1
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Chiglintseva D, Clarke DJ, Sen'kova A, Heyman T, Miroshnichenko S, Shan F, Vlassov V, Zenkova M, Patutina O, Bichenkova E. Engineering supramolecular dynamics of self-assembly and turnover of oncogenic microRNAs to drive their synergistic destruction in tumor models. Biomaterials 2024; 309:122604. [PMID: 38733658 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122604] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Rationally-engineered functional biomaterials offer the opportunity to interface with complex biology in a predictive, precise, yet dynamic way to reprogram their behaviour and correct shortcomings. Success here may lead to a desired therapeutic effect against life-threatening diseases, such as cancer. Here, we engineered "Crab"-like artificial ribonucleases through coupling of peptide and nucleic acid building blocks, capable of operating alongside and synergistically with intracellular enzymes (RNase H and AGO2) for potent destruction of oncogenic microRNAs. "Crab"-like configuration of two catalytic peptides ("pincers") flanking the recognition oligonucleotide was instrumental here in providing increased catalytic turnover, leading to ≈30-fold decrease in miRNA half-life as compared with that for "single-pincer" conjugates. Dynamic modeling of miRNA cleavage illustrated how such design enabled "Crabs" to drive catalytic turnover through simultaneous attacks at different locations of the RNA-DNA heteroduplex, presumably by producing smaller cleavage products and by providing toeholds for competitive displacement by intact miRNA strands. miRNA cleavage at the 5'-site, spreading further into double-stranded region, likely provided a synergy for RNase H1 through demolition of its loading region, thus facilitating enzyme turnover. Such synergy was critical for sustaining persistent disposal of continually-emerging oncogenic miRNAs. A single exposure to the best structural variant (Crab-p-21) prior to transplantation into mice suppressed their malignant properties and reduced primary tumor volume (by 85 %) in MCF-7 murine xenograft models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Chiglintseva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - David J Clarke
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Aleksandra Sen'kova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Thomas Heyman
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Svetlana Miroshnichenko
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Fangzhou Shan
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Valentin Vlassov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Olga Patutina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Lavrentiev Avenue, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Elena Bichenkova
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
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2
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Saleh LY, Ora M, Lönnberg T. Organomercury oligonucleotide conjugates as artificial ribonucleases. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 247:112331. [PMID: 37480764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112331] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Two oligonucleotide conjugates sharing the same sequence but incorporating a different 5'-terminal organometallic moiety were synthesized, by either direct mercuration in solution or oximation with an organomercury aldehyde on solid support. The potential of these conjugates to serve as new type of artificial ribonucleases was tested with a complementary 2´-O-methyl-RNA target sequence featuring a single cleavable RNA phosphodiester linkage. Both organomercury oligonucleotides greatly outperformed their metal-free counterparts as well as the previously reported small molecule organomercury RNA cleaving agent in catalytic activity, providing an important proof-of-concept. Compared to state-of-the-art metal-dependent artificial ribonucleases, however, the observed activity was modest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lange Yakubu Saleh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Mikko Ora
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Tuomas Lönnberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland.
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3
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Targeting non-coding RNA family members with artificial endonuclease XNAzymes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1010. [PMID: 36153384 PMCID: PMC9509326 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03987-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractNon-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) offer a wealth of therapeutic targets for a range of diseases. However, secondary structures and high similarity within sequence families make specific knockdown challenging. Here, we engineer a series of artificial oligonucleotide enzymes (XNAzymes) composed of 2’-deoxy-2’-fluoro-β-D-arabino nucleic acid (FANA) that specifically or preferentially cleave individual ncRNA family members under quasi-physiological conditions, including members of the classic microRNA cluster miR-17~92 (oncomiR-1) and the Y RNA hY5. We demonstrate self-assembly of three anti-miR XNAzymes into a biostable catalytic XNA nanostructure, which targets the cancer-associated microRNAs miR-17, miR-20a and miR-21. Our results provide a starting point for the development of XNAzymes as a platform technology for precision knockdown of specific non-coding RNAs, with the potential to reduce off-target effects compared with other nucleic acid technologies.
