1
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Klomp JE, Diehl JN, Klomp JA, Edwards AC, Yang R, Morales AJ, Taylor KE, Drizyte-Miller K, Bryant KL, Schaefer A, Johnson JL, Huntsman EM, Yaron TM, Pierobon M, Baldelli E, Prevatte AW, Barker NK, Herring LE, Petricoin EF, Graves LM, Cantley LC, Cox AD, Der CJ, Stalnecker CA. Determining the ERK-regulated phosphoproteome driving KRAS-mutant cancer. Science 2024; 384:eadk0850. [PMID: 38843329 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk0850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
To delineate the mechanisms by which the ERK1 and ERK2 mitogen-activated protein kinases support mutant KRAS-driven cancer growth, we determined the ERK-dependent phosphoproteome in KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer. We determined that ERK1 and ERK2 share near-identical signaling and transforming outputs and that the KRAS-regulated phosphoproteome is driven nearly completely by ERK. We identified 4666 ERK-dependent phosphosites on 2123 proteins, of which 79 and 66%, respectively, were not previously associated with ERK, substantially expanding the depth and breadth of ERK-dependent phosphorylation events and revealing a considerably more complex function for ERK in cancer. We established that ERK controls a highly dynamic and complex phosphoproteome that converges on cyclin-dependent kinase regulation and RAS homolog guanosine triphosphatase function (RHO GTPase). Our findings establish the most comprehensive molecular portrait and mechanisms by which ERK drives KRAS-dependent pancreatic cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A Cole Edwards
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Runying Yang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alexis J Morales
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Khalilah E Taylor
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristina Drizyte-Miller
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kirsten L Bryant
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Antje Schaefer
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jared L Johnson
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emily M Huntsman
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Tomer M Yaron
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Elisa Baldelli
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Alex W Prevatte
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Natalie K Barker
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Lee M Graves
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lewis C Cantley
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cell Biology and Physiology Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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2
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Timofeev O, Giron P, Lawo S, Pichler M, Noeparast M. ERK pathway agonism for cancer therapy: evidence, insights, and a target discovery framework. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:70. [PMID: 38485987 PMCID: PMC10940698 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00554-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
At least 40% of human cancers are associated with aberrant ERK pathway activity (ERKp). Inhibitors targeting various effectors within the ERKp have been developed and explored for over two decades. Conversely, a substantial body of evidence suggests that both normal human cells and, notably to a greater extent, cancer cells exhibit susceptibility to hyperactivation of ERKp. However, this vulnerability of cancer cells remains relatively unexplored. In this review, we reexamine the evidence on the selective lethality of highly elevated ERKp activity in human cancer cells of varying backgrounds. We synthesize the insights proposed for harnessing this vulnerability of ERK-associated cancers for therapeutical approaches and contextualize these insights within established pharmacological cancer-targeting models. Moreover, we compile the intriguing preclinical findings of ERK pathway agonism in diverse cancer models. Lastly, we present a conceptual framework for target discovery regarding ERKp agonism, emphasizing the utilization of mutual exclusivity among oncogenes to develop novel targeted therapies for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Timofeev
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps University, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Philippe Giron
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Clinical Sciences, Research group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steffen Lawo
- CRISPR Screening Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Martin Pichler
- Translational Oncology, II. Med Clinics Hematology and Oncology, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Maxim Noeparast
- Translational Oncology, II. Med Clinics Hematology and Oncology, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
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3
