1
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Gu L, Liu M, Zhang Y, Zhou H, Wang Y, Xu ZX. Telomere-related DNA damage response pathways in cancer therapy: prospective targets. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1379166. [PMID: 38910895 PMCID: PMC11190371 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1379166] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the structural integrity of genomic chromosomal DNA is an essential role of cellular life and requires two important biological mechanisms: the DNA damage response (DDR) mechanism and telomere protection mechanism at chromosome ends. Because abnormalities in telomeres and cellular DDR regulation are strongly associated with human aging and cancer, there is a reciprocal regulation of telomeres and cellular DDR. Moreover, several drug treatments for DDR are currently available. This paper reviews the progress in research on the interaction between telomeres and cellular DNA damage repair pathways. The research on the crosstalk between telomere damage and DDR is important for improving the efficacy of tumor treatment. However, further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingdi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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2
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Morán-Serradilla C, Plano D, Sanmartín C, Sharma AK. Selenization of Small Molecule Drugs: A New Player on the Board. J Med Chem 2024; 67:7759-7787. [PMID: 38716896 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02426] [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: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop safer and more effective modalities for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies due to the increasing rates of drug resistance, undesired side effects, poor clinical outcomes, etc. Throughout the years, selenium (Se) has attracted a great deal of attention due to its important role in human health. Besides, a growing body of work has unveiled that the inclusion of Se motifs into a great number of molecules is a promising strategy for obtaining novel therapeutic agents. In the current Perspective, we have gathered the most recent literature related to the incorporation of different Se moieties into the scaffolds of a wide range of known drugs and their feasible pharmaceutical applications. In addition, we highlight different representative examples as well as provide our perspective on Se drugs and the possible future directions, promises, opportunities, and challenges of this ground-breaking area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Plano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, Pamplona E-31008, Spain
| | - Carmen Sanmartín
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, Pamplona E-31008, Spain
| | - Arun K Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
- Penn State Cancer Institute, 400 University Drive,Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, United States
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3
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Huang M, Wang Y, Fang L, Liu C, Feng F, Liu L, Sun C. T cell senescence: a new perspective on immunotherapy in lung cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1338680. [PMID: 38415245 PMCID: PMC10896971 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1338680] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell senescence is an indication of T cell dysfunction. The ability of senescent T cells to respond to cognate antigens is reduced and they are in the late stage of differentiation and proliferation; therefore, they cannot recognize and eliminate tumor cells in a timely and effective manner, leading to the formation of the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Establishing methods to reverse T cell senescence is particularly important for immunotherapy. Aging exacerbates profound changes in the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to chronic, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Patients with malignant lung tumors have impaired immune function with a high risk of recurrence, metastasis, and mortality. Immunotherapy based on PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, and other immune checkpoints is promising for treating lung malignancies. However, T cell senescence can lead to low efficacy or unsuccessful treatment results in some immunotherapies. Efficiently blocking and reversing T cell senescence is a key goal of the enhancement of tumor immunotherapy. This study discusses the characteristics, mechanism, and expression of T cell senescence in malignant lung tumors and the treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengge Huang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuetong Wang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Liguang Fang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Fubin Feng
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
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4
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Lu X, Liu L. Genome stability from the perspective of telomere length. Trends Genet 2024; 40:175-186. [PMID: 37957036 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres and their associated proteins protect the ends of chromosomes to maintain genome stability. Telomeres undergo progressive shortening with each cell division in mammalian somatic cells without telomerase, resulting in genome instability. When telomeres reach a critically short length or are recognized as a damage signal, cells enter a state of senescence, followed by cell cycle arrest, programmed cell death, or immortalization. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the intricate relationship between telomeres and genome instability. Alongside well-established mechanisms such as chromosomal fusion and telomere fusion, we will delve into the perspective on genome stability by examining the role of retrotransposons. Retrotransposons represent an emerging pathway to regulate genome stability through their interactions with telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, Tianjin 300350, China; Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, Tianjin 300071, China; Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300000, China.
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5
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Al-Karmalawy AA, Mousa MHA, Sharaky M, Mourad MAE, El-Dessouki AM, Hamouda AO, Alnajjar R, Ayed AA, Shaldam MA, Tawfik HO. Lead Optimization of BIBR1591 To Improve Its Telomerase Inhibitory Activity: Design and Synthesis of Novel Four Chemical Series with In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Preclinical Assessments. J Med Chem 2024; 67:492-512. [PMID: 38117230 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01708] [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: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Herein, modifications to the previously reported BIBR1591 were conducted to obtain bioisosteric candidates with improved activities. The % inhibition of the newly afforded candidates against the telomerase target was investigated. Notably, 6f achieved superior telomerase inhibition (63.14%) compared to BIBR1532 and BIBR1591 (69.64 and 51.58%, respectively). In addition, 8a and 8b showed comparable promising telomerase inhibition with 58.65 and 55.57%, respectively, which were recorded to be frontier to that of BIBR1591. 6f, 8a, and 8b were tested against five cancer cell lines related to the lung and liver subtypes. Moreover, 6f was examined on both cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction in HuH7 cancer cells. Furthermore, the in vivo antitumor activity of 6f was further assessed in female mice with solid Ehrlich carcinoma. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out. Collectively, 6f, 8a, and 8b could be considered potential new telomerase inhibitors to be subjected to further investigation and/or optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, 6h of October City, Giza 12566, Egypt
| | - Mai H A Mousa
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Technology, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo 11786, Egypt
| | - Marwa Sharaky
- Cancer Biology Department, Pharmacology Unit, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt
| | - Mai A E Mourad
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port-Said University, Port-Said 42511, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M El-Dessouki
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, 6th of October City, Giza 12566, Egypt
| | - Amir O Hamouda
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, New Damietta 34518, Egypt
| | - Radwan Alnajjar
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benghazi, Benghazi 1308, Libya
- PharmD, Faculty of Pharmacy, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi 1308, Libya
| | - Abdelmoneim A Ayed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Moataz A Shaldam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Haytham O Tawfik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
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6
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Shen Z, Wang Y, Wang G, Gu W, Zhao S, Hu X, Liu W, Cai Y, Ma Z, Gautam RK, Jia J, Wan CC, Yan T. Research progress of small-molecule drugs in targeting telomerase in human cancer and aging. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110631. [PMID: 37451664 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are unique structures located at the ends of linear chromosomes, responsible for stabilizing chromosomal structures. They are synthesized by telomerase, a reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex. Telomerase activity is generally absent in human somatic cells, except in stem cells and germ cells. Every time a cell divides, the telomere sequence is shortened, eventually leading to replicative senescence and cell apoptosis when the telomeres reach a critical limit. However, most human cancer cells exhibit increased telomerase activity, allowing them to divide continuously. The importance of telomerase in cancer and aging has made developing drugs targeting telomerase a focus of research. Such drugs can inhibit cancer cell growth and delay aging by enhancing telomerase activity in telomere-related syndromes or diseases. This review provides an overview of telomeres, telomerase, and their regulation in cancer and aging, and highlights small-molecule drugs targeting telomerase in these fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yuanhui Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Guanzhen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China; University and College Key Lab of Natural Product Chemistry and Application in Xinjiang, School of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Yili Normal University, Yining, 835000, China
| | - Wei Gu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Shengchao Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China; University and College Key Lab of Natural Product Chemistry and Application in Xinjiang, School of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Yili Normal University, Yining, 835000, China
| | - Xiaomeng Hu
- University and College Key Lab of Natural Product Chemistry and Application in Xinjiang, School of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Yili Normal University, Yining, 835000, China; Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, 313000, China
| | - Wei Liu
- University and College Key Lab of Natural Product Chemistry and Application in Xinjiang, School of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Yili Normal University, Yining, 835000, China
| | - Yi Cai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology and the State & NMPA Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Zhihong Ma
- Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, 313000, China
| | - Rupesh K Gautam
- Department of Pharmacology, Indore Institute of Pharmacy, Indore, 453331, India
| | - Jia Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China; Translational Medicine Center, Zhejiang Xinda hospital, School of Medicine&Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313099, China.
