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Wadhwa R, Yang S, Meidinna HN, Sari AN, Bhargava P, Kaul SC. Mixtures of Three Mortaparibs with Enhanced Anticancer, Anti-Migration, and Antistress Activities: Molecular Characterization in p53-Null Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2239. [PMID: 38927944 PMCID: PMC11202144 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mortalin, a member of the Hsp70 family of proteins, is commonly enriched in many types of cancers. It promotes carcinogenesis and metastasis in multiple ways of which the inactivation of the tumor suppressor activity of p53 has been firmly established. The downregulation of mortalin and/or disruption of mortalin-p53 interactions by small molecules has earlier been shown to activate p53 function yielding growth arrest/apoptosis in cancer cells. Mortaparibs (Mortaparib, MortaparibPlus, and MortaparibMild) are chemical inhibitors of mortalin isolated by cell-based two-way screening involving (i) a shift in the mortalin staining pattern from perinuclear (characteristics of cancer cells) to pancytoplasmic (characteristics of normal cells) and (ii) the nuclear enrichment of p53. They have similar structures and also cause the inhibition of PARP1 and hence were named Mortaparibs. In the present study, we report the anticancer and anti-metastasis activity of MortaparibMild (4-[(4-amino-5-thiophen-2-yl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanylmethyl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-amine) in p53-null cells. By extensive molecular analyses of cell proliferation, growth arrest, and apoptosis pathways, we demonstrate that although it causes relatively weaker cytotoxicity compared to Mortaparib and MortaparibPlus, its lower concentrations were equally potent to inhibit cell migration. We developed combinations (called MortaparibMix-AP, MortaparibMix-AM, and MortaparibMix-AS) consisting of different ratios of three Mortaparibs for specifically enhancing their anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and antistress activities, respectively. Based on the molecular analyses of control and treated cells, we suggest that the three Mortaparibs and their mixtures may be considered for further laboratory and clinical studies validating their use for the treatment of cancer as well as prevention of its relapse and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sunil C. Kaul
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Central 4-1, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
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Shankaranarayana AH, Meduri B, Pujar GV, Hariharapura RC, Sethu AK, Singh M, Bidye D. Restoration of p53 functions by suppression of mortalin-p53 sequestration: an emerging target in cancer therapy. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:2087-2112. [PMID: 37877348 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional inactivation of wild-type p53 is a major trait of cancerous cells. In many cases, such inactivation occurs by either TP53 gene mutations or due to overexpression of p53 binding partners. This review focuses on an overexpressed p53 binding partner called mortalin, a mitochondrial heat shock protein that sequesters both wild-type and mutant p53 in malignant cells due to changes in subcellular localization. Clinical evidence suggests a drastic depletion of the overall survival time of cancer patients with high mortalin expression. Therefore, mortalin-p53 sequestration inhibitors could be game changers in improving overall survival rates. This review explores the consequences of mortalin overexpression and challenges, status and strategies for accelerating drug discovery to suppress mortalin-p53 sequestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshatha Handattu Shankaranarayana
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Bhagyalalitha Meduri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Gurubasavaraj Veeranna Pujar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Raghu Chandrashekar Hariharapura
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Arun Kumar Sethu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Manisha Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysuru, 570015, India
| | - Durgesh Bidye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysuru, 570015, India
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Bae JE, Jang S, Kim JB, Hyung H, Park NY, Kim YH, Kim SH, Kim SH, Ha JM, Oh GS, Park K, Jeong K, Jang JS, Jo DS, Kim P, Lee HS, Ryoo ZY, Cho DH. Enhanced primary ciliogenesis via mitochondrial oxidative stress activates AKT to prevent neurotoxicity in HSPA9/mortalin-depleted SH-SY5Y cells. Mol Brain 2023; 16:41. [PMID: 37170364 PMCID: PMC10176837 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary cilium, an antenna-like structure on the cell surface, acts as a mechanical and chemical sensory organelle. Primary cilia play critical roles in sensing the extracellular environment to coordinate various developmental and homeostatic signaling pathways. Here, we showed that the depletion of heat shock protein family A member 9 (HSPA9)/mortalin stimulates primary ciliogenesis in SH-SY5Y cells. The downregulation of HSPA9 enhances mitochondrial stress by increasing mitochondrial fragmentation and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation. Notably, the inhibition of either mtROS production or mitochondrial fission significantly suppressed the increase in primary ciliogenesis in HSPA9-depleted cells. In addition, enhanced primary ciliogenesis contributed to cell survival by activating AKT in SH-SY5Y cells. The abrogation of ciliogenesis through the depletion of IFT88 potentiated neurotoxicity in HSPA9-knockdown cells. Furthermore, both caspase-3 activation and cell death were increased by MK-2206, an AKT inhibitor, in HSPA9-depleted cells. Taken together, our results suggest that enhanced primary ciliogenesis plays an important role in preventing neurotoxicity caused by the loss of HSPA9 in SH-SY5Y cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Eun Bae
- Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Jang
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Bum Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyejin Hyung
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Yeon Park
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Hwan Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyun Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Hyun Kim
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Min Ha
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Seok Oh
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuhee Park
- Bio-center, Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator, Suwon, Gyeonggido, 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwiwan Jeong
- Bio-center, Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator, Suwon, Gyeonggido, 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Seon Jang
- Department of Bio-Medical Analysis, Bio Campus of Korea Polytechnic, Nonsan, Chungcheongnamdo, 32943, Republic of Korea
| | - Doo Sin Jo
- ORGASIS Corp., Suwon, Gyeonggido, 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Pansoo Kim
- ORGASIS Corp., Suwon, Gyeonggido, 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Shik Lee
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Zae Young Ryoo
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyung Cho
- Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
- ORGASIS Corp., Suwon, Gyeonggido, 16229, Republic of Korea.
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Yang Y, Jin M, Meng Y, Dai Y, Chen S, Zhou Y, Li Y, Tang L. Involvement and targeted intervention of benzo(a)pyrene-regulated apoptosis related proteome modification and muti-drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:265. [PMID: 37041133 PMCID: PMC10090052 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05771-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
During the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the mutual adaptation and interaction of HCC cells and the microenvironment play an important role. Benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) is a common environmental pollutant, which can induce the initiation of various malignant tumors, including HCC. However, the effects of B[a]P exposure on progression of HCC and the potential mechanisms remains largely uninvestigated. Here we found that, after the long-term exposure of HCC cells to low dose of B[a]P, it activated glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP75), which then induced a modification of apoptosis-related proteome. Among them, we identified the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) as a key downstream factor. XIAP further blocked the caspase cascade activation and promoted the acquisition of the anti-apoptosis abilities, ultimately leading to multi-drug resistance (MDR) in HCC. Furthermore, the abovementioned effects were markedly attenuated when we inhibited GRP75 by using 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid, CaA). Collectively, our present study revealed the effects of B[a]P exposure on the progression of HCC, and identified GRP75 was a meaningful factor involved in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ming Jin
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yajie Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yi Dai
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Yuan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213003, China.
| | - Liming Tang
- The Affiliated Changzhou Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213003, China.
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5
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Synthetic Small Molecule Modulators of Hsp70 and Hsp40 Chaperones as Promising Anticancer Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044083. [PMID: 36835501 PMCID: PMC9964478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044083] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A class of chaperones dubbed heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) possesses high relevance in cancer diseases due to its cooperative activity with the well-established anticancer target Hsp90. However, Hsp70 is closely connected with a smaller heat shock protein, Hsp40, forming a formidable Hsp70-Hsp40 axis in various cancers, which serves as a suitable target for anticancer drug design. This review summarizes the current state and the recent developments in the field of (semi-)synthetic small molecule inhibitors directed against Hsp70 and Hsp40. The medicinal chemistry and anticancer potential of pertinent inhibitors are discussed. Since Hsp90 inhibitors have entered clinical trials but have exhibited severe adverse effects and drug resistance formation, potent Hsp70 and Hsp40 inhibitors may play a significant role in overcoming the drawbacks of Hsp90 inhibitors and other approved anticancer drugs.