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Petrosino M, Novak L, Pasquo A, Turina P, Capriotti E, Minicozzi V, Consalvi V, Chiaraluce R. The complex impact of cancer-related missense mutations on the stability and on the biophysical and biochemical properties of MAPK1 and MAPK3 somatic variants. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:95. [PMID: 37891694 PMCID: PMC10612357 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00544-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases 1 and 3 (MAPK1 and MAPK3), also called extracellular regulated kinases (ERK2 and ERK1), are serine/threonine kinase activated downstream by the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signal transduction cascade that regulates a variety of cellular processes. A dysregulation of MAPK cascade is frequently associated to missense mutations on its protein components and may be related to many pathologies, including cancer. In this study we selected from COSMIC database a set of MAPK1 and MAPK3 somatic variants found in cancer tissues carrying missense mutations distributed all over the MAPK1 and MAPK3 sequences. The proteins were expressed as pure recombinant proteins, and their biochemical and biophysical properties have been studied in comparison with the wild type. The missense mutations lead to changes in the tertiary arrangements of all the variants. The thermodynamic stability of the wild type and variants has been investigated in the non-phosphorylated and in the phosphorylated form. Significant differences in the thermal stabilities of most of the variants have been observed, as well as changes in the catalytic efficiencies. The energetics of the catalytic reaction is affected for all the variants for both the MAPK proteins. The stability changes and the variation in the enzyme catalysis observed for most of MAPK1/3 variants suggest that a local change in a residue, distant from the catalytic site, may have long-distance effects that reflect globally on enzyme stability and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Petrosino
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Leonore Novak
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pasquo
- ENEA CR Frascati, Diagnostics and Metrology Laboratory FSN-TECFIS-DIM, Frascati, Italy
| | - Paola Turina
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emidio Capriotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Velia Minicozzi
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Consalvi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Chiaraluce
- Chair of Pharmacology, Section of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Martin-Vega A, Cobb MH. Navigating the ERK1/2 MAPK Cascade. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1555. [PMID: 37892237 PMCID: PMC10605237 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101555] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The RAS-ERK pathway is a fundamental signaling cascade crucial for many biological processes including proliferation, cell cycle control, growth, and survival; common across all cell types. Notably, ERK1/2 are implicated in specific processes in a context-dependent manner as in stem cells and pancreatic β-cells. Alterations in the different components of this cascade result in dysregulation of the effector kinases ERK1/2 which communicate with hundreds of substrates. Aberrant activation of the pathway contributes to a range of disorders, including cancer. This review provides an overview of the structure, activation, regulation, and mutational frequency of the different tiers of the cascade; with a particular focus on ERK1/2. We highlight the importance of scaffold proteins that contribute to kinase localization and coordinate interaction dynamics of the kinases with substrates, activators, and inhibitors. Additionally, we explore innovative therapeutic approaches emphasizing promising avenues in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martin-Vega
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
| | - Melanie H. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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5
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Chen W, Park JI. Tumor Cell Resistance to the Inhibition of BRAF and MEK1/2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14837. [PMID: 37834284 PMCID: PMC10573597 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914837] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes, with an overall frequency of about 50%. Targeting BRAF and its effector mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) is now a key therapeutic strategy for BRAF-mutant tumors, and therapies based on dual BRAF/MEK inhibition showed significant efficacy in a broad spectrum of BRAF tumors. Nonetheless, BRAF/MEK inhibition therapy is not always effective for BRAF tumor suppression, and significant challenges remain to improve its clinical outcomes. First, certain BRAF tumors have an intrinsic ability to rapidly adapt to the presence of BRAF and MEK1/2 inhibitors by bypassing drug effects via rewired signaling, metabolic, and regulatory networks. Second, almost all tumors initially responsive to BRAF and MEK1/2 inhibitors eventually acquire therapy resistance via an additional genetic or epigenetic alteration(s). Overcoming these challenges requires identifying the molecular mechanism underlying tumor cell resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors and analyzing their specificity in different BRAF tumors. This review aims to update this information.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jong-In Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA;
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6
