1
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Zhang Q, Qin Z, Wang Q, Lu L, Wang J, Lu M, Wang P, Liu D, Zhou C, Liu Z. Pharmacokinetic profiling of ZCL-278, a cdc42 inhibitor, and its effectiveness against chronic kidney disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 179:117329. [PMID: 39180793 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117329] [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: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
ZCL-278 is a selective small molecule specifically inhibiting the Cdc42-intersectin interaction, yet its in-vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties against renal diseases had not been determined. Thus, our study explored the absorption, distribution and excretion of ZCL-278 as well as its pharmacological efficacy against chronic kidney disease (CKD). With the optimized detection method, absolute oral bioavailability of ZCL-278 was determined as 10.99 % in male and 17.34 % in female rats. ZCL-278 was rapidly and abundantly distributed in various tissues, especially the kidney and heart, while few excreted through urine and feces. In the adenine-induced CKD mice, the increased plasma creatinine and urea, the decreased body weight as well as the renal pathological alterations, including vacuolization of renal tubular epithelial cells, granular degeneration, cell flattening, luminal dilation, and cylindruria, were significantly ameliorated after ZCL-278 administration. Moreover, ZCL-278 could also reverse the increased intensities of renal inflammation and fibrosis in the CKD mice. These results clarified the pharmacokinetics of ZCL-278 in rats and preliminarily indicated that ZCL-278 has favorable pharmacodynamic properties for CKD primed for lead development and optimization, warranting further drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Engineering Research Center for Application and Translation of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Liqian Lu
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Manman Lu
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pei Wang
- Blood Purification Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dongwei Liu
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunyu Zhou
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China; Blood Purification Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Zhangsuo Liu
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Zhengzhou University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Province Research Center for Kidney Disease, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China.
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2
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Bannoura SF, Khan HY, Uddin MH, Mohammad RM, Pasche BC, Azmi AS. Targeting guanine nucleotide exchange factors for novel cancer drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:949-959. [PMID: 38884380 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2368242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) regulate the activation of small GTPases (G proteins) of the Ras superfamily proteins controlling cellular functions. Ras superfamily proteins act as 'molecular switches' that are turned 'ON' by guanine exchange. There are five major groups of Ras family GTPases: Ras, Ran, Rho, Rab and Arf, with a variety of different GEFs regulating their GTP loading. GEFs have been implicated in various diseases including cancer. This makes GEFs attractive targets to modulate signaling networks controlled by small GTPases. AREAS COVERED In this review, the roles and mechanisms of GEFs in malignancy are outlined. The mechanism of guanine exchange activity by GEFs on a small GTPase is illustrated. Then, some examples of GEFs that are significant in cancer are presented with a discussion on recent progress in therapeutic targeting efforts using a variety of approaches. EXPERT OPINION Recently, GEFs have emerged as potential therapeutic targets for novel cancer drug development. Targeting small GTPases is challenging; thus, targeting their activation by GEFs is a promising strategy. Most GEF-targeted drugs are still in preclinical development. A deeper biological understanding of the underlying mechanisms of GEF activity and utilizing advanced technology are necessary to enhance drug discovery for GEFs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar F Bannoura
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Husain Yar Khan
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ramzi M Mohammad
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Boris C Pasche
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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3
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Brindani N, Vuong LM, La Serra MA, Salvador N, Menichetti A, Acquistapace IM, Ortega JA, Veronesi M, Bertozzi SM, Summa M, Girotto S, Bertorelli R, Armirotti A, Ganesan AK, De Vivo M. Discovery of CDC42 Inhibitors with a Favorable Pharmacokinetic Profile and Anticancer In Vivo Efficacy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:10401-10424. [PMID: 38866385 PMCID: PMC11215724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
We previously reported trisubstituted pyrimidine lead compounds, namely, ARN22089 and ARN25062, which block the interaction between CDC42 with its specific downstream effector, a PAK protein. This interaction is crucial for the progression of multiple tumor types. Such inhibitors showed anticancer efficacy in vivo. Here, we describe a second class of CDC42 inhibitors with favorable drug-like properties. Out of the 25 compounds here reported, compound 15 (ARN25499) stands out as the best lead compound with an improved pharmacokinetic profile, increased bioavailability, and efficacy in an in vivo PDX tumor mouse model. Our results indicate that these CDC42 inhibitors represent a promising chemical class toward the discovery of anticancer drugs, with ARN25499 as an additional lead candidate for preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Brindani
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Linh M. Vuong
- Department
of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Maria Antonietta La Serra
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Noel Salvador
- Department
of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Andrea Menichetti
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Isabella Maria Acquistapace
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Jose Antonio Ortega
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Marina Veronesi
- Structural
Biophysics Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical
Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- Translational
Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefania Girotto
- Structural
Biophysics Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Translational
Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical
Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Anand K. Ganesan
- Department
of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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4
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Velázquez-Vega LE, Rivera-Robles M, Sánchez-Álvarez AO, Vivas-Mejía PE, Aponte-Reyes M, Cruz-Collazo AM, Grafals-Ruiz N, Dorta-Estremera S, Hernández-O'Farrill E, Vlaar CP, Dharmawardhane S. Efficacy and delivery strategies of the dual Rac/Cdc42 inhibitor MBQ-167 in HER2 overexpressing breast cancer. Transl Oncol 2024; 44:101928. [PMID: 38489873 PMCID: PMC10956050 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101928] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Trastuzumab and trastuzumab-based treatments are the standard of care for breast cancer patients who overexpress the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). However, patients often develop resistance to trastuzumab via signaling from alternative growth factor receptors that converge to activate guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that in turn activate the Rho GTPases Rac and Cdc42. Since Rac and Cdc42 have been implicated in high tumor grade and therapy resistance, inhibiting the activity of Rac and Cdc42 is a rational strategy to overcome HER2-targeted therapy resistance. Therefore, our group developed MBQ-167, a dual Rac/Cdc42 inhibitor with IC50s of 103 nM and 78 nM for Rac and Cdc42, respectively, which is highly effective in reducing cell and tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer cell and mouse models. Herein, we created a trastuzumab resistant variant of the SKBR3 HER2 positive breast cancer cell line and show that Rac activation is a central mechanism in trastuzumab resistance. Next, we tested the potential of targeting MBQ-167 to HER2 overexpressing trastuzumab-resistant cell lines in vitro, and show that MBQ-167, but not trastuzumab, reduces cell viability and induces apoptosis. When MBQ-167 was targeted to mammary fatpad tumors established from HER2 overexpressing cells via immunoliposomes functionalized with trastuzumab, MBQ-167 and MBQ-167-loaded liposomes show equal efficacy in reducing the viability of trastuzumab-resistant cells, inhibiting tumor growth in mouse xenografts, and reducing metastasis to lungs and liver. This study demonstrates the efficacy of MBQ-167 as an alternative therapeutic in HER2 overexpressing cancers, delivered either in free form or in liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Velázquez-Vega
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Michael Rivera-Robles
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Pablo E Vivas-Mejía
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Ailed M Cruz-Collazo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Nilmary Grafals-Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Stephanie Dorta-Estremera
- University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Eliud Hernández-O'Farrill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Cornelis P Vlaar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico; University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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5
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Galloni C, Egnuni T, Zahed Mohajerani S, Ye J, Mittnacht S, Speirs V, Lorger M, Mavria G. Brain endothelial cells promote breast cancer cell extravasation to the brain via EGFR-DOCK4-RAC1 signalling. Commun Biol 2024; 7:602. [PMID: 38762624 PMCID: PMC11102446 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06200-x] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of endothelial cells in promoting cancer cell extravasation to the brain during the interaction of cancer cells with the vasculature is not well characterised. We show that brain endothelial cells activate EGFR signalling in triple-negative breast cancer cells with propensity to metastasise to the brain. This activation is dependent on soluble factors secreted by brain endothelial cells, and occurs via the RAC1 GEF DOCK4, which is required for breast cancer cell extravasation to the brain in vivo. Knockdown of DOCK4 inhibits breast cancer cell entrance to the brain without affecting cancer cell survival or growth. Defective extravasation is associated with loss of elongated morphology preceding intercalation into brain endothelium. We also show that brain endothelial cells promote paracrine stimulation of mesenchymal-like morphology of breast cancer cells via DOCK4, DOCK9, RAC1 and CDC42. This stimulation is accompanied by EGFR activation necessary for brain metastatic breast cancer cell elongation which can be reversed by the EGFR inhibitor Afatinib. Our findings suggest that brain endothelial cells promote metastasis through activation of cell signalling that renders breast cancer cells competent for extravasation. This represents a paradigm of brain endothelial cells influencing the signalling and metastatic competency of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Galloni
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA) and School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Teklu Egnuni
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Safoura Zahed Mohajerani
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Centre for Disease Models, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jiaqi Ye
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Valerie Speirs
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mihaela Lorger
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Georgia Mavria
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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6
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Tátrai E, Ranđelović I, Surguta SE, Tóvári J. Role of Hypoxia and Rac1 Inhibition in the Metastatic Cascade. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1872. [PMID: 38791951 PMCID: PMC11120288 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The hypoxic condition has a pivotal role in solid tumors and was shown to correlate with the poor outcome of anticancer treatments. Hypoxia contributes to tumor progression and leads to therapy resistance. Two forms of a hypoxic environment might have relevance in tumor mass formation: chronic and cyclic hypoxia. The main regulators of hypoxia are hypoxia-inducible factors, which regulate the cell survival, proliferation, motility, metabolism, pH, extracellular matrix function, inflammatory cells recruitment and angiogenesis. The metastatic process consists of different steps in which hypoxia-inducible factors can play an important role. Rac1, belonging to small G-proteins, is involved in the metastasis process as one of the key molecules of migration, especially in a hypoxic environment. The effect of hypoxia on the tumor phenotype and the signaling pathways which may interfere with tumor progression are already quite well known. Although the role of Rac1, one of the small G-proteins, in hypoxia remains unclear, predominantly, in vitro studies performed so far confirm that Rac1 inhibition may represent a viable direction for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enikő Tátrai
- The National Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (S.E.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Ivan Ranđelović
- The National Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (S.E.S.); (J.T.)
| | - Sára Eszter Surguta
- The National Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (S.E.S.); (J.T.)
- School of Ph. D. Studies, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Tóvári
- The National Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary; (I.R.); (S.E.S.); (J.T.)