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6
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Meidinna HN, Shefrin S, Sari AN, Zhang H, Dhanjal JK, Kaul SC, Sundar D, Wadhwa R. Identification of a new member of Mortaparib class of inhibitors that target mortalin and PARP1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:918970. [PMID: 36172283 PMCID: PMC9510692 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.918970] [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: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mortalin, a heat shock family protein enriched in cancer cells, is known to inactivate tumor suppressor protein p53. Abrogation of mortalin-p53 interaction and reactivation of p53 has been shown to trigger growth arrest/apoptosis in cancer cells and hence, suggested to be useful in cancer therapy. In this premise, we earlier screened a chemical library to identify potential disruptors of mortalin-p53 interaction, and reported two novel synthetic small molecules (5-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl) (1,2,3,4-tetraazol-5-yl)]-4-phenylpyrimidine-2-ylamine) and (4-[(1E)-2-(2-phenylindol-3-yl)-1-azavinyl]-1,2,4-triazole) called Mortaparib and MortaparibPlus, respectively. These compounds were shown to possess anticancer activity that was mediated through targeting mortalin and PARP1 proteins, essential for cancer cell survival and proliferation. Here, we report characterization of the third compound, {4-[(4-amino-5-thiophen-2-yl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)sulfanylmethyl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-amine}, isolated in the same screening. Extensive computational and molecular analyses suggested that the new compound has the capability to interact with mortalin, p53, and PARP1. We provide evidence that this new compound, although required in high concentration as compared to the earlier two compounds (Mortaparib and MortaparibPlus) and hence called MortaparibMild, also downregulates mortalin and PARP1 expression and functions in multiple ways impeding cancer cell proliferation and migration characteristics. MortaparibMild is a novel candidate anticancer compound that warrants further experimental and clinical attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazna Noor Meidinna
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Seyad Shefrin
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Anissa Nofita Sari
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Huayue Zhang
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal
- Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunil C. Kaul
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Durai Sundar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Durai Sundar, ; Renu Wadhwa,
| | - Renu Wadhwa
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- *Correspondence: Durai Sundar, ; Renu Wadhwa,
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7
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Peng F, Liao M, Qin R, Zhu S, Peng C, Fu L, Chen Y, Han B. Regulated cell death (RCD) in cancer: key pathways and targeted therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:286. [PMID: 35963853 PMCID: PMC9376115 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01110-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD), also well-known as programmed cell death (PCD), refers to the form of cell death that can be regulated by a variety of biomacromolecules, which is distinctive from accidental cell death (ACD). Accumulating evidence has revealed that RCD subroutines are the key features of tumorigenesis, which may ultimately lead to the establishment of different potential therapeutic strategies. Hitherto, targeting the subroutines of RCD with pharmacological small-molecule compounds has been emerging as a promising therapeutic avenue, which has rapidly progressed in many types of human cancers. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing not only the key apoptotic and autophagy-dependent cell death signaling pathways, but the crucial pathways of other RCD subroutines, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, parthanatos, entosis, NETosis and lysosome-dependent cell death (LCD) in cancer. Moreover, we further discuss the current situation of several small-molecule compounds targeting the different RCD subroutines to improve cancer treatment, such as single-target, dual or multiple-target small-molecule compounds, drug combinations, and some new emerging therapeutic strategies that would together shed new light on future directions to attack cancer cell vulnerabilities with small-molecule drugs targeting RCD for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Peng
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Minru Liao
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rui Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Shiou Zhu
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.,Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China.
| | - Yi Chen
- West China School of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
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8
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Elwakeel A. Abrogating the Interaction Between p53 and Mortalin (Grp75/HSPA9/mtHsp70) for Cancer Therapy: The Story so far. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:879632. [PMID: 35493098 PMCID: PMC9047732 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.879632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
p53 is a transcription factor that activates the expression of a set of genes that serve as a critical barrier to oncogenesis. Inactivation of p53 is the most common characteristic in sporadic human cancers. Mortalin is a differentially sub-cellularly localized member of the heat shock protein 70 family of chaperones that has essential mitochondrial and extra-mitochondrial functions. Elevated mortalin levels in multiple cancerous tissues and tumor-derived cell lines emphasized its key role in oncogenesis. One of mortalin’s major oncogenic roles is the inactivation of p53. Mortalin binds to p53 sequestering it in the cytoplasm. Hence, p53 cannot freely shuttle to the nucleus to perform its tumor suppressor functions as a transcription factor. This protein-protein interaction was reported to be cancer-specific, hence, a selective druggable target for a rationalistic cancer therapeutic strategy. In this review article, the chronological identification of mortalin-p53 interactions is summarized, the challenges and general strategies for targeting protein-protein interactions are briefly discussed, and information about compounds that have been reported to abrogate mortalin-p53 interaction is provided. Finally, the reasons why the disruption of this druggable interaction has not yet been applied clinically are discussed.
