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Lazo PA. Nuclear functions regulated by the VRK1 kinase. Nucleus 2024; 15:2353249. [PMID: 38753965 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2353249] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In the nucleus, the VRK1 Ser-Thr kinase is distributed in nucleoplasm and chromatin, where it has different roles. VRK1 expression increases in response to mitogenic signals. VRK1 regulates cyclin D1 expression at G0 exit and facilitates chromosome condensation at the end of G2 and G2/M progression to mitosis. These effects are mediated by the phosphorylation of histone H3 at Thr3 by VRK1, and later in mitosis by haspin. VRK1 regulates the apigenetic patterns of histones in processes requiring chromating remodeling, such as transcription, replication and DNA repair. VRK1 is overexpressed in tumors, facilitating tumor progression and resistance to genotoxic treatments. VRK1 also regulates the organization of Cajal bodies assembled on coilin, which are necessary for the assembly of different types of RNP complexes. VRK1 pathogenic variants cuase defects in Cajal bodies, functionally altering neurons with long axons and leading to neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic laterla sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, distal hereditay motor neuropathies and Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A Lazo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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2
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de Souza Gama FH, Dutra LA, Hawgood M, Dos Reis CV, Serafim RAM, Ferreira MA, Teodoro BVM, Takarada JE, Santiago AS, Balourdas DI, Nilsson AS, Urien B, Almeida VM, Gileadi C, Ramos PZ, Salmazo A, Vasconcelos SNS, Cunha MR, Mueller S, Knapp S, Massirer KB, Elkins JM, Gileadi O, Mascarello A, Lemmens BBLG, Guimarães CRW, Azevedo H, Couñago RM. Novel Dihydropteridinone Derivatives As Potent Inhibitors of the Understudied Human Kinases Vaccinia-Related Kinase 1 and Casein Kinase 1δ/ε. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8609-8629. [PMID: 38780468 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02250] [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: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) and the δ and ε isoforms of casein kinase 1 (CK1) are linked to various disease-relevant pathways. However, the lack of tool compounds for these kinases has significantly hampered our understanding of their cellular functions and therapeutic potential. Here, we describe the structure-based development of potent inhibitors of VRK1, a kinase highly expressed in various tumor types and crucial for cell proliferation and genome integrity. Kinome-wide profiling revealed that our compounds also inhibit CK1δ and CK1ε. We demonstrate that dihydropteridinones 35 and 36 mimic the cellular outcomes of VRK1 depletion. Complementary studies with existing CK1δ and CK1ε inhibitors suggest that these kinases may play overlapping roles in cell proliferation and genome instability. Together, our findings highlight the potential of VRK1 inhibition in treating p53-deficient tumors and possibly enhancing the efficacy of existing cancer therapies that target DNA stability or cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz A Dutra
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Michael Hawgood
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caio Vinícius Dos Reis
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Ricardo A M Serafim
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Marcos A Ferreira
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A., Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | - Bruno V M Teodoro
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A., Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Emi Takarada
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - André S Santiago
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Dimitrios-Ilias Balourdas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Ann-Sofie Nilsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bruno Urien
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vitor M Almeida
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Carina Gileadi
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Priscila Z Ramos
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Anita Salmazo
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Stanley N S Vasconcelos
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Micael R Cunha
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Susanne Mueller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
- Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, Frankfurt am Main 60438, Germany
| | - Katlin B Massirer
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Jonathan M Elkins
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Opher Gileadi
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Bennie B L G Lemmens
- Science for Life Laboratory, Sweden, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Hatylas Azevedo
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos S.A., Guarulhos, São Paulo 07034-904, Brazil
| | - Rafael M Couñago
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Av. Dr. André Tosello 550, 13083-886 Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
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Richard SA. Advances in synthetic lethality modalities for glioblastoma multiforme. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20240981. [PMID: 38868315 PMCID: PMC11167713 DOI: 10.1515/med-2024-0981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by a high mortality rate, high resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy due to its highly aggressive nature. The pathophysiology of GBM is characterized by multifarious genetic abrasions that deactivate tumor suppressor genes, induce transforming genes, and over-secretion of pro-survival genes, resulting in oncogene sustainability. Synthetic lethality is a destructive process in which the episode of a single genetic consequence is tolerable for cell survival, while co-episodes of multiple genetic consequences lead to cell death. This targeted drug approach, centered on the genetic concept of synthetic lethality, is often selective for DNA repair-deficient GBM cells with restricted toxicity to normal tissues. DNA repair pathways are key modalities in the generation, treatment, and drug resistance of cancers, as DNA damage plays a dual role as a creator of oncogenic mutations and a facilitator of cytotoxic genomic instability. Although several research advances have been made in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy, no review article has summarized these therapeutic modalities. Thus, this review focuses on the innovative advances in synthetic lethality modalities for GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seidu A. Richard
