1
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Li J, Hilimire TA, Liu Y, Wang L, Liang J, Gyorffy B, Sikirzhytski V, Ji H, Zhang L, Cheng C, Ding X, Kerr KR, Dowling CE, Chumanevich AA, Mack ZT, Schools GP, Lim CU, Ellis L, Zi X, Porter DC, Broude EV, McInnes C, Wilding G, Lilly MB, Roninson IB, Chen M. Mediator kinase inhibition reverses castration resistance of advanced prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e176709. [PMID: 38546787 DOI: 10.1172/jci176709] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mediator kinases CDK19 and CDK8, pleiotropic regulators of transcriptional reprogramming, are differentially regulated by androgen signaling, but both kinases are upregulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of CDK8 and CDK19 reverses the castration-resistant phenotype and restores the sensitivity of CRPC xenografts to androgen deprivation in vivo. Prolonged CDK8/19 inhibitor treatment combined with castration not only suppressed the growth of CRPC xenografts but also induced tumor regression and cures. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Mediator kinase inhibition amplified and modulated the effects of castration on gene expression, disrupting CRPC adaptation to androgen deprivation. Mediator kinase inactivation in tumor cells also affected stromal gene expression, indicating that Mediator kinase activity in CRPC molded the tumor microenvironment. The combination of castration and Mediator kinase inhibition downregulated the MYC pathway, and Mediator kinase inhibition suppressed a MYC-driven CRPC tumor model even without castration. CDK8/19 inhibitors showed efficacy in patient-derived xenograft models of CRPC, and a gene signature of Mediator kinase activity correlated with tumor progression and overall survival in clinical samples of metastatic CRPC. These results indicate that Mediator kinases mediated androgen-independent in vivo growth of CRPC, supporting the development of CDK8/19 inhibitors for the treatment of this presently incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas A Hilimire
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Senex Biotechnology Inc., Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Yueying Liu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jiaxin Liang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Balazs Gyorffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Vitali Sikirzhytski
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Hao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Xiaokai Ding
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kendall R Kerr
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Charles E Dowling
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander A Chumanevich
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary T Mack
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gary P Schools
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Chang-Uk Lim
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Leigh Ellis
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc.; Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiaolin Zi
- Departments of Urology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | | | - Eugenia V Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Michael B Lilly
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Senex Biotechnology Inc., Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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2
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S K P. Immunogenic antitumor potential of Prakasine nanoparticles in zebrafish by gene expression stimulation. ARTIFICIAL CELLS, NANOMEDICINE, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 51:41-56. [PMID: 36744833 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2023.2173217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, non-toxic mercury nanoparticle was synthesized as per "Prakash theory of metal drugs" and nanoparticle's characters has been demonstrated by employing several nanotechnological tools including XPS, XRD, EDAX. The size of the Prakasine nanoparticles (PRK-NP) ranged from 90-100 nm, confirmed using TEM, SEM, DLS and along with zeta potential of -29.5 mV before storage and -8.5 mV after storage. The FTIR provided information regarding the nanoparticle capping and functional groups. The study was further elaborated for determining PRK-NPs toxicity, genotoxicity, in-vivo toxicity, immunological anti-tumour activity, immunogenicity potential, gene expression profiling and confirmed by MTT and apoptosis assays, cancer zebrafish model studies and WBC proliferation assay. PRK-NPs revealed no cytotoxicity where cell viability was observed 99% in L6 mouse fibroblasts and 99% in MCF-7 cell lines. Also, the cell viability was to be 89.47% at a very high concentration of 320 µg/ml in HEK 293 cells. The PRK-NPs significantly reduced the tumour in zebrafish at dose of 90 μg/g by up regulating IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2-ITK, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ, and down regulating IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TGF-β compared to untreated controls without any adverse effects and toxicity. Thus, the current study beholds anticipation PRK-NPs may play a vital role in therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash S K
- Naval AIDS Research Centre, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
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3
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Horvath RM, Brumme ZL, Sadowski I. CDK8 inhibitors antagonize HIV-1 reactivation and promote provirus latency in T cells. J Virol 2023; 97:e0092323. [PMID: 37671866 PMCID: PMC10537590 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00923-23] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Latent HIV-1 provirus represents the barrier toward a cure for infection and is dependent upon the host RNA Polymerase (Pol) II machinery for reemergence. Here, we find that inhibitors of the RNA Pol II mediator kinases CDK8/19, Senexin A and BRD6989, inhibit induction of HIV-1 expression in response to latency-reversing agents and T cell signaling agonists. These inhibitors were found to impair recruitment of RNA Pol II to the HIV-1 LTR. Furthermore, HIV-1 expression in response to several latency reversal agents was impaired upon disruption of CDK8 by shRNA or gene knockout. However, the effects of CDK8 depletion did not entirely mimic CDK8/19 kinase inhibition suggesting that the mediator kinases are not functionally redundant. Additionally, treatment of CD4+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from people living with HIV-1 and who are receiving antiretroviral therapy with Senexin A inhibited induction of viral replication in response to T cell stimulation by PMA and ionomycin. These observations indicate that the mediator kinases, CDK8 and CDK19, play a significant role for regulation of HIV-1 transcription and that