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Soudah N, Baskin A, Smorodinsky-Atias K, Beenstock J, Ganon Y, Hayouka R, Aboraya M, Livnah O, Ilouz R, Engelberg D. A conserved arginine within the αC-helix of Erk1/2 is a latch of autoactivation and of oncogenic capabilities. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105072. [PMID: 37474104 PMCID: PMC10458722 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic protein kinases (EPKs) adopt an active conformation following phosphorylation of a particular activation loop residue. Most EPKs spontaneously autophosphorylate this residue. While structure-function relationships of the active conformation are essentially understood, those of the "prone-to-autophosphorylate" conformation are unclear. Here, we propose that a site within the αC-helix of EPKs, occupied by Arg in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk1/2 (Arg84/65), impacts spontaneous autophosphorylation. MAPKs lack spontaneous autoactivation, but we found that converting Arg84/65 of Erk1/2 to various residues enables spontaneous autophosphorylation. Furthermore, Erk1 molecules mutated in Arg84 are oncogenic. Arg84/65 thus obstructs the adoption of the "prone-to-autophosphorylate" conformation. All MAPKs harbor an Arg that is equivalent to Arg84/65 of Erks, whereas Arg is rarely found at the equivalent position in other EPKs. We observed that Arg84/65 of Erk1/2 interacts with the DFG motif, suggesting that autophosphorylation may be inhibited by the Arg84/65-DFG interactions. Erk1/2s mutated in Arg84/65 autophosphorylate not only the TEY motif, known as critical for catalysis, but also on Thr207/188. Our MS/MS analysis revealed that a large proportion of the Erk2R65H population is phosphorylated on Thr188 or on Tyr185 + Thr188, and a small fraction is phosphorylated on the TEY motif. No molecules phosphorylated on Thr183 + Thr188 were detected. Thus, phosphorylation of Thr183 and Thr188 is mutually exclusive suggesting that not only TEY-phosphorylated molecules are active but perhaps also those phosphorylated on Tyr185 + Thr188. The effect of mutating Arg84/65 may mimic a physiological scenario in which allosteric effectors cause Erk1/2 activation by autophosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Soudah
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexey Baskin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Karin Smorodinsky-Atias
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Jonah Beenstock
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yifat Ganon
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ruchama Hayouka
- The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mohammed Aboraya
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Oded Livnah
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Wolfson Centre for Applied Structural Biology, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ronit Ilouz
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - David Engelberg
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise, Mechanisms of Liver Inflammatory Diseases Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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7
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Stulpinas A, Sereika M, Vitkeviciene A, Imbrasaite A, Krestnikova N, Kalvelyte AV. Crosstalk between protein kinases AKT and ERK1/2 in human lung tumor-derived cell models. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1045521. [PMID: 36686779 PMCID: PMC9848735 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1045521] [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: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is no doubt that cell signaling manipulation is a key strategy for anticancer therapy. Furthermore, cell state determines drug response. Thus, establishing the relationship between cell state and therapeutic sensitivity is essential for the development of cancer therapies. In the era of personalized medicine, the use of patient-derived ex vivo cell models is a promising approach in the translation of key research findings into clinics. Here, we were focused on the non-oncogene dependencies of cell resistance to anticancer treatments. Signaling-related mechanisms of response to inhibitors of MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways (regulators of key cellular functions) were investigated using a panel of patients' lung tumor-derived cell lines with various stemness- and EMT-related markers, varying degrees of ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation, and response to anticancer treatment. The study of interactions between kinases was the goal of our research. Although MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT interactions are thought to be cell line-specific, where oncogenic mutations have a decisive role, we demonstrated negative feedback loops between MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in all cell lines studied, regardless of genotype and phenotype differences. Our work showed that various and distinct inhibitors of ERK signaling - selumetinib, trametinib, and SCH772984 - increased AKT phosphorylation, and conversely, inhibitors of AKT - capivasertib, idelalisib, and AKT inhibitor VIII - increased ERK phosphorylation in both control and cisplatin-treated cells. Interaction between kinases, however, was dependent on cellular state. The feedback between ERK and AKT was attenuated by the focal adhesion kinase inhibitor PF573228, and in cells grown in suspension, showing the possible role of extracellular contacts in the regulation of crosstalk between kinases. Moreover, studies have shown that the interplay between MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways may be dependent on the strength of the chemotherapeutic stimulus. The study highlights the importance of spatial location of the cells and the strength of the treatment during anticancer therapy.