- Department of Medicine, Princefield University, P. O. Box MA128, Volta Region, Ho, Ghana
- Institute of Neuroscience, Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
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Campos-Díaz A, Morejón-García P, Monte-Serrano E, Ros-Pardo D, Marcos-Alcalde I, Gómez-Puertas P, Lazo PA. Pathogenic effects of Leu200Pro and Arg387His VRK1 protein variants on phosphorylation targets and H4K16 acetylation in distal hereditary motor neuropathy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:801-817. [PMID: 38554151 PMCID: PMC11106162 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02442-8] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Rare recessive variants in the human VRK1 gene are associated with several motor neuron diseases (MND), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, or distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMN). A case with dHMN carrying two novel VRK1 gene variants, expressing Leu200Pro (L200P) and Arg387His (R387H) variant proteins, identified that these protein variants are functionally different. The Leu200Pro variant shares with several variants in the catalytic domain the loss of the kinase activity on different substrates, such as histones, p53, or coilin. However, the distal Arg387His variant and the distal Trp375* (W375X) chinese variant, both located at the end of the low complexity C-terminal region and proximal to the termination codon, retain their catalytic activity on some substrates, and mechanistically their functional impairment is different. The L200P variant, as well as most VRK1 pathogenic variants, impairs the phosphorylation of BAF and histone H4K16 acetylation, which are required for DNA attachment to the nuclear envelope and chromatin accessibility to DNA repair mechanisms, respectively. The R387H variant impairs phosphorylation of H2AX, an early step in different types of DNA damage responses. The functional variability of VRK1 protein variants and their different combinations are a likely contributor to the clinical phenotypic heterogeneity of motor neuron and neurological diseases associated with rare VRK1 pathogenic variants. KEY MESSAGES: VRK1 variants implicated in motor neuron diseases are functionally different. The L200P variant is kinase inactive, and the R387H variant is partially active. VRK1 variants alter H4K16 acetylation and loss of coilin and BAF phosphorylation. VRK1 variants alter Cajal bodies and DNA damage responses. VRK1 variant combination determines the neurological phenotype heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Patricia Morejón-García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - David Ros-Pardo
- Molecular Modeling Group, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBMSO (CSIC-UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Marcos-Alcalde
- Molecular Modeling Group, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBMSO (CSIC-UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paulino Gómez-Puertas
- Molecular Modeling Group, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CBMSO (CSIC-UAM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Navarro-Carrasco E, Monte-Serrano E, Campos-Díaz A, Rolfs F, de Goeij-de Haas R, Pham TV, Piersma SR, González-Alonso P, Jiménez CR, Lazo PA. VRK1 Regulates Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress by Altering Histone Epigenetic Modifications and the Nuclear Phosphoproteome in Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4874. [PMID: 38732093 PMCID: PMC11084957 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094874] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The chromatin organization and its dynamic remodeling determine its accessibility and sensitivity to DNA damage oxidative stress, the main source of endogenous DNA damage. We studied the role of the VRK1 chromatin kinase in the response to oxidative stress. which alters the nuclear pattern of histone epigenetic modifications and phosphoproteome pathways. The early effect of oxidative stress on chromatin was studied by determining the levels of 8-oxoG lesions and the alteration of the epigenetic modification of histones. Oxidative stress caused an accumulation of 8-oxoG DNA lesions that were increased by VRK1 depletion, causing a significant accumulation of DNA strand breaks detected by labeling free 3'-DNA ends. In addition, oxidative stress altered the pattern of chromatin epigenetic marks and the nuclear phosphoproteome pathways that were impaired by VRK1 depletion. Oxidative stress induced the acetylation of H4K16ac and H3K9 and the loss of H3K4me3. The depletion of VRK1 altered all these modifications induced by oxidative stress and resulted in losses of H4K16ac and H3K9ac and increases in the H3K9me3 and H3K4me3 levels. All these changes were induced by the oxidative stress in the epigenetic pattern of histones and impaired by VRK1 depletion, indicating that VRK1 plays a major role in the functional reorganization of chromatin in the response to oxidative stress. The analysis of the nuclear phosphoproteome in response to oxidative stress detected an enrichment of the phosphorylated proteins associated with the chromosome organization and chromatin remodeling pathways, which were significantly decreased by VRK1 depletion. VRK1 depletion alters the histone epigenetic pattern and nuclear phosphoproteome pathways in response to oxidative stress. The enzymes performing post-translational epigenetic modifications are potential targets in synthetic lethality strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Frank Rolfs
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Richard de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Thang V. Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Sander R. Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Paula González-Alonso
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Connie R. Jiménez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (F.R.); (R.d.G.-d.H.); (T.V.P.); (S.R.P.); (C.R.J.)