small molecule inhibitors of these enzymes may contribute to therapies designed to promote deep latency involving the durable suppression of provirus expression. IMPORTANCE A cure for HIV-1 infection will require novel therapies that can force elimination of cells that contain copies of the virus genome inserted into the cell chromosome, but which is shut off, or silenced. These are known as latently-infected cells, which represent the main reason why current treatment for HIV/AIDS cannot cure the infection because the virus in these cells is unaffected by current drugs. Our results indicate that chemical inhibitors of Cdk8 also inhibit the expression of latent HIV provirus. Cdk8 is an important enzyme that regulates the expression of genes in response to signals to which cells need to respond and which is produced by a gene that is frequently mutated in cancers. Our observations indicate that Cdk8 inhibitors may be employed in novel therapies to prevent expression from latent provirus, which might eventually enable infected individuals to cease treatment with antiretroviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley M. Horvath
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zabrina L. Brumme
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ivan Sadowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Epigenetics Group, LSI, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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4
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Chen M, Li J, Zhang L, Wang L, Cheng C, Ji H, Altilia S, Ding X, Cai G, Altomare D, Shtutman M, Byrum SD, Mackintosh SG, Feoktistov A, Soshnikova N, Mogila VA, Tatarskiy V, Erokhin M, Chetverina D, Prawira A, Ni Y, Urban S, McInnes C, Broude EV, Roninson IB. CDK8 and CDK19: positive regulators of signal-induced transcription and negative regulators of Mediator complex proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7288-7313. [PMID: 37378433 PMCID: PMC10415139 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We have conducted a detailed transcriptomic, proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of CDK8 and its paralog CDK19, alternative enzymatic components of the kinase module associated with transcriptional Mediator complex and implicated in development and diseases. This analysis was performed using genetic modifications of CDK8 and CDK19, selective CDK8/19 small molecule kinase inhibitors and a potent CDK8/19 PROTAC degrader. CDK8/19 inhibition in cells exposed to serum or to agonists of NFκB or protein kinase C (PKC) reduced the induction of signal-responsive genes, indicating a pleiotropic role of Mediator kinases in signal-induced transcriptional reprogramming. CDK8/19 inhibition under basal conditions initially downregulated a small group of genes, most of which were inducible by serum or PKC stimulation. Prolonged CDK8/19 inhibition or mutagenesis upregulated a larger gene set, along with a post-transcriptional increase in the proteins comprising the core Mediator complex and its kinase module. Regulation of both RNA and protein expression required CDK8/19 kinase activities but both enzymes protected their binding partner cyclin C from proteolytic degradation in a kinase-independent manner. Analysis of isogenic cell populations expressing CDK8, CDK19 or their kinase-inactive mutants revealed that CDK8 and CDK19 have the same qualitative effects on protein phosphorylation and gene expression at the RNA and protein levels, whereas differential effects of CDK8 versus CDK19 knockouts were attributable to quantitative differences in their expression and activity rather than different functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Senex Biotechnology, Inc. Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Hao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Serena Altilia
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Xiaokai Ding
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Guoshuai Cai
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Diego Altomare
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Michael Shtutman
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Samuel G Mackintosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Alexey Feoktistov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nataliya Soshnikova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladislav A Mogila
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Victor Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Maksim Erokhin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Darya Chetverina
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Angga Prawira
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Eugenia V Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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5
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Kokinos EK, Tsymbal SA, Galochkina AV, Bezlepkina SA, Nikolaeva JV, Vershinina SO, Shtro AA, Tatarskiy VV, Shtil AA, Broude EV, Roninson IB, Dukhinova M. Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 8/19 Restricts Bacterial and Virus-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Monocytes. Viruses 2023; 15:1292. [PMID: 37376593 PMCID: PMC10305654 DOI: 10.3390/v15061292] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the immune system remains a dramatic, life-threatening complication of viral and bacterial infections, particularly during pneumonia. Therapeutic approaches to counteract local and systemic outbreaks of cytokine storm and to prevent tissue damage remain limited. Cyclin-dependent kinases 8 and 19 (CDK8/19) potentiate transcriptional responses to the altered microenvironment, but CDK8/19 potential in immunoregulation is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated how a selective CDK8/19 inhibitor, Senexin B, impacts the immunogenic profiles of monocytic cells stimulated using influenza virus H1N1 or bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Senexin B was able to prevent the induction of gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in THP1 and U937 cell lines and in human peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells. Moreover, Senexin B substantially reduced functional manifestations of inflammation, including clustering and chemokine-dependent migration of THP1 monocytes and human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena K Kokinos
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergey A Tsymbal
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia V Galochkina
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 15/17 Prof. Popov Street, 197376 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Svetlana A Bezlepkina
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V Nikolaeva
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 15/17 Prof. Popov Street, 197376 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sofia O Vershinina
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna A Shtro