- School of Ph. D. Studies, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
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7
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Tripathi S, Gupta E, Galande S. Statins as anti-tumor agents: A paradigm for repurposed drugs. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e2078. [PMID: 38711272 PMCID: PMC11074523 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.2078] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins, frequently prescribed medications, work by inhibiting the rate-limiting enzyme HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) in the mevalonate pathway to reduce cholesterol levels. Due to their multifaceted benefits, statins are being adapted for use as cost-efficient, safe and effective anti-cancer treatments. Several studies have shown that specific types of cancer are responsive to statin medications since they rely on the mevalonate pathway for their growth and survival. RECENT FINDINGS Statin are a class of drugs known for their potent inhibition of cholesterol production and are typically prescribed to treat high cholesterol levels. Nevertheless, there is growing interest in repurposing statins for the treatment of malignant neoplastic diseases, often in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The mechanism behind statin treatment includes targeting apoptosis through the BCL2 signaling pathway, regulating the cell cycle via the p53-YAP axis, and imparting epigenetic modulations by altering methylation patterns on CpG islands and histone acetylation by downregulating DNMTs and HDACs respectively. Notably, some studies have suggested a potential chemo-preventive effect, as decreased occurrence of tumor relapse and enhanced survival rate were reported in patients undergoing long-term statin therapy. However, the definitive endorsement of statin usage in cancer therapy hinges on population based clinical studies with larger patient cohorts and extended follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS The potential of anti-cancer properties of statins seems to reach beyond their influence on cholesterol production. Further investigations are necessary to uncover their effects on cancer promoting signaling pathways. Given their distinct attributes, statins might emerge as promising contenders in the fight against tumorigenesis, as they appear to enhance the efficacy and address the limitations of conventional cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Tripathi
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & EpigeneticsIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchPuneIndia
| | - Ekta Gupta
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & EpigeneticsIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchPuneIndia
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology & EpigeneticsIndian Institute of Science Education and ResearchPuneIndia
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Life SciencesShiv Nadar Institution of EminenceGautam Buddha NagarIndia
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8
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Morimoto K, Ishitobi J, Noguchi K, Kira R, Kitayama Y, Goto Y, Fujiwara D, Michigami M, Harada A, Takatani-Nakase T, Fujii I, Futaki S, Kanada M, Nakase I. Extracellular Microvesicles Modified with Arginine-Rich Peptides for Active Macropinocytosis Induction and Delivery of Therapeutic Molecules. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:17069-17079. [PMID: 38563247 PMCID: PMC11011658 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles (MVs), transfer bioactive molecules from donor to recipient cells in various pathophysiological settings, thereby mediating intercellular communication. Despite their significant roles in extracellular signaling, the cellular uptake mechanisms of different EV subpopulations remain unknown. In particular, plasma membrane-derived MVs are larger vesicles (100 nm to 1 μm in diameter) and may serve as efficient molecular delivery systems due to their large capacity; however, because of size limitations, receptor-mediated endocytosis is considered an inefficient means for cellular MV uptake. This study demonstrated that macropinocytosis (lamellipodia formation and plasma membrane ruffling, causing the engulfment of large fluid volumes outside cells) can enhance cellular MV uptake. We developed experimental techniques to induce macropinocytosis-mediated MV uptake by modifying MV membranes with arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides for the intracellular delivery of therapeutic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Morimoto
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jojiro Ishitobi
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kosuke Noguchi
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Kira
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukiya Kitayama
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of
Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho,
Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuto Goto
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of
Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho,
Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Fujiwara
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masataka Michigami
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Harada
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of
Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho,
Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoka Takatani-Nakase
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mukogawa Women’s University, 11-68, Koshien Kyuban-cho, Nishinomiya 663-8179, Hyogo, Japan
- Institute
for Bioscience, Mukogawa Women’s University, 11-68, Koshien Kyuban-cho, Nishinomiya 663-8179, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Ikuo Fujii
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute
for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji 611-0011, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Kanada
- Institute
for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ), Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ikuhiko Nakase
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1, Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai 599-8531, Osaka, Japan
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9
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Guo Z, Bergeron KF, Mounier C. Oleate Promotes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Migration by Enhancing Filopodia Formation through a PLD/Cdc42-Dependent Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3956. [PMID: 38612766 PMCID: PMC11012533 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073956] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), poses a global health challenge. Emerging evidence has established a positive association between elevated levels of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and its product oleate (OA) with cancer development and metastasis. SCD1/OA leads to alterations in migration speed, direction, and cell morphology in TNBC cells, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To address this gap, we aim to investigate the impact of OA on remodeling the actin structure in TNBC cell lines, and the underlying signaling. Using TNBC cell lines and bioinformatics tools, we show that OA stimulation induces rapid cell membrane ruffling and enhances filopodia formation. OA treatment triggers the subcellular translocation of Arp2/3 complex and Cdc42. Inhibiting Cdc42, not the Arp2/3 complex, effectively abolishes OA-induced filopodia formation and cell migration. Additionally, our findings suggest that phospholipase D is involved in Cdc42-dependent filopodia formation and cell migration. Lastly, the elevated expression of Cdc42 in breast tumor tissues is associated with a lower survival rate in TNBC patients. Our study outlines a new signaling pathway in the OA-induced migration of TNBC cells, via the promotion of Cdc42-dependent filopodia formation, providing a novel insight for therapeutic strategies in TNBC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Catherine Mounier
- Biological Sciences Department, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, QC H2X 1Y4, Canada
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10
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Haspel N, Jang H, Nussinov R. Allosteric Activation of RhoA Complexed with p115-RhoGEF Deciphered by Conformational Dynamics. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:862-873. [PMID: 38215280 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The Ras homologue family member A (RhoA) is a member of the Rho family, a subgroup of the Ras superfamily. RhoA interacts with the 115 kDa guanine nucleotide exchange factor (p115-RhoGEF), which assists in activation and binding with downstream effectors. Here, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and essential dynamics analysis of the inactive RhoA-GDP and active RhoA-GTP, when bound to p115-RhoGEF to decipher the mechanism of RhoA activation at the structural level. We observe that inactive RhoA-GDP maintains its position near the catalytic site on the Dbl homology (DH) domain of p115-RhoGEF through the interaction of its Switch I region with the DH domain. We further show that the active RhoA-GTP is engaged in more interactions with the p115-RhoGEF membrane-bound Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain as compared to RhoA-GDP. We hypothesize that the role of the interactions between the active RhoA-GTP and the PH domain is to help release it from the DH domain upon activation. Our results support this premise, and our simulations uncover the beginning of this process and provide structural details. They also point to allosteric communication pathways that take part in RhoA activation to promote and strengthen the interaction between the active RhoA-GTP and the PH domain. Allosteric regulation also occurs among other members of the Rho superfamily. Collectively, we suggest that in the activation process, the role of the RhoA-GTP interaction with the PH domain is to release RhoA-GTP from the DH domain after activation, making it available to downstream effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurit Haspel
- Department of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, United States
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Malasala S, Azimian F, Chen YH, Twiss JL, Boykin C, Akhtar SN, Lu Q. Enabling Systemic Identification and Functionality Profiling for Cdc42 Homeostatic Modulators. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.05.574351. [PMID: 38260445 PMCID: PMC10802479 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.05.574351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Homeostatic modulation is pivotal in modern therapeutics. However, the discovery of bioactive materials to achieve this functionality is often random and unpredictive. Here, we enabled a systemic identification and functional classification of chemicals that elicit homeostatic modulation of signaling through Cdc42, a classical small GTPase of Ras superfamily. Rationally designed for high throughput screening, the capture of homeostatic modulators (HMs) along with molecular re-docking uncovered at least five functionally distinct classes of small molecules. This enabling led to partial agonists, hormetic agonists, bona fide activators and inhibitors, and ligand-enhanced agonists. Novel HMs exerted striking functionality in bradykinin-Cdc42 activation of actin remodelingand modified Alzheimer's disease-like behavior in mouse model. This concurrent computer-aided and experimentally empowered HM profiling highlights a model path for predicting HM landscape. One Sentence Summary With concurrent experimental biochemical profiling and in silico computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) analysis, this study enabled a systemic identification and holistic classification of Cdc42 homeostatic modulators (HMs) and demonstrated the power of CADD to predict HM classes that can mimic the pharmacological functionality of interests. Introduction Maintainingbody homeostasisis the ultimate keyto health. Thereare rich resources of bioactive materials for this functionality from both natural and synthetic chemical repertories including partial agonists (PAs) and various allosteric modulators. These homeostatic modulators (HMs) play a unique role in modern therapeutics for human diseases such as mental disorders and drug addiction. Buspirone, for example, acts as a PA for serotonin 5-HT 1A receptor but is an antagonist of the dopamine D 2 receptor. Such medical useto treat general anxietydisorders (GADs) has become one of the most-commonly prescribed medications. However, most HMs in current uses target membrane proteins and are often derived from random discoveries. HMs as therapeutics targeting cytoplasmic proteins are even more rare despite that they are in paramount needs (e. g. targeting Ras superfamily small GTPases). Rationale Cdc42, a classical member of small GTPases of Ras superfamily, regulates PI3K-AKT and Raf-MEK-ERK pathways and has been implicated in various neuropsychiatric and mental disorders as well as addictive diseases and cancer. We previously reported the high-throughput in-silico screening followed by biological characterization of novel small molecule modulators (SMMs) of Cdc42-intersectin (ITSN) protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Based on a serendipitously discovered SMM ZCL278 with PA profile as a model compound, we hypothesized that there are more varieties of such HMs of Cdc42 signaling, and the model HMs can be defined by their distinct Cdc42-ITSN binding mechanisms using computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) analysis. We further reasoned that molecular modeling coupled with experimental profiling can predict HM spectrum and thus open the door for the holistic identification and classification of multifunctional cytoplasmic target-dependent HMs as therapeutics. Results The originally discovered Cdc42 inhibitor ZCL278 displaying PA properties prompted the inquiry whether this finding represented a random encounter of PAs or whether biologically significant PAs can be widely present. The top ranked compounds were initially defined by structural fitness and binding scores to Cdc42. Because higher binding scores do not necessarily translate to higher functionality, we performed exhaustive experimentations with over 2,500 independent Cdc42-GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor) assays to profile the GTP loading activities on all 44 top ranked compounds derived from the SMM library. The N-MAR-GTP fluorophore-based Cdc42-GEF assay platform provided the first glimpse of the breadth of HMs. A spectrum of Cdc42 HMs was uncovered that can be categorized into five functionally distinct classes: Class I-partial competitive agonists, Class II-hormetic agonists, Class III- bona fide inhibitors (or inverse agonists), Class IV- bona fide activators or agonists, and Class V-ligand-enhanced agonists. Remarkably, model HMs such as ZCL278, ZCL279, and ZCL367 elicited striking biological functionality in bradykinin-Cdc42 activation of actin remodeling and modified Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like behavior in mouse model. Concurrently, we applied Schrödinger-enabled analyses to perform CADD predicted classification of Cdc42 HMs. We modified the classic molecular docking to instill a preferential binding pocket order (PBPO) of Cdc42-ITSN, which was based on the five binding pockets in interface of Cdc42-ITSN. We additionally applied a structure-based pharmacophore hypothesis generation for the model compounds. Then, using Schrödinger's Phase Shape, 3D ligand alignments assigned HMs to Class I, II, III, IV, and V compounds. In this HM library compounds, PBPO, matching pharmacophoric featuring, and shape alignment, all put ZCL993 in Class II compound category, which was confirmed in the Cdc42-GEF assay. Conclusion HMs can target diseased cells or tissues while minimizing impacts on tissues that are unaffected. Using Cdc42 HM model compounds as a steppingstone, GTPase activation-based screening of SMM library uncovered five functionally distinct Cdc42 HM classes among which novel efficacies towards alleviating dysregulated AD-like features in mice were identified. Furthermore, molecular re-docking of HM model compounds led to the concept of PBPO. The CADD analysis with PBPO revealed similar profile in a color-coded spectrum to these five distinct classes of Cdc42 HMs identified by biochemical functionality-based screening. The current study enabled a systemic identification and holistic classification of Cdc42 HMs and demonstrated the power of CADD to predict an HM category that can mimic the pharmacological functionality of interests. With artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) on the horizon to mirror experimental pharmacological discovery like AlphaFold for protein structure prediction, our study highlights a model path to actively capture and profile HMs in potentially any PPI landscape. Graphic Abstract Identification and functional classification of Cdc42 homeostatic modulators HMs Using Cdc42 HM model compounds as reference, GTPase activation-based screening of compound libraries uncovered five functionally distinct Cdc42 HM classes. HMs showed novel efficacies towards alleviating dysregulated Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like behavioral and molecular deficits. In parallel, molecular re-docking of HM model compounds established their preferential binding pocket orders (PBPO). PBPO-based profiling (Red reflects the most, whereas green reflects the least, preferable binding pocket) revealed trends of similar pattern to the five classes from the functionality-based classification.