| | - Chunpeng Craig Wan
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, College of Agronomy, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China.
| | - Tingdong Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai, 200444, China; Translational Medicine Center, Zhejiang Xinda hospital, School of Medicine&Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, 313099, China.
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7
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Rafat A, Dizaji Asl K, Mazloumi Z, Movassaghpour AA, Farahzadi R, Nejati B, Nozad Charoudeh H. Telomerase-based therapies in haematological malignancies. Cell Biochem Funct 2022; 40:199-212. [PMID: 35103334 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized genetic structures present at the end of all eukaryotic linear chromosomes. They progressively get shortened after each cell division due to end replication problems. Telomere shortening (TS) and chromosomal instability cause apoptosis and massive cell death. Following oncogene activation and inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, cells acquire mechanisms such as telomerase expression and alternative lengthening of telomeres to maintain telomere length (TL) and prevent initiation of cellular senescence or apoptosis. Significant TS, telomerase activation and alteration in expression of telomere-associated proteins are frequent features of different haematological malignancies that reflect on the progression, response to therapy and recurrence of these diseases. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that has a pivotal role in maintaining the TL. However, telomerase activity in most somatic cells is insufficient to prevent TS. In 85-90% of tumour cells, the critically short telomeric length is maintained by telomerase activation. Thus, overexpression of telomerase in most tumour cells is a potential target for cancer therapy. In this review, alteration of telomeres, telomerase and telomere-associated proteins in different haematological malignancies and related telomerase-based therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rafat
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Dizaji Asl
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Mazloumi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Babak Nejati
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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8
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AZT oxidative damage in the liver. Toxicology 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819092-0.00029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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9
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Sanford SL, Welfer GA, Freudenthal BD, Opresko PL. Mechanisms of telomerase inhibition by oxidized and therapeutic dNTPs. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5288. [PMID: 33082336 PMCID: PMC7576608 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19115-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase that adds GGTTAG repeats to chromosome ends and is upregulated in most human cancers to enable limitless proliferation. Here, we uncover two distinct mechanisms by which naturally occurring oxidized dNTPs and therapeutic dNTPs inhibit telomerase-mediated telomere elongation. We conduct a series of direct telomerase extension assays in the presence of modified dNTPs on various telomeric substrates. We provide direct evidence that telomerase can add the nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors ddITP and AZT-TP to the telomeric end, causing chain termination. In contrast, telomerase continues elongation after inserting oxidized 2-OH-dATP or therapeutic 6-thio-dGTP, but insertion disrupts translocation and inhibits further repeat addition. Kinetics reveal that telomerase poorly selects against 6-thio-dGTP, inserting with similar catalytic efficiency as dGTP. Furthermore, telomerase processivity factor POT1-TPP1 fails to restore processive elongation in the presence of inhibitory dNTPs. These findings reveal mechanisms for targeting telomerase with modified dNTPs in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Sanford
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Griffin A Welfer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Bret D Freudenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Patricia L Opresko
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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10
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Berrino E, Angeli A, Zhdanov DD, Kiryukhina AP, Milaneschi A, De Luca A, Bozdag M, Carradori S, Selleri S, Bartolucci G, Peat TS, Ferraroni M, Supuran CT, Carta F. Azidothymidine "Clicked" into 1,2,3-Triazoles: First Report on Carbonic Anhydrase-Telomerase Dual-Hybrid Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2020; 63:7392-7409. [PMID: 32463228 PMCID: PMC8154556 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Cancer cells rely on the enzyme telomerase
(EC 2.7.7.49) to promote
cellular immortality. Telomerase inhibitors (i.e., azidothymidine)
can represent promising antitumor agents, although showing high toxicity
when administered alone. Better outcomes were observed within a multipharmacological
approach instead. In this context, we exploited the validated antitumor
targets carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) IX and XII to attain
the first proof of concept on CA–telomerase dual-hybrid inhibitors.
