1
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Dominguez EC, Roleder C, Ball B, Danilov AV. Cyclin-dependent kinase-9 in B-cell malignancies: pathogenic role and therapeutic implications. Leuk Lymphoma 2023; 64:1893-1904. [PMID: 37552126 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2023.2244102] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) regulate cell cycle and transcriptional activity. Pan-CDK inhibitors demonstrated early efficacy in lymphoid malignancies, but also have been associated with narrow therapeutic index. Among transcriptional CDKs, CDK7 and CDK9 emerged as promising targets. CDK9 serves as a component of P-TEFb elongation complex and thus is indispensable in mRNA transcription. Selective CDK9 inhibitors demonstrated pre-clinical efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. CDK9 inhibition results in transcriptional pausing with rapid downmodulation of short-lived oncogenic proteins, e.g. Myc and Mcl-1, followed by cell apoptosis. Early phase clinical trials established safety of CDK9 inhibitors, with manageable neutropenia, infections and gastrointestinal toxicities. In this review, we summarize the rationale of targeting CDK9 in lymphoid malignancies, as well as pre-clinical and early clinical data with pan-CDK and selective CDK9 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carly Roleder
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Brian Ball
- City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
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2
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Kuang Z, Guo K, Cao Y, Jiang M, Wang C, Wu Q, Hu G, Ao M, Huang M, Qin J, Zhao T, Lu S, Sun C, Li M, Wu T, Liu W, Fang M. The novel CDK9 inhibitor, XPW1, alone and in combination with BRD4 inhibitor JQ1, for the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1915-1929. [PMID: 37884683 PMCID: PMC10703862 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02464-y] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a highly lethal malignancy with few therapeutic options. Cyclin‑dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a potential therapeutic target of many cancers, has been recently observed to be upregulated in ccRCC patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of CDK9 in ccRCC and develop a novel CDK9 inhibitor with low toxicity for ccRCC treatment. METHODS The expression of CDK9 in ccRCC was checked using the online database and tissue microarray analysis. shRNA-mediated CDK9 knockdown and CDK inhibitor were applied to evaluate the effect of CDK9 on ccRCC. Medicinal chemistry methods were used to develop a new CDK9 inhibitor with drugability. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq experiments were conducted to explore the mechanism of action. MTS, western blotting, and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the anti-ccRCC effects of CDK9 knockdown and inhibition in vitro. The in vivo anti-tumour efficacy was evaluated in a xenograft model. RESULTS CDK9 is overexpressed and associated with poor survival in ccRCC. Knockdown or inhibition of CDK9 significantly suppressed ccRCC cells. XPW1 was identified as a new potent and selective CDK9 inhibitor with excellent anti-ccRCC activity and low toxicity. In mechanism, XPW1 transcriptionally inhibited DNA repair programmes in ccRCC cells, resulting in an excellent anti-tumour effect. CDK9 and BRD4 were two highly correlated transcriptional regulators in ccRCC patients, and the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 enhanced XPW1's anti-ccRCC effects in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS This work provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of CDK9 in ccRCC. The CDK9 inhibitor XPW1 would be a novel therapeutic agent for targeting ccRCC, alone or in rational combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Kuang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Kaiqiang Guo
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
- College of Arts, Sichuan University, 610207, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Cao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Mengxue Jiang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
- Jiangxi Cancer Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical Colloge), 519 East Beijing Rd, 330029, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qiaoqiong Wu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Guosheng Hu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Mingtao Ao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Mingfeng Huang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Jingbo Qin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Taige Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Sheng Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Cuiling Sun
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Mingyu Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China.
| | - Wen Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China.
| | - Meijuan Fang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research and State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, 361102, Xiamen, China.
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3
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Wang L, Yang Z, Li G, Liu Y, Ai C, Rao Y. Discovery of small molecule degraders for modulating cell cycle. Front Med 2023; 17:823-854. [PMID: 37935945 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1027-5] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The cell cycle is a complex process that involves DNA replication, protein expression, and cell division. Dysregulation of the cell cycle is associated with various diseases. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their corresponding cyclins are major proteins that regulate the cell cycle. In contrast to inhibition, a new approach called proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues can eliminate both enzymatic and scaffold functions of CDKs and cyclins, achieving targeted degradation. The field of PROTACs and molecular glues has developed rapidly in recent years. In this article, we aim to summarize the latest developments of CDKs and cyclin protein degraders. The selectivity, application, validation and the current state of each CDK degrader will be overviewed. Additionally, possible methods are discussed for the development of degraders for CDK members that still lack them. Overall, this article provides a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements in CDK and cyclin protein degraders, which will be helpful for researchers working on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhouli Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Guangchen Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yongbo Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chao Ai
- Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102218, China.