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Freeling JL, Scholl JL, Eikanger M, Knoblich C, Potts RA, Anderson DJ, Rower JE, Farjoo MH, Zhao H, Pillatzki A, Rezvani K. Pre-clinical safety and therapeutic efficacy of a plant-based alkaloid in a human colon cancer xenograft model. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:135. [PMID: 35347121 PMCID: PMC8960818 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00936-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A high-throughput drug screen revealed that veratridine (VTD), a natural plant alkaloid, induces expression of the anti-cancer protein UBXN2A in colon cancer cells. UBXN2A suppresses mortalin, a heat shock protein, with dominant roles in cancer development including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer cell stemness, drug resistance, and apoptosis. VTD-dependent expression of UBXN2A leads to the deactivation of mortalin in colon cancer cells, making VTD a potential targeted therapy in malignant tumors with high levels of mortalin. VTD was used clinically for the treatment of hypertension in decades past. However, the discovery of newer antihypertensive drugs and concerns over potential neuro- and cardiotoxicity ended the use of VTD for this purpose. The current study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of VTD at doses sufficient to induce UBXN2A expression in a mouse model. A set of flow-cytometry experiments confirmed that VTD induces both early and late apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo intraperitoneal (IP) administration of VTD at 0.1 mg/kg every other day (QOD) for 4 weeks effectively induced expression of UBXN2A in the small and large intestines of mice. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assays on tissues collected from VTD-treated animals demonstrated VTD concentrations in the low pg/mg range. To address concerns regarding neuro- and cardiotoxicity, a comprehensive set of behavioral and cardiovascular assessments performed on C57BL/6NHsd mice revealed that VTD generates no detectable neurotoxicity or cardiotoxicity in animals receiving 0.1 mg/kg VTD QOD for 30 days. Finally, mouse xenograft experiments in athymic nude mice showed that VTD can suppress tumor growth. The main causes for the failure of experimental oncologic drug candidates are lack of sufficient safety and efficacy. The results achieved in this study support the potential utility of VTD as a safe and efficacious anti-cancer molecule.
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Benbrook DM. SHetA2 Attack on Mortalin and Colleagues in Cancer Therapy and Prevention. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:848682. [PMID: 35281109 PMCID: PMC8906462 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.848682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat Shock Proteins of the 70-kDa family (HSP70s) do not cause cancer by themselves, but instead protect cells as they transform into cancer. These molecular chaperones bind numerous client proteins and utilize ATP hydrolysis to facilitate proper protein folding, formation of functional complexes and cellular localizations, or degradation of irreparably damaged proteins. Their transient upregulation by stressful situations avoids induction of programmed cell death. Continued upregulation of the mortalin, heat shock cognate (hsc70) and glucose regulated protein 78 (Grp78) support cancer development and progression by supporting pro-proliferative and metabolic functions and repressing pro-death functions of oncoproteins and tumor suppressor proteins. This review describes the discovery and development of a lead anti-cancer compound, sulfur heteroarotinoid A2 (SHetA2, NSC726189), which was originally developed to bind retinoic acid receptors, but was subsequently found to work independently of these receptors. The discovery and validation of mortalin, hsc70 and Grp78 as SHetA2 target proteins is summarized. The documented and hypothesized roles of these HSP70 proteins and their clients in the mechanism of SHetA2 inhibition of cancer without toxicity are discussed. Use of this mechanistic data to evaluate drug action in a cancer clinical trial and develop synergistic drug combinations is explained. Knowledge needed to optimize SHetA2 analogs for use in cancer therapy and prevention is proposed as future directions.