Compounds 1b, 7b, 8b, and 11b showed good in vitro
inhibition potency against the CAs IX and XII, with KI values in the low nanomolar range, and strong antitelomerase
activity in PC-3 and HT-29 cells (IC50 values ranging from
5.2 to 9.1 μM). High-resolution X-ray crystallography on selected
derivatives in the adduct with hCA II as a model study allowed to
determine their binding modes and thus to set the structural determinants
necessary for further development of compounds selectively targeting
the tumoral cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Berrino
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Andrea Angeli
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Dmitry D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia.,Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya st. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna P Kiryukhina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya st. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrea Milaneschi
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Murat Bozdag
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Silvia Selleri
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Thomas S Peat
- CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Marta Ferraroni
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Carta
- NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Florence), Italy
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11
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Dalzini A, Petrara MR, Ballin G, Zanchetta M, Giaquinto C, De Rossi A. Biological Aging and Immune Senescence in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:8041616. [PMID: 32509884 PMCID: PMC7246406 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8041616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic HIV-infected children suffer from premature aging and aging-related diseases. Viral replication induces an ongoing inflammation process, with the release of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), the activation of the immune system, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Although combined highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly modified the natural course of HIV infection, normalization of T and B cell phenotype is not completely achievable; thus, many HIV-infected children display several phenotypical alterations, including higher percentages of activated cells, that favor an accelerated telomere attrition, and higher percentages of exhausted and senescent cells. All these features ultimately lead to the clinical manifestations related to premature aging and comorbidities typically observed in older general population, including non-AIDS-related malignancies. Therefore, even under effective treatment, the premature aging process of HIV-infected children negatively impacts their quality and length of life. This review examines the available data on the impact of HIV and ART on immune and biological senescence of HIV-infected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Dalzini
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Petrara
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ballin
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Mother and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV – IRCCS, Padua, Italy
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12
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Nuta O, Rothkamm K, Darroudi F. The Role of Telomerase in Radiation-Induced Genomic Instability. Radiat Res 2020; 193:451-459. [PMID: 32150497 DOI: 10.1667/rr15495.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Findings from previous studies have suggested that the telomerase system is involved in radiation-induced genomic instability. In this study, we investigated the involvement of telomerase in the development and processing of chromosomal damage at different cell cycle stages after irradiation of human fibroblasts. Several response criteria were investigated, including cell survival, chromosomal damage (using the micronucleus assay), G2-induced chromatid aberrations (using the conventional G2 assay as well as a chemically-induced premature chromosome condensation assay) and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs; using γ-H2AX, 53BP1 and Rad51) in an isogenic pair of cell lines: BJ human foreskin fibroblasts and BJ1-hTERT, a telomerase-immortalized BJ cell line. To distinguish among G1, S and G2 phase, cells were co-immunostained for CENP-F and cyclin A, which are tightly regulated proteins in the cell cycle. After X-ray irradiation at doses in the range of 0.1-6 Gy, the results showed that for cell survival and micronuclei induction, where the overall effect is dominated by the cells in G1 and S phase, no difference was observed between the two cell types; in contrast, when radiation sensitivity at the G2 stage of the cell cycle was analyzed, a significantly higher number of chromatid-type aberrations (breaks and exchanges), and higher levels of γ-H2AX and of Rad51 foci were observed for the BJ cells compared to the BJ1-hTERT cells. Therefore, it can be concluded that telomerase appears to be involved in DNA DSB repair processes, mainly in the G2 phase. These data, taken overall, reinforce the notion that hTERT or other elements of the telomere/telomerase system may defend chromosome integrity in human fibroblasts by promoting repair in G2 phase of the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otilia Nuta
- Nazarbayev University, School of Sciences and Humanities, Department of Biology, Nur-Sultan, 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Kai Rothkamm
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Firouz Darroudi
- Department of Genome Scan Unlimited, 2341AJ, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
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Armando RG, Gómez DLM, Gomez DE. New drugs are not enough‑drug repositioning in oncology: An update. Int J Oncol 2020; 56:651-684. [PMID: 32124955 PMCID: PMC7010222 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.4966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug repositioning refers to the concept of discovering novel clinical benefits of drugs that are already known for use treating other diseases. The advantages of this are that several important drug characteristics are already established (including efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity), making the process of research for a putative drug quicker and less costly. Drug repositioning in oncology has received extensive focus. The present review summarizes the most prominent examples of drug repositioning for the treatment of cancer, taking into consideration their primary use, proposed anticancer mechanisms and current development status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Gabriela Armando
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Bernal B1876, Argentina
| | - Diego Luis Mengual Gómez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Bernal B1876, Argentina
| | - Daniel Eduardo Gomez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Science and Technology Department, National University of Quilmes, Bernal B1876, Argentina
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Structural Features of Nucleoprotein CST/Shelterin Complex Involved in the Telomere Maintenance and Its Association with Disease Mutations. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020359. [PMID: 32033110 PMCID: PMC7072152 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere comprises the ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes and is composed of G-rich (TTAGGG) tandem repeats which play an important role in maintaining genome stability, premature aging and onsets of many diseases. Majority of the telomere are replicated by conventional DNA replication, and only the last bit of the lagging strand is synthesized by telomerase (a reverse transcriptase). In addition to replication, telomere maintenance is principally carried out by two key complexes known as shelterin (TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, RAP1, POT1, and TPP1) and CST (CDC13/CTC1, STN1, and TEN1). Shelterin protects the telomere from DNA damage response (DDR) and regulates telomere length by telomerase; while, CST govern the extension of telomere by telomerase and C strand fill-in synthesis. We have investigated both structural and biochemical features of shelterin and CST complexes to get a clear understanding of their importance in the telomere maintenance. Further, we have analyzed ~115 clinically important mutations in both of the complexes. Association of such mutations with specific cellular fault unveils the importance of shelterin and CST complexes in the maintenance of genome stability. A possibility of targeting shelterin and CST by small molecule inhibitors is further investigated towards the therapeutic management of associated diseases. Overall, this review provides a possible direction to understand the mechanisms of telomere borne diseases, and their therapeutic intervention.