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Halász H, Szatmári Z, Kovács K, Koppán M, Papp S, Szabó-Meleg E, Szatmári D. Changes of Ex Vivo Cervical Epithelial Cells Due to Electroporation with JMY. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16863. [PMID: 38069185 PMCID: PMC10706833 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The ionic environment within the nucleoplasm might diverge from the conditions found in the cytoplasm, potentially playing a role in the cellular stress response. As a result, it is conceivable that interactions of nuclear actin and actin-binding proteins (ABPs) with apoptosis factors may differ in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. The primary intracellular stress response is Ca2+ influx. The junctional mediating and regulating Y protein (JMY) is an actin-binding protein and has the capability to interact with the apoptosis factor p53 in a Ca2+-dependent manner, forming complexes that play a regulatory role in cytoskeletal remodelling and motility. JMY's presence is observed in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Here, we show that ex vivo ectocervical squamous cells subjected to electroporation with JMY protein exhibited varying morphological alterations. Specifically, the highly differentiated superficial and intermediate cells displayed reduced nuclear size. In inflamed samples, nuclear enlargement and simultaneous cytoplasmic reduction were observable and showed signs of apoptotic processes. In contrast, the less differentiated parabasal and metaplastic cells showed increased cytoplasmic activity and the formation of membrane protrusions. Surprisingly, in severe inflammation, vaginosis or ASC-US (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance), JMY appears to influence only the nuclear and perinuclear irregularities of differentiated cells, and cytoplasmic abnormalities still existed after the electroporation. Our observations can provide an appropriate basis for the exploration of the relationship between cytopathologically relevant morphological changes of epithelial cells and the function of ABPs. This is particularly important since ABPs are considered potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for both cancers and chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriett Halász
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.H.); (E.S.-M.)
| | | | - Krisztina Kovács
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | | | - Szilárd Papp
- DaVinci Clinics, 7635 Pécs, Hungary; (M.K.); (S.P.)
| | - Edina Szabó-Meleg
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.H.); (E.S.-M.)
| | - Dávid Szatmári
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.H.); (E.S.-M.)
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Pulat S, Kim DA, Hillman PF, Oh DC, Kim H, Nam SJ, Fenical W. Actinoquinazolinone, a New Quinazolinone Derivative from a Marine Bacterium Streptomyces sp. CNQ-617, Suppresses the Motility of Gastric Cancer Cells. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:489. [PMID: 37755102 PMCID: PMC10532864 DOI: 10.3390/md21090489] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A HPLC-UV guided fractionation of the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. CNQ-617 has led to the isolation of a new quinazolinone derivative, actinoquinazolinone (1), as well as two known compounds, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-4-one (2) and 7-methoxy-8-hydroxy cycloanthranilylproline (3). The interpretation of 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectroscopic data revealed the planar structure of 1. Furthermore, compound 1 suppressed invasion ability by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers (EMT) in AGS cells at a concentration of 5 µM. In addition, compound 1 decreased the expression of seventeen genes related to human cell motility and slightly suppressed the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) signal pathway in AGS cells. Together, these results demonstrate that 1 is a potent inhibitor of gastric cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan Pulat
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea;
| | - Da-Ae Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea; (D.-A.K.); (P.F.H.)
| | - Prima F. Hillman
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea; (D.-A.K.); (P.F.H.)
| | - Dong-Chan Oh
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hangun Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sang-Jip Nam
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea; (D.-A.K.); (P.F.H.)
| | - William Fenical
- Center of Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0204, USA
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14
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谢 紫, 刘 立, 房 锦, 钟 星, 林 俊, 陈 逢. [ARHGAP21 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inactivating the WNT signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2023; 43:1322-1332. [PMID: 37712268 PMCID: PMC10505574 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2023.08.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of Rho GTPase-activating protein 21 (ARHGAP21) in regulating the migration and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. METHODS TCGA, CPTAC database were used to analyze the correlation of ARHGAP21 expression level in NSCLC and the patients' prognosis. The expression of ARHGAP21 in clinical specimens of NSCLC tissues was examined using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The effect of ARHGAP21 knockdown on migration ability of lung cancer cell lines was examined using Transwell assay and wound healing assay. A nude mouse model with injection of lung cancer H1299 cells via the tail vein was used to examine the effect of ARHGAP21 knockdown on the metastatic ability of the tumor cells. The possible mechanism of ARHGAP21 was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified using Western blotting. RESULTS A low ARHGAP21 expression was associated with poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC (P < 0.05). ARHGAP21 expression was significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues as compared with the adjacent tissues (P < 0.001). In cultured lung cancer cells, ARHGAP21 knockdown obviously promoted the migration ability of the cells (P < 0.001). In the nude mouse models, injection of H1299 cells with ARHGAP21 knockdown, as compared with the negative control cells, resulted in a greater number of metastatic lung cancer nodules (P < 0.05), which expressed higher levels of N-cadherin and vimentin. Bioinformatic analysis showed a close correlation of ARHGAP21 with APC, GSK3β, and Axin (P < 0.001). Western blotting showed that ARHGAP21 knockdown significantly decreased ubiquitination of β-catenin, upregulated N-cadherin and activated the WNT signaling pathway in the lung cancer cells. CONCLUSION ARHGAP21 downregulation can significantly promote the migration and metastatic ability of NSCLC possibly as a result of WNT signaling pathway activation, which reduces the ubiquitination of β-catenin by affecting the expressions of APC, GSK3β, and Axin.
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Affiliation(s)
- 紫平 谢
- 南方医科大学中西医结合医院,广东 广州 510315Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
| | - 立威 刘
- 南方医科大学附属何贤纪念医院,广东 广州 511400Hexian Memorial Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - 锦存 房
- 南方医科大学附属何贤纪念医院,广东 广州 511400Hexian Memorial Hospital Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - 星怡 钟
- 南方医科大学中西医结合医院,广东 广州 510315Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
| | - 俊豪 林
- 南方医科大学中西医结合医院,广东 广州 510315Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
| | - 逢生 陈
- 南方医科大学中西医结合医院,广东 广州 510315Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510315, China
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15
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Githaka JM, Pirayeshfard L, Goping IS. Cancer invasion and metastasis: Insights from murine pubertal mammary gland morphogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130375. [PMID: 37150225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer invasion and metastasis accounts for the majority of cancer related mortality. A better understanding of the players that drive the aberrant invasion and migration of tumors cells will provide critical targets to inhibit metastasis. Postnatal pubertal mammary gland morphogenesis is characterized by highly proliferative, invasive, and migratory normal epithelial cells. Identifying the molecular regulators of pubertal gland development is a promising strategy since tumorigenesis and metastasis is postulated to be a consequence of aberrant reactivation of developmental stages. In this review, we summarize the pubertal morphogenesis regulators that are involved in cancer metastasis and revisit pubertal mammary gland transcriptome profiling to uncover both known and unknown metastasis genes. Our updated list of pubertal morphogenesis regulators shows that most are implicated in invasion and metastasis. This review highlights molecular linkages between development and metastasis and provides a guide for exploring novel metastatic drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Maringa Githaka
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
| | - Leila Pirayeshfard
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Ing Swie Goping
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
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16
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Hladyshau S, Stoop JP, Kamada K, Nie S, Tsygankov D. Spatiotemporal Coordination of Rac1 and Cdc42 at the Whole Cell Level during Cell Ruffling. Cells 2023; 12:1638. [PMID: 37371108 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho-GTPases are central regulators within a complex signaling network that controls cytoskeletal organization and cell movement. The network includes multiple GTPases, such as the most studied Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, along with their numerous effectors that provide mutual regulation through feedback loops. Here we investigate the temporal and spatial relationship between Rac1 and Cdc42 during membrane ruffling, using a simulation model that couples GTPase signaling with cell morphodynamics and captures the GTPase behavior observed with FRET-based biosensors. We show that membrane velocity is regulated by the kinetic rate of GTPase activation rather than the concentration of active GTPase. Our model captures both uniform and polarized ruffling. We also show that cell-type specific time delays between Rac1 and Cdc42 activation can be reproduced with a single signaling motif, in which the delay is controlled by feedback from Cdc42 to Rac1. The resolution of our simulation output matches those of time-lapsed recordings of cell dynamics and GTPase activity. Our data-driven modeling approach allows us to validate simulation results with quantitative precision using the same pipeline for the analysis of simulated and experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siarhei Hladyshau
- School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Jorik P Stoop
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Kosei Kamada
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Shuyi Nie
- School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Denis Tsygankov
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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17
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Cervantes-Villagrana RD, García-Jiménez I, Vázquez-Prado J. Guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rho GTPases (RhoGEFs) as oncogenic effectors and strategic therapeutic targets in metastatic cancer. Cell Signal 2023; 109:110749. [PMID: 37290677 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic cancer cells dynamically adjust their shape to adhere, invade, migrate, and expand to generate secondary tumors. Inherent to these processes is the constant assembly and disassembly of cytoskeletal supramolecular structures. The subcellular places where cytoskeletal polymers are built and reorganized are defined by the activation of Rho GTPases. These molecular switches directly respond to signaling cascades integrated by Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), which are sophisticated multidomain proteins that control morphological behavior of cancer and stromal cells in response to cell-cell interactions, tumor-secreted factors and actions of oncogenic proteins within the tumor microenvironment. Stromal cells, including fibroblasts, immune and endothelial cells, and even projections of neuronal cells, adjust their shapes and move into growing tumoral masses, building tumor-induced structures that eventually serve as metastatic routes. Here we review the role of RhoGEFs in metastatic cancer. They are highly diverse proteins with common catalytic modules that select among a variety of homologous Rho GTPases enabling them to load GTP, acquiring an active conformation that stimulates effectors controlling actin cytoskeleton remodeling. Therefore, due to their strategic position in oncogenic signaling cascades, and their structural diversity flanking common catalytic modules, RhoGEFs possess unique characteristics that make them conceptual targets of antimetastatic precision therapies. Preclinical proof of concept, demonstrating the antimetastatic effect of inhibiting either expression or activity of βPix (ARHGEF7), P-Rex1, Vav1, ARHGEF17, and Dock1, among others, is emerging.