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Yu Y, Zhao Y, Choi J, Shi Z, Guo L, Elizarraras J, Gu A, Cheng F, Pei Y, Lu D, Fabbri M, Agarwal S, Zhang C, Jung SY, Foster JH, Yang J. ERK Inhibitor Ulixertinib Inhibits High-Risk Neuroblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225534. [PMID: 36428626 PMCID: PMC9688897 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor of the peripheral nervous system. Approximately 80% of relapsed NB show RAS-MAPK pathway mutations that activate ERK, resulting in the promotion of cell proliferation and drug resistance. Ulixertinib, a first-in-class ERK-specific inhibitor, has shown promising antitumor activity in phase 1 clinical trials for advanced solid tumors. Here, we show that ulixertinib significantly and dose-dependently inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation in different NB cell lines, including PDX cells. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ulixertinib extensively inhibits different oncogenic and neuronal developmental pathways, including EGFR, VEGF, WNT, MAPK, NGF, and NTRK1. The proteomic analysis further revealed that ulixertinib inhibits the cell cycle and promotes apoptosis in NB cells. Additionally, ulixertinib treatment significantly sensitized NB cells to the conventional chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin. Furthermore, ulixertinib potently inhibited NB tumor growth and prolonged the overall survival of the treated mice in two different NB mice models. Our preclinical study demonstrates that ulixertinib, either as a single agent or in combination with current therapies, is a novel and practical therapeutic approach for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jongmin Choi
- Advanced Technology Cores/Office of Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongcheng Shi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77003, USA
| | - Linjie Guo
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John Elizarraras
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andy Gu
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Feng Cheng
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Yanxin Pei
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Dai Lu
- Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
| | - Muller Fabbri
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Chunchao Zhang
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sung Yun Jung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77003, USA
| | - Jennifer H. Foster
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (J.H.F.); (J.Y.); Tel.: +1-832-822-4556 (J.H.F.); +1-202-476-5772 (J.Y.)
| | - Jianhua Yang
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children’s National Research Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Correspondence: (J.H.F.); (J.Y.); Tel.: +1-832-822-4556 (J.H.F.); +1-202-476-5772 (J.Y.)
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9
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Park HB, Baek KH. E3 ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes regulating the MAPK signaling pathway in cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188736. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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10
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Pan X, Pei J, Wang A, Shuai W, Feng L, Bu F, Zhu Y, Zhang L, Wang G, Ouyang L. Development of small molecule extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) inhibitors for cancer therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2171-2192. [PMID: 35646548 PMCID: PMC9136582 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is widely activated by a variety of extracellular stimuli, and its dysregulation is associated with the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells. ERK1/2 is located at the distal end of this pathway and rarely undergoes mutations, making it an attractive target for anticancer drug development. Currently, an increasing number of ERK1/2 inhibitors have been designed and synthesized for antitumor therapy, among which representative compounds have entered clinical trials. When ERK1/2 signal transduction is eliminated, ERK5 may provide a bypass route to rescue proliferation, and weaken the potency of ERK1/2 inhibitors. Therefore, drug research targeting ERK5 or based on the compensatory mechanism of ERK5 for ERK1/2 opens up a new way for oncotherapy. This review provides an overview of the physiological and biological functions of ERKs, focuses on the structure-activity relationships of small molecule inhibitors targeting ERKs, with a view to providing guidance for future drug design and optimization, and discusses the potential therapeutic strategies to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junping Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Aoxue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wen Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lu Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 28 85503817.
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 28 85503817.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 28 85503817.
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Wu X, Li W, Luo Z, Chen Y. The molecular mechanism of Ligusticum wallichii for improving idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A network pharmacology and molecular docking study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28787. [PMID: 35147109 PMCID: PMC8830865 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, there was no evidence that any drugs other than lung transplantation can effectively treat Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Ligusticum wallichii, or Chinese name Chuan xiong has been widely used in different fibrosis fields. Our aim is to use network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the pharmacological mechanism of the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Ligusticum wallichii to improve IPF. MATERIALS AND METHODS The main chemical components and targets of Ligusticum wallichii were obtained from TCMSP, Swiss Target Prediction and Phammapper databases, and the targets were uniformly regulated in the Uniprot protein database after the combination. The main targets of IPF were obtained through Gencards, OMIM, TTD and DRUGBANK databases, and protein interaction analysis was carried out by using String to build PPI network. Metascape platform was used to analyze its involved biological processes and pathways, and Cytoscape3.8.2 software was used to construct "component-IPF target-pathway" network. And molecular docking verification was conducted through Auto Dock software. RESULTS The active ingredients of Ligusticum wallichii were Myricanone, Wallichilide, Perlolyrine, Senkyunone, Mandenol, Sitosterol and FA. The core targets for it to improve IPF were MAPK1, MAPK14, SRC, BCL2L1, MDM2, PTGS2, TGFB2, F2, MMP2, MMP9, and so on. The molecular docking verification showed that the molecular docking affinity of the core active compounds in Ligusticum wallichii (Myricanone, wallichilide, Perlolyrine) was <0 with MAPK1, MAPK14, and SRC. Perlolyrine has the strongest molecular docking ability, and its docking ability with SRC (-6.59 kJ/mol) is particularly prominent. Its biological pathway to improve IPF was mainly acted on the pathways in cancer, proteoglycans in cancer, and endocrine resistance, etc. CONCLUSIONS This study preliminarily identified the various molecular targets and multiple pathways of Ligusticum wallichii to improve IPF.