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Wang Y, Wang S, Nie X, Yang K, Xu P, Wang X, Liu M, Yang Y, Chen Z, Wang S. Molecular and structural basis of nucleoside diphosphate kinase-mediated regulation of spore and sclerotia development in the fungus Aspergillus flavus. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:12415-12431. [PMID: 31243100 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The fundamental biological function of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK) is to catalyze the reversible exchange of the γ-phosphate between nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) and nucleoside diphosphate (NDP). This kinase also has functions that extend beyond its canonically defined enzymatic role as a phosphotransferase. However, the role of NDK in filamentous fungi, especially in Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), is not yet known. Here we report that A. flavus has two NDK-encoding gene copies as assessed by qPCR. Using gene-knockout and complementation experiments, we found that AfNDK regulates spore and sclerotia development and is involved in plant virulence as assessed in corn and peanut seed-based assays. An antifungal test with the inhibitor azidothymidine suppressed AfNDK activity in vitro and prevented spore production and sclerotia formation in A. flavus, confirming AfNDK's regulatory functions. Crystallographic analysis of AfNDK, coupled with site-directed mutagenesis experiments, revealed three residues (Arg-104, His-117, and Asp-120) as key sites that contribute to spore and sclerotia development. These results not only enrich our knowledge of the regulatory role of this important protein in A. flavus, but also provide insights into the prevention of A. flavus infection in plants and seeds, as well as into the structural features relevant for future antifungal drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xinyi Nie
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Kunlong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Peng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiuna Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mengxin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yongshuai Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Shihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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16
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Raising the bar in anticancer therapy: recent advances in, and perspectives on, telomerase inhibitors. Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:1370-1388. [PMID: 31136800 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleic reverse transcriptase enzyme that uses an integral RNA component as a template to add tandem telomeric DNA repeats, TTAGGG, at the 3' end of the chromosomes. 85-90% of human tumors and their derived cell lines predominantly express high levels of telomerase, therefore contributing to cancer cell development. However, in normal cells, telomerase activity is almost always absent except in germ cells and stem cells. This differential expression has been exploited to develop highly specific and potent cancer therapeutics. In this review, we outline recent advances in the development of telomerase inhibitors as anticancer agents.
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Hernandez-Sanchez W, Huang W, Plucinsky B, Garcia-Vazquez N, Robinson NJ, Schiemann WP, Berdis AJ, Skordalakes E, Taylor DJ. A non-natural nucleotide uses a specific pocket to selectively inhibit telomerase activity. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000204. [PMID: 30951520 PMCID: PMC6469803 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, a unique reverse transcriptase that specifically extends the ends of linear chromosomes, is up-regulated in the vast majority of cancer cells. Here, we show that an indole nucleotide analog, 5-methylcarboxyl-indolyl-2'-deoxyriboside 5'-triphosphate (5-MeCITP), functions as an inhibitor of telomerase activity. The crystal structure of 5-MeCITP bound to the Tribolium castaneum telomerase reverse transcriptase reveals an atypical interaction, in which the nucleobase is flipped in the active site. In this orientation, the methoxy group of 5-MeCITP extends out of the canonical active site to interact with a telomerase-specific hydrophobic pocket formed by motifs 1 and 2 in the fingers domain and T-motif in the RNA-binding domain of the telomerase reverse transcriptase. In vitro data show that 5-MeCITP inhibits telomerase with a similar potency as the clinically administered nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor azidothymidine (AZT). In addition, cell-based studies show that treatment with the cell-permeable nucleoside counterpart of 5-MeCITP leads to telomere shortening in telomerase-positive cancer cells, while resulting in significantly lower cytotoxic effects in telomerase-negative cell lines when compared with AZT treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brian Plucinsky
- The Wistar Institute Gene Expression and Regulation Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nelson Garcia-Vazquez
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Nathaniel J. Robinson
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - William P. Schiemann
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anthony J. Berdis
- Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Emmanuel Skordalakes
- The Wistar Institute Gene Expression and Regulation Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Derek J. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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Armando RG, Mengual Gomez DL, Maggio J, Sanmartin MC, Gomez DE. Telomeropathies: Etiology, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ethical and legal considerations. Clin Genet 2019; 96:3-16. [PMID: 30820928 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomeropathies involve a wide variety of infrequent genetic diseases caused by mutations in the telomerase maintenance mechanism or the DNA damage response (DDR) system. They are considered a family of rare diseases that often share causes, molecular mechanisms and symptoms. Generally, these diseases are not diagnosed until the symptoms are advanced, diminishing the survival time of patients. Although several related syndromes may still be unrecognized this work describes those that are known, highlighting that because they are rare diseases, physicians should be trained in their early diagnosis. The etiology and diagnosis are discussed for each telomeropathy and the treatments when available, along with a new classification of this group of diseases. Ethical and legal issues related to this group of diseases are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina G Armando
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego L Mengual Gomez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julián Maggio
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María C Sanmartin
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel E Gomez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Ecker A, da Silva RS, Dos Santos MM, Ardisson-Araújo D, Rodrigues OED, da Rocha JBT, Barbosa NV. Safety profile of AZT derivatives: Organoselenium moieties confer different cytotoxic responses in fresh human erythrocytes during in vitro exposures. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2018; 50:240-248. [PMID: 30262286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The incorporation of selenium in the structure of nucleosides is a promising strategy to develop novel therapeutic molecules. OBJECTIVE To assess the toxic effects of three AZT derivatives containing organoselenium moieties on human erythrocytes. METHODOLOGY Freshly human erythrocytes were acutely treated with AZT and selenium derivatives SZ1 (chlorophenylseleno), SZ2 (phenylseleno) and SZ3 (methylphenylseleno) at concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 μM. Afterwards, parameters related to membrane damage, redox dyshomeostasis and eryptosis were determined in the cells. RESULTS The effects of AZT and derivatives toward erythrocytes differed considerably. Overall, the SZ3 exhibited similar effect profiles to the prototypal AZT, without causing cytotoxicity. Contrary, the derivative SZ1 induced hemolysis and increased the membrane fragility of cells. Reactive species generation, lipid peroxidation and thiol depletion were also substantially increased in cells after exposure to SZ1. δ-ALA-D and Na+/K+-ATPase activities were inhibited by derivatives SZ1 and SZ2. Additionally, both derivatives caused eryptosis, promoting cell shrinkage and translocation of phosphatidylserine at the membrane surface. The size and granularity of erythrocytes were not modified by any compound. CONCLUSION The insertion of either chlorophenylseleno or, in a certain way, phenylseleno moietes in the structure of AZT molecule was harmful to erythrocytes and this effect seems to involve a pro-oxidant activity. This was not true for the derivative encompassing methylphenylseleno portion, making it a promising candidate for pharmacological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assis Ecker
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Campus Universitário - Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael S da Silva
