source. Further enhancement of manufacturing processes will allow for off-the-shelf NK cell immunotherapies to become key components of multifaceted therapeutic strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Islam
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Aleta Pupovac
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Vera Evtimov
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicholas Boyd
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Runzhe Shu
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Richard Boyd
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Alan Trounson
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Takao S, Akiyama R, Sakane F. Combined inhibition/silencing of diacylglycerol kinase α and ζ simultaneously and synergistically enhances interleukin-2 production in T cells and induces cell death of melanoma cells. J Cell Biochem 2021; 122:494-506. [PMID: 33399248 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The α-isozyme of diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) enhances cancer cell proliferation and, conversely, it promotes the nonresponsive immune state known as T-cell anergy. Moreover, a DGKα-selective inhibitor, CU-3, induced cell death in cancer-derived cells and simultaneously enhanced T-cell interleukin-2 production. In addition to DGKα, DGKζ is also known to induce T-cell anergy. In the present study, we examined whether combined inhibition/silencing of DGKα and DGKζ synergistically enhanced T-cell activity. Combined treatment with CU-3 or DGKα-small interfering RNA (siRNA) and DGKζ-siRNA more potently enhanced T-cell receptor-crosslink-dependent interleukin-2 production in Jurkat T cells than treatment with either alone. Intriguingly, in addition to activating T cells, dual inhibition/silencing of DGKα and DGKζ synergistically reduced viability and increased caspase 3/7 activity in AKI melanoma cells. Taken together, these results indicate that combined inhibition/silencing of DGKα and DGKζ simultaneously and synergistically enhances interleukin-2 production in T cells and induces cell death in melanoma. Therefore, dual inhibition/silencing of these DGK isozymes represents an ideal therapy that potently attenuates cancer cell proliferation and simultaneously enhances immune responses that impact anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Takao
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Rino Akiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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14
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Beyond Lipid Signaling: Pleiotropic Effects of Diacylglycerol Kinases in Cellular Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186861. [PMID: 32962151 PMCID: PMC7554708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The diacylglycerol kinase family, which can attenuate diacylglycerol signaling and activate phosphatidic acid signaling, regulates various signaling transductions in the mammalian cells. Studies on the regulation of diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid levels by various enzymes, the identification and characterization of various diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid-regulated proteins, and the overlap of different diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid metabolic and signaling processes have revealed the complex and non-redundant roles of diacylglycerol kinases in regulating multiple biochemical and biological networks. In this review article, we summarized recent progress in the complex and non-redundant roles of diacylglycerol kinases, which is expected to aid in restoring dysregulated biochemical and biological networks in various pathological conditions at the bed side.
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15
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New Era of Diacylglycerol Kinase, Phosphatidic Acid and Phosphatidic Acid-Binding Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186794. [PMID: 32947951 PMCID: PMC7555651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) phosphorylates diacylglycerol (DG) to generate phosphatidic acid (PA). Mammalian DGK consists of ten isozymes (α–κ) and governs a wide range of physiological and pathological events, including immune responses, neuronal networking, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, fragile X syndrome, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. DG and PA comprise diverse molecular species that have different acyl chains at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. Because the DGK activity is essential for phosphatidylinositol turnover, which exclusively produces 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-DG, it has been generally thought that all DGK isozymes utilize the DG species derived from the turnover. However, it was recently revealed that DGK isozymes, except for DGKε, phosphorylate diverse DG species, which are not derived from phosphatidylinositol turnover. In addition, various PA-binding proteins (PABPs), which have different selectivities for PA species, were recently found. These results suggest that DGK–PA–PABP axes can potentially construct a large and complex signaling network and play physiologically and pathologically important roles in addition to DGK-dependent attenuation of DG–DG-binding protein axes. For example, 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-PA produced by DGKδ interacts with and activates Praja-1, the E3 ubiquitin ligase acting on the serotonin transporter, which is a target of drugs for obsessive-compulsive and major depressive disorders, in the brain. This article reviews recent research progress on PA species produced by DGK isozymes, the selective binding of PABPs to PA species and a phosphatidylinositol turnover-independent DG supply pathway.