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Wang J, Li R, Li J, Yi Y, Liu X, Chen J, Zhang H, Lu J, Li C, Wu H, Liang Z. Comprehensive analysis of oncogenic fusions in mismatch repair deficient colorectal carcinomas by sequential DNA and RNA next generation sequencing. J Transl Med 2021; 19:433. [PMID: 34657620 PMCID: PMC8522100 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03108-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) harboring oncogenic fusions has been reported to be highly enriched in mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors with MLH1 hypermethylation (MLH1me+) and wild-type BRAF and RAS. In this study, dMMR CRCs were screened for oncogene fusions using sequential DNA and RNA next generation sequencing (NGS). Results Comprehensive analysis of fusion variants, genetic profiles and clinicopathological features in fusion-positive dMMR CRCs was performed. Among 193 consecutive dMMR CRCs, 39 cases were identified as MLH1me+BRAF/RAS wild-type. Eighteen fusion-positive cases were detected by DNA NGS, all of which were MLH1me+ and BRAF/RAS wild-type. RNA NGS was sequentially conducted in the remaining 21 MLH1me+BRAF/RAS wild-type cases lacking oncogenic fusions by DNA NGS, and revealed four additional fusions, increasing the proportion of fusion-positive tumors from 46% (18/39) to 56% (22/39) in MLH1me+BRAF/RAS wild-type dMMR cases. All 22 fusions were found to involve RTK-RAS pathway. Most fusions affected targetable receptor tyrosine kinases, including NTRK1(9/22, 41%), NTRK3(5/22, 23%), ALK(3/22, 14%), RET(2/22, 9%) and MET(1/22, 5%), whilst only two fusions affected mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade components BRAF and MAPK1, respectively. RNF43 was identified as the most frequently mutated genes, followed by APC, TGFBR2, ATM, BRCA2 and FBXW7. The vast majority (19/22, 86%) displayed alterations in key WNT pathway components, whereas none harbored additional mutations in RTK-RAS pathway. In addition, fusion-positive tumors were typically diagnosed in elder patients and predominantly right-sided, and showed a significantly higher preponderance of hepatic flexure localization (P < 0.001) and poor differentiation (P = 0.019), compared to fusion-negative MLH1me+ CRCs. Conclusions We proved that sequential DNA and RNA NGS was highly effective for fusion detection in dMMR CRCs, and proposed an optimized practical fusion screening strategy. We further revealed that dMMR CRCs harboring oncogenic fusion was a genetically and clinicopathologically distinctive subgroup, and justified more precise molecular subtyping for personalized therapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03108-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ruiyu Li
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yuting Yi
- Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoding Liu
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jingci Chen
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Junliang Lu
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Cami Li
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Huanwen Wu
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Dillon M, Lopez A, Lin E, Sales D, Perets R, Jain P. Progress on Ras/MAPK Signaling Research and Targeting in Blood and Solid Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205059. [PMID: 34680208 PMCID: PMC8534156 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway is responsible for regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Overexpression and overactivation of members within the signaling cascade have been observed in many solid and blood cancers. Research often focuses on targeting the pathway to disrupt cancer initiation and progression. We aimed to provide an overview of the pathway’s physiologic role and regulation, interactions with other pathways involved in cancer development, and mutations that lead to malignancy. Several blood and solid cancers are analyzed to illustrate the impact of the pathway’s dysregulation, stemming from mutation or viral induction. Finally, we summarized different approaches to targeting the pathway and the associated novel treatments being researched or having recently achieved approval. Abstract The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, consisting of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling cascade, regulates genes that control cellular development, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Within the cascade, multiple isoforms of Ras and Raf each display differences in functionality, efficiency, and, critically, oncogenic potential. According to the NCI, over 30% of all human cancers are driven by Ras genes. This dysfunctional signaling is implicated in a wide variety of leukemias and solid tumors, both with and without viral etiology. Due to the strong evidence of Ras-Raf involvement in tumorigenesis, many have attempted to target the cascade to treat these malignancies. Decades of unsuccessful experimentation had deemed Ras undruggable, but recently, the approval of Sotorasib as the first ever KRas inhibitor represents a monumental breakthrough. This advancement is not without novel challenges. As a G12C mutant-specific drug, it also represents the issue of drug target specificity within Ras pathway; not only do many drugs only affect single mutational profiles, with few pan-inhibitor exceptions, tumor genetic heterogeneity may give rise to drug-resistant profiles. Furthermore, significant challenges in targeting downstream Raf, especially the BRaf isoform, lie in the paradoxical activation of wild-type BRaf by BRaf mutant inhibitors. This literature review will delineate the mechanisms of Ras signaling in the MAPK pathway and its possible oncogenic mutations, illustrate how specific mutations affect the pathogenesis of specific cancers, and compare available and in-development treatments targeting the Ras pathway.
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Abstract
One third of the western population suffers from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may ultimately develop into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The molecular event(s) that triggers the disease are not clear. Current understanding, known as the multiple hits model, suggests that NAFLD is a result of diverse events at several tissues (e.g., liver, adipose tissues, and intestine) combined with changes in metabolism and microbiome. In contrast to this prevailing concept, we report that fatty liver could be triggered by a single mutated protein expressed only in the liver. We established a transgenic system that allows temporally controlled activation of the MAP kinase p38α in a tissue-specific manner by induced expression of intrinsically active p38α allele. Here we checked the effect of exclusive activation in the liver. Unexpectedly, induction of p38α alone was sufficient to cause macrovesicular fatty liver. Animals did not become overweight, showing that fatty liver can be imposed solely by a genetic modification in liver per se and can be separated from obesity. Active p38α-induced fatty liver is associated with up-regulation of MUC13, CIDEA, PPARγ, ATF3, and c-jun mRNAs, which are up-regulated in human HCC. Shutting off expression of the p38α mutant resulted in reversal of symptoms. The findings suggest that p38α plays a direct causative role in fatty liver diseases and perhaps in other chronic inflammatory diseases. As p38α activity was induced by point mutations, it could be considered a proto-inflammatory gene (proto-inflammagene).