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 15/17 Prof. Popov Street, 197376 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Victor V Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Shtil
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoe Highway 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugenia V Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Sumter Street 715, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Sumter Street 715, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Marina Dukhinova
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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6
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Ilchuk LA, Kubekina MV, Okulova YD, Silaeva YY, Tatarskiy VV, Filatov MA, Bruter AV. Genetically Engineered Mice Unveil In Vivo Roles of the Mediator Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119330. [PMID: 37298278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119330] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mediator complex is a multi-subunit protein complex which plays a significant role in the regulation of eukaryotic gene transcription. It provides a platform for the interaction of transcriptional factors and RNA polymerase II, thus coupling external and internal stimuli with transcriptional programs. Molecular mechanisms underlying Mediator functioning are intensively studied, although most often using simple models such as tumor cell lines and yeast. Transgenic mouse models are required to study the role of Mediator components in physiological processes, disease, and development. As constitutive knockouts of most of the Mediator protein coding genes are embryonically lethal, conditional knockouts and corresponding activator strains are needed for these studies. Recently, they have become more easily available with the development of modern genetic engineering techniques. Here, we review existing mouse models for studying the Mediator, and data obtained in corresponding experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid A Ilchuk
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V Kubekina
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia D Okulova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Yu Silaeva
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor V Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim A Filatov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra V Bruter
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology", Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Kashirskoe Sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia
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7
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Wang M, Lin R, Li J, Suo Y, Gao J, Liu L, Zhou L, Ni Y, Yang Z, Zheng J, Lin J, Zhou H, Luo C, Lin H. Discovery of LL-K8-22: A Selective, Durable, and Small-Molecule Degrader of the CDK8-Cyclin C Complex. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4932-4951. [PMID: 36930701 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The CDK8-cyclin C complex is an important anti-tumor target, but unlike CDK8, cyclin C remains undruggable. Modulators regulating cyclin C activity directly are still under development. Here, a series of hydrophobic tagging-based degraders of the CDK8-cyclin C complex were designed, synthesized, and evaluated to identify the first dual degrader, LL-K8-22, which induced selective and synchronous degradation of CDK8 and cyclin C. Proteomic and immunoblot studies exhibited that LL-K8-22 significantly degraded CDK8 without reducing CDK19 and did not degrade other cyclin proteins except cyclin C. Moreover, LL-K8-22 showed enhanced anti-proliferative effects over its parental molecule, BI-1347, with potency increased by 5-fold in MDA-MB-468 cells. LL-K8-22 exhibited more pronounced effects on CDK8-cyclin C downstream signaling than BI-1347, suppressing STAT1 phosphorylation more persistently. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that LL-K8-22 inhibited E2F- and MYC-driven carcinogenic transcriptional programs. Overall, LL-K8-22 is the first-in-class degrader of cyclin C and would be useful for studying the unknown functions of cyclin C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rongkun Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuying Suo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Liping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyuan Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Ziqun Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jin Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Hua Lin
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
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8
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Hsu JY, Hsu KC, Sun C, Chou CH, Lin TE, Sung TY, Tseng HJ, Yen SC, Yang CR, Huang WJ. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of indolin-2-one derivatives as novel cyclin-dependent protein kinase 8 (CDK8) inhibitors. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114258. [PMID: 36708700 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114258] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 8 (CDK8) plays important roles in regulating fibrotic growth factors and inflammatory signaling pathways. Long-term chronic inflammation of the lungs can lead to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Abnormal alveolar epithelial regeneration leads to the release of various fibrotic growth factors and the activation of inflammatory cells. CDK8 regulates profibrotic cytokines broadly implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Therefore, inhibition of CDK8 is considered a promising strategy for treating IPF. Here, CDK8 inhibitors were designed and optimized using a fragment-based drug design strategy. Testing results revealed that 71% of the synthesized compounds inhibited CDK8 activity better than the original compound E966-0530. Of these compounds, compound 4k exhibited the strongest CDK8 enzyme-inhibiting activity (IC50 =129 nM). Notably, it displayed a 13-fold increase in potency when compared to E966-0530. Experiments on toxicity and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) protein expressions showed that compound 4k can inhibit EMT protein expressions, but with no significant cytotoxicity for alveolar epithelial cells. Compound 4k showed a potent inhibitory effect in cell migration assays. Furthermore, compound 4k significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p-Smad3 and RNA Pol II, which are critical mediators in the fibrotic response signaling pathway. Compound 4k remarkably reduced TGF-β1-induced oxidative stress. The above results reveal optimized CDK8 inhibitors with potential use for IPF therapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Yi Hsu
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Cheng Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; TMU Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cancer Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching Sun