| | - Yu Rao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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4
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Castano A, Silvestre M, Wells CI, Sanderson JL, Ferrer CA, Ong HW, Lang Y, Richardson W, Silvaroli JA, Bashore FM, Smith JL, Genereux IM, Dempster K, Drewry DH, Pabla NS, Bullock AN, Benke TA, Ultanir SK, Axtman AD. Discovery and characterization of a specific inhibitor of serine-threonine kinase cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) demonstrates role in hippocampal CA1 physiology. eLife 2023; 12:e88206. [PMID: 37490324 PMCID: PMC10406435 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathological loss-of-function mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe and medically refractory early-life epilepsy, motor, cognitive, visual, and autonomic disturbances in the absence of any structural brain pathology. Analysis of genetic variants in CDD has indicated that CDKL5 kinase function is central to disease pathology. CDKL5 encodes a serine-threonine kinase with significant homology to GSK3β, which has also been linked to synaptic function. Further, Cdkl5 knock-out rodents have increased GSK3β activity and often increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, development of a specific CDKL5 inhibitor must be careful to exclude cross-talk with GSK3β activity. We synthesized and characterized specific, high-affinity inhibitors of CDKL5 that do not have detectable activity for GSK3β. These compounds are very soluble in water but blood-brain barrier penetration is low. In rat hippocampal brain slices, acute inhibition of CDKL5 selectively reduces postsynaptic function of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Acute inhibition of CDKL5 reduces hippocampal LTP. These studies provide new tools and insights into the role of CDKL5 as a newly appreciated key kinase necessary for synaptic plasticity. Comparisons to rodent knock-out studies suggest that compensatory changes have limited the understanding of the roles of CDKL5 in synaptic physiology, plasticity, and human neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Castano
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraUnited States
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Carrow I Wells
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jennifer L Sanderson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraUnited States
| | - Carla A Ferrer
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Han Wee Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Yi Lang
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - William Richardson
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Josie A Silvaroli
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State UniversityColumbusUnited States
| | - Frances M Bashore
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jeffery L Smith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Isabelle M Genereux
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - David H Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
| | - Navlot S Pabla
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State UniversityColumbusUnited States
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Tim A Benke
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Neurology and Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraUnited States
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick InstituteLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Alison D Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillUnited States
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5
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Li M, Basile JR, Mallya S, Lin YL. The impact and outcomes of cancer-macrophage fusion. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:497. [PMID: 37264310 PMCID: PMC10236829 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10961-9] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer's hallmark feature is its ability to evolve, leading to metastasis and recurrence. Although genetic mutations and epigenetic changes have been implicated, they don't fully explain the leukocytic traits that many cancers develop. Cell fusion between cancer and somatic cells, particularly macrophages, has been suggested as an alternative pathway for cancer cells to obtain new traits by acquiring exogenous genetic material. METHODS This study aims to investigate the potential biological outcomes of tumor-myeloid cell fusion by generating tumor-macrophage hybrid cells. Two clones with markedly different tumorigenicity were selected, and RNA-seq was used to compare their RNA expressions with that of the control cells. Based on the results that the hybrid cells showed differential activation in several upstream regulator pathways that impact their biological behaviors, the hybrid cells' abilities to recruit stromal cells and establish angiogenesis as well as their cell cycle distributions were investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS Although both hybrid clones demonstrated p53 activation and reduced growth rates, they exhibited distinct cell cycle distributions and ability to grow in vivo. Notably, while one clone was highly tumorigenic, the other showed little tumorigenicity. Despite these differences, both hybrid clones were potent environmental modifiers, exhibiting significant abilities to recruit stromal and immune cells and establish angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that tumor-somatic cell fusion is a potent environmental modifier that can modulate tumor survival and evolution, despite its relatively low occurrence. These findings suggest that tumor-somatic cell fusion could be a promising target for developing new cancer therapies. Furthermore, this study provides an experimental animal platform to investigate cancer-myeloid fusion and highlights the potential role of tumor-somatic cell fusion in modulating the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengtao Li
- Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, CHS 23-068B. 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - John R Basile
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School, 650 W. Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 7261, 21201, USA
| | - Sanjay Mallya
- Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, CHS 23-068B. 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yi-Ling Lin
- Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, CHS 23-068B. 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Gene regulation program, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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6
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Peng H, Guo D, Shan W, Tan S, Wang C, Wang H, Liu Z, Xu B, Guo X, Wang Y. Identification of the AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 genes and their involvement in the response to resist external stress in Apis cerana cerana. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 100:104117. [PMID: 37019323 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies examining the functions of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have mainly focused on the regulation of the cell cycle. Recent studies have found that cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) play important roles in cell stress, metabolism of toxic substances and maintaining the stability of the internal environment. Here, we found that under stress conditions, the transcription and protein expression of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 were induced to varying degrees. Meanwhile, the silencing of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 also affected the expression of antioxidant genes and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced the survival rate of bees under high temperature stress. Furthermore, the exogenous overexpression of AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 improved the viability of yeast under stress conditions. Therefore, AccCDK7 and AccCDK9 may play roles in A.cerana cerana resistance to oxidative stress caused by external stimuli, potentially revealing a new mechanism of the honeybee response to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Dezheng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Wenlu Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Shuai Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China
| | - Xingqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China.
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, PR China.
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7
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Castano A, Silvestre M, Wells CI, Sanderson JL, Ferrer CA, Ong HW, Liang Y, Richardson W, Silvaroli JA, Bashore FM, Smith JL, Genereux IM, Dempster K, Drewry DH, Pabla NS, Bullock AN, Benke TA, Ultanir SK, Axtman AD. Discovery and characterization of a specific inhibitor of serine-threonine kinase cyclin dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) demonstrates role in hippocampal CA1 physiology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.24.538049. [PMID: 37162893 PMCID: PMC10168277 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.24.538049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Pathological loss-of-function mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 ( CDKL5 ) cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe and medically refractory early-life epilepsy, motor, cognitive, visual and autonomic disturbances in the absence of any structural brain pathology. Analysis of genetic variants in CDD have indicated that CDKL5 kinase function is central to disease pathology. CDKL5 encodes a serine-threonine kinase with significant homology to GSK3β, which has also been linked to synaptic function. Further, Cdkl5 knock-out rodents have increased GSK3β activity and often increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, development of a specific CDKL5 inhibitor must be careful to exclude cross-talk with GSK3β activity. We synthesized and characterized specific, high-affinity inhibitors of CDKL5 that do not have detectable activity for GSK3β. These compounds are very soluble in water but blood-brain barrier penetration is low. In rat hippocampal brain slices, acute inhibition of CDKL5 selectively reduces post-synaptic function of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Acute inhibition of CDKL5 reduces hippocampal LTP. These studies provide new tools and insights into the role of CDKL5 as a newly appreciated, key kinase necessary for synaptic plasticity. Comparisons to rodent knock-out studies suggest that compensatory changes have limited the understanding of the roles of CDKL5 in synaptic physiology, plasticity and human neuropathology.