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4
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Bulge-Forming miRNases Cleave Oncogenic miRNAs at the Central Loop Region in a Sequence-Specific Manner. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126562. [PMID: 35743015 PMCID: PMC9224474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The selective degradation of disease-associated microRNA is promising for the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this study, we engineered a series of bulge-loop-forming oligonucleotides conjugated with catalytic peptide [(LeuArg)2Gly]2 (BC-miRNases) capable of recognizing and destroying oncogenic miR-17 and miR-21. The principle behind the design of BC-miRNase is the cleavage of miRNA at a three-nucleotide bulge loop that forms in the central loop region, which is essential for the biological competence of miRNA. A thorough study of mono- and bis-BC-miRNases (containing one or two catalytic peptides, respectively) revealed that: (i) the sequence of miRNA bulge loops and neighbouring motifs are of fundamental importance for efficient miRNA cleavage (i.e., motifs containing repeating pyrimidine-A bonds are more susceptible to cleavage); (ii) the incorporation of the second catalytic peptide in the same molecular scaffold increases the potency of BC-miRNase, providing a complete degradation of miR-17 within 72 h; (iii) the synergetic co-operation of BC-miRNases with RNase H accelerates the rate of miRNA catalytic cleavage by both the conjugate and the enzyme. Such synergy allows the rapid destruction of constantly emerging miRNA to maintain sufficient knockdown and achieve a desired therapeutic effect.
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5
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Halloy F, Biscans A, Bujold KE, Debacker A, Hill AC, Lacroix A, Luige O, Strömberg R, Sundstrom L, Vogel J, Ghidini A. Innovative developments and emerging technologies in RNA therapeutics. RNA Biol 2022; 19:313-332. [PMID: 35188077 PMCID: PMC8865321 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2027150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics are emerging as a powerful platform for the treatment of multiple diseases. Currently, the two main categories of nucleic acid therapeutics, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), achieve their therapeutic effect through either gene silencing, splicing modulation or microRNA binding, giving rise to versatile options to target pathogenic gene expression patterns. Moreover, ongoing research seeks to expand the scope of RNA-based drugs to include more complex nucleic acid templates, such as messenger RNA, as exemplified by the first approved mRNA-based vaccine in 2020. The increasing number of approved sequences and ongoing clinical trials has attracted considerable interest in the chemical development of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids as drugs, especially since the FDA approval of the first siRNA drug in 2018. As a result, a variety of innovative approaches is emerging, highlighting the potential of RNA as one of the most prominent therapeutic tools in the drug design and development pipeline. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of current efforts in academia and industry aimed at fully realizing the potential of RNA-based therapeutics. Towards this, we introduce established and emerging RNA-based technologies, with a focus on their potential as biosensors and therapeutics. We then describe their mechanisms of action and their application in different disease contexts, along with the strengths and limitations of each strategy. Since the nucleic acid toolbox is rapidly expanding, we also introduce RNA minimal architectures, RNA/protein cleavers and viral RNA as promising modalities for new therapeutics and discuss future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Halloy
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- Oligonucleotide Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katherine E. Bujold
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, (Ontario), Canada
| | | | - Alyssa C. Hill
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eth Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Lacroix
- Sixfold Bioscience, Translation & Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | - Olivia Luige
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Linda Sundstrom
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (Hiri), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (Hzi), Würzburg, Germany
- RNA Biology Group, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alice Ghidini
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Amirloo B, Staroseletz Y, Yousaf S, Clarke DJ, Brown T, Aojula H, Zenkova MA, Bichenkova EV. "Bind, cleave and leave": multiple turnover catalysis of RNA cleavage by bulge-loop inducing supramolecular conjugates. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:651-673. [PMID: 34967410 PMCID: PMC8789077 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense sequence-specific knockdown of pathogenic RNA offers opportunities to find new solutions for therapeutic treatments. However, to gain a desired therapeutic effect, the multiple turnover catalysis is critical to inactivate many copies of emerging RNA sequences, which is difficult to achieve without sacrificing the sequence-specificity of cleavage. Here, engineering two or three catalytic peptides into the bulge-loop inducing molecular framework of antisense oligonucleotides achieved catalytic turnover of targeted RNA. Different supramolecular configurations revealed that cleavage of the RNA backbone upon sequence-specific hybridization with the catalyst accelerated with increase in the number of catalytic guanidinium groups, with almost complete demolition of target RNA in 24 h. Multiple sequence-specific cuts at different locations within and around the bulge-loop facilitated release of the catalyst for subsequent attacks of at least 10 further RNA substrate copies, such that delivery of only a few catalytic molecules could be sufficient to maintain knockdown of typical RNA copy numbers. We have developed fluorescent assay and kinetic simulation tools to characterise how the limited availability of different targets and catalysts had restrained catalytic reaction progress considerably, and to inform how to accelerate the catalytic destruction of shorter linear and larger RNAs even further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Amirloo