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsuan Chou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tony Eight Lin
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ying Sung
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ju Tseng
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Shih-Chung Yen
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chia-Ron Yang
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Jan Huang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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9
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Prieto S, Dubra G, Camasses A, Aznar AB, Begon‐Pescia C, Simboeck E, Pirot N, Gerbe F, Angevin L, Jay P, Krasinska L, Fisher D. CDK8 and CDK19 act redundantly to control the CFTR pathway in the intestinal epithelium. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e54261. [PMID: 36545778 PMCID: PMC10549226 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202154261] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CDK8 and CDK19 form a conserved cyclin-dependent kinase subfamily that interacts with the essential transcription complex, Mediator, and also phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Cells lacking either CDK8 or CDK19 are viable and have limited transcriptional alterations, but whether the two kinases redundantly control cell proliferation and differentiation is unknown. Here, we find in mice that CDK8 is dispensable for regulation of gene expression, normal intestinal homeostasis, and efficient tumourigenesis, and is largely redundant with CDK19 in the control of gene expression. Their combined deletion in intestinal organoids reduces long-term proliferative capacity but is not lethal and allows differentiation. However, double-mutant organoids show mucus accumulation and increased secretion by goblet cells, as well as downregulation of expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and functionality of the CFTR pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK8/19 kinase activity in organoids and in mice recapitulates several of these phenotypes. Thus, the Mediator kinases are not essential for cell proliferation and differentiation in an adult tissue, but they cooperate to regulate specific transcriptional programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Prieto
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Geronimo Dubra
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Alain Camasses
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Ana Bella Aznar
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Christina Begon‐Pescia
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Present address:
LPHIUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Elisabeth Simboeck
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
- Present address:
UAS Technikum WienViennaAustria
| | - Nelly Pirot
- IRCM, University of Montpellier, ICM, INSERMMontpellierFrance
- BioCampus, RHEMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - François Gerbe
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
- IGFUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
| | - Lucie Angevin
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Philippe Jay
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
- IGFUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
| | - Liliana Krasinska
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Daniel Fisher
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
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10
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Malone CF, Kim M, Alexe G, Engel K, Forman AB, Robichaud A, Conway AS, Goodale A, Meyer A, Khalid D, Thayakumar A, Hatcher JM, Gray NS, Piccioni F, Stegmaier K. Transcriptional Antagonism by CDK8 Inhibition Improves Therapeutic Efficacy of MEK Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:285-300. [PMID: 36398965 PMCID: PMC9938728 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4309] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant RAS/MAPK signaling is a common driver of oncogenesis that can be therapeutically targeted with clinically approved MEK inhibitors. Disease progression on single-agent MEK inhibitors is common, however, and combination therapies are typically required to achieve significant clinical benefit in advanced cancers. Here we focused on identifying MEK inhibitor-based combination therapies in neuroblastoma with mutations that activate the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, which are rare at diagnosis but frequent in relapsed neuroblastoma. A genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 functional genomic screen was deployed to identify genes that when knocked out sensitize RAS-mutant neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Loss of either CCNC or CDK8, two members of the mediator kinase module, sensitized neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Furthermore, small-molecule kinase inhibitors of CDK8 improved response to MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and other adult solid tumors. Transcriptional profiling revealed that loss of CDK8 or CCNC antagonized the transcriptional signature induced by MEK inhibition. When combined, loss of CDK8 or CCNC prevented the compensatory upregulation of progrowth gene expression induced by MEK inhibition. These findings propose a new therapeutic combination for RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and may have clinical relevance for other RAS-driven malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE Transcriptional adaptation to MEK inhibition is mediated by CDK8 and can be blocked by the addition of CDK8 inhibitors to improve response to MEK inhibitors in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma, a clinically challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare F. Malone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Minjee Kim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Engel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra B. Forman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Saur Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashleigh Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Delan Khalid
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allen Thayakumar
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Corresponding author. Mailing address: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Ave, LC6102, Boston, MA, 02215. Phone: (617) 632-4438
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11