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8
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Kelm JM, Pandey DS, Malin E, Kansou H, Arora S, Kumar R, Gavande NS. PROTAC'ing oncoproteins: targeted protein degradation for cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:62. [PMID: 36991452 PMCID: PMC10061819 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01707-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecularly targeted cancer therapies substantially improve patient outcomes, although the durability of their effectiveness can be limited. Resistance to these therapies is often related to adaptive changes in the target oncoprotein which reduce binding affinity. The arsenal of targeted cancer therapies, moreover, lacks coverage of several notorious oncoproteins with challenging features for inhibitor development. Degraders are a relatively new therapeutic modality which deplete the target protein by hijacking the cellular protein destruction machinery. Degraders offer several advantages for cancer therapy including resiliency to acquired mutations in the target protein, enhanced selectivity, lower dosing requirements, and the potential to abrogate oncogenic transcription factors and scaffolding proteins. Herein, we review the development of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for selected cancer therapy targets and their reported biological activities. The medicinal chemistry of PROTAC design has been a challenging area of active research, but the recent advances in the field will usher in an era of rational degrader design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Kelm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Deepti S Pandey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Evan Malin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hussein Kansou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Sahil Arora
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Raj Kumar
- Laboratory for Drug Design and Synthesis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Navnath S Gavande
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (EACPHS), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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Hubner SE, de Camargo Magalhães ES, Hoff FW, Brown BD, Qiu Y, Horton TM, Kornblau SM. DNA Damage Response-Related Proteins Are Prognostic for Outcome in Both Adult and Pediatric Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Patients: Samples from Adults and from Children Enrolled in a Children's Oncology Group Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5898. [PMID: 36982970 PMCID: PMC10058043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065898] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival of malignant leukemic cells is dependent on DNA damage repair (DDR) signaling. Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) data sets were assembled using diagnostic samples from 810 adult and 500 pediatric acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients and were probed with 412 and 296 strictly validated antibodies, respectively, including those detecting the expression of proteins directly involved in DDR. Unbiased hierarchical clustering identified strong recurrent DDR protein expression patterns in both adult and pediatric AML. Globally, DDR expression was associated with gene mutational statuses and was prognostic for outcomes including overall survival (OS), relapse rate, and remission duration (RD). In adult patients, seven DDR proteins were individually prognostic for either RD or OS. When DDR proteins were analyzed together with DDR-related proteins operating in diverse cellular signaling pathways, these expanded groupings were also highly prognostic for OS. Analysis of patients treated with either conventional chemotherapy or venetoclax combined with a hypomethylating agent revealed protein clusters that differentially predicted favorable from unfavorable prognoses within each therapy cohort. Collectively, this investigation provides insight into variable DDR pathway activation in AML and may help direct future individualized DDR-targeted therapies in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan E. Hubner
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Fieke W. Hoff
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Brandon D. Brown
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yihua Qiu
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Terzah M. Horton
- Department of Pediatrics, Dan Duncan Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77584, USA
| | - Steven M. Kornblau
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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10
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Sher S, Whipp E, Walker J, Zhang P, Beaver L, Williams K, Orwick S, Ravikrishnan J, Walker B, Perry E, Gregory C, Purcell M, Pan A, Yan P, Alinari L, Johnson AJ, Frigault MM, Greer JM, Hamdy A, Izumi R, Mo X, Sampath D, Woyach J, Blachly J, Byrd JC, Lapalombella R. VIP152 is a selective CDK9 inhibitor with pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo efficacy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:326-338. [PMID: 36376377 PMCID: PMC9898036 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01758-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is effectively treated with targeted therapies including Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors and BCL2 antagonists. When these become ineffective, treatment options are limited. Positive transcription elongation factor complex (P-TEFb), a heterodimeric protein complex composed of cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) and cyclin T1, functions to regulate short half-life transcripts by phosphorylation of RNA Polymerase II (POLII). These transcripts are frequently dysregulated in hematologic malignancies; however, therapies targeting inhibition of P-TEFb have not yet achieved approval for cancer treatment. VIP152 kinome profiling revealed CDK9 as the main enzyme inhibited at 100 nM, with over a 10-fold increase in potency compared with other inhibitors currently in development for this target. VIP152 induced cell death in CLL cell lines and primary patient samples. Transcriptome analysis revealed inhibition of RNA degradation through the AU-Rich Element (ARE) dysregulation. Mechanistically, VIP152 inhibits the assembly of P-TEFb onto the transcription machinery and disturbs binding partners. Finally, immune competent mice engrafted with CLL-like cells of Eµ-MTCP1 over-expressing mice and treated with VIP152 demonstrated reduced disease burden and improvement in overall survival compared to vehicle-treated mice. These data suggest that VIP152 is a highly selective inhibitor of CDK9 that represents an attractive new therapy for CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Sher
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ethan Whipp
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Janek Walker
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pu Zhang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Larry Beaver
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katie Williams
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Shelley Orwick
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Janani Ravikrishnan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brandi Walker
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Elizabeth Perry
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Charles Gregory
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Matthew Purcell
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Alexander Pan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pearlly Yan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Lapo Alinari
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaokui Mo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Deepa Sampath
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer Woyach
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - James Blachly
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John C Byrd
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Rosa Lapalombella
