1
|
Tang Z, Liu L, Borlak J. Combined inhibition of histone deacetylase and cytidine deaminase improves epigenetic potency of decitabine in colorectal adenocarcinomas. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:89. [PMID: 37208732 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01500-1] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting the epigenome of cancerous diseases represents an innovative approach, and the DNA methylation inhibitor decitabine is recommended for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Although epigenetic alterations are also common to solid tumors, the therapeutic efficacy of decitabine in colorectal adenocarcinomas (COAD) is unfavorable. Current research focuses on an identification of combination therapies either with chemotherapeutics or checkpoint inhibitors in modulating the tumor microenvironment. Here we report a series of molecular investigations to evaluate potency of decitabine, the histone deacetylase inhibitor PBA and the cytidine deaminase (CDA) inhibitor tetrahydrouridine (THU) in patient derived functional and p53 null colon cancer cell lines (CCCL). We focused on the inhibition of cell proliferation, the recovery of tumor suppressors and programmed cell death, and established clinical relevance by evaluating drug responsive genes among 270 COAD patients. Furthermore, we evaluated treatment responses based on CpG island density. RESULTS Decitabine caused marked repression of the DNMT1 protein. Conversely, PBA treatment of CCCL recovered acetylation of histone 3 lysine residues, and this enabled an open chromatin state. Unlike single decitabine treatment, the combined decitabine/PBA treatment caused > 95% inhibition of cell proliferation, prevented cell cycle progression especially in the S and G2-phase and induced programmed cell death. Decitabine and PBA differed in their ability to facilitate re-expression of genes localized on different chromosomes, and the combined decitabine/PBA treatment was most effective in the re-expression of 40 tumor suppressors and 13 genes typically silenced in cancer-associated genomic regions of COAD patients. Furthermore, this treatment repressed expression of 11 survival (anti-apoptotic) genes and augmented expression of X-chromosome inactivated genes, especially the lncRNA Xist to facilitate p53-mediated apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibition of CDA by THU or its gene knockdown prevented decitabine inactivation. Strikingly, PBA treatment recovered the expression of the decitabine drug-uptake transporter SLC15A1, thus enabling high tumor drug-loads. Finally, for 26 drug responsive genes we demonstrated improved survival in COAD patients. CONCLUSION The combined decitabine/PBA/THU drug treatment improved drug potency considerably, and given their existing regulatory approval, our findings merit prospective clinical trials for the triple combination in COAD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijiao Tang
- Hannover Medical School, Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lu Liu
- Hannover Medical School, Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jürgen Borlak
- Hannover Medical School, Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Corbet AK, Bikorimana E, Boyd RI, Shokry D, Kries K, Gupta A, Paton A, Sun Z, Fazal Z, Freemantle SJ, Nelson ER, Spinella MJ, Singh R. G0S2 promotes antiestrogenic and pro-migratory responses in ER+ and ER- breast cancer cells. Transl Oncol 2023; 33:101676. [PMID: 37086619 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101676] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) is known to inhibit lipolysis by inhibiting adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). In this report, we dissect the role of G0S2 in ER+ versus ER- breast cancer. Overexpression of G0S2 in ER- cells increased cell proliferation, while G0S2 overexpression in ER+ cells decreased cell proliferation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that G0S2 mediated distinct but overlapping transcriptional responses in ER- and ER+ cells. G0S2 reduced genes associated with an epithelial phenotype, especially in ER- cells, including CDH1, ELF3, STEAP4 and TACSTD2, suggesting promotion of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). G0S2 also repressed estrogen signaling and estrogen receptor target gene signatures, especially in ER+ cells, including TFF1 and TFF3. In addition, G0S2 overexpression increased cell migration in ER- cells and increased estrogen deprivation sensitivity in ER+ cells. Interestingly, two genes downstream of ATGL in fat utilization and very important in steroid hormone biosynthesis, HMGCS1 and HMGCS2, were downregulated in G0S2 overexpressing ER+ cells. In addition, HSD17B11, a gene that converts estradiol to its less estrogenic derivative, estrone, was highly upregulated in G0S2 overexpressing ER+ cells, suggesting G0S2 overexpression has a negative effect on estradiol production and maintenance. High expression of G0S2 and HSD17B11 was associated with improved relapse-free survival in breast cancer patients while high expression of HMGSC1 was associated with poor survival. Finally, we deleted G0S2 in breast cancer-prone MMTV-PyMT mice. Our data indicates a complex role for G0S2 in breast cancer, dependent on ER status, that may be partially mediated by suppression of the estrogen signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K Corbet
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Emmanuel Bikorimana
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Raya I Boyd
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Doha Shokry
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Kelly Kries
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ayush Gupta
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Anneliese Paton
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Zhengyang Sun
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Zeeshan Fazal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Sarah J Freemantle
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Erik R Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801, USA; Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801, USA
| | - Michael J Spinella
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801, USA; Cancer Center of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL 61801, USA.