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18
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Kim HJ, Hwang JS, Noh KB, Oh SH, Park JB, Shin YJ. A p-Tyr42 RhoA Inhibitor Promotes the Regeneration of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells by Ameliorating Cellular Senescence. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1186. [PMID: 37371916 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of treatment strategies for human corneal endothelial cells (hCECs) disease is necessary because hCECs do not regenerate in vivo due to the properties that are similar to senescence. This study is performed to investigate the role of a p-Tyr42 RhoA inhibitor (MH4, ELMED Inc., Chuncheon) in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)- or H2O2-induced cellular senescence of hCECs. Cultured hCECs were treated with MH4. The cell shape, proliferation rate, and cell cycle phases were analyzed. Moreover, cell adhesion assays and immunofluorescence staining for F-actin, Ki-67, and E-cadherin were performed. Additionally, the cells were treated with TGF-β or H2O2 to induce senescence, and mitochondrial oxidative reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and NF-κB translocation were evaluated. LC3II/LC3I levels were determined using Western blotting to analyze autophagy. MH4 promotes hCEC proliferation, shifts the cell cycle, attenuates actin distribution, and increases E-cadherin expression. TGF-β and H2O2 induce senescence by increasing mitochondrial ROS levels and NF-κB translocation into the nucleus; however, this effect is attenuated by MH4. Moreover, TGF-β and H2O2 decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential and induce autophagy, while MH4 reverses these effects. In conclusion, MH4, a p-Tyr42 RhoA inhibitor, promotes the regeneration of hCECs and protects hCECs against TGF-β- and H2O2-induced senescence via the ROS/NF-κB/mitochondrial pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon Jung Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
- Hallym BioEyeTech Research Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Sun Hwang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
- Hallym BioEyeTech Research Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Bo Noh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
- Hallym BioEyeTech Research Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Oh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
- Hallym BioEyeTech Research Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Bong Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Shin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
- Hallym BioEyeTech Research Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea
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19
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Brindani N, Vuong LM, Acquistapace IM, La Serra MA, Ortega JA, Veronesi M, Bertozzi SM, Summa M, Girotto S, Bertorelli R, Armirotti A, Ganesan AK, De Vivo M. Design, Synthesis, In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of CDC42 GTPase Interaction Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:5981-6001. [PMID: 37026468 PMCID: PMC10150367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
CDC42 GTPases (RHOJ, CDC42, and RHOQ) are overexpressed in multiple tumor types and activate pathways critical for tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Recently, we reported the discovery of a novel lead compound, ARN22089, which blocks the interaction of CDC42 GTPases with specific downstream effectors. ARN22089 blocks tumor growth in BRAF mutant mouse melanoma models and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in vivo. ARN22089 also inhibits tumor angiogenesis in three-dimensional vascularized microtumor models in vitro. Notably, ARN22089 belongs to a novel class of trisubstituted pyrimidines. Based on these results, we describe an extensive structure-activity relationship of ∼30 compounds centered on ARN22089. We discovered and optimized two novel inhibitors (27, ARN25062, and 28, ARN24928), which are optimal back-up/follow-up leads with favorable drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy in PDX tumors. These findings further demonstrate the potential of this class of CDC42/RHOJ inhibitors for cancer treatment, with lead candidates ready for advanced preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Brindani
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Linh M. Vuong
- Department
of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Isabella Maria Acquistapace
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta La Serra
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - José Antonio Ortega
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Marina Veronesi
- Structural
Biophysics Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical
Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- Translational
Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Stefania Girotto
- Structural
Biophysics Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Translational
Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical
Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Anand K. Ganesan
- Department
of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular
Modeling and Drug Discovery Lab, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16163, Italy
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20
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Kukimoto-Niino M, Ihara K, Mishima-Tsumagari C, Inoue M, Fukui Y, Yokoyama S, Shirouzu M. Structural basis for the dual GTPase specificity of the DOCK10 guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 653:12-20. [PMID: 36848820 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Dedicator of cytokinesis 10 (DOCK10), an evolutionarily conserved guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rho GTPases, has the unique specificity within the DOCK-D subfamily to activate both Cdc42 and Rac, but the structural bases for these activities remained unknown. Here we present the crystal structures of the catalytic DHR2 domain of mouse DOCK10, complexed with either Cdc42 or Rac1. The structures revealed that DOCK10DHR2 binds to Cdc42 or Rac1 by slightly changing the arrangement of its two catalytic lobes. DOCK10 also has a flexible binding pocket for the 56th GTPase residue, allowing a novel interaction with Trp56Rac1. The conserved residues in switch 1 of Cdc42 and Rac1 showed common interactions with the unique Lys-His sequence in the β5/β6 loop of DOCK10DHR2. However, the interaction of switch 1 in Rac1 was less stable than that of switch 1 in Cdc42, due to amino acid differences at positions 27 and 30. Structure-based mutagenesis identified the DOCK10 residues that determine the Cdc42/Rac1 dual specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuko Kukimoto-Niino
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Ihara
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Chiemi Mishima-Tsumagari
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Mio Inoue
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fukui
- Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Yokoyama
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
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21
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Lau A, Le N, Nguyen C, Kandpal RP. Signals transduced by Eph receptors and ephrin ligands converge on MAP kinase and AKT pathways in human cancers. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110579. [PMID: 36572189 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors, the largest known family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and ephrin ligands have been implicated in a variety of human cancers. The novel bidirectional signaling events initiated by binding of Eph receptors to their cognate ephrin ligands modulate many cellular processes such as proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, invasion, and apoptosis. The relationships between the abundance of a unique subset of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands with associated cellular processes indicate a key role of these molecules in tumorigenesis. The combinatorial expression of these molecules converges on MAP kinase and/or AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. The intracellular target proteins of the initial signal may, however, vary in some cancers. Furthermore, we have also described the commonality of up- and down-regulation of individual receptors and ligands in various cancers. The current state of research in Eph receptors illustrates MAP kinase and mTOR pathways as plausible targets for therapeutic interventions in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lau
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Nghia Le
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Claudia Nguyen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Raj P Kandpal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America.
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22
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Hladyshau S, Stoop JP, Kamada K, Nie S, Tsygankov DV. Spatiotemporal coordination of Rac1 and Cdc42 at the whole cell level during cell ruffling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.31.535147. [PMID: 37034645 PMCID: PMC10081307 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.31.535147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Rho-GTPases are central regulators within a complex signaling network that controls the cytoskeletal organization and cell movement. This network includes multiple GTPases, such as the most studied Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, and their numerous effectors that provide mutual regulation and feedback loops. Here we investigate the temporal and spatial relationship between Rac1 and Cdc42 during membrane ruffling using a simulation model which couples GTPase signaling with cell morphodynamics to capture the GTPase behavior observed with FRET-based biosensors. We show that membrane velocity is regulated by the kinetic rate of GTPase activation rather than the concentration of active GTPase. Our model captures both uniform and polarized ruffling. We also show that cell-type specific time delays between Rac1 and Cdc42 activation can be reproduced with a single signaling motif, in which the delay is controlled by feedback from Cdc42 to Rac1. The resolution of our simulation output matches those of the time-lapsed recordings of cell dynamics and GTPase activity. This approach allows us to validate simulation results with quantitative precision using the same pipeline for the analysis of simulated and experimental data.
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23
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The Dual Function of RhoGDI2 in Immunity and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044015. [PMID: 36835422 PMCID: PMC9960019 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
RhoGDI2 is a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) specific for the Rho family of small GTPases. It is highly expressed in hematopoietic cells but is also present in a large array of other cell types. RhoGDI2 has been implicated in multiple human cancers and immunity regulation, where it can display a dual role. Despite its involvement in various biological processes, we still do not have a clear understanding of its mechanistic functions. This review sheds a light on the dual opposite role of RhoGDI2 in cancer, highlights its underappreciated role in immunity and proposes ways to explain its intricate regulatory functions.
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24
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Tilston-Lunel AM, Varelas X. Polarity in respiratory development, homeostasis and disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 154:285-315. [PMID: 37100521 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
The respiratory system is composed of a multitude of cells that organize to form complex branched airways that end in alveoli, which respectively function to guide air flow and mediate gas exchange with the bloodstream. The organization of the respiratory sytem relies on distinct forms of cell polarity, which guide lung morphogenesis and patterning in development and provide homeostatic barrier protection from microbes and toxins. The stability of lung alveoli, the luminal secretion of surfactants and mucus in the airways, and the coordinated motion of multiciliated cells that generate proximal fluid flow, are all critical functions regulated by cell polarity, with defects in polarity contributing to respiratory disease etiology. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of cell polarity in lung development and homeostasis, highlighting key roles for polarity in alveolar and airway epithelial function and outlining relationships with microbial infections and diseases, such as cancer.