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Lee JC, Liu S, Wang Y, Liang Y, Jablons DM. MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with potent antitumor activity in AML through downregulation of the STAT pathway. Oncotarget 2022; 13:1217-1236. [PMCID: PMC9629815 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most lethal form of AML due to disease relapse. Cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the family of Cyclin-dependent kinases and is an emerging target for the treatment of AML. MK256, a potent, selective, and orally available CDK8 inhibitor was developed to target AML. We sought to examine the anticancer effect of MK256 on AML. In CD34+/CD38- leukemia stem cells, we found that MK256 induced differentiation and maturation. Treatment of MK256 inhibited proliferation of AML cell lines. Further studies of the inhibitory effect suggested that MK256 not only downregulated phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726), but also lowered mRNA expressions of MCL-1 and CCL2 in AML cell lines. Efficacy of MK256 was shown in MOLM-14 xenograft models, and the inhibitory effect on phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726) with treatment of MK256 was observed in vivo. Pharmacologic dynamics study of MK256 in MOLM-14 xenograft models showed dose-dependent inhibition of the STAT pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that MK256 could effectively downregulate the STAT pathway. In vitro ADME, pharmacological kinetics, and toxicity of MK256 were profiled to evaluate the drug properties of MK256. Our results show that MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with a desirable efficacy and safety profile and has great potential to be a promising drug candidate for AML through regulating the STAT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Chieh Lee
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,2Touro University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work,Correspondence to:Jen-Chieh Lee, email:
| | - Shu Liu
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work,Shu Liu, email:
| | - Yucheng Wang
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - You Liang
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David M. Jablons
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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12
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Dannappel MV, Zhu D, Sun X, Chua HK, Poppelaars M, Suehiro M, Khadka S, Lim Kam Sian TC, Sooraj D, Loi M, Gao H, Croagh D, Daly RJ, Faridi P, Boyer TG, Firestein R. CDK8 and CDK19 regulate intestinal differentiation and homeostasis via the chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:158593. [PMID: 36006697 PMCID: PMC9566890 DOI: 10.1172/jci158593] [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: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Initiation and maintenance of transcriptional states are critical for controlling normal tissue homeostasis and differentiation. The cyclin dependent kinases CDK8 and CDK19 (Mediator kinases) are regulatory components of Mediator, a highly conserved complex that orchestrates enhancer-mediated transcriptional output. While Mediator kinases have been implicated in the transcription of genes necessary for development and growth, its function in mammals has not been well defined. Using genetically defined models and pharmacological inhibitors, we showed that CDK8 and CDK19 function in a redundant manner to regulate intestinal lineage specification in humans and mice. The Mediator kinase module bound and phosphorylated key components of the chromatin remodeling complex switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) in intestinal epithelial cells. Concomitantly, SWI/SNF and MED12-Mediator colocalized at distinct lineage-specifying enhancers in a CDK8/19-dependent manner. Thus, these studies reveal a transcriptional mechanism of intestinal cell specification, coordinated by the interaction between the chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF and Mediator kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius V Dannappel
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Danxi Zhu
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xin Sun
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Hui Kheng Chua
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Marle Poppelaars
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Monica Suehiro
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Subash Khadka
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Terry Cc Lim Kam Sian
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Dhanya Sooraj
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Melissa Loi
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
| | - Hugh Gao
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Roger J Daly
- Cancer Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Pouya Faridi
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas G Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Ron Firestein
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science and
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13
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Clopper KC, Taatjes DJ. Chemical inhibitors of transcription-associated kinases. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102186. [PMID: 35926294 PMCID: PMC10676000 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II (pol II) is regulated by kinases. In recent years, many selective and potent inhibitors of pol II transcription-associated kinases have been developed, and these molecules have advanced understanding of kinase function in mammalian cells. Here, we focus on chemical inhibitors of the transcription-associated kinases CDK7, CDK8, CDK9, CDK12, CDK13, and CDK19. We provide a brief overview of the function of these kinases and common activation mechanisms. We then highlight the advantages of kinase inhibitors compared with other basic research methods, and describe the caveats associated with non-selective compounds (e.g. flavopiridol). We conclude with strategies and recommendations for implementation of chemical inhibitors for experimental analysis of transcription-associated kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Clopper
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Dylan J Taatjes
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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14
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Yan YY, Zhang XX, Xiao Y, Shen XB, Jian YJ, Wang YM, She ZH, Liu MM, Liu XH. Design and Synthesis of a 2-Amino-pyridine Derivative as a Potent CDK8 Inhibitor for Anti-colorectal Cancer Therapy. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13216-13239. [PMID: 36126227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