| | - Ratnakar Singh
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rider SD, Damewood FJ, Gadgil RY, Hitch DC, Alhawach V, Shrestha R, Shanahan M, Zavada N, Leffak M. Suppressors of Break-Induced Replication in Human Cells. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020398. [PMID: 36833325 PMCID: PMC9956954 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Short tandem DNA repeats are drivers of genome instability. To identify suppressors of break-induced mutagenesis human cells, unbiased genetic screens were conducted using a lentiviral shRNA library. The recipient cells possessed fragile non-B DNA that could induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), integrated at an ectopic chromosomal site adjacent to a thymidine kinase marker gene. Mutagenesis of the thymidine kinase gene rendered cells resistant to the nucleoside analog ganciclovir (GCV). The screen identified genes that have established roles in DNA replication and repair, chromatin modification, responses to ionizing radiation, and genes encoding proteins enriched at replication forks. Novel loci implicated in BIR included olfactory receptors, the G0S2 oncogene/tumor suppressor axis, the EIF3H-METTL3 translational regulator, and the SUDS3 subunit of the Sin3A corepressor. Consistent with a role in suppressing BIR, siRNA knockdown of selected candidates increased the frequency of the GCVr phenotype and increased DNA rearrangements near the ectopic non-B DNA. Inverse PCR and DNA sequence analyses showed that hits identified in the screen increased genome instability. Further analysis quantitated repeat-induced hypermutagenesis at the ectopic site and showed that knockdown of a primary hit, COPS2, induced mutagenic hotspots, remodeled the replication fork, and increased nonallelic chromosome template switches.
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang R, Meng J, Yang S, Liu W, Shi L, Zeng J, Chang J, Liang B, Liu N, Xing D. Recent Advances on the Role of ATGL in Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:944025. [PMID: 35912266 PMCID: PMC9326118 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.944025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypoxic state of the tumor microenvironment leads to reprogramming lipid metabolism in tumor cells. Adipose triglyceride lipase, also known as patatin-like phospholipase= domain-containing protein 2 and Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), as an essential lipid metabolism-regulating enzyme in cells, is regulated accordingly under hypoxia induction. However, studies revealed that ATGL exhibits both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing effects, which depend on the cancer cell type and the site of tumorigenesis. For example, elevated ATGL expression in breast cancer is accompanied by enhanced fatty acid oxidation (FAO), enhancing cancer cells’ metastatic ability. In prostate cancer, on the other hand, tumor activity tends to be negatively correlated with ATGL expression. This review outlined the regulation of ATGL-mediated lipid metabolism pathways in tumor cells, emphasizing the Hypoxia-inducible factors 1 (HIF-1)/Hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated (HIG-2)/ATGL axis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)/G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2)/ATGL axis, and fat-specific protein 27 (FSP-27)/Early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)/ATGL axis. In the light of recent research on different cancer types, the role of ATGL on tumorigenesis, tumor proliferation, and tumor metastasis was systemically reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renshuai Zhang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Jingsen Meng
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbo Yang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Lingyu Shi
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Chang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Bing Liang
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Ning Liu, ; Dongming Xing,
| | - Dongming Xing
- Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Ning Liu, ; Dongming Xing,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xiao J, McGill JR, Nasir A, Lekan A, Johnson B, Wilkins DJ, Pearson GW, Tanner K, Goodarzi H, Glasgow E, Schlegel R, Agarwal S. Identifying drivers of breast cancer metastasis in progressively invasive subpopulations of zebrafish-xenografted MDA-MB-231. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:16. [PMID: 35614362 PMCID: PMC9133282 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of the high mortality rate among human cancers. Efforts to identify therapeutic agents targeting cancer metastasis frequently fail to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials despite strong preclinical evidence. Until recently, most preclinical studies used mouse models to evaluate anti-metastatic agents. Mouse models are time-consuming and expensive. In addition, an important drawback is that mouse models inadequately model the early stages of metastasis which plausibly leads to the poor correlation with clinical outcomes. Here, we report an in vivo model based on xenografted zebrafish embryos where we select for progressively invasive subpopulations of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. A subpopulation analogous to circulating tumor cells found in human cancers was selected by injection of MDA-MB-231 cells into the yolk sacs of 2 days post-fertilized zebrafish embryos and selecting cells that migrated to the tail. The selected subpopulation derived from MDA-MB-231 cells were increasingly invasive in zebrafish. Isolation of these subpopulations and propagation in vitro revealed morphological changes consistent with activation of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition program. Differential gene analysis and knockdown of genes identified gene-candidates (DDIT4, MT1X, CTSD, and SERPINE1) as potential targets for anti-metastasis therapeutics. Furthermore, RNA-splicing analysis reinforced the importance of BIRC5 splice variants in breast cancer metastasis. This is the first report using zebrafish to isolate and expand progressively invasive populations of human cancer cells. The model has potential applications in understanding the metastatic process, identification and/or development of therapeutics that specifically target metastatic cells and formulating personalized treatment strategies for individual cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joseph R McGill
- Hemostasis Branch, Division of Plasma Protein Therapeutics, Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Apsra Nasir
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alexander Lekan
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bailey Johnson
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Devan J Wilkins
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.,Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Gray W Pearson
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kandice Tanner
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Richard Schlegel
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Du J, Gong A, Zhao X, Wang G. Pseudouridylate Synthase 7 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Colon Cancer Through Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:1260-1270. [PMID: 33811565 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06936-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is commonly malignant tumor. Herein, we demonstrate that pseudouridylate synthase 7 (PUS7) is closely related to colon cancer. But the biological role of PUS7 in colon cancer is not known. AIMS The present study aims to investigate the effects of PUS7 in colon cancer clinical samples and cells and the related molecular mechanism. METHODS A profile data set was downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas database, which included data from colon cancer tissue samples and normal tissue samples. The top 200 differentially expressed genes were subsequently investigated by a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. RT-PCR and western blot assays were used to determine gene expression levels. CCK8 assay, colony formation experiment, transwell and flow cytometry assay were used to determine cell viability, proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. RESULTS PUS7 is a key gene from the most significant module of the PPI network. PUS7 was upregulated in colon cancer tissues and cell lines. Moreover, PUS7 overexpression is significantly related to the poor survival rate for 60 colon cancer's patients. Cell proliferation and invasion was significantly reduced by PUS7 inhibition and promoted by PUS7 overexpression. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3/9, c-myc, E-cadherin and vimentin genes were significantly regulated in colon cancer cells transfected with PUS7 interference or overexpression. PUS7 overexpression significantly upregulated the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that PUS7 overexpression upregulates cell proliferation, invasion and inhibits cell apoptosis of colon cancer cells via activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiming Du
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, 156 Wansui Street Shahekou District, Dalian City, 116000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Aimin Gong
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, 156 Wansui Street Shahekou District, Dalian City, 116000, Liaoning Province, China.