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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11
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Varghese DM, Nussinov R, Ahmad S. Predictive modeling of moonlighting DNA-binding proteins. NAR Genom Bioinform 2022; 4:lqac091. [DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqac091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Moonlighting proteins are multifunctional, single-polypeptide chains capable of performing multiple autonomous functions. Most moonlighting proteins have been discovered through work unrelated to their multifunctionality. We believe that prediction of moonlighting proteins from first principles, that is, using sequence, predicted structure, evolutionary profiles, and global gene expression profiles, for only one functional class of proteins in a single organism at a time will significantly advance our understanding of multifunctional proteins. In this work, we investigated human moonlighting DNA-binding proteins (mDBPs) in terms of properties that distinguish them from other (non-moonlighting) proteins with the same DNA-binding protein (DBP) function. Following a careful and comprehensive analysis of discriminatory features, a machine learning model was developed to assess the predictability of mDBPs from other DBPs (oDBPs). We observed that mDBPs can be discriminated from oDBPs with high accuracy of 74% AUC of ROC using these first principles features. A number of novel predicted mDBPs were found to have literature support for their being moonlighting and others are proposed as candidates, for which the moonlighting function is currently unknown. We believe that this work will help in deciphering and annotating novel moonlighting DBPs and scale up other functions. The source codes and data sets used for this work are freely available at https://zenodo.org/record/7299265#.Y2pO3ctBxPY
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Mary Varghese
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi- 110067 , India
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research , Frederick , MD 21702 , USA
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Israel
| | - Shandar Ahmad
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University , New Delhi- 110067 , India
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12
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Chu YY, Chen MK, Wei Y, Lee HH, Xia W, Wang YN, Yam C, Hsu JL, Wang HL, Chang WC, Yamaguchi H, Jiang Z, Liu C, Li CF, Nie L, Chan LC, Gao Y, Wang SC, Liu J, Westin SN, Lee S, Sood AK, Yang L, Hortobagyi GN, Yu D, Hung MC. Targeting the ALK-CDK9-Tyr19 kinase cascade sensitizes ovarian and breast tumors to PARP inhibition via destabilization of the P-TEFb complex. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:1211-1227. [PMID: 36253486 PMCID: PMC9586872 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00438-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have demonstrated promising clinical activity in multiple cancers. However, resistance to PARP inhibitors remains a substantial clinical challenge. In the present study, we report that anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) directly phosphorylates CDK9 at tyrosine-19 to promote homologous recombination (HR) repair and PARP inhibitor resistance. Phospho-CDK9-Tyr19 increases its kinase activity and nuclear localization to stabilize positive transcriptional elongation factor b and activate polymerase II-dependent transcription of HR-repair genes. Conversely, ALK inhibition increases ubiquitination and degradation of CDK9 by Skp2, an E3 ligase. Notably, combination of US Food and Drug Administration-approved ALK and PARP inhibitors markedly reduce tumor growth and improve survival of mice in PARP inhibitor-/platinum-resistant tumor xenograft models. Using human tumor biospecimens, we further demonstrate that phosphorylated ALK (p-ALK) expression is associated with resistance to PARP inhibitors and positively correlated with p-Tyr19-CDK9 expression. Together, our findings support a biomarker-driven, combinatorial treatment strategy involving ALK and PARP inhibitors to induce synthetic lethality in PARP inhibitor-/platinum-resistant tumors with high p-ALK-p-Tyr19-CDK9 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yi Chu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mei-Kuang Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yongkun Wei
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heng-Huan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Weiya Xia
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Nai Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Clinton Yam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer L Hsu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hung-Ling Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chao Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hirohito Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Zhou Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chunxiao Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ching-Fei Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lei Nie
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li-Chuan Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-Chun Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jinsong Liu
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shannon N Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anil K Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gabriel N Hortobagyi
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dihua Yu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Research Center for Cancer Biology, and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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13
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Borowczak J, Szczerbowski K, Maniewski M, Zdrenka M, Słupski P, Antosik P, Kołodziejska S, Sekielska-Domanowska M, Dubiel M, Bodnar M, Szylberg Ł. The Prognostic Role of CDK9 in Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061492. [PMID: 35326643 PMCID: PMC8945910 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Most patients with urothelial carcinoma are diagnosed with non-invasive tumors, but the prognosis worsens with the progression of the disease. Overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 has been recently linked to increased cancer proliferation, faster progression, and worse prognosis. However, some cancers seem to contradict this rule. In this work, we explored the prognostic role of CDK9 expression in urothelial carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We performed immunohistochemical analysis on 72 bladder cancer samples. To assess a larger group of patients, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database containing 406 cases and transcriptomics information through the Human Pathology Atlas were analyzed. Results: CDK9 is overexpressed in urothelial cancer tissues when compared to normal urothelial tissues (p < 0.05). High CDK9 expression was observed in low-stage, low-grade, and non-muscle-invasive tumors (p < 0.05). The patients with high CDK9 expression had a significantly higher 5-year overall survival rate than those with low CDK9 expression (77.54% vs. 53.6% in the TMA group and 57.75% vs. 35.44% in the TCGA group, respectively) (p < 0.05). The results were consistent in both cohorts. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that low CDK9 status was an independent predictor for poor prognosis in the TCGA cohort (HR 1.60, CL95% 1.1−2.33, p = 0.014). Conclusions: High CDK9 expression predicts a favorable prognosis in urothelial carcinoma and is associated with clinicopathological features characteristic for early-stage disease. The decrease in CDK9 expression can be associated with the build-up of genetic instability and may indicate a key role for CDK9 in the early stages of urothelial carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jędrzej Borowczak
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.S.); (M.M.); (P.A.); (M.B.); (Ł.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-52-5854200; Fax: +48-52-5854049
| | - Krzysztof Szczerbowski
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.S.); (M.M.); (P.A.); (M.B.); (Ł.S.)