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25
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Medina JI, Cruz-Collazo A, Maldonado MDM, Matos Gascot T, Borrero-Garcia LD, Cooke M, Kazanietz MG, Hernandez O'Farril E, Vlaar CP, Dharmawardhane S. Characterization of Novel Derivatives of MBQ-167, an inhibitor of the GTP-binding proteins Rac/Cdc42. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:1711-1726. [PMID: 36861094 PMCID: PMC9970268 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rac and Cdc42, are homologous GTPases that regulate cell migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression; thus, representing key targets for metastasis therapy. We previously reported on the efficacy of MBQ-167, which blocks both Rac1 and Cdc42 in breast cancer cells and mouse models of metastasis. To identify compounds with increased activity, a panel of MBQ-167 derivatives was synthesized, maintaining its 9-ethyl-3-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-9H-carbazole core. Similar to MBQ-167, MBQ-168 and EHop-097, inhibit activation of Rac and Rac1B splice variant and breast cancer cell viability, and induce apoptosis. MBQ-167 and MBQ-168 inhibit Rac and Cdc42 by interfering with guanine nucleotide binding, and MBQ-168 is a more effective inhibitor of PAK (1,2,3) activation. EHop-097 acts via a different mechanism by inhibiting the interaction of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Vav with Rac. MBQ-168 and EHop-097 inhibit metastatic breast cancer cell migration, and MBQ-168 promotes loss of cancer cell polarity to result in disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and detachment from the substratum. In lung cancer cells, MBQ-168 is more effective than MBQ-167 or EHop-097 at reducing ruffle formation in response to EGF. Comparable to MBQ-167, MBQ-168 significantly inhibits HER2+ tumor growth and metastasis to lung, liver, and spleen. Both MBQ-167 and MBQ-168 inhibit the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes 3A4, 2C9, and 2C19. However, MBQ-168 is ~10X less potent than MBQ-167 at inhibiting CYP3A4, thus demonstrating its utility in relevant combination therapies. In conclusion, the MBQ-167 derivatives MBQ-168 and EHop-097 are additional promising anti metastatic cancer compounds with similar and distinct mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia I. Medina
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Ailed Cruz-Collazo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maria del Mar Maldonado
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Tatiana Matos Gascot
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Mariana Cooke
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Marcelo G. Kazanietz
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eliud Hernandez O'Farril
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- MBQ Pharma, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Cornelis P. Vlaar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- MBQ Pharma, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- MBQ Pharma, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Corresponding Author: Suranganie Dharmawardhane, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, PO Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067. Phone: 787-758-2525, ext. 1623; E-mail:
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26
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Tension of plus-end tracking protein Clip170 confers directionality and aggressiveness during breast cancer migration. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:856. [PMID: 36209218 PMCID: PMC9547975 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05306-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The microtubule (MT) plus-end binding protein Clip170 is associated closely with breast cancer invasion and migration. In this study, Clip170 tension observed by a newly designed cpstFRET tension probe was suggested to be positive related to breast cancer aggressiveness, which could be regulated by α-tubulin detyrosination-induced MT disassembly. Clip170 phosphorylation induced by Ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK) could also increase its tension and promote the conversion of a discrete comet-like Clip-170 distribution into a spotty pattern during cancer metastasis. Heightened Clip170 tension was correlated with the formation of cortactin-associated filopodia and lamellipodia, and then promoted invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, Clip170 tension enhanced at the leading edge in directional migration, accompanying with IQGAP1 subcellular distribution variation. Our work indicates that the malignancy and directionality during breast cancer migration depend on the magnitude and polarization of Clip170 tension, and we suggest Clip170 tension as a new potential drug target for breast cancer therapy.
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27
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Li J, Fu Y, Zhang K, Li Y. Integration of Bulk and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data to Construct a Prognostic Model of Membrane Tension-Related Genes for Colon Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091562. [PMID: 36146640 PMCID: PMC9506318 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091562] [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: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The plasma membrane provides a highly dynamic barrier for cancer cells to interact with their surrounding microenvironment. Membrane tension, a pivotal physical property of the plasma membrane, has attracted widespread attention since it plays a role in the progression of various cancers. This study aimed to identify a prognostic signature in colon cancer from membrane tension-related genes (MTRGs) and explore its implications for the disease. Methods: Bulk RNA-seq data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and then applied to the differentially expressed gene analysis. By implementing a univariate Cox regression and a LASSO-Cox regression, we developed a prognostic model based on four MTRGs. The prognostic efficacy of this model was evaluated in combination with a Kaplan–Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Moreover, the relationships between the signature and immune cell infiltration, immune status, and somatic mutation were further explored. Lastly, by utilizing single-cell RNA-seq data, cell type annotation, pseudo-time analysis, drug sensitivity, and molecular docking were implemented. Results: We constructed a 4-MTRG signature. The risk score derived from the model was further validated as an independent variable for survival prediction. Two risk groups were divided based on the risk score calculated by the 4-MTRG signature. In addition, we observed a significant difference in immune cell infiltration, such as subsets of CD4 T cells and macrophages, between the high- and low-risk groups. Moreover, in the pseudo-time analysis, TIMP1 was found to be more highly expressed with the progression of time. Finally, three small molecule drugs, elesclomol, shikonin, and bryostatin-1, exhibited a binding potential to TIMP-1. Conclusions: The novel 4-MTRG signature is a promising biomarker in predicting clinical outcomes for colon cancer patients, and TIMP1, a member of the signature, may be a sensitive regulator of the progression of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Li
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China
- Municipal Medical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China
| | - Yugang Fu
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China
- Municipal Medical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China
| | - Kehui Zhang
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China
| | - Yong Li
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200071, China
- Correspondence:
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28
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Huang D, Qiu H, Miao L, Guo L, Zhang X, Lin M, Li Z, Li F. Cdc42 promotes thyroid cancer cell proliferation and migration and tumor-associated macrophage polarization through the PTEN/AKT pathway. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2022; 36:e23115. [PMID: 35822655 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23115] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism and function of Cdc42 in thyroid cancer. We found that knockdown of Cdc42 inhibited the migration and proliferation of WRO cells. This role of Cdc42 is achieved by interacting with PTEN and interfering with its PTEN nuclear translocation. The overexpression of Cdc42 enhances the production of lactic acid and promotes the polarization of M2 macrophages, and therefore M2 macrophages inhibit the function of T cells. Overall, Cdc42 can promote cell proliferation and migration through the PTEN/AKT pathway and promote tumor-related M2 macrophage polarization and inhibit T cell activity by enhancing aerobic glycolysis, animal experiments confirmed that tumor volume increased after Cdc42 overexpressed in TBP-3743 murine thyroid cancer cells. Increased infiltration of Treg and macrophages was also observed. taken together, our results indicate that Cdc42 can be used as a diagnostic and thyroid cancer Prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyi Huang
- Ultrasound Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Huali Qiu
- Ultrasound Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Lin Miao
- Thyroid Breast Surgery Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Inspection Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- Ultrasound Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Mengmeng Lin
- Ultrasound Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Zhongyun Li
- Ultrasound Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
| | - Fang Li
- Ultrasound Department, The People's Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan, China
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29
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Beltrán-Navarro YM, Reyes-Cruz G, Vázquez-Prado J. P-Rex1 Signaling Hub in Lower Grade Glioma Patients, Found by In Silico Data Mining, Correlates With Reduced Survival and Augmented Immune Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:922025. [PMID: 35875157 PMCID: PMC9300953 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.922025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematic analysis of tumor transcriptomes, combined with deep genome sequencing and detailed clinical assessment of hundreds of patients, constitutes a powerful strategy aimed to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets to guide personalized treatments. Oncogenic signaling cascades are integrated by multidomain effector proteins such as P-Rex1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rac GTPase (RacGEF), known to promote metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. We hypothesized that patients with high P-Rex1 expression and reduced survival might be characterized by a particular set of signaling proteins co-expressed with this effector of cell migration as a central component of a putative signaling hub indicative of poor prognosis. High P-Rex1 expression correlated with reduced survival of TCGA Lower Grade Glioma (LGG) patients. Thus, guided by PREX1 expression, we searched for signaling partners of this RacGEF by applying a systematic unbiased in silico data mining strategy. We identified 30 putative signaling partners that also correlated with reduced patient survival. These included GPCRs such as CXCR3, GPR82, FZD6, as well as MAP3K1, MAP2K3, NEK8, DYRK3 and RPS6KA3 kinases, and PTPN2 and PTPN22 phosphatases, among other transcripts of signaling proteins and phospho-substrates. This PREX1 signaling hub signature correlated with increased risk of shorter survival of LGG patients from independent datasets and coincided with immune and endothelial transcriptomic signatures, indicating that myeloid infiltration and tumor angiogenesis might contribute to worsen brain tumor pathology. In conclusion, P-Rex1 and its putative signaling partners in LGG are indicative of a signaling landscape of the tumor microenvironment that correlates with poor prognosis and might guide the characterization of signaling targets leading the eventual development of immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - José Vázquez-Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: José Vázquez-Prado,
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30
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Wang L, Shi J, Liu S, Huang Y, Ding H, Zhao B, Liu Y, Wang W, Yang J, Chen Z. RAC3 Inhibition Induces Autophagy to Impair Metastasis in Bladder Cancer Cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:915240. [PMID: 35847878 PMCID: PMC9279623 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.915240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most frequent malignant tumors globally, with a significant morbidity and mortality rate. Gene expression dysregulation has been proven to play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate3 (RAC3), which is overexpressed in several malignancies and promotes tumor progression, has been identified as an oncogene. However, RAC3 has important but not fully understood biological functions in cancer. Our research aims to reveal the new functions and potential mechanisms of RAC3 involved in BCa progression. Methods We explored the expression level of RAC3 and its relationship with prognosis by publicly accessible BCa datasets, while the correlation of RAC3 expression with clinicopathological variables of patients was analyzed. In vitro and in vivo proliferation, migration, autophagy, and other phenotypic changes were examined by constructing knockdown(KD)/overexpression(OE) RAC3 cells and their association with PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was explored by adding autophagy-related compounds. Results Compared with non-tumor samples, RAC3 was highly expressed in BCa and negatively correlated with prognosis. KD/OE RAC3 inhibited/promoted the proliferation and migration of BCa cells. Knockdown RAC3 caused cell cycle arrest and decreased adhesion without affecting apoptosis. Inhibition of RAC3 activates PI3K/AKT/mTOR mediated autophagy and inhibits proliferation and migration of BCa cells in vivo and in vitro. Autophagy inhibitor 3MA can partially rescue the metastasis and proliferation inhibition effect caused by RAC3 inhibition. Inhibit/activate mTOR enhanced/impaired autophagy, resulting in shRAC3-mediated migration defect exacerbated/rescued. Conclusion RAC3 is highly expressed in BCa. It is associated with advanced clinicopathological variables and poor prognosis. Knockdown RAC3 exerts an antitumor effect by enhancing PI3K/AKT/mTOR mediated autophagy. Targeting RAC3 and autophagy simultaneously is a potential therapeutic strategy for inhibiting BCa progression and prolonging survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Wang
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Unit 32357 of People’s Liberation Army, Pujiang, China
| | - Jiazhong Shi
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yaqin Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Ding
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Baixiong Zhao
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wuxing Wang
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiwen Chen
- Urology Institute of People’s Liberation Army, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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31