CDK8 is a transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinase and considered as a potential target in colon cancer therapeutics. Here, a novel selective CDK8 inhibitor was identified against colon cancer in vivo. Specifically, based on the structural information of the sorafenib-bound CDK8 structure, a series of novel 2-amino-pyridine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Among them, compound 29 showed strong inhibitory activity against CDK8 with an IC50 value of 46 nM and favorable selectivity. And there is an apparent interaction between the endogenous or overexpressed CDK8 and biotinylated-29. This compound exhibited antiproliferation potency on colon cancer cell lines with a high CDK8 expression level, suppressed the activation of WNT/β-catenin and transcriptional activity of the TCF family, and induced G1 phase arrested in HCT-116 cells. In addition, this compound showed potent activity against sorafenib-resistant HCT-116 cells. What's more, it exhibited low toxicity and suitable pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and showed preferable antitumor effects in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Xing Xing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yun Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Bao Shen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, P.R. China
| | - Yu Jie Jian
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yu Meng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Zi Hao She
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Ming Ming Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
| | - Xin Hua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, P.R. China
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15
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Ding X, Sharko AC, McDermott MSJ, Schools GP, Chumanevich A, Ji H, Li J, Zhang L, Mack ZT, Sikirzhytski V, Shtutman M, Ivers L, O’Donovan N, Crown J, Győrffy B, Chen M, Roninson IB, Broude EV. Inhibition of CDK8/19 Mediator kinase potentiates HER2-targeting drugs and bypasses resistance to these agents in vitro and in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201073119. [PMID: 35914167 PMCID: PMC9371674 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201073119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers (BrCas) that overexpress oncogenic tyrosine kinase receptor HER2 are treated with HER2-targeting antibodies (such as trastuzumab) or small-molecule kinase inhibitors (such as lapatinib). However, most patients with metastatic HER2+ BrCa have intrinsic resistance and nearly all eventually become resistant to HER2-targeting therapy. Resistance to HER2-targeting drugs frequently involves transcriptional reprogramming associated with constitutive activation of different signaling pathways. We have investigated the role of CDK8/19 Mediator kinase, a regulator of transcriptional reprogramming, in the response of HER2+ BrCa to HER2-targeting drugs. CDK8 was in the top 1% of all genes ranked by correlation with shorter relapse-free survival among treated HER2+ BrCa patients. Selective CDK8/19 inhibitors (senexin B and SNX631) showed synergistic interactions with lapatinib and trastuzumab in a panel of HER2+ BrCa cell lines, overcoming and preventing resistance to HER2-targeting drugs. The synergistic effects were mediated in part through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and reduced by PI3K inhibition. Combination of HER2- and CDK8/19-targeting agents inhibited STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation at S727 and up-regulated tumor suppressor BTG2. The growth of xenograft tumors formed by lapatinib-sensitive or -resistant HER2+ breast cancer cells was partially inhibited by SNX631 alone and strongly suppressed by the combination of SNX631 and lapatinib, overcoming lapatinib resistance. These effects were associated with decreased tumor cell proliferation and altered recruitment of stromal components to the xenograft tumors. These results suggest potential clinical benefit of combining HER2- and CDK8/19-targeting drugs in the treatment of metastatic HER2+ BrCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokai Ding
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Amanda C. Sharko
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Martina S. J. McDermott
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Gary P. Schools
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Alexander Chumanevich
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Hao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Zachary T. Mack
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Vitali Sikirzhytski
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Michael Shtutman
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Laura Ivers
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Norma O’Donovan
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1085, Hungary
- Oncology Biomarker Research Group, Research Center for Natural Sciences, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
- Senex Biotechnology, Inc., 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Igor B. Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
| | - Eugenia V. Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter St., Columbia, SC, 29208
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16
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Yasutake N, Iwasaki T, Yamamoto H, Sonoda K, Kodama K, Okugawa K, Asanoma K, Yahata H, Kato K, Oda Y. Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 is an independent prognosticator in uterine leiomyosarcoma. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 235:153920. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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17
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Transcription associated cyclin-dependent kinases as therapeutic targets for prostate cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:3303-3315. [PMID: 35568739 PMCID: PMC9187515 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional deregulation has emerged as a hallmark of several cancer types. In metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, a stage in which systemic androgen deprivation therapies fail to show clinical benefit, transcriptional addiction to the androgen receptor is maintained in most patients. This has led to increased efforts to find novel therapies that prevent oncogenic transactivation of the androgen receptor. In this context, a group of druggable protein kinases, known as transcription associated cyclin-dependent kinases (tCDKs), show great potential as therapeutic targets. Despite initial reservations about targeting tCDKs due to their ubiquitous and prerequisite nature, preclinical studies showed that selectively inhibiting such kinases could provide sufficient therapeutic window to exert antitumour effects in the absence of systemic toxicity. As a result, several highly specific inhibitors are currently being trialled in solid tumours, including prostate cancer. This article summarises the roles of tCDKs in regulating gene transcription and highlights rationales for their targeting in prostate cancer. It provides an overview of the most recent developments in this therapeutic area, including the most recent clinical advances, and discusses the utility of tCDK inhibitors in combination with established cancer agents.