| | - Mateusz Maniewski
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.S.); (M.M.); (P.A.); (M.B.); (Ł.S.)
| | - Marek Zdrenka
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre—Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Piotr Słupski
- Department of Urology, University Hospital No. 2 im. Dr. Jan Biziel in Bydgoszcz, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Paulina Antosik
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.S.); (M.M.); (P.A.); (M.B.); (Ł.S.)
| | - Sylwia Kołodziejska
- Chair of Pathology, University Hospital No. 2 im. Dr. Jan Biziel in Bydgoszcz, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Marta Sekielska-Domanowska
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.S.-D.); (M.D.)
| | - Mariusz Dubiel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (M.S.-D.); (M.D.)
| | - Magdalena Bodnar
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.S.); (M.M.); (P.A.); (M.B.); (Ł.S.)
- Chair of Pathology, University Hospital No. 2 im. Dr. Jan Biziel in Bydgoszcz, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Szylberg
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (K.S.); (M.M.); (P.A.); (M.B.); (Ł.S.)
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre—Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
- Chair of Pathology, University Hospital No. 2 im. Dr. Jan Biziel in Bydgoszcz, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
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14
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Borowczak J, Szczerbowski K, Ahmadi N, Szylberg Ł. CDK9 inhibitors in multiple myeloma: a review of progress and perspectives. Med Oncol 2022; 39:39. [PMID: 35092513 PMCID: PMC8800928 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01636-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Currently, multiple myeloma is not yet considered a curable disease. Despite the recent advances in therapy, the average patient lifespan is still unsatisfactory. Recently, CDK9 inhibitors emerged as a suitable agent to overcome resistance and prolong survival in patients with poor diagnoses. Downregulation of c-MYC, XIAP, Mcl-1 and restoration of p53 tumor-suppressive functions seems to play a key role in achieving clinical response. The applicability of the first generation of CDK9 inhibitors was limited due to relatively high toxicity, but the introduction of novel, highly selective drugs, seems to reduce the effects of off-target inhibition. CDK9 inhibitors were able to induce dose-dependent cytotoxicity in Doxorubicin-resistant, Lenalidomide-resistant and Bortezomib-resistant cell lines. They seem to be effective in cell lines with unfavorable prognostic factors, such as p53 deletion, t(4; 14) and t(14; 16). In preclinical trials, the application of CDK9 inhibitors led to tumor cells apoptosis, tumor growth inhibition and tumor mass reduction. Synergistic effects between CDK9 inhibitors and either Venetoclax, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide or Erlotinib have been proven and are awaiting verification in clinical trials. Although conclusions should be drawn with due care, obtained reports suggest that including CDK9 inhibitors into the current drug regimen may turn out to be beneficial, especially in poor prognosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jędrzej Borowczak
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Szczerbowski
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Navid Ahmadi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Łukasz Szylberg
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre-Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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15
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Ranjan A, Pang Y, Butler M, Merchant M, Kim O, Yu G, Su YT, Gilbert MR, Levens D, Wu J. Targeting CDK9 for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3039. [PMID: 34207158 PMCID: PMC8234280 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor, and more than two-thirds of patients with glioblastoma die within two years of diagnosis. The challenges of treating this disease mainly include genetic and microenvironmental features that often render the tumor resistant to treatments. Despite extensive research efforts, only a small number of drugs tested in clinical trials have become therapies for patients. Targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is an emerging therapeutic approach that has the potential to overcome the challenges in glioblastoma management. Here, we discuss how CDK9 inhibition can impact transcription, metabolism, DNA damage repair, epigenetics, and the immune response to facilitate an anti-tumor response. Moreover, we discuss small-molecule inhibitors of CDK9 in clinical trials and future perspectives on the use of CDK9 inhibitors in treating patients with glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ranjan
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Ying Pang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Madison Butler
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Mythili Merchant
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Olga Kim
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Guangyang Yu
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Yu-Ting Su
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Mark R. Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
| | - David Levens
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Jing Wu
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.R.); (Y.P.); (M.B.); (M.M.); (O.K.); (G.Y.); (Y.-T.S.); (M.R.G.)
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16
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Izadi S, Nikkhoo A, Hojjat-Farsangi M, Namdar A, Azizi G, Mohammadi H, Yousefi M, Jadidi-Niaragh F. CDK1 in Breast Cancer: Implications for Theranostic Potential. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2021; 20:758-767. [PMID: 32013835 DOI: 10.2174/1871520620666200203125712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer has been identified as one of the main cancer-related deaths among women during some last decades. Recent advances in the introduction of novel potent anti-cancer therapeutics in association with early detection methods led to a decrease in the mortality rate of breast cancer. However, the scenario of breast cancer is yet going on and further improvements in the current anti-cancer therapeutic approaches are needed. Several factors are present in the tumor microenvironment which help to cancer progression and suppression of anti-tumor responses. Targeting these cancer-promoting factors in the tumor microenvironment has been suggested as a potent immunotherapeutic approach for cancer therapy. Among the various tumorsupporting factors, Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs) are proposed as a novel promising target for cancer therapy. These factors in association with cyclins play a key role in cell cycle progression. Dysregulation of CDKs which leads to increased cell proliferation has been identified in various cancers, such as breast cancer. Accordingly, the development and use of CDK-inhibitors have been associated with encouraging results in the treatment of breast cancer. However, it is unknown that the inhibition of which CDK is the most effective strategy for breast cancer therapy. Since the selective blockage of CDK1 alone or in combination with other therapeutics has been associated with potent anti-cancer outcomes, it is suggested that CDK1 may be considered as the best CDK target for breast cancer therapy. In this review, we will discuss the role of CDK1 in breast cancer progression and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Izadi
- 1Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Afshin Nikkhoo
- 1Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hojjat-Farsangi
- Bioclinicum, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Afshin Namdar
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gholamreza Azizi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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17
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King HM, Rana S, Kubica SP, Mallareddy JR, Kizhake S, Ezell EL, Zahid M, Naldrett MJ, Alvarez S, Law HCH, Woods NT, Natarajan A. Aminopyrazole based CDK9 PROTAC sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to venetoclax. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 43:128061. [PMID: 33895280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a member of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family which is involved in transcriptional regulation of several genes, including the oncogene Myc, and is a validated target for pancreatic cancer. Here we report the development of an aminopyrazole based proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC 2) that selectively degrades CDK9 (DC50 = 158 ± 6 nM). Mass spectrometry-based kinome profiling shows PROTAC 2 selectively degrades CDK9 in MiaPaCa2 cells and sensitizes them to Venetoclax mediated growth inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M King
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Sandeep Rana
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Sydney P Kubica
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Jayapal Reddy Mallareddy
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Smitha Kizhake
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Edward L Ezell
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Muhammad Zahid
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Michael J Naldrett
- Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility, Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Sophie Alvarez
- Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility, Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Henry C-H Law
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Nicholas T Woods
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA
| | - Amarnath Natarajan
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68022, USA.