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Grey W, Rio-Machin A, Casado-Izquierdo P, Grönroos E, Ali S, Miettinen JJ, Bewicke-Copley F, Parsons A, Heckman CA, Swanton C, Cutillas P, Gribben J, Fitzgibbon J, Bonnet D. CKS1 inhibition depletes leukemic stem cells and protects healthy hematopoietic stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn3248. [PMID: 35731890 PMCID: PMC7612983 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn3248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological disorder comprising a hierarchy of quiescent leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and proliferating blasts with limited self-renewal ability. AML has a dismal prognosis, with extremely low 2-year survival rates in the poorest cytogenetic risk patients, primarily due to the failure of intensive chemotherapy protocols to deplete LSCs and toxicity of therapy toward healthy hematopoietic cells. We studied the role of cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit 1 (CKS1)-dependent protein degradation in primary human AML and healthy hematopoiesis xenograft models in vivo. Using a small-molecule inhibitor (CKS1i), we demonstrate a dual role for CKS1-dependent protein degradation in reducing patient-derived AML blasts in vivo and, importantly, depleting LSCs, whereas inhibition of CKS1 has the opposite effect on normal hematopoiesis, protecting normal hematopoietic stem cells from chemotherapeutic toxicity. Proteomic analysis of responses to CKS1i in our patient-derived xenograft mouse model demonstrate that inhibition of CKS1 in AML leads to hyperactivation of RAC1 and accumulation of lethal reactive oxygen species, whereas healthy hematopoietic cells enter quiescence in response to CKS1i, protecting hematopoietic stem cells. Together, these findings demonstrate that CKS1-dependent proteostasis is a key vulnerability in malignant stem cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Grey
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
| | - Ana Rio-Machin
- Centre for Genomics and Computational Biology, Bart’s Cancer Institute, London, U.K
| | - Pedro Casado-Izquierdo
- Cell signalling and proteomics group, Centre for Genomics and Computational Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, London, U.K
| | - Eva Grönroos
- Cancer evolution and genome instability laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
| | - Sara Ali
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
| | - Juho J. Miettinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland – FINN, HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Alun Parsons
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland – FINN, HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caroline A. Heckman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland – FINN, HiLIFE – Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer evolution and genome instability laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
| | - Pedro Cutillas
- Cell signalling and proteomics group, Centre for Genomics and Computational Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, London, U.K
| | - John Gribben
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Bart’s Cancer Institute, London, U.K
| | - Jude Fitzgibbon
- Centre for Genomics and Computational Biology, Bart’s Cancer Institute, London, U.K
| | - Dominique Bonnet
- Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, U.K
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32
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Eugenin E, Camporesi E, Peracchia C. Direct Cell-Cell Communication via Membrane Pores, Gap Junction Channels, and Tunneling Nanotubes: Medical Relevance of Mitochondrial Exchange. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6133. [PMID: 35682809 PMCID: PMC9181466 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The history of direct cell-cell communication has evolved in several small steps. First discovered in the 1930s in invertebrate nervous systems, it was thought at first to be an exception to the "cell theory", restricted to invertebrates. Surprisingly, however, in the 1950s, electrical cell-cell communication was also reported in vertebrates. Once more, it was thought to be an exception restricted to excitable cells. In contrast, in the mid-1960s, two startling publications proved that virtually all cells freely exchange small neutral and charged molecules. Soon after, cell-cell communication by gap junction channels was reported. While gap junctions are the major means of cell-cell communication, in the early 1980s, evidence surfaced that some cells might also communicate via membrane pores. Questions were raised about the possible artifactual nature of the pores. However, early in this century, we learned that communication via membrane pores exists and plays a major role in medicine, as the structures involved, "tunneling nanotubes", can rescue diseased cells by directly transferring healthy mitochondria into compromised cells and tissues. On the other hand, pathogens/cancer could also use these communication systems to amplify pathogenesis. Here, we describe the evolution of the discovery of these new communication systems and the potential therapeutic impact on several uncurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliseo Eugenin
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), 105 11th Street, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Enrico Camporesi
- Department of Surgery and TEAM Health Anesthesia, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606, USA;
| | - Camillo Peracchia
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
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33
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Dong J, Li S, Lu Z, Du P, Liu G, Li M, Ma C, Zhou J, Bao J. HCMV-miR-US33-5p promotes apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells by targeting EPAS1/SLC3A2 pathway. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:40. [PMID: 35596131 PMCID: PMC9123696 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00340-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD), increased vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis has been found. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-miR-US33-5p was significantly increased in the plasma of patients with AAD. However, the roles of miR-US33-5p in human aortic VSMC (HA-VSMC) apoptosis remain to be elucidated. METHODS In the current study, cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, cell proliferation by CCK-8 assay, and differentially expressed genes by RNA sequencing. Luciferase reporter assay was used for binding analysis between miR-US33-5p and endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1), and EPAS1 and amino acid transporter heavy chain, member 2 (SLC3A2). The enrichment degree of SLC3A2 promoter DNA was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunoblotting were performed for measuring messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels, respectively. RESULTS It was found that HCMV infection inhibited proliferation but promoted HA-VSMC apoptosis by upregulating HCMV-miR-US33-5p. Transfection of HCMV-miR-US33-5p mimics the significant effect on several signaling pathways including integrin signaling as shown in the RNA sequencing data. Western blotting analysis confirmed that HCMV-miR-US33-5p mimics suppression of the activity of key factors of the integrin signal pathway including FAK, AKT, CAS, and Rac. Mechanistic study showed that HCMV-miR-US33-5p bound to the 3'-untranslated region of EPAS1 to suppress its expression, leading to suppression of SLC3A2 expression, which ultimately promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation. This was confirmed by the findings that silencing EPAS1 significantly reduced the SLC3A2 expression and inhibited proliferation and key factors of integrin signal pathway. CONCLUSIONS HCMV-miR-US33-5p suppressed proliferation, key factors of integrin signal pathway, and EPAS1/SLC3A2 expression, but promoted HA-VSMC apoptosis. These findings highlighted the importance of HCMV-miR-US33-5p/EPAS1/SCL3A2 signaling and may provide new insights into therapeutic strategies for AAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Dong
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shuangshuang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zilin Lu
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengcheng Du
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangqin Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mintao Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junmin Bao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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34
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Jahid S, Ortega JA, Vuong LM, Acquistapace IM, Hachey SJ, Flesher JL, La Serra MA, Brindani N, La Sala G, Manigrasso J, Arencibia JM, Bertozzi SM, Summa M, Bertorelli R, Armirotti A, Jin R, Liu Z, Chen CF, Edwards R, Hughes CCW, De Vivo M, Ganesan AK. Structure-based design of CDC42 effector interaction inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110641. [PMID: 35385746 PMCID: PMC9127750 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
CDC42 family GTPases (RHOJ, RHOQ, CDC42) are upregulated but rarely mutated in cancer and control both the ability of tumor cells to invade surrounding tissues and the ability of endothelial cells to vascularize tumors. Here, we use computer-aided drug design to discover a chemical entity (ARN22089) that has broad activity against a panel of cancer cell lines, inhibits S6 phosphorylation and MAPK activation, activates pro-inflammatory and apoptotic signaling, and blocks tumor growth and angiogenesis in 3D vascularized microtumor models (VMT) in vitro. Additionally, ARN22089 has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and can inhibit the growth of BRAF mutant mouse melanomas and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. ARN22089 selectively blocks CDC42 effector interactions without affecting the binding between closely related GTPases and their downstream effectors. Taken together, we identify a class of therapeutic agents that influence tumor growth by modulating CDC42 signaling in both the tumor cell and its microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail Jahid
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jose A Ortega
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Linh M Vuong
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Isabella Maria Acquistapace
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stephanie J Hachey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jessica L Flesher
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Maria Antonietta La Serra
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Brindani
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Sala
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manigrasso
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jose M Arencibia
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry and Translational Pharmacology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rongsheng Jin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Chi-Fen Chen
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Robert Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Design, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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35
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Yang Z, Xu T, Xie T, Yang L, Wang G, Gao Y, Xi G, Zhang X. CDC42EP3 promotes glioma progression via regulation of CCND1. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:290. [PMID: 35365622 PMCID: PMC8975815 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04733-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common brain malignancies characterized by high degree of aggressiveness and high mortality. However, the underlying mechanism of glioma progression remains unclear. Here, we probed the role of CDC42EP3 (CDC42 effector protein 3) played in glioma development and its potential downstream mechanism. The expression of CDC42EP3 in tumor and normal brain tissues were examined through immunohistochemistry and we found the likelihood of CDC42EP3 overexpression was positively correlated with pathological grading. Patients with higher expression of CDC42EP3 were more likely to suffer from recurrence as well. Through constructing CDC42EP3-knockdown cell models, we discovered that silencing CDC42EP3 significantly restricted cell proliferation and migration but facilitated cell apoptosis in vitro. Inhibition on tumor growth mediated by CDC42EP3 depletion was further verified in vivo. Regarding downstream target of CDC42EP3, we found that it may positively regulate the expression of CCND1 through c-Myc-mediated transcription. Furthermore, our findings affirmed that effects of CDC42EP3 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis could be confined by depleting CCND1. In a word, this study reported the tumor-promoting role of CDC42EP3 in glioma progression which probably functioned through targeting CCND1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangliang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guiping Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gangming Xi
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaobiao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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36
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Comer SP. Turning Platelets Off and On: Role of RhoGAPs and RhoGEFs in Platelet Activity. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:820945. [PMID: 35071371 PMCID: PMC8770426 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.820945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelet cytoskeletal reorganisation is a critical component of platelet activation and thrombus formation in haemostasis. The Rho GTPases RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 are the primary drivers in the dynamic reorganisation process, leading to the development of filopodia and lamellipodia which dramatically increase platelet surface area upon activation. Rho GTPases cycle between their active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) states through tightly regulated processes, central to which are the guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). GEFs catalyse the dissociation of GDP by inducing changes in the nucleotide binding site, facilitating GTP binding and activating Rho GTPases. By contrast, while all GTPases possess intrinsic hydrolysing activity, this reaction is extremely slow. Therefore, GAPs catalyse the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP, reverting Rho GTPases to their inactive state. Our current knowledge of these proteins is constantly being updated but there is considerably less known about the functionality of Rho GTPase specific GAPs and GEFs in platelets. In the present review, we discuss GAP and GEF proteins for Rho GTPases identified in platelets, their regulation, biological function and present a case for their further study in platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane P Comer
- ConwaySPHERE Research Group, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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37