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18
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Zhang L, Cheng C, Li J, Wang L, Chumanevich AA, Porter DC, Mindich A, Gorbunova S, Roninson IB, Chen M, McInnes C. A Selective and Orally Bioavailable Quinoline-6-Carbonitrile-Based Inhibitor of CDK8/19 Mediator Kinase with Tumor-Enriched Pharmacokinetics. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3420-3433. [PMID: 35114084 PMCID: PMC10042267 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Senexins are potent and selective quinazoline inhibitors of CDK8/19 Mediator kinases. To improve their potency and metabolic stability, quinoline-based derivatives were designed through a structure-guided strategy based on the simulated drug-target docking model of Senexin A and Senexin B. A library of quinoline-Senexin derivatives was synthesized to explore the structure-activity relationship (SAR). An optimized compound 20a (Senexin C) exhibits potent CDK8/19 inhibitory activity with high selectivity. Senexin C is more metabolically stable and provides a more sustained inhibition of CDK8/19-dependent cellular gene expression when compared with the prototype inhibitor Senexin B. In vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluation using a novel tumor-based PD assay showed good oral bioavailability of Senexin C with a strong tumor-enrichment PK profile and tumor-PD marker responses. Senexin C inhibits MV4-11 leukemia growth in a systemic in vivo model with good tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Alexander A Chumanevich
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Donald C Porter
- Senex Biotechnology, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Aleksei Mindich
- CSC BIOCAD, Strelna, Saint-Petersburg 198515, Russia.,Biotechnology Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | | | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.,Senex Biotechnology, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.,Senex Biotechnology, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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19
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Hatcher JM, Vatsan PS, Wang E, Jiang J, Gray NS. Development of Highly Potent and Selective Pyrazolopyridine Inhibitor of CDK8/19. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1689-1693. [PMID: 34795857 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
CDK8 and its paralog CDK19 are cyclin-dependent kinases that are core components of the so-called Mediator complex that has essential roles as a positive and negative regulator of gene expression. Several efforts to develop inhibitors have yielded natural and synthetic ATP-competitive compounds including cortistatin A, Sel120, BCD-115, CCT251921 (1), and MSC2530818 (2). Here, we used a hybridization approach starting from CCT251921 and MSC2530818 to derive new inhibitors with the aim of developing highly potent and selective inhibitors of CDK8/19. Initial compounds suffered from rapid aldehyde oxidase-mediated metabolism. This liability was overcome by utilizing a pyrazolopyridine hinge binder with a chlorine at the C-3 position. These efforts resulted in JH-XVI-178 (compound 15), a highly potent and selective inhibitor of CDK8/19 that displays low clearance and moderate oral pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 360 Longwood Ave, Longwood Center LC-2209, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Prasanna S. Vatsan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 360 Longwood Ave, Longwood Center LC-2209, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Eric Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 360 Longwood Ave, Longwood Center LC-2209, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 360 Longwood Ave, Longwood Center LC-2209, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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20
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Arnett A, Moo KG, Flynn KJ, Sundberg TB, Johannessen L, Shamji AF, Gray NS, Decker T, Zheng Y, Gersuk VH, Rahman ZS, Levy DE, Marié IJ, Linsley PS, Xavier RJ, Khor B. The Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 (CDK8) Inhibitor DCA Promotes a Tolerogenic Chemical Immunophenotype in CD4 + T Cells via a Novel CDK8-GATA3-FOXP3 Pathway. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e0008521. [PMID: 34124936 PMCID: PMC8384069 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00085-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune health requires innate and adaptive immune cells to engage precisely balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory forces. We employ the concept of chemical immunophenotypes to classify small molecules functionally or mechanistically according to their patterns of effects on primary innate and adaptive immune cells. The high-specificity, low-toxicity cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) inhibitor 16-didehydro-cortistatin A (DCA) exerts a distinct tolerogenic profile in both innate and adaptive immune cells. DCA promotes regulatory T cells (Treg) and Th2 differentiation while inhibiting Th1 and Th17 differentiation in both murine and human cells. This unique chemical immunophenotype led to mechanistic studies showing that DCA promotes Treg differentiation in part by regulating a previously undescribed CDK8-GATA3-FOXP3 pathway that regulates early pathways of Foxp3 expression. These results highlight previously unappreciated links between Treg and Th2 differentiation and extend our understanding of the transcription factors that regulate Treg differentiation and their temporal sequencing. These findings have significant implications for future mechanistic and translational studies of CDK8 and CDK8 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azlann Arnett
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Keagan G. Moo
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Thomas B. Sundberg
- Center for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liv Johannessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alykhan F. Shamji
- Center for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Decker
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ye Zheng
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Ziaur S. Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David E. Levy
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Isabelle J. Marié
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Ramnik J. Xavier
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bernard Khor
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
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21
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Li Y, Bie J, Song C, Liu M, Luo J. PYCR, a key enzyme in proline metabolism, functions in tumorigenesis. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1841-1850. [PMID: 34273023 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PYCR), the last enzyme in proline synthesis that converts P5C into proline, was found promoting cancer growth and inhibiting apoptosis through multiple approaches, including regulating cell cycle and redox homeostasis, and promoting growth signaling pathways. Proline is abnormally up-regulated in multiple cancers and becomes one of the critical players in the reprogramming of cancer metabolism. As the last key enzymes in proline generation, PYCRs have been the subject of many investigations, and have been demonstrated to play an indispensable role in promoting tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In this article, we will thoroughly review the recent investigations on PYCRs in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Juntao Bie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Chen Song