- LabSelen-NanoBio - Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Matheus Mulling Dos Santos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Campus Universitário - Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ardisson-Araújo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Campus Universitário - Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Oscar E D Rodrigues
- LabSelen-NanoBio - Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900 Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - João Batista Teixeira da Rocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Campus Universitário - Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Nilda Vargas Barbosa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Campus Universitário - Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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20
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Wagner MS, Schultze E, Oliveira TL, de Leon PMM, Thurow HS, Campos VF, Oliveira I, de Souza D, Rodrigues OED, Collares T, Seixas FK. Revitalizing the AZT Through of the Selenium: An Approach in Human Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line. Front Oncol 2018; 8:525. [PMID: 30524958 PMCID: PMC6262369 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer represents about 15% of all cases of breast cancer, and still represents a therapeutic challenge. 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with antitumor activity. Chalcogenides compounds, such as selenium, are very important intermediates applied in organic synthesis. Our objective was to investigate the effect and the underlying cell death mechanisms of AZT and its derivatives, in human breast cancer cell lines. The inhibitory effect of AZT and derivatives (1072, 1073, and 1079) was determined by MTT assay (0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM for concentrations and times 4, 24, 48, and 72 h) and Live/Dead in tumor cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB 231 and also in non-tumor cell line CHO. Gene expression profiles related to apoptosis were investigated by qRT-PCR and induction of apoptosis was investigated by flow cytometry. MTT and Live/Dead assays showed that AZT derivatives decreased the rate of cell proliferation at concentrations of 50 and 100 μM in tumor cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 while the commercial AZT presented a low antitumoral potential in all strains tested. In flow cytometry analysis we demonstrated that derivatives of AZT induced apoptosis, with an increase in both initial and late stages in both tumor cell lines evaluated, especially in MDA-MB 231. Our data show that the AZT derivative 1072 increased the expression of transcripts of the genes caspase 3 and 8 in MDA-MB 231 cell line when compared to control, suggesting that the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis was activated. In conclusion, derivatives of AZT, especially 1072, induce cytotoxicity in vitro in the triple negative breast cancer cell line through activation of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. These compounds containing selenium in its formulation are potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica Silveira Wagner
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Schultze
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Thais Larre Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Priscila Marques Moura de Leon
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Helena Strelow Thurow
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Farias Campos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Isabel Oliveira
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Diego de Souza
- LabSelen-NanoBio - Universidade de Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | | | - Tiago Collares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Kömmling Seixas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Grupo de Pesquisa em Oncologia Celular e Molecular, Biotecnologia/Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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21
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Giunco S, Petrara MR, Zangrossi M, Celeghin A, De Rossi A. Extra-telomeric functions of telomerase in the pathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus-driven B-cell malignancies and potential therapeutic implications. Infect Agent Cancer 2018; 13:14. [PMID: 29643934 PMCID: PMC5892012 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-018-0186-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human γ-herpesvirus causally linked to a broad spectrum of both lymphoid and epithelial malignancies. In order to maintain its persistence in host cells and promote tumorigenesis, EBV must restrict its lytic cycle, which would ultimately lead to cell death, selectively express latent viral proteins, and establish an unlimited proliferative potential. The latter step depends on the maintenance of telomere length provided by telomerase. The viral oncoprotein LMP-1 activates TERT, the catalytic component of telomerase. In addition to its canonical role in stabilizing telomeres, TERT may promote EBV-driven tumorigenesis through extra-telomeric functions. TERT contributes toward preserving EBV latency; in fact, through the NOTCH2/BATF pathway, TERT negatively affects the expression of BZLF1, the master regulator of the EBV lytic cycle. In contrast, TERT inhibition triggers a complete EBV lytic cycle, leading to the death of EBV-infected cells. Interestingly, short-term TERT inhibition causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, partly by inducing telomere-independent activation of the ATM/ATR/TP53 pathway. Importantly, TERT inhibition also sensitizes EBV-positive tumor cells to antiviral therapy and enhances the pro-apoptotic effects of chemotherapeutic agents. We provide here an overview on how the extra-telomeric functions of TERT contribute to EBV-driven tumorigenesis. We also discuss the potential therapeutic approach of TERT inhibition in EBV-driven malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giunco
- 1Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Petrara
- 2Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Manuela Zangrossi
- 2Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Celeghin
- 2Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- 1Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Padova, Italy.,2Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Section of Oncology and Immunology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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22
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysious D Aravinthan
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Graeme J Alexander
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, The Royal Free Trust, London, UK
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23
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Lee Y, Koh J, Kim SI, Won JK, Park CK, Choi SH, Park SH. The frequency and prognostic effect of TERT promoter mutation in diffuse gliomas. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:62. [PMID: 28851427 PMCID: PMC5574236 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene promoter (TERTp) are common in glioblastomas (GBMs) and oligodendrogliomas (ODGs), and therefore, have a key role in tumorigenesis and may be of prognostic value. However, the extent of their prognostic importance in various gliomas is controversial. We studied 168 patients separated into five groups: Group 1: 65 patients with ODG carrying an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation (IDH-mutant) and 1p/19q–codeletion, Group 2: 23 patients with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), IDH-mutant, Group 3: 13 patients with GBM, IDH-mutant, Group 4: 15 patients with AA, IDH-wildtype (WT), and Group 5: 52 patients with GBM, IDH-WT. TERTp mutations were found in 96.9%, 4.4%, 76.9%, 20.0%, and 84.6% of patients in Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The R132H mutation in IDH1 was found in 60.5% (23/38) of patients in the AA cohort (Groups 2 and 4) and 20.0% (13/65) of patients from our GBM cohort (Groups 3 and 5), whereas all patients with ODG (Group 1) had a mutation either in IDH1 (n = 62) or IDH2 (n = 3). Using Kaplan Meier survival analysis, we found that the TERTp mutation was correlated with poor overall survival (OS) in Groups 2 and 4 combined (P = 0.001) and in Group 4 (P = 0.113), and in multivariate analysis, the TERTp mutant group was associated with significantly poor survival in Group 5 (P = 0.045). However, IDH mutation, MGMT methylation, and younger patient age (<55 years old) were significantly correlated with favorable OS (all P < 0.05) in our cohort of astrocytic and ODGs. In patients with ODG (Group 1), mutant IDH and TERTp did not have prognostic value because these mutations were universally present. Based on the revised 2016 WHO classification of gliomas, we found that TERTp mutation was frequently present in patients with GBM or ODG and because it was strongly correlated with poor survival outcome in patients with IDH-WT GBM in multivariate analysis, it may be of prognostic value in this subgroup of patients with gliomas.