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11
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Shefrin S, Sari AN, Kumar V, Zhang H, Meidinna HN, Kaul SC, Wadhwa R, Sundar D. Comparative computational and experimental analyses of some natural small molecules to restore transcriptional activation function of p53 in cancer cells harbouring wild type and p53Ser46 mutant. Curr Res Struct Biol 2022; 4:320-331. [PMID: 36164647 PMCID: PMC9507986 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations in p53 are frequently associated with many types of cancers that affect its stability and activity through multiple ways. The Ser46 residue present in the transactivation domain2 (TAD2) domain of p53 undergoes phosphorylation that blocks its degradation by MDM2 and leads to cell cycle arrest/apoptosis/necrosis upon intrinsic or extrinsic stresses. On the other hand, unphosphorylated p53 mutants escape cell arrest or death triggered by these molecular signaling axes and lead to carcinogenesis. Phosphorylation of Ser in the TAD2 domain of p53 mediates its interactions with transcription factor p62, yielding transcriptional activation of downstream pro-apoptotic genes. The p53 phosphorylation causes string-like elongated conformation that increases its binding affinity with the PH domain of p62. On the other hand, lack of phosphorylation causes helix-like motifs and low binding affinity to p62. We undertook molecular simulation analyses to investigate the potential of some natural small molecules (Withanone (Wi-N) & Withaferin-A (Wi-A) from Ashwagandha; Cucurbitacin-B (Cuc-B) from bitter Cucumber; and Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and Artepillin C (ARC) from honeybee propolis) to interact with p62-binding region of p53 and restore its wild-type activity. We found that Wi-N, Wi-A, and Cuc-B have the potential to restore p53-p62 interaction for phosphorylation-deficient p53 mutants. Wi-N, in particular, caused a reversal of the α-helical structure into an elongated string-like conformation similar to the wild-type p53. These data suggested the use of these natural compounds for the treatment of p53Ser46 mutant harbouring cancers. We also compared the efficiency of Wi-N, Wi-A, Cuc-B, CAPE, and ARC to abrogate Mortalin-p53 binding resulting in nuclear translocation and reactivation of p53 function and provide experimental evidence to the computational analysis. Taken together, the use of these small molecules for reactivation of p53 in cancer cells is suggested. Wild type p53 (p53WT) and its mutant form (p53S46PΔ) are associated with multiple cancers. Natural compounds serve as a potential mediator to restore the function of p53 in wild type and Ser46 phosphor mutant. In-silico analysis suggested that Wi-A, Wi-N, and Cuc-B are stronger inhibitors of p53 -mortalin interaction. These entities could also bind to p53S46PΔ and mimic the phosphorylated conformation, suggesting reactivation of p53WT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyad Shefrin
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110-016, India
| | - Anissa Nofita Sari
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Vipul Kumar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110-016, India
| | - Huayue Zhang
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Hazna Noor Meidinna
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Sunil C. Kaul
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
| | - Renu Wadhwa
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan
- Corresponding author.
| | - Durai Sundar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110-016, India
- Corresponding author.
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Rai R, Kennedy AL, Isingizwe ZR, Javadian P, Benbrook DM. Similarities and Differences of Hsp70, hsc70, Grp78 and Mortalin as Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112996. [PMID: 34831218 PMCID: PMC8616428 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Upregulation of Heath Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) chaperones supports cancer cell survival. Their high homology causes a challenge to differentiate them in experimental or prevention and treatment strategies. The objective of this investigation was to determine similarities and differences of Hsp70, hsc70, Grp78 and Mortalin members of the HSP70 family encoded by HSPA1, HSPA8, HSPA5 and HSPA9 genes, respectively. Methods: Literature reviews were conducted using HSPA1, HSPA5, HSPA8 and HSPA9 gene or protein names or synonyms combined with biological or cancer-relevant terms. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used to identify and compare profiles of proteins that directly bind individual chaperones and their associated pathways. TCGA data was probed to identify associations of hsc70 with cancer patient survival. ClinicalTrials.gov was used to identify HSP70 family studies. Results: The chaperones have similar protein folding functions. Their different cellular effects are determined by co-chaperones and client proteins combined with their intra- and extra-cellular localizations. Their upregulation is associated with worse patient prognosis in multiple cancers and can stimulate tumor immune responses or drug resistance. Their inhibition selectively kills cancer over healthy cells. Conclusions: Differences in Hsp70, hsc70, Grp78 and mortalin provide opportunities to calibrate HSP70 inhibitors for individual cancers and combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani Rai
- Gynecologic Oncology Section, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.R.); (P.J.)
| | - Amy L. Kennedy
- Pathology Department, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Zitha Redempta Isingizwe
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Pouya Javadian
- Gynecologic Oncology Section, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.R.); (P.J.)
| | - Doris Mangiaracina Benbrook
- Gynecologic Oncology Section, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (R.R.); (P.J.)