| | - Pedro A. Lazo
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain; (E.N.-C.); (E.M.-S.); (A.C.-D.); (P.G.-A.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain
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6
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Navarro-Carrasco E, Campos-Díaz A, Monte-Serrano E, Rolfs F, de Goeij-de Haas R, Pham TV, Piersma SR, Jiménez CR, Lazo PA. Loss of VRK1 alters the nuclear phosphoproteome in the DNA damage response to doxorubicin. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 391:110908. [PMID: 38367682 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic chromatin remodeling requires regulatory mechanisms for its adaptation to different nuclear function, which are likely to be mediated by signaling proteins. In this context, VRK1 is a nuclear Ser-Thr kinase that regulates pathways associated with transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair. Therefore, VRK1 is a potential regulatory, or coordinator, molecule in these processes. In this work we studied the effect that VRK1 depletion has on the basal nuclear and chromatin phosphoproteome, and their associated pathways. VRK1 depletion caused an alteration in the pattern of the nuclear phosphoproteome, which is mainly associated with nucleoproteins, ribonucleoproteins, RNA splicing and processing. Next, it was determined the changes in proteins associated with DNA damage that was induced by doxorubicin treatment. Doxorubicin alters the nuclear phosphoproteome affecting proteins implicated in DDR, including DSB repair proteins NBN and 53BP1, cellular response to stress and chromatin organization proteins. In VRK1-depleted cells, the effect of doxorubicin on protein phosphorylation was reverted to basal levels. The nuclear phosphoproteome patterns induced by doxorubicin are altered by VRK1 depletion, and is enriched in histone modification proteins and chromatin associated proteins. These results indicate that VRK1 plays a major role in processes requiring chromatin remodeling in its adaptation to different biological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Frank Rolfs
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Richard de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Thang V Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Sander R Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Connie R Jiménez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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7
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Monte-Serrano E, Morejón-García P, Campillo-Marcos I, Campos-Díaz A, Navarro-Carrasco E, Lazo PA. The pattern of histone H3 epigenetic posttranslational modifications is regulated by the VRK1 chromatin kinase. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:18. [PMID: 37179361 PMCID: PMC10182654 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00494-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamic chromatin remodeling is associated with changes in the epigenetic pattern of histone acetylations and methylations required for processes based on dynamic chromatin remodeling and implicated in different nuclear functions. These histone epigenetic modifications need to be coordinated, a role that may be mediated by chromatin kinases such as VRK1, which phosphorylates histones H3 and H2A. METHODS The effect of VRK1 depletion and VRK1 inhibitor, VRK-IN-1, on the acetylation and methylation of histone H3 in K4, K9 and K27 was determined under different conditions, arrested or proliferating cells, in A549 lung adenocarcinoma and U2OS osteosarcoma cells. RESULTS Chromatin organization is determined by the phosphorylation pattern of histones mediated by different types of enzymes. We have studied how the VRK1 chromatin kinase can alter the epigenetic posttranslational modifications of histones by using siRNA, a specific inhibitor of this kinase (VRK-IN-1), and of histone acetyl and methyl transferases, as well as histone deacetylase and demethylase. Loss of VRK1 implicated a switch in the state of H3K9 posttranslational modifications. VRK1 depletion/inhibition causes a loss of H3K9 acetylation and facilitates its methylation. This effect is similar to that of the KAT inhibitor C646, and to KDM inhibitors as iadademstat (ORY-1001) or JMJD2 inhibitor. Alternatively, HDAC inhibitors (selisistat, panobinostat, vorinostat) and KMT inhibitors (tazemetostat, chaetocin) have the opposite effect of VRK1 depletion or inhibition, and cause increase of H3K9ac and a decrease of H3K9me3. VRK1 stably interacts with members of these four enzyme families. However, VRK1 can only play a role on these epigenetic modifications by indirect mechanisms in which these epigenetic enzymes are likely targets to be regulated and coordinated by VRK1. CONCLUSIONS The chromatin kinase VRK1 regulates the epigenetic patterns of histone H3 acetylation and methylation in lysines 4, 9 and 27. VRK1 is a master regulator of chromatin organization associated with its specific functions, such as transcription or DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Patricia Morejón-García