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16
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Liu CS, Schmezer P, Popanda O. Diacylglycerol Kinase Alpha in Radiation-Induced Fibrosis: Potential as a Predictive Marker or Therapeutic Target. Front Oncol 2020; 10:737. [PMID: 32477950 PMCID: PMC7235333 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is an efficient tool in cancer treatment, but it brings along the risk of side effects such as fibrosis in the irradiated healthy tissue thus limiting tumor control and impairing quality of life of cancer survivors. Knowledge on radiation-related fibrosis risk and therapeutic options is still limited and requires further research. Recent studies demonstrated that epigenetic regulation of diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA) is associated with radiation-induced fibrosis. However, the specific mechanisms are still unknown. In this review, we scrutinized the role of DGKA in the radiation response and in further cellular functions to show the potential of DGKA as a predictive marker or a novel target in fibrosis treatment. DGKA was reported to participate in immune response, lipid signaling, exosome production, and migration as well as cell proliferation, all processes which are suggested to be critical steps in fibrogenesis. Most of these functions are based on the conversion of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatidic acid (PA) at plasma membranes, but DGKA might have also other, yet not well-known functions in the nucleus. Current evidence summarized here underlines that DGKA activation may play a central role in fibrosis formation post-irradiation and shows a potential of direct DGKA inhibitors or epigenetic modulators to attenuate pro-fibrotic reactions, thus providing novel therapeutic choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Shan Liu
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schmezer
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Odilia Popanda
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Li J, Pan C, Boese AC, Kang J, Umano AD, Magliocca KR, Yang W, Zhang Y, Lonial S, Jin L, Kang S. DGKA Provides Platinum Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Through Activation of c-JUN-WEE1 Signaling. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3843-3855. [PMID: 32341033 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-3790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although platinum compounds are the first-line treatment for ovarian cancer, the majority of patients relapse and develop resistance to treatment. However, the mechanism underlying resistance is unclear. The goal of our study is to decipher the mechanism by which a metabolic kinase, diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA), confers platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Metabolic kinase RNAi synthetic lethal screening was used to identify a cisplatin resistance driver in ovarian cancer. DGKA variants were used to demonstrate the need for DGKA activity in cisplatin resistance. Phospho-proteomic and genomic screens were performed to identify downstream effectors of DGKA. Therapeutic efficacy of targeting DGKA was confirmed and clinical relevance of DGKA signaling was validated using ovarian cancer patient-derived tumors that had different responses to platinum-based therapy. RESULTS We found that platinum resistance was mediated by DGKA and its product, phosphatidic acid (PA), in ovarian cancer. Proteomic and genomic screens revealed that DGKA activates the transcription factor c-JUN and consequently enhances expression of a cell-cycle regulator, WEE1. Mechanistically, PA facilitates c-JUN N-terminal kinase recruitment to c-JUN and its nuclear localization, leading to c-JUN activation upon cisplatin exposure. Pharmacologic inhibition of DGKA sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin treatment and DGKA-c-JUN-WEE1 signaling positively correlated with platinum resistance in tumors derived from patients with ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates how the DGKA-derived lipid messenger, PA, contributes to cisplatin resistance by intertwining with kinase and transcription networks, and provides preclinical evidence for targeting DGKA as a new strategy in ovarian cancer treatment to battle cisplatin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chaoyun Pan
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Austin C Boese
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - JiHoon Kang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anna D Umano
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kelly R Magliocca
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Wenqing Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Gynecological Oncology Research and Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Gynecological Oncology Research and Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sagar Lonial
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lingtao Jin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sumin Kang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
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18
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Taefehshokr N, Baradaran B, Baghbanzadeh A, Taefehshokr S. Promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Immunobiology 2020; 225:151875. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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19