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Yaroslav Staroseletz
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Laurentiev Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Sameen Yousaf
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - David J Clarke
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Tom Brown
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Harmesh Aojula
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Marina A Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Laurentiev Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Elena V Bichenkova
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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7
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Lian SWM, Guo S, Ren K, Xu Y, Ho JS, Chen CH. Heterogeneous multi-compartmental DNA hydrogel particles prepared via microfluidic assembly for lymphocyte-inspired precision medicine. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:20531-20540. [PMID: 34859803 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr06594g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lymphocytes play a vital role in immunosurveillance through sensing biomolecules and eliminating targeted invaders. Compared with conventional therapies that depend on drug loading, lymphocytes are advantageous as they are able to ensure self-regulated therapeutics. Here, novel multi-compartmental DNA hydrogel particles were synthesized using a microfluidic assembly for intelligent cancer treatment via the logic-based control of siRNA release without external stimulation. The sensing sequence (D1) was compartmentalized from the treatment sequence (D2) with the use of core-shell DNA hydrogel particles. When D1 detects a cancer-associated biomarker, miRNA-21, a sequence cascade is triggered to release siRNA from D2, effectively eliminating the targeted cancer cells via lymphocyte-inspired precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Wan Mei Lian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore 117599
| | - Song Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore 117599
| | - Kewei Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - John S Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 04-08, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive #14-01, Singapore 117599
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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8
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Danneberg F, Westemeier H, Horx P, Zellmann F, Dörr K, Kalden E, Zeiger M, Akpinar A, Berger R, Göbel MW. RNA Hydrolysis by Heterocyclic Amidines and Guanidines: Parameters Affecting Reactivity. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202100950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Danneberg
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Hauke Westemeier
- Fachbereich Chemie Philipps-Universität Marburg Hans-Meerwein-Straße 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Philip Horx
- Fachbereich Chemie Philipps-Universität Marburg Hans-Meerwein-Straße 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Felix Zellmann
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Kathrin Dörr
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kalden
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Mirco Zeiger
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Abdullah Akpinar
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Robert Berger
- Fachbereich Chemie Philipps-Universität Marburg Hans-Meerwein-Straße 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Michael W. Göbel
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Chemische Biologie Goethe-Universität Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 7 D-60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
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9
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Site-Selective Artificial Ribonucleases: Renaissance of Oligonucleotide Conjugates for Irreversible Cleavage of RNA Sequences. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061732. [PMID: 33808835 PMCID: PMC8003597 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-targeting therapeutics require highly efficient sequence-specific devices capable of RNA irreversible degradation in vivo. The most developed methods of sequence-specific RNA cleavage, such as siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), are currently based on recruitment of either intracellular multi-protein complexes or enzymes, leaving alternative approaches (e.g., ribozymes and DNAzymes) far behind. Recently, site-selective artificial ribonucleases combining the oligonucleotide recognition motifs (or their structural analogues) and catalytically active groups in a single molecular scaffold have been proven to be a great competitor to siRNA and ASO. Using the most efficient catalytic groups, utilising both metal ion-dependent (Cu(II)-2,9-dimethylphenanthroline) and metal ion-free (Tris(2-aminobenzimidazole)) on the one hand and PNA as an RNA recognising oligonucleotide on the other, allowed site-selective artificial RNases to be created with half-lives of 0.5-1 h. Artificial RNases based on the catalytic peptide [(ArgLeu)2Gly]2 were able to take progress a step further by demonstrating an ability to cleave miRNA-21 in tumour cells and provide a significant reduction of tumour growth in mice.