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Yan J, Wan D. Dysregulation of circulating CDC42 and its correlation with demographic characteristics, comorbidities, tumor features, chemotherapeutic regimen and survival profile in non-small-cell lung cancer patients. J Clin Lab Anal 2021; 36:e24140. [PMID: 34952984 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cell division control protein 42 (CDC42) induces the immune escape, represses the CD8+ T-cell activation, and further leads to the tumor metastasis in various neoplasms, whereas the correlation of circulating CDC42 with clinical features and prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains elusive. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate this topic. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 263 NSCLC patients before treatment and 50 health controls (HC) were used for CDC42 determination by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. RESULTS CDC42 expression was higher in NSCLC patients than HCs (p < 0.001). Besides, elevated CDC42 expression was correlated with the occurrence of lymph node (LYN) metastasis (p = 0.003) and advanced TNM stage (p = 0.007), but not related to other tumor features, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, nor neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy (all p > 0.05). Additionally, elevated CDC42 expression was correlated with unfavorable accumulating disease-free survival (DFS) (p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.025). More importantly, multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that elevated CDC42 expression (hazard ratio (HR): 1.284, p < 0.001) and higher TNM stage (HR: 1.428, p = 0.003) were independently associated with shorter DFS, meanwhile elevated CDC42 expression (HR: 1.193, p = 0.035), higher pathological grade (HR: 1.558, p = 0.003), higher TNM stage (HR: 1.703, p = 0.001) and higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) score (HR: 1.538, p = 0.038) were independently correlated with unsatisfying OS. CONCLUSION Circulating CDC42 is highly expressed with its overexpression linked with LYN metastasis, poor DFS, and OS in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yan
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Huangshi Central Hospital, (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Polytechnic University), Edong Healthcare Group, Huangshi, China
| | - Daihong Wan
- Department of Surgical Anesthesiology, Huangshi Central Hospital, (Affiliated Hospital of Hubei Polytechnic University), Edong Healthcare Group, Huangshi, China
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38
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Cooke M. Novel insights into the RTK-dependent metastatic phenotype of KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma. Mol Cell Oncol 2021; 8:2013723. [PMID: 35419483 PMCID: PMC8997262 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2021.2013723] [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: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In a recent study, our group identified RAC guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RAC-GEFs) driving motility signaling in KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma cells. The RAC-GEFs FARP1, ARHGEF39 and TIAM2 play fundamental roles in the formation of membrane ruffles in response to growth factor receptor stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Cooke
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, PA, USA
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39
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Cruz-Collazo A, Ruiz-Calderon JF, Picon H, Borrero-Garcia LD, Lopez I, Castillo-Pichardo L, Del Mar Maldonado M, Duconge J, Medina JI, Bayro MJ, Hernández-O'Farrill E, Vlaar CP, Dharmawardhane S. Efficacy of Rac and Cdc42 Inhibitor MBQ-167 in Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2420-2432. [PMID: 34607932 PMCID: PMC8643341 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer, with a high predisposition for locally invasive and metastatic cancer. With the objective to reduce cancer metastasis, we developed small molecule inhibitors to target the drivers of metastasis, the Rho GTPases Rac and Cdc42. Of these, MBQ-167 inhibits both Rac and Cdc42 with IC50s of 103 and 78 nmol/L, respectively; and consequently, inhibits p21-activated kinase (PAK) signaling, metastatic cancer cell proliferation, migration, and mammosphere growth; induces cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis; and decreases HER2-type mammary fatpad tumor growth and metastasis (Humphries-Bickley and colleagues, 2017). Herein, we used nuclear magnetic resonance to show that MBQ-167 directly interacts with Rac1 to displace specific amino acids, and consequently inhibits Rac.GTP loading and viability in TNBC cell lines. Phosphokinome arrays in the MDA-MB-231 human TNBC cells show that phosphorylation status of kinases independent of the Rac/Cdc42/PAK pathway are not significantly changed following 200 nmol/L MBQ-167 treatment. Western blotting shows that initial increases in phospho-c-Jun and phospho-CREB in response to MBQ-167 are not sustained with prolonged exposure, as also confirmed by a decrease in their transcriptional targets. MBQ-167 inhibits tumor growth, and spontaneous and experimental metastasis in immunocompromised (human TNBC) and immunocompetent (mouse TNBC) models. Moreover, per oral administration of MBQ-167 at 100 mg/kg body weight is not toxic to immunocompetent BALB/c mice and has a half-life of 4.6 hours in plasma. These results highlight the specificity, potency, and bioavailability of MBQ-167, and support its clinical potential as a TNBC therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailed Cruz-Collazo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Jean F Ruiz-Calderon
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | | | - Irmaris Lopez
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Linette Castillo-Pichardo
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maria Del Mar Maldonado
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Jorge Duconge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Julia I Medina
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Marvin J Bayro
- Molecular Sciences Research Center, Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Eliud Hernández-O'Farrill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Cornelis P Vlaar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- MBQ Pharma, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico
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40
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García-Jiménez I, Cervantes-Villagrana RD, Del-Río-Robles JE, Castillo-Kauil A, Beltrán-Navarro YM, García-Román J, Reyes-Cruz G, Vázquez-Prado J. Gβγ mediates activation of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor ARHGEF17 that promotes metastatic lung cancer progression. J Biol Chem 2021; 298:101440. [PMID: 34808208 PMCID: PMC8703085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic lung cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. Dissemination of cancer cells can be facilitated by various agonists within the tumor microenvironment, including by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). We postulate that Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), which integrate signaling cues driving cell migration, are critical effectors in metastatic cancer. Specifically, we addressed the hypothetical role of ARHGEF17, a RhoGEF, as a potential effector of Gβγ in metastatic lung cancer cells responding to LPA. Here, we show that ARHGEF17, originally identified as a tumor endothelial marker, is involved in tumor growth and metastatic dissemination of lung cancer cells in an immunocompetent murine model. Gene expression–based analysis of lung cancer datasets showed that increased levels of ARHGEF17 correlated with reduced survival of patients with advanced-stage tumors. Cellular assays also revealed that this RhoGEF participates in the invasive and migratory responses elicited by Gi protein–coupled LPA receptors via the Gβγ subunit complex. We demonstrate that this signaling heterodimer promoted ARHGEF17 recruitment to the cell periphery and actin fibers. Moreover, Gβγ allosterically activates ARHGEF17 by the removal of inhibitory intramolecular restrictions. Taken together, our results indicate that ARHGEF17 may be a valid potential target in the treatment of metastatic lung cancer.
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41
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Ma D, Hernandez GA, Lefebvre AEYT, Alshetaiwi H, Blake K, Dave KR, Rauf M, Williams JW, Davis RT, Evans KT, Longworth A, Masoud MYG, Lee R, Edwards RA, Digman MA, Kessenbrock K, Lawson DA. Patient-derived xenograft culture-transplant system for investigation of human breast cancer metastasis. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1268. [PMID: 34741115 PMCID: PMC8571269 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02596-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a fatal disease where research progress has been hindered by a lack of authentic experimental models. Here, we develop a 3D tumor sphere culture-transplant system that facilitates the growth and engineering of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumor cells for functional metastasis assays in vivo. Orthotopic transplantation and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses show that PDX tumor spheres maintain tumorigenic potential, and the molecular marker and global transcriptome signatures of native tumor cells. Tumor spheres display robust capacity for lentiviral engineering and dissemination in spontaneous and experimental metastasis assays in vivo. Inhibition of pathways previously reported to attenuate metastasis also inhibit metastasis after sphere culture, validating our approach for authentic investigations of metastasis. Finally, we demonstrate a new role for the metabolic enzyme NME1 in promoting breast cancer metastasis, providing proof-of-principle that our culture-transplant system can be used for authentic propagation and engineering of patient tumor cells for functional studies of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Ma
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Grace A Hernandez
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Hamad Alshetaiwi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kerrigan Blake
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kushal R Dave
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Maha Rauf
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Justice W Williams
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ryan T Davis
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Katrina T Evans
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Longworth
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Madona Y G Masoud
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Regis Lee
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michelle A Digman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kai Kessenbrock
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Devon A Lawson
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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42
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Saliani M, Mirzaiebadizi A, Mosaddeghzadeh N, Ahmadian MR. RHO GTPase-Related Long Noncoding RNAs in Human Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5386. [PMID: 34771549 PMCID: PMC8582479 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
RHO GTPases are critical signal transducers that regulate cell adhesion, polarity, and migration through multiple signaling pathways. While all these cellular processes are crucial for the maintenance of normal cell homeostasis, disturbances in RHO GTPase-associated signaling pathways contribute to different human diseases, including many malignancies. Several members of the RHO GTPase family are frequently upregulated in human tumors. Abnormal gene regulation confirms the pivotal role of lncRNAs as critical gene regulators, and thus, they could potentially act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. lncRNAs most likely act as sponges for miRNAs, which are known to be dysregulated in various cancers. In this regard, the significant role of miRNAs targeting RHO GTPases supports the view that the aberrant expression of lncRNAs may reciprocally change the intensity of RHO GTPase-associated signaling pathways. In this review article, we summarize recent advances in lncRNA research, with a specific focus on their sponge effects on RHO GTPase-targeting miRNAs to crucially mediate gene expression in different cancer cell types and tissues. We will focus in particular on five members of the RHO GTPase family, including RHOA, RHOB, RHOC, RAC1, and CDC42, to illustrate the role of lncRNAs in cancer progression. A deeper understanding of the widespread dysregulation of lncRNAs is of fundamental importance for confirmation of their contribution to RHO GTPase-dependent carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Saliani
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 9177948974, Iran
| | - Amin Mirzaiebadizi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Niloufar Mosaddeghzadeh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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43
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Crosas-Molist E, Samain R, Kohlhammer L, Orgaz J, George S, Maiques O, Barcelo J, Sanz-Moreno V. RhoGTPase Signalling in Cancer Progression and Dissemination. Physiol Rev 2021; 102:455-510. [PMID: 34541899 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00045.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases are a family of small G proteins that regulate a wide array of cellular processes related to their key roles controlling the cytoskeleton. On the other hand, cancer is a multi-step disease caused by the accumulation of genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations, from the initial stages of cancer development when cells in normal tissues undergo transformation, to the acquisition of invasive and metastatic traits, responsible for a large number of cancer related deaths. In this review, we discuss the role of Rho GTPase signalling in cancer in every step of disease progression. Rho GTPases contribute to tumour initiation and progression, by regulating proliferation and apoptosis, but also metabolism, senescence and cell stemness. Rho GTPases play a major role in cell migration, and in the metastatic process. They are also involved in interactions with the tumour microenvironment and regulate inflammation, contributing to cancer progression. After years of intensive research, we highlight the importance of relevant models in the Rho GTPase field, and we reflect on the therapeutic opportunities arising for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Crosas-Molist
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Remi Samain
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leonie Kohlhammer
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Orgaz
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas 'Alberto Sols', CSIC-UAM, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Samantha George
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oscar Maiques
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaume Barcelo
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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44
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Kukimoto-Niino M, Ihara K, Murayama K, Shirouzu M. Structural insights into the small GTPase specificity of the DOCK guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 71:249-258. [PMID: 34507037 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The dedicator of cytokinesis (DOCK) family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) regulates cytoskeletal dynamics by activating the GTPases Rac and/or Cdc42. Eleven human DOCK proteins play various important roles in developmental processes and the immune system. Of these, DOCK1-5 proteins bind to engulfment and cell motility (ELMO) proteins to perform their physiological functions. Recent structural studies have greatly enhanced our understanding of the complex and diverse mechanisms of DOCK GEF activity and GTPase recognition and its regulation by ELMO. This review is focused on gaining structural insights into the substrate specificity of the DOCK GEFs, and discuss how Rac and Cdc42 are specifically recognized by the catalytic DHR-2 and surrounding domains of DOCK or binding partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuko Kukimoto-Niino
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kentaro Ihara
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Murayama
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Mikako Shirouzu
- Laboratory for Protein Functional and Structural Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.
