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Khan A, Waheed Y, Kuttikrishnan S, Prabhu KS, El-Elimat T, Uddin S, Alali FQ, Agouni A. Network pharmacology, molecular simulation, and binding free energy calculation-based investigation of Neosetophomone B revealed key targets for the treatment of cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1352907. [PMID: 38434705 PMCID: PMC10905267 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1352907] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the current study, Neosetophomone B (NSP-B) was investigated for its anti-cancerous potential using network pharmacology, quantum polarized ligand docking, molecular simulation, and binding free energy calculation. Using SwissTarget prediction, and Superpred, the molecular targets for NSP-B were predicted while cancer-associated genes were obtained from DisGeNet. Among the total predicted proteins, only 25 were reported to overlap with the disease-associated genes. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed by using Cytoscape and STRING databases. MCODE was used to detect the densely connected subnetworks which revealed three sub-clusters. Cytohubba predicted four targets, i.e., fibroblast growth factor , FGF20, FGF22, and FGF23 as hub genes. Molecular docking of NSP-B based on a quantum-polarized docking approach with FGF6, FGF20, FGF22, and FGF23 revealed stronger interactions with the key hotspot residues. Moreover, molecular simulation revealed a stable dynamic behavior, good structural packing, and residues' flexibility of each complex. Hydrogen bonding in each complex was also observed to be above the minimum. In addition, the binding free energy was calculated using the MM/GBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area) and MM/PBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area) approaches. The total binding free energy calculated using the MM/GBSA approach revealed values of -36.85 kcal/mol for the FGF6-NSP-B complex, -43.87 kcal/mol for the FGF20-NSP-B complex, and -37.42 kcal/mol for the FGF22-NSP-B complex, and -41.91 kcal/mol for the FGF23-NSP-B complex. The total binding free energy calculated using the MM/PBSA approach showed values of -30.05 kcal/mol for the FGF6-NSP-B complex, -39.62 kcal/mol for the FGF20-NSP-B complex, -34.89 kcal/mol for the FGF22-NSP-B complex, and -37.18 kcal/mol for the FGF23-NSP-B complex. These findings underscore the promising potential of NSP-B against FGF6, FGF20, FGF22, and FGF23, which are reported to be essential for cancer signaling. These results significantly bolster the potential of NSP-B as a promising candidate for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yasir Waheed
- Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, Pakistan
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S. Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tamam El-Elimat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Feras Q. Alali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Office of Vice President for Medical and Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Kuttikrishnan S, Hasan M, Prabhu KS, El-Elimat T, Oberlies NH, Pearce CJ, Alali FQ, Ahmad A, Pourkarimi E, Bhat AA, Yalcin HC, Uddin S. Exploring the in vivo anti-cancer potential of Neosetophomone B in leukemic cells using a zebrafish xenograft model. Exp Cell Res 2024; 435:113907. [PMID: 38184222 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Neosetophomone B (NSP-B) is a unique meroterpenoid fungal secondary metabolite that has previously demonstrated promising anti-cancer properties against various cancer cell lines in vitro. However, its in vivo anti-cancer potential remaines unexplored. To fill this gap in our knowledge, we tested NSP-B's in vivo anti-cancer activity using a zebrafish model, an organism that has gained significant traction in biomedical research due to its genetic similarities with humans and its transparent nature, allowing real-time tumor growth observation. For our experiments, we employed the K562-injected zebrafish xenograft model. Upon treating these zebrafish with NSP-B, we observed a marked reduction in the size and number of tumor xenografts. Delving deeper, our analyses indicated that NSP-B curtailed tumor growth and proliferation of leukemic grafted xenograft within the zebrafish. These results show that NSP-B possesses potent in vivo anti-cancer properties, making it a potential novel therapeutic agent for addressing hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar; College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maram Hasan
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar
| | - Tamam El-Elimat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | | | - Feras Q Alali
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ehsan Pourkarimi
- Division of Genomics and Translational Medicine, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Huseyin C Yalcin