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10
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Dan T, Shastri AA, Palagani A, Buraschi S, Neill T, Savage JE, Kapoor A, DeAngelis T, Addya S, Camphausen K, Iozzo RV, Simone NL. miR-21 Plays a Dual Role in Tumor Formation and Cytotoxic Response in Breast Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040888. [PMID: 33672628 PMCID: PMC7924198 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary miR-21 is an oncogenic microRNA that has been associated with breast tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and is also noted to be upregulated by cytotoxic stressors in model systems and in breast cancer patients who have undergone radiation. In the present study, our findings demonstrate the novel role of miR-21 in vivo for breast cancer initiation and metastases, and in sensitizing tumor cells to cytotoxic therapy by upregulating the FAS/FASL signaling pathway. Abstract Breast cancer (BrCa) relies on specific microRNAs to drive disease progression. Oncogenic miR-21 is upregulated in many cancers, including BrCa, and is associated with poor survival and treatment resistance. We sought to determine the role of miR-21 in BrCa tumor initiation, progression and treatment response. In a triple-negative BrCa model, radiation exposure increased miR-21 in both primary tumor and metastases. In vitro, miR-21 knockdown decreased survival in all BrCa subtypes in the presence of radiation. The role of miR-21 in BrCa initiation was evaluated by implanting wild-type miR-21 BrCa cells into genetically engineered mouse models where miR-21 was intact, heterozygous or globally ablated. Tumors were unable to grow in the mammary fat pads of miR-21−/− mice, and grew in ~50% of miR-21+/− and 100% in miR-21+/+ mice. The contribution of miR-21 to progression and metastases was tested by crossing miR-21−/− mice with mice that spontaneously develop BrCa. The global ablation of miR-21 significantly decreased the tumorigenesis and metastases of BrCa, while sensitizing tumors to radio- and chemotherapeutic agents via Fas/FasL-dependent apoptosis. Therefore, targeting miR-21 alone or in combination with various radio or cytotoxic therapies may represent novel and efficacious therapeutic modalities for the future treatment of BrCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tu Dan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (T.D.); (A.A.S.); (A.P.); (T.D.)
| | - Anuradha A. Shastri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (T.D.); (A.A.S.); (A.P.); (T.D.)
| | - Ajay Palagani
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (T.D.); (A.A.S.); (A.P.); (T.D.)
| | - Simone Buraschi
- Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (S.B.); (T.N.); (A.K.); (R.V.I.)
| | - Thomas Neill
- Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (S.B.); (T.N.); (A.K.); (R.V.I.)
| | - Jason E. Savage
- Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.E.S.); (K.C.)
| | - Aastha Kapoor
- Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (S.B.); (T.N.); (A.K.); (R.V.I.)
| | - Tiziana DeAngelis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (T.D.); (A.A.S.); (A.P.); (T.D.)
| | - Sankar Addya
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA;
| | - Kevin Camphausen
- Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (J.E.S.); (K.C.)
| | - Renato V. Iozzo
- Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (S.B.); (T.N.); (A.K.); (R.V.I.)