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24
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Cardama GA, Gonzalez N, Maggio J, Menna PL, Gomez DE. Rho GTPases as therapeutic targets in cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2017; 51:1025-1034. [PMID: 28848995 PMCID: PMC5592879 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.4093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases are key molecular switches controlling the transduction of external signals to cytoplasmic and nuclear effectors. In the last few years, the development of genetic and pharmacological tools has allowed a more precise definition of the specific roles of Rho GTPases in cancer. The aim of the present review is to describe the cellular functions regulated by these proteins with focus in deregulated signals present in malignant tumors. Finally, we describe the state of the art in search of different experimental therapeutic strategies with Rho GTPases as molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Cardama
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Maggio
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - P Lorenzano Menna
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D E Gomez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology, Quilmes National University, Bernal B1876BXD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Qin QP, Qin JL, Chen M, Li YL, Meng T, Zhou J, Liang H, Chen ZF. Chiral platinum (II)-4-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)- formamide oxo-aporphine (FOA) complexes promote tumor cells apoptosis by directly targeting G-quadruplex DNA in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2017; 8:61982-61997. [PMID: 28977920 PMCID: PMC5617480 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Three platinum(II) complexes, 4 (LC-004), 5 (LC-005), and 6 (LC-006), with the chiral FOA ligands R/S-(±)-FOA (1), R-(+)-FOA (2) and S-(–)-FOA (3), respectively, were synthesized and characterized. As potential anti-tumor agents, these complexes show higher cytotoxicity to BEL-7404 cells than the HL-7702 normal cells. They are potential telomerase inhibitors that target c-myc and human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA. Compared to complexes 4 and 5, 6 exhibited higher binding affinities towards telomeric, c-myc G-quadruplex DNA and caspase-3/9, thereby inducing senescence and apoptosis to a greater extent in tumor cells. Moreover, our in vivo studies showed that complex 6 can effectively inhibit tumor growth in the BEL-7404 and BEL-7402 xenograft mouse models and is less toxic than 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. The effective inhibition of tumor growth is attributed to its interactions with 53BP1, TRF1, c-myc, TRF2, and hTERT. Thus, complex 6 can serve as a novel lead compound and a potential drug candidate for anticancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Pin Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Jiao-Lan Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Lan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Ting Meng
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Hong Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, P. R. China
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26
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Fang X, Hu T, Yin H, Yang J, Tang W, Hu S, Xu X. Differences in telomerase activity and the effects of AZT in aneuploid and euploid cells in colon cancer. Int J Oncol 2017. [PMID: 28627647 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.4043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase-targeted treatments for cancer have received a great deal of attention because telomerase is detected in nearly all cancer cells but is not expressed in most normal tissues. Aneuploidy refers to a chromosome number that is not a multiple of the base chromosome number and can indicate either hypo- or hyperploid chromosome numbers. Most solid tumors are aneuploid. In the present study, we sought to determine whether there are differences in telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression between aneuploid and euploid cells. Furthermore, we investigated telomerase inhibitor 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT)-induced cell apoptosis using the p53-Puma/Noxa/Bax pathway and cell cycle arrest using the p53-p21 pathway in both aneuploid and euploid cells. Our results demonstrate that telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression were higher in aneuploid than in euploid cells. In addition, AZT exerted time- and dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on both aneuploid and euploid cells, and aneuploid cells were more sensitive to AZT-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, both the p53-Puma/Noxa/Bax pathway and the cell cycle arrest-associated p53-p21 pathway were involved in the AZT-induced suppression of tumor cells. Importantly, aneuploid cells were more sensitive to AZT-induced cell cycle arrest (p53-p21) and DNA double-strand breaks (γ-H2AX), while euploid cells were more sensitive to AZT-induced apoptosis (p53-Puma/Bax/Noxa).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Tenghui Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Hua Yin
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Junjun Yang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Weian Tang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Siqi Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
| | - Xingxiang Xu
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225001, P.R. China
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Wang H, Zhou J, He Q, Dong Y, Liu Y. Azidothymidine inhibits cell growth and telomerase activity and induces DNA damage in human esophageal cancer. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:4055-4060. [PMID: 28487971 PMCID: PMC5436214 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is one of the most common type of malignancies. Telomerase activity, which is absent or weakly detected in the majority of human somatic cells, is elevated in esophageal cancer. Although azidothymidine (AZT), a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, has been utilized as a treatment for tumors, its role in treating esophageal cancer has not been confirmed. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of AZT on telomerase activity and the proliferation of the human esophageal cancer cell line TE-11. A telomeric repeat amplification assay was utilized to detect telomerase activity following treatment of TE-11 cells with AZT. The effect of AZT on TE-11 cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Cellular DNA damage was evaluated by a comet assay and an MTT assay demonstrated that AZT significantly inhibited the viability of TE-11 cells, in a time-and dose-dependent manner. In addition, TE-11 cells treated with various concentrations of AZT exhibited a significant reduction in telomerase activity and percentage of cells in the G1/G0 phase, and an increase in the percentage of cells in the S phase. High doses of AZT caused DNA damage, and enhanced the expression levels of γ-H2A histone family member X and phosphorylated checkpoint kinase 2 in TE-11 cells. These results demonstrated that AZT effectively inhibits proliferation of the TE-11 human esophageal cancer cell line in vitro. The growth inhibitory effects were associated with a reduction in telomerase activity, S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, and enhanced DNA damage, suggesting that AZT may be utilized in the clinic for the treatment of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoli Wang
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Jianwen Zhou
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Qiong He
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Yu Dong
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
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28
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Piekna-Przybylska D, Sharma G, Maggirwar SB, Bambara RA. Deficiency in DNA damage response, a new characteristic of cells infected with latent HIV-1. Cell Cycle 2017; 16:968-978. [PMID: 28388353 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2017.1312225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses can interact with host cell molecules responsible for the recognition and repair of DNA lesions, resulting in dysfunctional DNA damage response (DDR). Cells with inefficient DDR are more vulnerable to therapeutic approaches that target DDR, thereby raising DNA damage to a threshold that triggers apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that 2 Jurkat-derived cell lines with incorporated silent HIV-1 provirus show increases in DDR signaling that responds to formation of double strand DNA breaks (DSBs). We found that phosphorylation of histone H2AX on Ser139 (gamma-H2AX), a biomarker of DSBs, and phosphorylation of ATM at Ser1981, Chk2 at Thr68, and p53 at Ser15, part of signaling pathways associated with DSBs, are elevated in these cells. These results indicate a DDR defect even though the virus is latent. DDR-inducing agents, specifically high doses of nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs), caused greater increases in gamma-H2AX levels in latently infected cells. Additionally, latently infected cells are more susceptible to long-term exposure to G-quadruplex stabilizing agents, and this effect is enhanced when the agent is combined with an inhibitor targeting DNA-PK, which is crucial for DSB repair and telomere maintenance. Moreover, exposing these cells to the cancer drug etoposide resulted in formation of DSBs at a higher rate than in un-infected cells. Similar effects of etoposide were also observed in population of primary memory T cells infected with latent HIV-1. Sensitivity to these agents highlights a unique vulnerability of latently infected cells, a new feature that could potentially be used in developing therapies to eliminate HIV-1 reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Piekna-Przybylska