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, 3050, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory of Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Kuttikrishnan S, Ahmad F, Mateo JM, Prabhu KS, El‐Elimat T, Oberlies NH, Pearce CJ, Akil ASA, Bhat AA, Alali FQ, Uddin S. Neosetophomone B induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells via targeting of AKT/SKP2 signaling pathway. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:190-200. [PMID: 37885161 PMCID: PMC10952688 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy associated with malignant plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow. Despite the available treatments, drug resistance and adverse side effects pose significant challenges, underscoring the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Natural products, like the fungal metabolite neosetophomone B (NSP-B), have emerged as potential therapeutic agents due to their bioactive properties. Our study investigated NSP-B's antitumor effects on MM cell lines (U266 and RPMI8226) and the involved molecular mechanisms. NSP-B demonstrated significant growth inhibition and apoptotic induction, triggered by reduced AKT activation and downregulation of the inhibitors of apoptotic proteins and S-phase kinase protein. This was accompanied by an upregulation of p21Kip1 and p27Cip1 and an elevated Bax/BCL2 ratio, culminating in caspase-dependent apoptosis. Interestingly, NSP-B also enhanced the cytotoxicity of bortezomib (BTZ), an existing MM treatment. Overall, our findings demonstrated that NSP-B induces caspase-dependent apoptosis, increases cell damage, and suppresses MM cell proliferation while improving the cytotoxic impact of BTZ. These findings suggest that NSP-B can be used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat MM, highlighting its importance as a promising phytoconstituent in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
- College of Pharmacy, QU HealthQatar UniversityDohaQatar
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
| | - Jericha M. Mateo
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
| | - Kirti S. Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
| | - Tamam El‐Elimat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of PharmacyJordan University of Science and TechnologyIrbidJordan
| | - Nicholas H. Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Ammira S. Alshabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics‐Precision Medicine in DiabetesObesity and Cancer Research Program, Sidra MedicineDohaQatar
| | - Ajaz A. Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics‐Precision Medicine in DiabetesObesity and Cancer Research Program, Sidra MedicineDohaQatar
| | | | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health SystemHamad Medical CorporationDohaQatar
- Laboratory of Animal Research CenterQatar UniversityDohaQatar
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Kuttikrishnan S, Masoodi T, Ahmad F, Sher G, Prabhu KS, Mateo JM, Buddenkotte J, El-Elimat T, Oberlies NH, Pearce CJ, Bhat AA, Alali FQ, Steinhoff M, Uddin S. In vitro evaluation of Neosetophomone B inducing apoptosis in cutaneous T cell lymphoma by targeting the FOXM1 signaling pathway. J Dermatol Sci 2023; 112:83-91. [PMID: 37865581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a T cell-derived non-Hodgkin lymphoma primarily affecting the skin, with treatment posing a significant challenge and low survival rates. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer potential of Neosetophomone B (NSP-B), a fungal-derived secondary metabolite, on CTCL cell lines H9 and HH. METHODS Cell viability was measured using Cell counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays. Apoptosis was measured by annexin V/PI dual staining. Immunoblotting was performed to examine the expression of proteins. Applied Biosystems' high-resolution Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 was used to examine gene expression. RESULTS NSP-B induced apoptosis in CTCL cells by activating mitochondrial signaling pathways and caspases. We observed downregulated expression of BUB1B, Aurora Kinases A and B, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6, and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) in NSP-B treated cells, which was further corroborated by Western blot analysis. Notably, higher expression levels of these genes showed reduced overall and progression-free survival in the CTCL patient cohort. FOXM1 and BUB1B expression exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in NSP-B-treated CTCL cells.FOXM1 silencing decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis via BUB1B downregulation. Moreover, NSP-B suppressed FOXM1-regulated genes, such as Aurora Kinases A and B, CDKs 4 and 6, and PLK1. The combined treatment of Bortezomib and NSP-B showed greater efficacy in reducing CTCL cell viability and promoting apoptosis compared to either treatment alone. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that targeting the FOXM1 pathway may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for CTCL management, with NSP-B offering significant potential as a novel treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Human Immunology Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gulab Sher
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jericha M Mateo
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Joerg Buddenkotte
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tamam El-Elimat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nicholas H Oberlies
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | | | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Feras Q Alali
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Laboratory of Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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