| | - Nicole L. Simone
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (T.D.); (A.A.S.); (A.P.); (T.D.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, 111 South 11th Street, Bodine Cancer Center, G-301G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Correspondence:
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11
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Abstract
Despite the decline in death rate from breast cancer and recent advances in targeted therapies and combinations for the treatment of metastatic disease, metastatic breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in U.S. women. The invasion-metastasis cascade involves a number of steps and multitudes of proteins and signaling molecules. The pathways include invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, infiltration into a distant site to form a metastatic niche, and micrometastasis formation in a new environment. Each of these processes is regulated by changes in gene expression. Noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis by post-transcriptional regulation of target gene expression. miRNAs can stimulate oncogenesis (oncomiRs), inhibit tumor growth (tumor suppressors or miRsupps), and regulate gene targets in metastasis (metastamiRs). The goal of this review is to summarize some of the key miRNAs that regulate genes and pathways involved in metastatic breast cancer with an emphasis on estrogen receptor α (ERα+) breast cancer. We reviewed the identity, regulation, human breast tumor expression, and reported prognostic significance of miRNAs that have been documented to directly target key genes in pathways, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributing to the metastatic cascade. We critically evaluated the evidence for metastamiRs and their targets and miRNA regulation of metastasis suppressor genes in breast cancer progression and metastasis. It is clear that our understanding of miRNA regulation of targets in metastasis is incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J Petri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Carolyn M Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA.
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12
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Staroseletz Y, Amirloo B, Williams A, Lomzov A, Burusco KK, Clarke DJ, Brown T, Zenkova MA, Bichenkova EV. Strict conformational demands of RNA cleavage in bulge-loops created by peptidyl-oligonucleotide conjugates. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10662-10679. [PMID: 33010175 PMCID: PMC7641753 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Potent knockdown of pathogenic RNA in vivo is an urgent health need unmet by both small-molecule and biologic drugs. ‘Smart’ supramolecular assembly of catalysts offers precise recognition and potent destruction of targeted RNA, hitherto not found in nature. Peptidyl-oligonucleotide ribonucleases are here chemically engineered to create and attack bulge-loop regions upon hybridization to target RNA. Catalytic peptide was incorporated either via a centrally modified nucleotide (Type 1) or through an abasic sugar residue (Type 2) within the RNA-recognition motif to reveal striking differences in biological performance and strict structural demands of ribonuclease activity. None of the Type 1 conjugates were catalytically active, whereas all Type 2 conjugates cleaved RNA target in a sequence-specific manner, with up to 90% cleavage from 5-nt bulge-loops (BC5-α and BC5L-β anomers) through multiple cuts, including in folds nearby. Molecular dynamics simulations provided structural explanation of accessibility of the RNA cleavage sites to the peptide with adoption of an ‘in-line’ attack conformation for catalysis. Hybridization assays and enzymatic probing with RNases illuminated how RNA binding specificity and dissociation after cleavage can be balanced to permit turnover of the catalytic reaction. This is an essential requirement for inactivation of multiple copies of disease-associated RNA and therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav Staroseletz
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Laurentiev Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Bahareh Amirloo
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Aled Williams
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Alexander Lomzov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Laurentiev Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Kepa K Burusco
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - David J Clarke
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Tom Brown
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Marina A Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 8 Laurentiev Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena V Bichenkova
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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MicroRNA-21-Enriched Exosomes as Epigenetic Regulators in Melanomagenesis and Melanoma Progression: The Impact of Western Lifestyle Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082111. [PMID: 32751207 PMCID: PMC7464294 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA mutation-induced activation of RAS-BRAF-MEK-ERK signaling associated with intermittent or chronic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation cannot exclusively explain the excessive increase of malignant melanoma (MM) incidence since the 1950s. Malignant conversion of a melanocyte to an MM cell and metastatic MM is associated with a steady increase in microRNA-21 (miR-21). At the epigenetic level, miR-21 inhibits key tumor suppressors of the RAS-BRAF signaling pathway enhancing proliferation and MM progression. Increased MM cell levels of miR-21 either result from endogenous upregulation of melanocytic miR-21 expression or by uptake of miR-21-enriched exogenous exosomes. Based on epidemiological data and translational evidence, this review provides deeper insights into environmentally and metabolically induced exosomal miR-21 trafficking beyond UV-irradiation in melanomagenesis and MM progression. Sources of miR-21-enriched exosomes include UV-irradiated keratinocytes, adipocyte-derived exosomes in obesity, airway epithelium-derived exosomes generated by smoking and pollution, diet-related exosomes and inflammation-induced exosomes, which may synergistically increase the exosomal miR-21 burden of the melanocyte, the transformed MM cell and its tumor environment. Several therapeutic agents that suppress MM cell growth and proliferation attenuate miR-21 expression. These include miR-21 antagonists, metformin, kinase inhibitors, beta-blockers, vitamin D, and plant-derived bioactive compounds, which may represent new options for the prevention and treatment of MM.