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15
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Szabó Z, Hornyák L, Miskei M, Székvölgyi L. Two Targets, One Hit: new Anticancer Therapeutics to Prevent Tumorigenesis Without Cardiotoxicity. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:569955. [PMID: 33643029 PMCID: PMC7902874 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.569955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A serious adverse effect of cancer therapies is cardiovascular toxicity, which significantly limits the widespread use of antineoplastic agents. The promising new field of cardio-oncology offers the identification of potent anti-cancer therapeutics that effectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation without causing cardiotoxicity. Future introduction of recently identified cardio-safe compounds into clinical practice (including ERK dimerization inhibitors or BAX allosteric inhibitors) is expected to help oncologists avoid unwanted cardiological complications associated with therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Szabó
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lilla Hornyák
- MTA-DE Momentum Genome Architecture and Recombination Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Molecular Cell and Immune Biology, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Márton Miskei
- MTA-DE Momentum Genome Architecture and Recombination Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Molecular Cell and Immune Biology, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Lóránt Székvölgyi
- MTA-DE Momentum Genome Architecture and Recombination Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Molecular Cell and Immune Biology, Debrecen, Hungary.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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16
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Zhang B, Wu D, Hu L, Cha X, Liu Y, Li J, Xie B, Zheng L, Li B. Ligustilide inhibits the proliferation of human osteoblastoma MG63 cells through the TLR4-ERK pathway. Life Sci 2021; 288:118993. [PMID: 33545202 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the proapoptotic effect of ligustilide on osteoblastoma (OS) and the relative related molecular mechanism. METHODS AND MATERIALS An MTT was used to examine the proliferation of OS cells, and Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and the cell cycle. Western blotting was used to detect the signaling pathway of apoptosis, and immunohistochemical (IH) staining was used to detect the apoptosis status of OS cells. A TLR4 inhibitor was used to study the effect of ligustilide on OS. RESULTS Ligustilide inhibited OS cell proliferation but had no inhibitory effect on normal bone marrow cells. Flow cytometry results showed that ligustilide induced apoptosis in OS cells, and the cell cycle was arrested at the M/G2 phase. Western blot results showed that ERK, P53, P21, Caspase 9, Caspase 8 and Caspase 3 were all activated; cytochrome C and Bax increased; and Bcl-2 decreased when OS was treated with ligustilide. When an ERK or Caspase inhibitor was added to the culture medium, the apoptosis of OS cells decreased to some degree. When OS cells were pretreated with CLI-095, which is a TLR4 inhibitor, the percentage of apoptotic cells and cell cycle arrest were both reversed. IH results also showed that ligustilide induced apoptosis in OS cells, and the effect was blocked by the TLR4 inhibitor. CONCLUSION Ligustilide selectively inhibited the proliferation of OS cells by inducing apoptosis, which possibly included endogenous and exogenous apoptosis through TLR4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Donghai Wu
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Limei Hu
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cha
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Yilai Liu
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Jujie Li
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Bo Xie
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China..
| | - Bin Li
- Luzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luzhou, China..