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Arranz-Nicolás J, Mérida I. Biological regulation of diacylglycerol kinases in normal and neoplastic tissues: New opportunities for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Biol Regul 2020; 75:100663. [PMID: 31706704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the recent years, the arsenal of anti-cancer therapies has evolved to target T lymphocytes and restore their capacity to destroy tumor cells. However, the clinical success is limited, with a large number of patients that never responds and others that ultimately develop resistances. Overcoming the hypofunctional state imposed by solid tumors to T cells has revealed critical but challenging due to the complex strategies that tumors employ to evade the immune system. The Diacylglycerol kinases (DGK) limit DAG-dependent functions in T lymphocytes and their upregulation in tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes contribute to limit T cell cytotoxic potential. DGK blockade could reinstate T cell attack on tumors, limiting at the same time tumor cell growth, thanks to the DGK positive input into several oncogenic pathways. In this review we summarize the latest findings regarding the regulation of specific DGK isoforms in healthy and anergic T lymphocytes, as well as their contribution to oncogenic phenotypes. We will also revise the latest advances in the search for pharmacological inhibitors and their potential as anti-cancer agents, either alone or in combination with immunomodulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Arranz-Nicolás
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, UAM Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Mérida
- Department of Immunology and Oncology, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Darwin 3, UAM Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
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20
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Takahashi D, Suzuki K, Sakamoto T, Iwamoto T, Murata T, Sakane F. Crystal structure and calcium-induced conformational changes of diacylglycerol kinase α EF-hand domains. Protein Sci 2019; 28:694-706. [PMID: 30653270 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are multi-domain lipid kinases that phosphorylate diacylglycerol into phosphatidic acid, modulating the levels of these key signaling lipids. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to DGKα isozyme as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. We have previously shown that DGKα is positively regulated by Ca2+ binding to its N-terminal EF-hand domains (DGKα-EF). However, little progress has been made for the structural biology of mammalian DGKs and the molecular mechanism underlying the Ca2+ -triggered activation remains unclear. Here we report the first crystal structure of Ca2+ -bound DGKα-EF and analyze the structural changes upon binding to Ca2+ . DGKα-EF adopts a canonical EF-hand fold, but unexpectedly, has an additional α-helix (often called a ligand mimic [LM] helix), which is packed into the hydrophobic core. Biophysical and biochemical analyses reveal that DGKα-EF adopts a protease-susceptible "open" conformation without Ca2+ that tends to form a dimer. Cooperative binding of two Ca2+ ions dissociates the dimer into a well-folded monomer, which resists to proteolysis. Taken together, our results provide experimental evidence that Ca2+ binding induces substantial conformational changes in DGKα-EF, which likely regulates intra-molecular interactions responsible for the activation of DGKα and suggest a possible role of the LM helix for the Ca2+ -induced conformational changes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs), which modulates the levels of two lipid second messengers, diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid, is still structurally enigmatic enzymes since its first identification in 1959. We here present the first crystal structure of EF-hand domains of diacylglycerol kinase α in its Ca2+ bound form and characterize Ca2+ -induced conformational changes, which likely regulates intra-molecular interactions. Our study paves the way for future studies to understand the structural basis of DGK isozymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kano Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Taiichi Sakamoto
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Advanced Engineering, Chiba Institute of Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takeo Iwamoto
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Core Research Facilities for Basic Science, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takeshi Murata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Molecular Chirality Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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21