| | - Xuefeng Zhao
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, 156 Wansui Street Shahekou District, Dalian City, 116000, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guixin Wang
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, 156 Wansui Street Shahekou District, Dalian City, 116000, Liaoning Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pospiech K, Orzechowska M, Nowakowska M, Anusewicz D, Płuciennik E, Kośla K, Bednarek AK. TGFα-EGFR pathway in breast carcinogenesis, association with WWOX expression and estrogen activation. J Appl Genet 2022; 63:339-359. [PMID: 35290621 PMCID: PMC8979909 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-022-00690-3] [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: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
WWOX is a tumor-suppressive steroid dehydrogenase, which relationship with hormone receptors was shown both in animal models and breast cancer patients. Herein, through nAnT-iCAGE high-throughput gene expression profiling, we studied the interplay of estrogen receptors and the WWOX in breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, T47D, MDA-MB-231, BT20) under estrogen stimulation and either introduction of the WWOX gene by retroviral transfection (MDA-MB-231, T47D) or silenced with shRNA (MCF7, BT20). Additionally, we evaluated the consequent biological characteristics by proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and adhesion assays. TGFα-EGFR signaling was found to be significantly affected in all examined breast cancer cell lines in response to estrogen and strongly associated with the level of WWOX expression, especially in ER-positive MCF7 cells. Under the influence of 17β-estradiol presence, biological characteristics of the cell lines were also delineated. The study revealed modulation of adhesion, invasion, and apoptosis. The obtained results point at a complex role of the WWOX gene in the carcinogenesis of the breast tissue, which seems to be closely related to the presence of estrogen α and/or β receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Pospiech
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Nowakowska
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Dorota Anusewicz
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Płuciennik
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej K Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Joo MK, Shin S, Ye DJ, An HG, Kwon TU, Baek HS, Kwon YJ, Chun YJ. Combined treatment with auranofin and trametinib induces synergistic apoptosis in breast cancer cells. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2021; 84:84-94. [PMID: 33103613 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2020.1835762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Auranofin is a gold complex used as an anti-rheumatic agent and may act as a potent anticancer drug against breast tumors. Trametinib is a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. The aim of this study was to examine the synergistic effects of auranofin and trametinib on apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The combination treatment inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at the sub-G1 phase and apoptosis via poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and caspase-3/7 activation. It is noteworthy that this treatment significantly increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation to induce mitochondrial stress, subsequently promoting cancer cell apoptosis through release of apoptosis-inducing factor. Further data demonstrated that combined treatment significantly induced increase in nuclear translocation of AIF. These results indicated that activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and mitochondrial apoptosis may contribute to the synergistic consequences in MCF-7 cells. Collectively, our data demonstrated that combined treatment with auranofin and trametinib exhibited synergistic breast cancer cell death and this combination might be utilized as a novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Kyung Joo
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangyun Shin
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Jin Ye
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Gyu An
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Uk Kwon
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Seok Baek
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Jung Kwon
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Chun
- Center for Metareceptome Research, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University , Dongjak-gu, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Di Giorgio E, Paluvai H, Picco R, Brancolini C. Genetic Programs Driving Oncogenic Transformation: Lessons from in Vitro Models. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20246283. [PMID: 31842516 PMCID: PMC6940909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer complexity relies on the intracellular pleiotropy of oncogenes/tumor suppressors and in the strong interplay between tumors and micro- and macro-environments. Here we followed a reductionist approach, by analyzing the transcriptional adaptations induced by three oncogenes (RAS, MYC, and HDAC4) in an isogenic transformation process. Common pathways, in place of common genes became dysregulated. From our analysis it emerges that, during the process of transformation, tumor cells cultured in vitro prime some signaling pathways suitable for coping with the blood supply restriction, metabolic adaptations, infiltration of immune cells, and for acquiring the morphological plasticity needed during the metastatic phase. Finally, we identified two signatures of genes commonly regulated by the three oncogenes that successfully predict the outcome of patients affected by different cancer types. These results emphasize that, in spite of the heterogeneous mutational burden among different cancers and even within the same tumor, some common hubs do exist. Their location, at the intersection of the various signaling pathways, makes a therapeutic approach exploitable.
Collapse
|