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
| | - Gaurav Sharma
- b Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
| | - Sanjay B Maggirwar
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
| | - Robert A Bambara
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester , Rochester , NY , USA
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29
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Armando RG, Gomez DM, Gomez DE. AZT exerts its antitumoral effect by telomeric and non-telomeric effects in a mammary adenocarcinoma model. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:2731-2736. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Abstract
Telomerase activity is responsible for the maintenance of chromosome end structures (telomeres) and cancer cell immortality in most human malignancies, making telomerase an attractive therapeutic target. The rationale for targeting components of the telomerase holoenzyme has been strengthened by accumulating evidence indicating that these molecules have extra-telomeric functions in tumour cell survival and proliferation. This Review discusses current knowledge of the biogenesis, structure and multiple functions of telomerase-associated molecules intertwined with recent advances in drug discovery approaches. We also describe the fertile ground available for the pursuit of next-generation small-molecule inhibitors of telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg M Arndt
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer, Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia
| | - Karen L MacKenzie
- Personalised Medicine Program, Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia
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31
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Zong S, Chen C, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Cui Y. Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Based in Situ Hybridization Strategy for Telomere Length Assessment. ACS NANO 2016; 10:2950-9. [PMID: 26812475 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Assessing telomere length is of vital importance since telomere length is closely related with several fatal diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. Here, we present a strategy to assess/measure telomere length, that is, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based in situ hybridization (SISH). The SISH method uses two kinds of SERS nanoprobes to hybridize in situ with telomeres and centromeres, respectively. The telomere specific SERS nanoprobe is called the Telo-probe, while the centromere specific SERS nanoprobe is called the Centro-probe. They are composed of metal nanoparticles (NPs), Raman reporter molecules and specially designed DNA strands. With longer telomeres, more Telo-probes will hybridize with them, resulting in a stronger SERS signal. To exclude possible influence of the SERS intensity by external factors (such as the nanoprobe concentration, the cell number or different batches of nanoprobes), centromeres are used as the inner control, which can be recognized by Centro-probes. Telomere length is evaluated using a redefined telomere-to-centromere ratio (T/C ratio). The calculation method for T/C ratio in SISH method is more reliable than that in fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). In addition, unlike FISH method, the SISH method is insensitive to autofluorescence. Moreover, SISH method can be used to analyze single telomeres. These features make SISH an excellent alternative strategy for telomere length measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenfei Zong
- Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhuyuan Wang
- Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yizhi Zhang
- Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yiping Cui
- Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University , Nanjing 210096, China
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32
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Matteucci C, Minutolo A, Marino-Merlo F, Grelli S, Frezza C, Mastino A, Macchi B. Characterization of the enhanced apoptotic response to azidothymidine by pharmacological inhibition of NF-kB. Life Sci 2015; 127:90-7. [PMID: 25744407 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The present study addresses the issue of enhanced apoptotic response to AZT following co-treatment with an NF-kB inhibitor. MAIN METHODS To investigate this issue, different cell lines were assayed for susceptibility to AZT-mediated apoptosis without or with the addition of the NF-kB inhibitor Bay-11-7085. For further investigation, U937 cells were selected as good-responder cells to the combination treatment with 32 or 128 μM AZT, and 1 μM Bay-11-7085. Inhibition of NF-kB activation by Bay-11-7085 in cells treated with AZT was assayed through Western blot analysis of p65 expression and by EMSA. Involvement of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in mechanisms underlying the improved effect of AZT following Bay-11-7085 co-treatment, was evaluated by assaying the cytochrome c release and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) status using the JC-1 dye. Moreover, the transcriptional activity of both anti- and pro-apoptotic genes in U937 cells after combination treatment was quantitatively evaluated through real-time PCR. KEY FINDINGS We found that the combined treatment induced high levels of cytochrome c release and of MMP collapse in association with evident changes in the expression of both anti- and pro-apoptotic genes of the Bcl-2 family. Overexpression of Bcl-2 significantly suppressed the sensitization of U937 cells to an enhanced apoptotic response to AZT following co-treatment with the NF-kB inhibitor. SIGNIFICANCE The new findings suggest that a combination regimen based on AZT plus an NF-kB inhibitor could represent a new chemotherapeutic tool for retrovirus-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Minutolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Marino-Merlo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Frezza
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Mastino
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; The Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Macchi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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33
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Assessing telomere length using surface enhanced Raman scattering. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6977. [PMID: 25381775 PMCID: PMC4225564 DOI: 10.1038/srep06977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length can provide valuable insight into telomeres and telomerase related diseases, including cancer. Here, we present a brand-new optical telomere length measurement protocol using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this protocol, two single strand DNA are used as SERS probes. They are labeled with two different Raman molecules and can specifically hybridize with telomeres and centromere, respectively. First, genome DNA is extracted from cells. Then the telomere and centromere SERS probes are added into the genome DNA. After hybridization with genome DNA, excess SERS probes are removed by magnetic capturing nanoparticles. Finally, the genome DNA with SERS probes attached is dropped onto a SERS substrate and subjected to SERS measurement. Longer telomeres result in more attached telomere probes, thus a stronger SERS signal. Consequently, SERS signal can be used as an indicator of telomere length. Centromere is used as the inner control. By calibrating the SERS intensity of telomere probe with that of the centromere probe, SERS based telomere measurement is realized. This protocol does not require polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or electrophoresis procedures, which greatly simplifies the detection process. We anticipate that this easy-operation and cost-effective protocol is a fine alternative for the assessment of telomere length.