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Marmion RA, Yang L, Goyal Y, Jindal GA, Wetzel JL, Singh M, Schüpbach T, Shvartsman SY. Molecular mechanisms underlying cellular effects of human MEK1 mutations. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:974-983. [PMID: 33476180 PMCID: PMC8108529 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-10-0625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Terminal regions of Drosophila embryos are patterned by signaling through ERK, which is genetically deregulated in multiple human diseases. Quantitative studies of terminal patterning have been recently used to investigate gain-of-function variants of human MEK1, encoding the MEK kinase that directly activates ERK by dual phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, several mutations reduced ERK activation by extracellular signals, possibly through a negative feedback triggered by signal-independent activity of the mutant variants. Here we present experimental evidence supporting this model. Using a MEK variant that combines a mutation within the negative regulatory region with alanine substitutions in the activation loop, we prove that pathogenic variants indeed acquire signal-independent kinase activity. We also demonstrate that signal-dependent activation of these variants is independent of kinase suppressor of Ras, a conserved adaptor that is indispensable for activation of normal MEK. Finally, we show that attenuation of ERK activation by extracellular signals stems from transcriptional induction of Mkp3, a dual specificity phosphatase that deactivates ERK by dephosphorylation. These findings in the Drosophila embryo highlight its power for investigating diverse effects of human disease mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Marmion
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Liu Yang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Granton A Jindal
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Joshua L Wetzel
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Mona Singh
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Trudi Schüpbach
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010
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18
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Liu RM, Xu P, Chen Q, Feng SL, Xie Y. A multiple-targets alkaloid nuciferine overcomes paclitaxel-induced drug resistance in vitro and in vivo. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 79:153342. [PMID: 32992085 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major barrier to the successful treatment of chemotherapy. Compounds from nature products working as MDR sensitizers provided new treatment strategies for chemo-resistant cancers patients. METHODS We investigated the reversal effects of nuciferine (NF), an alkaloid from Nelumbo nucifera and Nymphaea caerulea, on the paclitaxel (PTX) resistance ABCB1-overexpressing cancer in vitro and in vivo, and explored the underlying mechanism by evaluating drug sensitivity, cell cycle perturbations, intracellular accumulation, function and protein expression of efflux transporters as well as molecular signaling involved in governing transporters expression and development of MDR in cancer. RESULTS NF overcomes the resistance of chemotherapeutic agents included PTX, doxorubicin (DOX), docetaxel, and daunorubicin to HCT-8/T and A549/T cancer cells. Notably, NF suppressed the colony formation of MDR cells in vitro and the tumor growth in A549/T xenograft mice in vivo, which demonstrated a very strong synergetic cytotoxic effect between NF and PTX as combination index (CI) (CI<0.1) indicated. Furthermore, NF increased the intracellular accumulation of P-gp substrates included DOX and Rho123 in the MDR cells and inhibited verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity. Mechanistically, inhibition of PI3K/AKT/ERK pathways by NF suppressed the activation of Nrf2 and HIF-1α, and further reduced the expression of P-gp and BCRP, contributing to the sensitizing effects of NF against MDR in cancer. CONCLUSION This novel finding provides a promising treatment strategy for overcoming MDR and improving the efficiency of chemotherapy by using a multiple-targets MDR sensitizer NF.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/metabolism
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/metabolism
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology
- Aporphines/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Docetaxel/pharmacology
- Doxorubicin/pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Female
- Humans
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/antagonists & inhibitors
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Paclitaxel/pharmacology
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Ming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Sen-Ling Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Ying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR).