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Sadreddini S, Baradaran B, Aghebati-Maleki A, Sadreddini S, Shanehbandi D, Fotouhi A, Aghebati-Maleki L. Immune checkpoint blockade opens a new way to cancer immunotherapy. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:8541-8549. [PMID: 30511409 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Among the main promising systems to triggering therapeutic antitumor immunity is the blockade of immune checkpoints. Immune checkpoint pathways regulate the control and eradication of infections, malignancies, and resistance against a host of autoantigens. Initiation point of the immune response is T cells, which have a critical role in this pathway. As several immune checkpoints are initiated by ligand-receptor interactions, they can be freely blocked by antibodies or modulated by recombinant forms of ligands or receptors. Antibodies against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) were the first immunotherapeutics that achieved the US Food and Drug Administration approval. Preliminary clinical results with the blockers of additional immune checkpoint proteins, such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) indicate extensive and different chances to boost antitumor immunity with the objective of conferring permanent clinical effects. This study provides an overview of the immune checkpoint pathways, including CTLA-4, PD-1, lymphocyte activation gene 3, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3, B7-H3, and diacylglycerol kinase α and implications of their inhibition in the cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Sadreddini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Aghebati-Maleki
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sevil Sadreddini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Dariush Shanehbandi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Fotouhi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Takahashi D, Sakane F. Expression and purification of human diacylglycerol kinase α from baculovirus-infected insect cells for structural studies. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5449. [PMID: 30128205 PMCID: PMC6089211 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are lipid kinases that modulate the levels of lipid second messengers, diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to its α isozyme (DGKα) as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. DGKα consists of the N-terminal regulatory domains including EF-hand motifs and C1 domains, and the C-terminal catalytic domain (DGKα-CD). To date, however, no structures of mammalian DGKs including their CDs have yet been reported, impeding our understanding on the catalytic mechanism of DGKs and the rational structure-based drug design. Here we attempted to produce DGKα-CD or a full-length DGKα using bacterial and baculovirus-insect cell expression system for structural studies. While several DGKα-CD constructs produced using both bacterial and insect cells formed insoluble or soluble aggregates, the full-length DGKα expressed in insect cells remained soluble and was purified to near homogeneity as a monomer with yields (1.3 mg/mL per one L cell culture) feasible for protein crystallization. Following enzymatic characterization showed that the purified DGKα is in fully functional state. We further demonstrated that the purified enzyme could be concentrated without any significant aggregation, and characterized its secondary structure by circular dichroism. Taken together, these results suggest that the presence of N-terminal regulatory domains suppress protein aggregation likely via their intramolecular interactions with DGKα-CD, and demonstrate that the baculovirus-insect cell expression of the full-length form of DGKα, not DGKα-CD alone, represents a promising approach to produce protein sample for structural studies of DGKα. Thus, our study will encourage future efforts to determine the crystal structure of DGK, which has not been determined since it was first identified in 1959.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Takahashi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Fumio Sakane
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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23
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CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of DGK Improves Antitumor Activities of Human T Cells. Cancer Res 2018; 78:4692-4703. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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BET-bromodomain inhibitors modulate epigenetic patterns at the diacylglycerol kinase alpha enhancer associated with radiation-induced fibrosis. Radiother Oncol 2017; 125:168-174. [PMID: 28916223 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fibrosis is a frequent adverse effect of radiotherapy and no effective treatments are currently available to prevent or reverse fibrotic disease. We have previously identified altered epigenetic patterns at a gene enhancer of the diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA) locus in normal skin fibroblasts derived from fibrosis patients. An open chromatin pattern related to radiation-inducibility of DGKA is associated with onset of radiation-induced fibrosis. Here, we explore epigenetic modulation of DGKA as a way to mitigate predisposition to fibrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied the effect of the BET-bromodomain inhibitors (JQ1, PFI-1) on DGKA inducibility in primary fibroblasts. Hence, DGKA transcription was additionally induced by the radiomimetic drug bleomycin, and DGKA mRNA expression, histone H3K27 acetylation and downstream markers of profibrotic fibroblast activation after BET-bromodomain inhibition were determined. RESULTS BET-bromodomain inhibition suppressed induction of DGKA in bleomycin-treated fibroblasts, reduced H3K27ac at the DGKA enhancer and repressed collagen marker gene expression. Alterations in fibroblast morphology and reduction of collagen deposition were observed. CONCLUSION For the DGKA enhancer, we show that BET-bromodomain inhibitors can alter the epigenetic landscape of fibroblasts, thus counteracting profibrotic transcriptional events. Interference with epigenetic patterns of fibrosis predisposition may provide novel preventive therapies that improve radiotherapy.
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