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34
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Afzal O, Kumar S, Haider MR, Ali MR, Kumar R, Jaggi M, Bawa S. A review on anticancer potential of bioactive heterocycle quinoline. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 97:871-910. [PMID: 25073919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 494] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The advent of Camptothecin added a new dimension in the field anticancer drug development containing quinoline motif. Quinoline scaffold plays an important role in anticancer drug development as their derivatives have shown excellent results through different mechanism of action such as growth inhibitors by cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, disruption of cell migration, and modulation of nuclear receptor responsiveness. The anti-cancer potential of several of these derivatives have been demonstrated on various cancer cell lines. In this review we have compiled and discussed specifically the anticancer potential of quinoline derivatives, which could provide a low-height flying bird's eye view of the quinoline derived compounds to a medicinal chemist for a comprehensive and target oriented information for development of clinically viable anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obaid Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Md Rafi Haider
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Md Rahmat Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Manu Jaggi
- Dabur Research Foundation, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sandhya Bawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110062, India.
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35
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Dolcetti R, Giunco S, Dal Col J, Celeghin A, Mastorci K, De Rossi A. Epstein-Barr virus and telomerase: from cell immortalization to therapy. Infect Agent Cancer 2014; 9:8. [PMID: 24572088 PMCID: PMC3943417 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-9-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Overcoming cellular senescence is strictly required for virus-driven tumors, including those associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This critical step is successfully accomplished by EBV through TERT expression and telomerase activation in infected cells. We herein review the complex interplay between EBV and TERT/telomerase in EBV-driven tumorigenesis. Evidence accumulated so far clearly indicates that elucidation of this issue may offer promising opportunities for the design of innovative treatment modalities for EBV-associated malignancies. Indeed, several therapeutic strategies for telomerase inhibition have been developed and are being investigated in clinical trials. In this respect, our recent finding that TERT inhibition sensitizes EBV+ lymphoma cells to antivirals through activation of EBV lytic replication is particularly promising and provides a rationale for the activation of clinical studies aimed at assessing the effects of combination therapies with TERT inhibitors and antivirals for the treatment of EBV-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Dolcetti
- Cancer Bio-Immunotherapy Unit, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy.
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36
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Fadri-Moskwik M, Zhou Q, Chai W. Beyond Telomerase: Telomere Instability as a Novel Target for Cancer Therapy. J Mol Genet Med 2013; 7. [PMID: 27123041 PMCID: PMC4844356 DOI: 10.4172/1747-0862.1000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are areas of heterochromatin composed of TTAGGG repeats located at the ends of linear chromosomes. They play a critical role in keeping genome stable and preventing premature aging diseases and the development of cancer. Characterizing mechanisms of telomere maintenance and understanding how their deregulation contributes to human diseases are therefore important for developing novel therapies. A key mechanism driving telomere maintenance and replicative immortality in cancer cells is telomere elongation by telomerase, and many emerging potential telomere-based therapies have focused on targeting telomerase components. By contrast, recent studies on telomere maintenance mechanism suggest that disrupting telomere stability by interfering with alternative mechanisms of telomere synthesis or protection may also yield new strategies for the treatment of cancer. This review will focus on emerging regulators of telomere synthesis or maintenance, such as G4 telomeric DNA, the CST complex, the t-loop, and shelterins, and discuss their potential as targets for anti-cancer chemotherapeutic intervention in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fadri-Moskwik
- Section of Medical Sciences and School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, USA
| | - Qing Zhou
- Section of Medical Sciences and School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, USA
| | - Weihang Chai
- Section of Medical Sciences and School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, USA
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37
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Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in bladder cancer: high frequency across stages, detection in urine, and lack of association with outcome. Eur Urol 2013; 65:360-6. [PMID: 24018021 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2013.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hotspot mutations in the promoter of the gene coding for telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) have been described and proposed to activate gene expression. OBJECTIVES To investigate TERT mutation frequency, spectrum, association with expression and clinical outcome, and potential for detection of recurrences in urine in patients with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A set of 111 UBCs of different stages was used to assess TERT promoter mutations by Sanger sequencing and TERT messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The two most frequent mutations were investigated, using a SNaPshot assay, in an independent set of 184 non-muscle-invasive and 173 muscle-invasive UBC (median follow-up: 53 mo and 21 mo, respectively). Voided urine from patients with suspicion of incident UBC (n=174), or under surveillance after diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive UBC (n=194), was tested using a SNaPshot assay. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Association of mutation status with age, sex, tobacco, stage, grade, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutation, progression-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS In the two series, 78 of 111 (70%) and 283 of 357 (79%) tumors harbored TERT mutations, C228T being the most frequent substitution (83% for both series). TERT mutations were not associated with clinical or pathologic parameters, but were more frequent among FGFR3 mutant tumors (p=0.0002). There was no association between TERT mutations and mRNA expression (p=0.3). Mutations were not associated with clinical outcome. In urine, TERT mutations had 90% specificity in subjects with hematuria but no bladder tumor, and 73% in recurrence-free UBC patients. The sensitivity was 62% in incident and 42% in recurrent UBC. A limitation of the study is its retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS Somatic TERT promoter mutations are an early, highly prevalent genetic event in UBC and are not associated with TERT mRNA levels or disease outcomes. A SNaPshot assay in urine may help to detect UBC recurrences.
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38
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Bollmann FM. Telomerase inhibition may contribute to accelerated mitochondrial aging induced by anti-retroviral HIV treatment. Med Hypotheses 2013; 81:285-7. [PMID: 23679995 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Revised: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
HIV-infected individuals undergoing long-term anti-retroviral treatment tend to show premature senescence. Accelerated mitochondrial aging induced by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) has been implicated as a part of this phenomenon. Traditionally, this has been attributed to inhibition of mtDNA polymerase γ by these drugs, but alternative explanations have been proposed. It is known that NRTIs can not only inhibit viral reverse transcriptase, but also human telomerase. A number of extratelomeric roles of telomerase, including protection of mitochondrial DNA and function, have emerged recently. In this paper, I propose that inhibition of mitochondrial telomerase activity by NRTI drugs contributes to the mitochondrial toxicity and premature aging seen in treated HIV patients, and discuss objections and experimental testing of the hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Bollmann
- University Medical Center Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72016 Tübingen, Germany.
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