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Kjer-Hansen P, Phan TG, Weatheritt RJ. Protein isoform-centric therapeutics: expanding targets and increasing specificity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024:10.1038/s41573-024-01025-z. [PMID: 39232238 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-01025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Most protein-coding genes produce multiple protein isoforms; however, these isoforms are commonly neglected in drug discovery. The expression of protein isoforms can be specific to a disease, tissue and/or developmental stage, and this specific expression can be harnessed to achieve greater drug specificity than pan-targeting of all gene products and to enable improved treatments for diseases caused by aberrant protein isoform production. In recent years, several protein isoform-centric therapeutics have been developed. Here, we collate these studies and clinical trials to highlight three distinct but overlapping modes of action for protein isoform-centric drugs: isoform switching, isoform introduction or depletion, and modulation of isoform activity. In addition, we discuss how protein isoforms can be used clinically as targets for cell type-specific drug delivery and immunotherapy, diagnostic biomarkers and sources of cancer neoantigens. Collectively, we emphasize the value of a focus on isoforms as a route to discovering drugs with greater specificity and fewer adverse effects. This approach could enable the targeting of proteins for which pan-inhibition of all isoforms is toxic and poorly tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kjer-Hansen
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Tri Giang Phan
- St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Immunology Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert J Weatheritt
- EMBL Australia, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Dlamini Z, Ladomery MR, Kahraman A. Editorial: The RNA revolution and cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1422599. [PMID: 38832352 PMCID: PMC11144892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1422599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA biology has revolutionized cancer understanding and treatment, especially in endocrine-related malignancies. This editorial highlights RNA's crucial role in cancer progression, emphasizing its influence on tumor heterogeneity and behavior. Processes like alternative splicing and noncoding RNA regulation shape cancer biology, with microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs orchestrating gene expression dynamics. Aberrant RNA signatures hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in endocrine-related cancers. Recent findings, such as aberrant PI3Kδ splice isoforms and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related lncRNA signatures, unveil potential therapeutic targets for personalized treatments. Insights into m6A-associated lncRNA prognostic models and the function of lncRNA LINC00659 in gastric cancer represents ongoing research in this field. As understanding of RNA's role in cancer expands, personalized therapies offer transformative potential in managing endocrine-related malignancies. This signifies a significant stride towards precision oncology, fostering innovation for more effective cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zodwa Dlamini
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael R. Ladomery
- School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Abdullah Kahraman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Zhao Y, Yu B, Wang Y, Tan S, Xu Q, Wang Z, Zhou K, Liu H, Ren Z, Jiang Z. Ang-1 and VEGF: central regulators of angiogenesis. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-05010-3. [PMID: 38652215 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-05010-3] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) are central regulators of angiogenesis and are often inactivated in various cardiovascular diseases. VEGF forms complexes with ETS transcription factor family and exerts its action by downregulating multiple genes. Among the target genes of the VEGF-ETS complex, there are a significant number encoding key angiogenic regulators. Phosphorylation of the VEGF-ETS complex releases transcriptional repression on these angiogenic regulators, thereby promoting their expression. Ang-1 interacts with TEK, and this phosphorylation release can be modulated by the Ang-1-TEK signaling pathway. The Ang-1-TEK pathway participates in the transcriptional activation of VEGF genes. In summary, these elements constitute the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway. Additionally, Ang-1 is activated under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions, leading to an upregulation in the expression of TEK. Elevated TEK levels result in the formation of the VEGF-ETS complex, which, in turn, downregulates the expression of numerous angiogenic genes. Hence, the Ang-1-dependent transcriptional repression is indirect. Reduced expression of many target genes can lead to aberrant angiogenesis. A significant overlap exists between the target genes regulated by Ang-1-TEK-VEGF and those under the control of the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway. Mechanistically, this can be explained by the replacement of the VEGF-ETS complex with the TSP-1 transcriptional repression complex at the ETS sites on target gene promoters. Furthermore, VEGF possesses non-classical functions unrelated to ETS and DNA binding. Its supportive role in TSP-1 formation may be exerted through the VEGF-CRL5-VHL-HIF-1α-VH032-TGF-β-TSP-1 axis. This review assesses the regulatory mechanisms of the Ang-1-TEK-VEGF signaling pathway and explores its significant overlap with the Ang-1-TEK-TSP-1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqin Zhao
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Yanxia Wang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Shiming Tan
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhaoyue Wang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Kun Zhou
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Huiting Liu
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhong Ren
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Zhisheng Jiang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
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Waseem M, Wang BD. Organoids: An Emerging Precision Medicine Model for Prostate Cancer Research. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1093. [PMID: 38256166 PMCID: PMC10816550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021093] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) has been known as the most prevalent cancer disease and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men almost all over the globe. There is an urgent need for establishment of PCa models that can recapitulate the progress of genomic landscapes and molecular alterations during development and progression of this disease. Notably, several organoid models have been developed for assessing the complex interaction between PCa and its surrounding microenvironment. In recent years, PCa organoids have been emerged as powerful in vitro 3D model systems that recapitulate the molecular features (such as genomic/epigenomic changes and tumor microenvironment) of PCa metastatic tumors. In addition, application of organoid technology in mechanistic studies (i.e., for understanding cellular/subcellular and molecular alterations) and translational medicine has been recognized as a promising approach for facilitating the development of potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the application of PCa organoids in the high-throughput screening and establishment of relevant xenografts for developing novel therapeutics for metastatic, castration resistant, and neuroendocrine PCa. These organoid-based studies are expected to expand our knowledge from basic research to clinical applications for PCa diseases. Furthermore, we also highlight the optimization of PCa cultures and establishment of promising 3D organoid models for in vitro and in vivo investigations, ultimately facilitating mechanistic studies and development of novel clinical diagnosis/prognosis and therapies for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Waseem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA;
| | - Bi-Dar Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA;
- Hormone Related Cancers Program, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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