1
|
Deng Z, Richardson DR. The Myc Family and the Metastasis Suppressor NDRG1: Targeting Key Molecular Interactions with Innovative Therapeutics. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:1007-1035. [PMID: 37280098 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in ∼10 million deaths in 2020. Major oncogenic effectors are the Myc proto-oncogene family, which consists of three members including c-Myc, N-Myc, and L-Myc. As a pertinent example of the role of the Myc family in tumorigenesis, amplification of MYCN in childhood neuroblastoma strongly correlates with poor patient prognosis. Complexes between Myc oncoproteins and their partners such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and Myc-associated protein X (MAX) result in proliferation arrest and pro-proliferative effects, respectively. Interactions with other proteins are also important for N-Myc activity. For instance, the enhancer of zest homolog 2 (EZH2) binds directly to N-Myc to stabilize it by acting as a competitor against the ubiquitin ligase, SCFFBXW7, which prevents proteasomal degradation. Heat shock protein 90 may also be involved in N-Myc stabilization since it binds to EZH2 and prevents its degradation. N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is downregulated by N-Myc and participates in the regulation of cellular proliferation via associating with other proteins, such as glycogen synthase kinase-3β and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6. These molecular interactions provide a better understanding of the biologic roles of N-Myc and NDRG1, which can be potentially used as therapeutic targets. In addition to directly targeting these proteins, disrupting their key interactions may also be a promising strategy for anti-cancer drug development. This review examines the interactions between the Myc proteins and other molecules, with a special focus on the relationship between N-Myc and NDRG1 and possible therapeutic interventions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Neuroblastoma is one of the most common childhood solid tumors, with a dismal five-year survival rate. This problem makes it imperative to discover new and more effective therapeutics. The molecular interactions between major oncogenic drivers of the Myc family and other key proteins; for example, the metastasis suppressor, NDRG1, may potentially be used as targets for anti-neuroblastoma drug development. In addition to directly targeting these proteins, disrupting their key molecular interactions may also be promising for drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Deng
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia (Z.D., D.R.R.), and Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan (D.R.R.)
| | - Des R Richardson
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia (Z.D., D.R.R.), and Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan (D.R.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Asteriti IA, Polverino F, Stagni V, Sterbini V, Ascanelli C, Naso FD, Mastrangelo A, Rosa A, Paiardini A, Lindon C, Guarguaglini G. AurkA nuclear localization is promoted by TPX2 and counteracted by protein degradation. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201726. [PMID: 36797043 PMCID: PMC9936162 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The AurkA kinase is a well-known mitotic regulator, frequently overexpressed in tumors. The microtubule-binding protein TPX2 controls AurkA activity, localization, and stability in mitosis. Non-mitotic roles of AurkA are emerging, and increased nuclear localization in interphase has been correlated with AurkA oncogenic potential. Still, the mechanisms leading to AurkA nuclear accumulation are poorly explored. Here, we investigated these mechanisms under physiological or overexpression conditions. We observed that AurkA nuclear localization is influenced by the cell cycle phase and nuclear export, but not by its kinase activity. Importantly, AURKA overexpression is not sufficient to determine its accumulation in interphase nuclei, which is instead obtained when AURKA and TPX2 are co-overexpressed or, to a higher extent, when proteasome activity is impaired. Expression analyses show that AURKA, TPX2, and the import regulator CSE1L are co-overexpressed in tumors. Finally, using MCF10A mammospheres we show that TPX2 co-overexpression drives protumorigenic processes downstream of nuclear AurkA. We propose that AURKA/TPX2 co-overexpression in cancer represents a key determinant of AurkA nuclear oncogenic functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Italia Anna Asteriti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Polverino
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Venturina Stagni
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Signal Transduction Unit, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Sterbini
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Davide Naso
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Mastrangelo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Center for Life Nano- < Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "C. Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Catherine Lindon
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giulia Guarguaglini
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Boi D, Rubini E, Breccia S, Guarguaglini G, Paiardini A. When Just One Phosphate Is One Too Many: The Multifaceted Interplay between Myc and Kinases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4746. [PMID: 36902175 PMCID: PMC10003727 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myc transcription factors are key regulators of many cellular processes, with Myc target genes crucially implicated in the management of cell proliferation and stem pluripotency, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, angiogenesis, DNA damage response, and apoptosis. Given the wide involvement of Myc in cellular dynamics, it is not surprising that its overexpression is frequently associated with cancer. Noteworthy, in cancer cells where high Myc levels are maintained, the overexpression of Myc-associated kinases is often observed and required to foster tumour cells' proliferation. A mutual interplay exists between Myc and kinases: the latter, which are Myc transcriptional targets, phosphorylate Myc, allowing its transcriptional activity, highlighting a clear regulatory loop. At the protein level, Myc activity and turnover is also tightly regulated by kinases, with a finely tuned balance between translation and rapid protein degradation. In this perspective, we focus on the cross-regulation of Myc and its associated protein kinases underlying similar and redundant mechanisms of regulation at different levels, from transcriptional to post-translational events. Furthermore, a review of the indirect effects of known kinase inhibitors on Myc provides an opportunity to identify alternative and combined therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalila Boi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rubini
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Breccia
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Guarguaglini
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paiardini
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Candido MF, Medeiros M, Veronez LC, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Pezuk JA, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020664. [PMID: 36839989 PMCID: PMC9966033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Medeiros