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18
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Tatum NJ, Endicott JA. Chatterboxes: the structural and functional diversity of cyclins. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 107:4-20. [PMID: 32414682 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the cyclin family have divergent sequences and execute diverse roles within the cell while sharing a common fold: the cyclin box domain. Structural studies of cyclins have played a key role in our characterization and understanding of cellular processes that they control, though to date only ten of the 29 CDK-activating cyclins have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy with or without their cognate kinases. In this review, we survey the available structures of human cyclins, highlighting their molecular features in the context of their cellular roles. We pay particular attention to how cyclin activity is regulated through fine control of degradation motif recognition and ubiquitination. Finally, we discuss the emergent roles of cyclins independent of their roles as cyclin-dependent protein kinase activators, demonstrating the cyclin box domain to be a versatile and generalized scaffolding domain for protein-protein interactions across the cellular machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Tatum
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Jane A Endicott
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
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19
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Eyvazi S, Hejazi MS, Kahroba H, Abasi M, Zamiri RE, Tarhriz V. CDK9 as an Appealing Target for Therapeutic Interventions. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:453-464. [PMID: 30362418 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666181026152221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) as a serine/threonine kinase belongs to a great number of CDKs. CDK9 is the main core of PTEF-b complex and phosphorylates RNA polymerase (RNAP) II besides other transcription factors which regulate gene transcription elongation in numerous physiological processes. Multi-functional nature of CDK9 in diverse cellular pathways proposes that it is as an appealing target. In this review, we summarized the recent findings on the molecular interaction of CDK9 with critical participant molecules to modulate their activity in various diseases. Furthermore, the presented review provides a rationale supporting the use of CDK9 as a therapeutic target in clinical developments for crucial diseases; particularly cancers will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Eyvazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Homan Kahroba
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mozghan Abasi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Eghdam Zamiri
- Faculty of medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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20
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Sanchez A, de Vivo A, Tonzi P, Kim J, Huang TT, Kee Y. Transcription-replication conflicts as a source of common fragile site instability caused by BMI1-RNF2 deficiency. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008524. [PMID: 32142505 PMCID: PMC7080270 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Common fragile sites (CFSs) are breakage-prone genomic loci, and are considered to be hotspots for genomic rearrangements frequently observed in cancers. Understanding the underlying mechanisms for CFS instability will lead to better insight on cancer etiology. Here we show that Polycomb group proteins BMI1 and RNF2 are suppressors of transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs) and CFS instability. Cells depleted of BMI1 or RNF2 showed slower replication forks and elevated fork stalling. These phenotypes are associated with increase occupancy of RNA Pol II (RNAPII) at CFSs, suggesting that the BMI1-RNF2 complex regulate RNAPII elongation at these fragile regions. Using proximity ligase assays, we showed that depleting BMI1 or RNF2 causes increased associations between RNAPII with EdU-labeled nascent forks and replisomes, suggesting increased TRC incidences. Increased occupancy of a fork protective factor FANCD2 and R-loop resolvase RNH1 at CFSs are observed in RNF2 CRISPR-KO cells, which are consistent with increased transcription-associated replication stress in RNF2-deficient cells. Depleting FANCD2 or FANCI proteins further increased genomic instability and cell death of the RNF2-deficient cells, suggesting that in the absence of RNF2, cells depend on these fork-protective factors for survival. These data suggest that the Polycomb proteins have non-canonical roles in suppressing TRC and preserving genomic integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Sanchez
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Angelo de Vivo
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Peter Tonzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jeonghyeon Kim
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Tony T. Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Younghoon Kee
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
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21
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Overexpression of TK1 and CDK9 in plasma-derived exosomes is associated with clinical resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in metastatic breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2019; 178:57-62. [PMID: 31346846 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-019-05365-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) advanced breast cancer. However, a better knowledge of predictive biomarkers of response and resistance to CDK4/6i is needed. Therefore, the present article addresses the role of the mRNA expression of thymidine kinase 1 (TK1), CDK4, 6 and 9 in plasma-derived exosomes and their relevance in the pharmacologic activity of CDK4/6i. METHODS Blood samples of 40 HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients were collected before (T0) the administration of palbociclib plus hormonal therapy and after 3 months (T1). RNA was isolated from exosomes and analysed for the expression of TK1, CDK 4, 6 and 9 by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). RESULTS A higher value of TK1 copies/ml at baseline (T0) was significantly associated with the number of previous lines of chemotherapy (p = 0.009). In patients with PD, a significant increase was observed in the number of copies/ml of TK1 (p = 0.01) and CDK9 (p = 0.03) comparing T1 vs. T0 values. No significant correlations between response to treatment and clinical parameters were found at univariate analysis. High baseline CDK4 expression was significantly correlated with longer PFS in patients treated with fulvestrant + palbociclib (low versus high: 6.45 months vs. not reached, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that, in plasma-derived exosomes, high baseline CDK4 mRNA levels are associated with response to palbociclib plus hormonal therapy, while the increase in TK1 and CDK9 mRNA copies/ml is associated with clinical resistance.