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aurora Campos-Díaz
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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8
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VRK1 Kinase Activity Modulating Histone H4K16 Acetylation Inhibited by SIRT2 and VRK-IN-1. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054912. [PMID: 36902348 PMCID: PMC10003087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The accessibility of DNA to different cellular functions requires a dynamic regulation of chromatin organization that is mediated by different epigenetic modifications, which regulate chromatin accessibility and degree of compaction. These epigenetic modifications, particularly the acetylation of histone H4 in lysine 14 (H4K16ac), determine the degree of chromatin accessibility to different nuclear functions, as well as to DNA damage drugs. H4K16ac is regulated by the balance between two alternative histone modifications, acetylation and deacetylation, which are mediated by acetylases and deacetylases. Tip60/KAT5 acetylates, and SIRT2 deacetylates histone H4K16. However, the balance between these two epigenetic enzymes is unknown. VRK1 regulates the level of H4K16 acetylation by activating Tip60. We have shown that the VRK1 and SIRT2 are able to form a stable protein complex. For this work, we used in vitro interaction, pull-down and in vitro kinase assays. In cells, their interaction and colocalization were detected by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. The kinase activity of VRK1 is inhibited by a direct interaction of its N-terminal kinase domain with SIRT2 in vitro. This interaction causes a loss of H4K16ac similarly to the effect of a novel VRK1 inhibitor (VRK-IN-1) or VRK1 depletion. The use of specific SIRT2 inhibitors in lung adenocarcinoma cells induces H4K16ac, contrary to the novel VRK-IN-1 inhibitor, which prevents H4K16ac and a correct DNA damage response. Therefore, the inhibition of SIRT2 can cooperate with VRK1 in the accessibility of drugs to chromatin in response to DNA damage caused by doxorubicin.
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9
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Shields JA, Meier SR, Bandi M, Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Hajdari N, Ferdinez MD, Engel JL, Silver DJ, Shen B, Zhang W, Hubert CG, Mitchell K, Shakya S, Zhao SC, Bejnood A, Zhang M, Tjin Tham Sjin R, Wilker E, Lathia JD, Andersen JN, Chen Y, Li F, Weber B, Huang A, Emmanuel N. VRK1 Is a Synthetic-Lethal Target in VRK2-Deficient Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4044-4057. [PMID: 36069976 PMCID: PMC9627132 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic lethality is a genetic interaction that results in cell death when two genetic deficiencies co-occur but not when either deficiency occurs alone, which can be co-opted for cancer therapeutics. Pairs of paralog genes are among the most straightforward potential synthetic-lethal interactions by virtue of their redundant functions. Here, we demonstrate a paralog-based synthetic lethality by targeting vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) in glioblastoma (GBM) deficient of VRK2, which is silenced by promoter methylation in approximately two thirds of GBM. Genetic knockdown of VRK1 in VRK2-null or VRK2-methylated cells resulted in decreased activity of the downstream substrate barrier to autointegration factor (BAF), a regulator of post-mitotic nuclear envelope formation. Reduced BAF activity following VRK1 knockdown caused nuclear lobulation, blebbing, and micronucleation, which subsequently resulted in G2-M arrest and DNA damage. The VRK1-VRK2 synthetic-lethal interaction was dependent on VRK1 kinase activity and was rescued by ectopic expression of VRK2. In VRK2-methylated GBM cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models, knockdown of VRK1 led to robust tumor growth inhibition. These results indicate that inhibiting VRK1 kinase activity could be a viable therapeutic strategy in VRK2-methylated GBM. SIGNIFICANCE A paralog synthetic-lethal interaction between VRK1 and VRK2 sensitizes VRK2-methylated glioblastoma to perturbation of VRK1 kinase activity, supporting VRK1 as a drug discovery target in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicole Hajdari
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Mitchell
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sajina Shakya
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fang Li
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Alan Huang
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natasha Emmanuel
- Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Author: Natasha Emmanuel, Tango Therapeutics, 201 Brookline Avenue, Suite 901, Boston, MA 02215. Phone: 857-320-4900, E-mail:
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10
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The VRK1 chromatin kinase regulates the acetyltransferase activity of Tip60/KAT5 by sequential phosphorylations in response to DNA damage. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA (BBA) - GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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11
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Lazo PA. Targeting Histone Epigenetic Modifications and DNA Damage Responses in Synthetic Lethality Strategies in Cancer? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14164050. [PMID: 36011043 PMCID: PMC9406467 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14164050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality strategies are likely to be integrated in effective and specific cancer treatments. These strategies combine different specific targets, either in similar or cooperating pathways. Chromatin remodeling underlies, directly or indirectly, all processes of tumor biology. In this context, the combined targeting of proteins associated with different aspects of chromatin remodeling can be exploited to find new alternative targets or to improve treatment for specific individual tumors or patients. There are two major types of proteins, epigenetic modifiers of histones and nuclear or chromatin kinases, all of which are druggable targets. Among epigenetic enzymes, there are four major families: histones acetylases, deacetylases, methylases and demethylases. All these enzymes are druggable. Among chromatin kinases are those associated with DNA damage responses, such as Aurora A/B, Haspin, ATM, ATR, DNA-PK and VRK1-a nucleosomal histone kinase. All these proteins converge on the dynamic regulation chromatin organization, and its functions condition the tumor cell viability. Therefore, the combined targeting of these epigenetic enzymes, in synthetic lethality strategies, can sensitize tumor cells to toxic DNA-damage-based treatments, reducing their toxicity and the selective pressure for tumor resistance and increasing their immunogenicity, which will lead to an improvement in disease-free survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro A. Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca-IBSAL, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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12
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Campillo-Marcos I, Monte-Serrano E, Navarro-Carrasco E, García-González R, Lazo PA. Lysine Methyltransferase Inhibitors Impair H4K20me2 and 53BP1 Foci in Response to DNA Damage in Sarcomas, a Synthetic Lethality Strategy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:715126. [PMID: 34540832 PMCID: PMC8446283 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.715126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chromatin is dynamically remodeled to adapt to all DNA-related processes, including DNA damage responses (DDR). This adaptation requires DNA and histone epigenetic modifications, which are mediated by several types of enzymes; among them are lysine methyltransferases (KMTs). Methods KMT inhibitors, chaetocin and tazemetostat (TZM), were used to study their role in the DDR induced by ionizing radiation or doxorubicin in two human sarcoma cells lines. The effect of these KMT inhibitors was tested by the analysis of chromatin epigenetic modifications, H4K16ac and H4K20me2. DDR was monitored by the formation of γH2AX, MDC1, NBS1 and 53BP1 foci, and the induction of apoptosis. Results Chaetocin and tazemetostat treatments caused a significant increase of H4K16 acetylation, associated with chromatin relaxation, and increased DNA damage, detected by the labeling of free DNA-ends. These inhibitors significantly reduced H4K20 dimethylation levels in response to DNA damage and impaired the recruitment of 53BP1, but not of MDC1 and NBS1, at DNA damaged sites. This modification of epigenetic marks prevents DNA repair by the NHEJ pathway and leads to cell death. Conclusion KMT inhibitors could function as sensitizers to DNA damage-based therapies and be used in novel synthetic lethality strategies for sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Campillo-Marcos
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Cancer Epigenetics Group, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Monte-Serrano
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Navarro-Carrasco
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raúl García-González
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Pedro A Lazo
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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