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45
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Molecular subversion of Cdc42 signalling in cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1425-1442. [PMID: 34196668 PMCID: PMC8412110 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cdc42 is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases and a master regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, controlling cell motility, polarity and cell cycle progression. This small G protein and its regulators have been the subject of many years of fruitful investigation and the advent of functional genomics and proteomics has opened up new avenues of exploration including how it functions at specific locations in the cell. This has coincided with the introduction of new structural techniques with the ability to study small GTPases in the context of the membrane. The role of Cdc42 in cancer is well established but the molecular details of its action are still being uncovered. Here we review alterations found to Cdc42 itself and to key components of the signal transduction pathways it controls in cancer. Given the challenges encountered with targeting small G proteins directly therapeutically, it is arguably the regulators of Cdc42 and the effector signalling pathways downstream of the small G protein which will be the most tractable targets for therapeutic intervention. These will require interrogation in order to fully understand the global signalling contribution of Cdc42, unlock the potential for mapping new signalling axes and ultimately produce inhibitors of Cdc42 driven signalling.
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46
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NecroX-5 Can Suppress Melanoma Metastasis by Reducing the Expression of Rho-Family GTPases. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10132790. [PMID: 34201921 PMCID: PMC8267632 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132790] [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: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
NecroX-5 (NX-5) is a cell-permeable necrosis inhibitor with cytoprotective effects. Although it has been reported to inhibit lung and breast cancer metastasis by modulating migration, its therapeutic effect on melanoma metastasis is still unknown. In this study, we examined the anti-metastatic effect of NX-5 on melanoma cell lines and its related therapeutic mechanism. The anti-metastatic effect of NX-5 on melanoma cell lines was determined using a transwell migration assay. We performed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to measure changes in the expression of mRNA and protein, respectively, for major mediators of Rho-family GTPases after NX-5 treatment in melanoma cells. In addition, after constructing the 3D melanoma model, the expression of Rho-family GTPases was measured by immunohistochemistry. NX-5 (10 μM and 20 μM) treatment significantly reduced melanoma cell migration (p < 0.01). Additionally, NX-5 (20 μM) treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression levels of Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA in melanoma cells compared with the untreated group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Immunohistochemistry for our 3D melanoma model showed that Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoA were constitutively expressed in the nuclei of melanoma cells of the untreated group, and NX-5 treatment decreased their expression. These results demonstrate that NX-5 can suppress melanoma metastasis by reducing the expression of Rho-family GTPases.
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47
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Progress in the therapeutic inhibition of Cdc42 signalling. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1443-1456. [PMID: 34100887 PMCID: PMC8286826 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cdc42 is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases and a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, controlling cell motility, polarity and cell cycle progression. It signals downstream of the master regulator Ras and is essential for cell transformation by this potent oncogene. Overexpression of Cdc42 is observed in several cancers, where it is linked to poor prognosis. As a regulator of both cell architecture and motility, deregulation of Cdc42 is also linked to tumour metastasis. Like Ras, Cdc42 and other components of the signalling pathways it controls represent important potential targets for cancer therapeutics. In this review, we consider the progress that has been made targeting Cdc42, its regulators and effectors, including new modalities and new approaches to inhibition. Strategies under consideration include inhibition of lipid modification, modulation of Cdc42-GEF, Cdc42-GDI and Cdc42-effector interactions, and direct inhibition of downstream effectors.
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48
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Abstract
The epithelium forms a smart barrier to the external environment that can remodel whilst maintaining tissue integrity, a feature important for development, homeostasis, and function. Its dysregulation can lead to diseases ranging from cancer to vision loss. Epithelial remodeling requires reorganization of a thin sheet of actomyosin cortex under the plasma membrane of polarized cells that form basolateral contacts with neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Rho GTPases act as spatiotemporal molecular switches in this process, controlling localized actomyosin dynamics. However, the molecular mechanisms that control actomyosin dynamics at the apical cortex are poorly understood. This review focusses on a growing body of evidence that suggest myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinase (MRCK) plays a conserved role in morphogenetic signaling at the apical cortex in diverse cell and tissue remodeling processes. The possible molecular and mechanistic basis for the diverse functions of MRCK at the apical pole will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceniz Zihni
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Department of Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
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49
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Erasmus JC, Smolarczyk K, Brezovjakova H, Mohd-Naim NF, Lozano E, Matter K, Braga VMM. Rac1-PAK1 regulation of Rab11 cycling promotes junction destabilization. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212034. [PMID: 33914026 PMCID: PMC8091128 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202002114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rac1 GTPase is hyperactivated in tumors and contributes to malignancy. Rac1 disruption of junctions requires its effector PAK1, but the precise mechanisms are unknown. Here, we show that E-cadherin is internalized via micropinocytosis in a PAK1–dependent manner without catenin dissociation and degradation. In addition to internalization, PAK1 regulates E-cadherin transport by fine-tuning Rab small GTPase function. PAK1 phosphorylates a core Rab regulator, RabGDIβ, but not RabGDIα. Phosphorylated RabGDIβ preferentially associates with Rab5 and Rab11, which is predicted to promote Rab retrieval from membranes. Consistent with this hypothesis, Rab11 is activated by Rac1, and inhibition of Rab11 function partially rescues E-cadherin destabilization. Thus, Rac1 activation reduces surface cadherin levels as a net result of higher bulk flow of membrane uptake that counteracts Rab11-dependent E-cadherin delivery to junctions (recycling and/or exocytosis). This unique small GTPase crosstalk has an impact on Rac1 and PAK1 regulation of membrane remodeling during epithelial dedifferentiation, adhesion, and motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Erasmus
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kasia Smolarczyk
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helena Brezovjakova
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Noor F Mohd-Naim
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Encarnación Lozano
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Karl Matter
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vania M M Braga
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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50
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Senyuz S, Jang H, Nussinov R, Keskin O, Gursoy A. Mechanistic Differences of Activation of Rac1 P29S and Rac1 A159V. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:3790-3802. [PMID: 33848152 PMCID: PMC8154616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rac1 is a small GTPase that plays key roles in actin reorganization, cell motility, and cell survival/growth as well as in various cancer types and neurodegenerative diseases. Similar to other Ras superfamily GTPases, Rac1 switches between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states. Switch I and II regions open and close during GDP/GTP exchange. P29S and A159V (paralogous to K-RasA146) mutations are the two most common somatic mutations of Rac1. Rac1P29S is a known hotspot for melanoma, whereas Rac1A159V most commonly occurs in head and neck cancer. To investigate how these substitutions induce the Rac1 dynamics, we used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations on the wild-type Rac1 and two mutant systems (P29S and A159V) in the GTP bound state, and on the wild-type Rac1 and P29S mutated system in the GDP bound state. Here, we show that P29S and A159V mutations activate Rac1 with different mechanisms. In Rac1P29S-GTP, the substitution increases the flexibility of Switch I based on RMSF and dihedral angle calculations and leads to an open conformation. We propose that the open Switch I conformation is one of the underlying reasons for rapid GDP/GTP exchange of Rac1P29S. On the other hand, in Rac1A159V-GTP, some of the contacts of the guanosine ring of GTP with Rac1 are temporarily lost, enabling the guanosine ring to move toward Switch I and subsequently close the switch. Rac1A159V-GTP adopts a Ras state 2 like conformation, where both switch regions are in closed conformation and Thr35 forms a hydrogen bond with the nucleotide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simge Senyuz
- Computational
Science and Engineering, Koc University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, 34450 Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hyunbum Jang
- Computational
Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer
Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational
Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer
Research in the Laboratory of Cancer Immunometabolism, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Department
of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ozlem Keskin
- Chemical
and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, 34450 Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Attila Gursoy
- Computer
Engineering, Koc University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, 34450 Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey
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