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22
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Xie S, Wei F, Sun YM, Gao YL, Pan LL, Tan MJ, Wang SD, Ding J, Chen Y. EZH2 inhibitors abrogate upregulation of trimethylation of H3K27 by CDK9 inhibitors and potentiate its activity against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Haematologica 2019; 105:1021-1031. [PMID: 31289198 PMCID: PMC7109751 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.222935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of CDK9/cyclin T1 has been found in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and suggests that CDK9 is a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL. Here, we firstly demonstrated that CDKI-73, a novel cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) inhibitor, potently blocks CDK9, triggered apoptosis and dramatically repressed DLBCL cell growth owing to CDK9 inhibition. CDK9 inhibitors specifically elevated the trimethylation of H3K27, which we speculate was due to reduced expression of JMJD3/UTX. Considering the important role of the trimethylation of H3K27 in tumor progression, the synergistic effect of the combination therapy of CDK9 inhibitors with EZH2 inhibitors was investigated. EZH2 inhibitors reversed the upregulation of trimethylation of H3K27, and synergistically inhibited DLBCL and other solid tumors growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide a rational basis for the application of CDK9 inhibitors in combination with EZH2 inhibitors in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao Xie
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer, and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wei
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Ming Sun
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Lei Gao
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu-Lu Pan
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Chemical Proteomics Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Jia Tan
- Chemical Proteomics Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Dong Wang
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jian Ding
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Division of Anti-Tumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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23
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Ježek J, Smethurst DGJ, Stieg DC, Kiss ZAC, Hanley SE, Ganesan V, Chang KT, Cooper KF, Strich R. Cyclin C: The Story of a Non-Cycling Cyclin. BIOLOGY 2019; 8:biology8010003. [PMID: 30621145 PMCID: PMC6466611 DOI: 10.3390/biology8010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The class I cyclin family is a well-studied group of structurally conserved proteins that interact with their associated cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) to regulate different stages of cell cycle progression depending on their oscillating expression levels. However, the role of class II cyclins, which primarily act as transcription factors and whose expression remains constant throughout the cell cycle, is less well understood. As a classic example of a transcriptional cyclin, cyclin C forms a regulatory sub-complex with its partner kinase Cdk8 and two accessory subunits Med12 and Med13 called the Cdk8-dependent kinase module (CKM). The CKM reversibly associates with the multi-subunit transcriptional coactivator complex, the Mediator, to modulate RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. Apart from its transcriptional regulatory function, recent research has revealed a novel signaling role for cyclin C at the mitochondria. Upon oxidative stress, cyclin C leaves the nucleus and directly activates the guanosine 5’-triphosphatase (GTPase) Drp1, or Dnm1 in yeast, to induce mitochondrial fragmentation. Importantly, cyclin C-induced mitochondrial fission was found to increase sensitivity of both mammalian and yeast cells to apoptosis. Here, we review and discuss the biology of cyclin C, focusing mainly on its transcriptional and non-transcriptional roles in tumor promotion or suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ježek
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Daniel G J Smethurst
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - David C Stieg
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Z A C Kiss
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Sara E Hanley
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Vidyaramanan Ganesan
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Kai-Ti Chang
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Katrina F Cooper
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
| | - Randy Strich
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA.
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24
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CDK9 Expression Shows Role as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Breast Cancer Patients Who Fail to Achieve Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Int J Breast Cancer 2018; 2018:6945129. [PMID: 30405916 PMCID: PMC6204190 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6945129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Failure to achieve pathologic complete response is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). However, prognostic biomarkers for clinical outcome are unclear in this patient population. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is often dysregulated in breast cancer, and its deficiency results in genomic instability. We reviewed the records of 84 breast cancer patients from Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute who had undergone surgical resection after NACT and had tissue available for tissue microarray analysis (TMA). Data recorded included disease presentation, treatment, pathologic response, overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence free survival (LRRFS), distant-failure free survival (DFFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and event-free survival (EFS). Immunohistochemistry was performed on patient samples to determine CDK9 expression levels after NACT. Protein expression was linked with clinical data to determine significance. In a Cox proportional hazards model, using a time-dependent covariate to evaluate the risk of death between groups beyond 3 years, high CDK9 expression was significantly associated with an increase in OS (HR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.07-0.98, p=0.046). However, Kaplan-Meier curves for OS, LRRFS, DFFS, RFS, and EFS did not reach statistical significance. The results of this study indicate that CDK9 may have a potential role as a prognostic biomarker in patients with breast cancer following NACT. However, further validation studies with increased sample sizes are needed to help elucidate the prognostic role for CDK9 in the management of these patients.