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19
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Seeking and Exploring Efficient Ways to Target Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092117. [PMID: 32957725 PMCID: PMC7565029 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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20
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Kassouf T, Sumara G. Impact of Conventional and Atypical MAPKs on the Development of Metabolic Diseases. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091256. [PMID: 32872540 PMCID: PMC7563211 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) consists of fourteen members and has been implicated in regulation of virtually all cellular processes. MAPKs are divided into two groups, conventional and atypical MAPKs. Conventional MAPKs are further classified into four sub-families: extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1, 2 and 3), p38 (α, β, γ, δ), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5). Four kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3, 4, and 7 (ERK3, 4 and 7) as well as Nemo-like kinase (NLK) build a group of atypical MAPKs, which are activated by different upstream mechanisms than conventional MAPKs. Early studies identified JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 as well as p38α as a central mediators of inflammation-evoked insulin resistance. These kinases have been also implicated in the development of obesity and diabetes. Recently, other members of conventional MAPKs emerged as important mediators of liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and pancreatic β-cell metabolism. Moreover, latest studies indicate that atypical members of MAPK family play a central role in the regulation of adipose tissue function. In this review, we summarize early studies on conventional MAPKs as well as recent findings implicating previously ignored members of the MAPK family. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of drugs targeting specific members of the MAPK family.
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Jiang W, Xia J, Xie S, Zou R, Pan S, Wang ZW, Assaraf YG, Zhu X. Long non-coding RNAs as a determinant of cancer drug resistance: Towards the overcoming of chemoresistance via modulation of lncRNAs. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 50:100683. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Zhu S, Song W, Sun Y, Zhou Y, Kong F. MiR-342 attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury via inhibiting MAPK1 expression. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2020; 47:1448-1454. [PMID: 32248545 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Micro RNA (miRNA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are reported as the crucial regulators of inflammatory responses in acute lung injury (ALI). This study will explore the role of the miR-342/MAPK1 axis in regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. We found that miR-342 was down-regulated in LPS-induced A549 cells compared with the control group with DMSO, accompanied by elevated inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. Over-expression of miR-342 reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis in LPS-stimulated A549 cells, and had a protective role in LPS-treated mice with ALI by decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines, improving survival of mice with ALI, and ameliorating the lung permeability. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that miR-342 regulated the expression of MAPK1 by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR). Mechanistically, MAPK1 silencing abrogated LPS-induced inflammatory injury in A549 cells, and partially enhanced the protective effect of miR-342. Therefore, miR-342 attenuates LPS-induced ALI by targeting MAPK1 expression, thereby protecting against A549 cell injury induced by LPS and lung injury of mice with ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siliang Zhu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Tengzhou, China
| | - Wenke Song
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Tengzhou, China
| | - Yanqi Sun
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Tengzhou, China
| | - Yongqin Zhou
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Tengzhou, China
| | - Fanpo Kong
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Tengzhou, China
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