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Chain Veronez
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - David Bastos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-9144; Fax: +55-16-3315-4886
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shariatzadeh M, Karami A, Moghadam A, Lotfi M, Maggi F, Ebrahimie E. The Essential Oil from Oliveria decumbens Vent. (Apiaceae) as Inhibitor of Breast Cancer Cell (MCF-7) Growth. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010059. [PMID: 36678556 PMCID: PMC9863695 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010059] [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: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oliveria decumbens Vent. is an aromatic and medicinal plant traditionally used in Iran for the treatment of infections, gastrointestinal diseases, cancer, and inflammation. This research was aimed at investigating the pharmacological potential of O. decumbens essential oil (OEO) and its main compounds, focusing on OEO's cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. OEO was obtained by hydro-distillation, and the chemical constituents were identified using GC-MS. Thymol, carvacrol, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene were the main OEO constituents. When MCF-7 cells were treated with OEO, the expressions of genes related to apoptosis (BIM and Bcl-2), tumor suppression (PTEN), and cell growth inhibition (AURKA), were evaluated using real-time PCR. Moreover, molecular docking was used for studying in silico the interaction of OEO principal compounds with PTEN and AURKA. The expression of AURKA was significantly reduced since the OEO treatment enhanced the expression of PTEN. Through in silico molecular docking, it was revealed that thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene can activate PTEN and thus inhibit AURKA. Additionally, the DNA fragmentation assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) double-staining assay, and real-time PCR highlighted the fact that the OEO treatment could activate apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation. Therefore, OEO is a viable candidate to be employed in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically as a possible agent for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Akbar Karami
- Department of Horticulture Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71441, Iran
- Correspondence: (A.K.); (F.M.); Tel.: +39-(073)-740-4506 (F.M.)
| | - Ali Moghadam
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71441, Iran
| | - Mahbobeh Lotfi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71441, Iran
| | - Filippo Maggi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.K.); (F.M.); Tel.: +39-(073)-740-4506 (F.M.)
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Genomics Research Platform, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5371, Australia
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen Y, Li Z, Cao Q, Guan H, Mao L, Zhao M. Ferroptosis-related gene signatures in neuroblastoma associated with prognosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:871512. [PMID: 36147739 PMCID: PMC9486025 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.871512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ferroptosis, a form of regulatory cell death, has been linked to the development of various tumors. Peripheral neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common extracranial solid tumors in children, and it has been proposed that regulating tumor cell ferroptosis may be a future treatment for NB. However, it is unclear how ferroptosis contributes to NB development. Methods: Expression data were collected from two independent cohorts (GEO and Arrayexpress databases). Univariate Cox analysis, multivariate Cox analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) algorithm were applied to create a prognostic signature, whose performance was quantified using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Kaplan–Meier curves. A prognostic meta-analysis was used to test the suitability and stability of the FRG signature. Drug sensitivity analyses were performed using the data collected from Cell Miner™. Results:PROM2, AURKA, STEAP3, CD44, ULK2, MAP1LC3A, ATP6V1G2, and STAT3 are among the eight genes in the FRG prognostic signature, all of which were highly expressed in stage 1 NB, except AURKA. Furthermore, the high-risk group, which was stratified by signature, had a lower overall survival rate than the low-risk group. GSEA revealed that high-risk groups have more biological processes related to ferroptosis. Conclusion: Ferroptosis-related genes are expressed differently between stages 1 and 4 NB. The FRG signature successfully stratified NB patients into two risk groups and can accurately predict the overall survival in NB. In addition, we found that the gene AURKA might have the potential to be a prognostic marker in NB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiru Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zihao Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Qingtai Cao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Transplantation Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haoyu Guan
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Longfei Mao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Longfei Mao, ; Mingyi Zhao,
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Longfei Mao, ; Mingyi Zhao,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cacioppo R, Lindon C. Regulating the regulator: a survey of mechanisms from transcription to translation controlling expression of mammalian cell cycle kinase Aurora A. Open Biol 2022; 12:220134. [PMID: 36067794 PMCID: PMC9448500 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) is a positive regulator of mitosis with a strict cell cycle-dependent expression pattern. Recently, novel oncogenic roles of AURKA have been uncovered that are independent of the kinase activity and act within multiple signalling pathways, including cell proliferation, survival and cancer stem cell phenotypes. For this, cellular abundance of AURKA protein is per se crucial and must be tightly fine-tuned. Indeed, AURKA is found overexpressed in different cancers, typically as a result of gene amplification or enhanced transcription. It has however become clear that impaired processing, decay and translation of AURKA mRNA can also offer the basis for altered AURKA levels. Accordingly, the involvement of gene expression mechanisms controlling AURKA expression in human diseases is increasingly recognized and calls for much more research. Here, we explore and create an integrated view of the molecular processes regulating AURKA expression at the level of transcription, post-transcription and translation, intercalating discussion on how impaired regulation underlies disease. Given that targeting AURKA levels might affect more functions compared to inhibiting the kinase activity, deeper understanding of its gene expression may aid the design of alternative and therapeutically more successful ways of suppressing the AURKA oncogene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Cacioppo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Catherine Lindon
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| |
Collapse
|