- Pathology Department, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-405-271-5523
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Computational and in vitro experimental analyses of the anti-COVID-19 potential of Mortaparib and MortaparibPlus. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:229940. [PMID: 34647577 PMCID: PMC8527209 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212156] [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: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has become a global health emergency. Although new vaccines have been generated and being implicated, discovery and application of novel preventive and control measures are warranted. We aimed to identify compounds that may possess the potential to either block the entry of virus to host cells or attenuate its replication upon infection. Using host cell surface receptor expression (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2)) analysis as an assay, we earlier screened several synthetic and natural compounds and identified candidates that showed ability to down-regulate their expression. Here, we report experimental and computational analyses of two small molecules, Mortaparib and MortaparibPlus that were initially identified as dual novel inhibitors of mortalin and PARP-1, for their activity against SARS-CoV-2. In silico analyses showed that MortaparibPlus, but not Mortaparib, stably binds into the catalytic pocket of TMPRSS2. In vitro analysis of control and treated cells revealed that MortaparibPlus caused down-regulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2; Mortaparib did not show any effect. Furthermore, computational analysis on SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) that also predicted the inhibitory activity of MortaparibPlus. However, cell-based antiviral drug screening assay showed 30-60% viral inhibition in cells treated with non-toxic doses of either MortaparibPlus or Mortaparib. The data suggest that these two closely related compounds possess multimodal anti-COVID-19 activities. Whereas MortaparibPlus works through direct interactions/effects on the host cell surface receptors (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) and the virus protein (Mpro), Mortaparib involves independent mechanisms, elucidation of which warrants further studies.
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Mutant p53 L194F Harboring Luminal-A Breast Cancer Cells Are Refractory to Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Response to Mortaparib Plus, a Multimodal Small Molecule Inhibitor. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123043. [PMID: 34207240 PMCID: PMC8234533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor suppressor protein p53 is a master regulator that inhibits the process of oncogenesis by induction of cell senescence/cell cycle arrest/apoptosis during normal and stressed states of cells. It is functionally inactivated in the majority of cancers. Mortalin, a member of the Hsp70 family of proteins, enriched in cancer cells, is known to cause cytoplasmic sequestration and inactivation of the p53’s transcriptional activation function. Inhibition of mortalin–p53 interaction and reactivation of p53 functions by natural and synthetic drugs has emerged as a possible cancer therapeutic strategy. We recently reported a novel multimodal small molecule, named MortaparibPlus, that inhibited mortalin–p53 interaction and caused reactivation of p53 function in colorectal cancer cells. Here, we report its effect on breast cancer cells with wildtype (MCF-7) or mutant (T47D) p53 status. Abstract We previously performed a drug screening to identify a potential inhibitor of mortalin–p53 interaction. In four rounds of screenings based on the shift in mortalin immunostaining pattern from perinuclear to pan-cytoplasmic and nuclear enrichment of p53, we had identified MortaparibPlus (4-[(1E)-2-(2-phenylindol-3-yl)-1-azavinyl]-1,2,4-triazole) as a novel synthetic small molecule. In order to validate its activity and mechanism of action, we recruited Luminal-A breast cancer cells, MCF-7 (p53wild type) and T47D (p53L194F) and performed extensive biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses. Molecular analyses revealed that MortaparibPlus is capable of abrogating mortalin–p53 interaction in both MCF-7 and T47D cells. Intriguingly, upregulation of transcriptional activation function of p53 (as marked by upregulation of the p53 effector gene—p21WAF1—responsible for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis) was recorded only in MortaparibPlus-treated MCF-7 cells. On the other hand, MortaparibPlus-treated T47D cells exhibited hyperactivation of PARP1 (accumulation of PAR polymer and decrease in ATP levels) as a possible non-p53 tumor suppression program. However, these cells did not show full signs of either apoptosis or PAR-Thanatos. Molecular analyses attributed such a response to the inability of MortaparibPlus to disrupt the AIF–mortalin complexes; hence, AIF did not translocate to the nucleus to induce chromatinolysis and DNA degradation. These data suggested that the cancer cells possessing enriched levels of such complexes may not respond to MortaparibPlus. Taken together, we report the multimodal anticancer potential of MortaparibPlus that warrants further attention in laboratory and clinical studies.
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