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Minghui Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jianyuan Luo
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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22
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Yu M, Teo T, Yang Y, Li M, Long Y, Philip S, Noll B, Heinemann GK, Diab S, Eldi P, Mekonnen L, Anshabo AT, Rahaman MH, Milne R, Hayball JD, Wang S. Potent and orally bioavailable CDK8 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, structure-activity relationship analysis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113248. [PMID: 33571827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CDK8 regulates transcription either by phosphorylation of transcription factors or, as part of a four-subunit kinase module, through a reversible association of the kinase module with the Mediator complex, a highly conserved transcriptional coactivator. Deregulation of CDK8 has been found in various types of human cancer, while the role of CDK8 in supressing anti-cancer response of natural killer cells is being understood. Currently, CDK8-targeting cancer drugs are highly sought-after. Herein we detail the discovery of a series of novel pyridine-derived CDK8 inhibitors. Medicinal chemistry optimisation gave rise to 38 (AU1-100), a potent CDK8 inhibitor with oral bioavailability. The compound inhibited the proliferation of MV4-11 acute myeloid leukaemia cells with the kinase activity of cellular CDK8 dampened. No systemic toxicology was observed in the mice treated with 38. These results warrant further pre-clinical studies of 38 as an anti-cancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Yu
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Theodosia Teo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Yuchao Yang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Manjun Li
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Yi Long
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Stephen Philip
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Benjamin Noll
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Gary K Heinemann
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Sarah Diab
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Preethi Eldi
- Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Laychiluh Mekonnen
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Abel T Anshabo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Muhammed H Rahaman
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Robert Milne
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - John D Hayball
- Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Shudong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
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23
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The Inhibition of CDK8/19 Mediator Kinases Prevents the Development of Resistance to EGFR-Targeting Drugs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010144. [PMID: 33445730 PMCID: PMC7828184 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the main obstacle to achieving cures with both conventional and targeted anticancer drugs. The emergence of acquired drug resistance is initially mediated by non-genetic transcriptional changes, which occur at a much higher frequency than mutations and may involve population-scale transcriptomic adaptation. CDK8/19 kinases, through association with transcriptional Mediator complex, regulate transcriptional reprogramming by co-operating with different signal-responsive transcription factors. Here we tested if CDK8/19 inhibition could prevent adaptation to drugs acting on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1/HER1). The development of resistance was analyzed following long-term exposure of BT474 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells to EGFR-targeting small molecules (gefitinib, erlotinib) and of SW48 colon cancer cells to an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab. In all cases, treatment of small cell populations (~105 cells) with a single dose of the drug initially led to growth inhibition that was followed by the resumption of proliferation and development of drug resistance in the adapted populations. However, this adaptation was always prevented by the addition of selective CDK8/19 inhibitors, even though such inhibitors alone had only moderate or no effect on cell growth. These results indicate that combining EGFR-targeting drugs with CDK8/19 inhibitors may delay or prevent the development of tumor resistance to therapy.
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24
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Martinez-Fabregas J, Wang L, Pohler E, Cozzani A, Wilmes S, Kazemian M, Mitra S, Moraga I. CDK8 Fine-Tunes IL-6 Transcriptional Activities by Limiting STAT3 Resident Time at the Gene Loci. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108545. [PMID: 33357429 PMCID: PMC7773550 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are highly pleiotropic ligands that regulate the immune response. Here, using interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a model system, we perform detailed phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic studies in human CD4+ T helper 1 (Th-1) cells to address the molecular bases defining cytokine functional pleiotropy. We identify CDK8 as a negative regulator of STAT3 transcriptional activities, which interacts with STAT3 upon IL-6 stimulation. Inhibition of CDK8 activity, using specific small molecule inhibitors, reduces the IL-6-induced phosphoproteome by 23% in Th-1 cells, including STAT3 S727 phosphorylation. STAT3 binding to target DNA sites in the genome is increased upon CDK8 inhibition, which results in a concomitant increase in STAT3-mediated transcriptional activity. Importantly, inhibition of CDK8 activity under Th-17 polarizing conditions results in an enhancement of Th-17 differentiation. Our results support a model where CDK8 regulates STAT3 transcriptional processivity by modulation of its gene loci resident time, critically contributing to diversification of IL-6 responses. CDK8 regulates IL-6-mediated STAT3 S727 phosphorylation in primary human T cells CDK8 controls STAT3 activity by limiting its resident time at gene loci CDK8 inhibition increases IL-6-mediated Th17 differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luopin Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Elizabeth Pohler
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Adeline Cozzani
- Université de Lille, INSERM UMR1277 CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER and Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
| | - Stephan Wilmes
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Suman Mitra
- Université de Lille, INSERM UMR1277 CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER and Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France.
| | - Ignacio Moraga
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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25
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Ma D, Chen X, Shen XB, Sheng LQ, Liu XH. Binding patterns and structure–activity relationship of CDK8 inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2020; 96:103624. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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