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14
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Dual miRNases for Triple Incision of miRNA Target: Design Concept and Catalytic Performance. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25102459. [PMID: 32466298 PMCID: PMC7287882 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25102459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Irreversible destruction of disease-associated regulatory RNA sequences offers exciting opportunities for safe and powerful therapeutic interventions against human pathophysiology. In 2017, for the first time we introduced miRNAses–miRNA-targeted conjugates of a catalytic peptide and oligonucleotide capable of cleaving an miRNA target. Herein, we report the development of Dual miRNases against oncogenic miR-21, miR-155, miR-17 and miR-18a, each containing the catalytic peptide placed in-between two short miRNA-targeted oligodeoxyribonucleotide recognition motifs. Substitution of adenines with 2-aminoadenines in the sequence of oligonucleotide “shoulders” of the Dual miRNase significantly enhanced the efficiency of hybridization with the miRNA target. It was shown that sequence-specific cleavage of the target by miRNase proceeded metal-independently at pH optimum 5.5–7.5 with an efficiency varying from 15% to 85%, depending on the miRNA sequence. A distinct advantage of the engineered nucleases is their ability to additionally recruit RNase H and cut miRNA at three different locations. Such cleavage proceeds at the central part by Dual miRNase, and at the 5′- and 3′-regions by RNase H, which significantly increases the efficiency of miRNA degradation. Due to increased activity at lowered pH Dual miRNases could provide an additional advantage in acidic tumor conditions and may be considered as efficient tumor-selective RNA-targeted therapeutic.
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15
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Gebrezgiabher M, Zalloum WA, Clarke DJ, Miles SM, Fedorova AA, Zenkova MA, Bichenkova EV. RNA knockdown by synthetic peptidyl-oligonucleotide ribonucleases: behavior of recognition and cleavage elements under physiological conditions. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:2555-2574. [PMID: 32248755 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1751711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Sequence-specific protein-based ribonucleases are not found in nature. Absolute sequence selectivity in RNA cleavage in vivo normally requires multi-component complexes that recruit a guide RNA or DNA for target recognition and a protein-RNA assembly for catalytic functioning (e.g. RNAi molecular machinery, RNase H). Recently discovered peptidyl-oligonucleotide synthetic ribonucleases selectively knock down pathogenic RNAs by irreversible cleavage to offer unprecedented opportunities for control of disease-relevant RNA. Understanding how to increase their potency, selectivity and catalytic turnover will open the translational pathway to successful therapeutics. Yet, very little is known about how these chemical ribonucleases bind, cleave and leave their target. Rational design awaits this understanding in order to control therapy, particularly how to overcome the trade-off between sequence specificity and potency through catalytic turnover. We illuminate this here by characterizing the interactions of these chemical RNases with both complementary and non-complementary RNAs using Tm profiles, fluorescence, UV-visible and NMR spectroscopies. Crucially, the level of counter cations, which are tightly-controlled within cellular compartments, also controlled these interactions. The oligonucleotide component dominated interaction between conjugates and complementary targets in the presence of physiological levels of counter cations (K+), sufficient to prevent repulsion between the complementary nucleic acid strands to allow Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding. In contrast, the positively-charged catalytic peptide interacted poorly with target RNA, when counter cations similarly screened the negatively-charged sugar-phosphate RNA backbones. The peptide only became the key player, when counter cations were insufficient for charge screening; moreover, only under such non-physiological conditions did conjugates form strong complexes with non-complementary RNAs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengisteab Gebrezgiabher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Waleed A Zalloum
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - David J Clarke
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Steven M Miles
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Antonina A Fedorova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina A Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena V Bichenkova
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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16
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Santi CD, Greene CM. Challenges facing microRNA therapeutics for cystic fibrosis lung disease. Epigenomics 2020; 12:179-181. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara De Santi
- Lung Biology Group, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine M Greene
- Lung Biology Group, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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