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25
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Paparidis NFDS, Durvale MC, Canduri F. The emerging picture of CDK9/P-TEFb: more than 20 years of advances since PITALRE. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2017; 13:246-276. [PMID: 27833949 DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00387g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CDK9 is a prominent member of the transcriptional CDKs subfamily, a group of kinases whose function is to control the primary steps of mRNA synthesis and processing by eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. As a cyclin-dependent kinase, CDK9 activation in vivo depends upon its association with T-type cyclins to assemble the positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEFb). Although CDK9/P-TEFb phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNAP II in the same positions targeted by CDK7 (TFIIH) and CDK8 (Mediator), the former does not participate in the transcription initiation, but rather plays a unique role by driving the polymerase to productive elongation. In addition to RNAP II CTD, the negative transcription elongation factors DSIF and NELF also represent major CDK9 substrates, whose phosphorylation is required to overcome the proximal pause of the polymerase. CDK9 is recruited to specific genes through proteins that interact with both P-TEFb and distinct elements in DNA, RNA or chromatin, where it modulates the activity of individual RNAP II transcription complexes. The regulation of CDK9 function is an intricate network that includes post-translational modifications (phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and acetylation/deacetylation of key residues) as well as the association of P-TEFb with various proteins that can stimulate or inhibit its kinase activity. Several cases of CDK9 deregulation have been linked to important human diseases, including various types of cancer and also AIDS (due to its essential role in HIV replication). Not only HIV, but also many other human viruses have been shown to depend strongly on CDK9 activity to be transcribed within host cells. This review summarizes the main advances made on CDK9/P-TEFb field in more than 20 years, introducing the structural, functional and genetic aspects that have been elucidated ever since.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas Ferreira Dos Santos Paparidis
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Physics, Institute of Chemistry of Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo University, Av. Trabalhador Sãocarlense, 400, Zip Code 780, 13560-970, São Carlos-SP, Brazil.
| | - Maxwell Castro Durvale
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo University, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 748, 05508-000, Butantã - São Paulo - SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Canduri
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Physics, Institute of Chemistry of Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo University, Av. Trabalhador Sãocarlense, 400, Zip Code 780, 13560-970, São Carlos-SP, Brazil.
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26
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McSkimming DI, Rasheed K, Kannan N. Classifying kinase conformations using a machine learning approach. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:86. [PMID: 28152981 PMCID: PMC5290640 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1506-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Signaling proteins such as protein kinases adopt a diverse array of conformations to respond to regulatory signals in signaling pathways. Perhaps the most fundamental conformational change of a kinase is the transition between active and inactive states, and defining the conformational features associated with kinase activation is critical for selectively targeting abnormally regulated kinases in diseases. While manual examination of crystal structures have led to the identification of key structural features associated with kinase activation, the large number of kinase crystal structures (~3,500) and extensive conformational diversity displayed by the protein kinase superfamily poses unique challenges in fully defining the conformational features associated with kinase activation. Although some computational approaches have been proposed, they are typically based on a small subset of crystal structures using measurements biased towards the active site geometry. Results We utilize an unbiased informatics based machine learning approach to classify all eukaryotic protein kinase conformations deposited in the PDB. We show that the orientation of the activation segment, measured by φ, ψ, χ1, and pseudo-dihedral angles more accurately classify kinase crystal conformations than existing methods. We show that the formation of the K-E salt bridge is statistically dependent upon the activation segment orientation and identify evolutionary differences between the activation segment conformation of tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases. We provide evidence that our method can identify conformational changes associated with the binding of allosteric regulatory proteins, and show that the greatest variation in inactive structures comes from kinase group and family specific side chain orientations. Conclusion We have provided the first comprehensive machine learning based classification of protein kinase active/inactive conformations, taking into account more structures and measurements than any previous classification effort. Further, our unbiased classification of inactive structures reveals residues associated with kinase functional specificity. To enable classification of new crystal structures, we have made our classifier publicly accessible through a stand-alone program housed at https://github.com/esbg/kinconform [DOI:10.5281/zenodo.249090]. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-017-1506-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khaled Rasheed
- Department of Computer Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Natarajan Kannan
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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27
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Oqani RK, Lin T, Lee JE, Kim SY, Sa SJ, Woo JS, Jin DI. Inhibition of P-TEFb disrupts global transcription, oocyte maturation, and embryo development in the mouse. Genesis 2016; 54:470-82. [PMID: 27488304 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) is an RNA polymerase II kinase that phosphorylates Ser2 of the carboxyl-terminal domain and promotes the elongation phase of transcription. Despite the fact that P-TEFb has role in many cellular processes, the role of this kinase complex remains to be understood in early developmental events. In this study, using immunocytochemical analyses, we find that the P-TEFb components, Cyclin T1, CDK9, and its T-loop phosphorylated form, are localized to nuclear speckles, as well as in nucleoli in mouse germinal vesicle oocytes. Moreover, using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we show that in absence of CDK9 activity, nucleolar integration, as well as production of 28S rRNA is impaired in oocytes and embryos. We also present evidence indicating that P-TEFb kinase activity is essential for completion of mouse oocyte maturation and embryo development. Treatment with CDK9 inhibitor, flavopiridol resulted in metaphase I arrest in maturing oocytes. Inhibition of CDK9 kinase activity did not interfere with in vitro fertilization and pronuclear formation. However, when zygotes or 2-cell embryos were treated with flavopiridol only in their G2 phase of the cell cycle, development to the blastocyst stage was impaired. Inhibition of the CDK9 activity after embryonic genome activation resulted in failure to form normal blastocysts and aberrant phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II CTD. In all stages analyzed, treatment with flavopiridol abrogated global transcriptional activity. Collectively, our data suggest that P-TEFb kinase activity is crucial for oocyte maturation, embryo development, and regulation of global RNA transcription in mouse early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza K Oqani
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Tao Lin
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jin Sa
- Department of Animal Resource Development, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, 31001, Korea
| | - Je Seok Woo
- Department of Animal Resource Development, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan, 31001, Korea
| | - Dong Il Jin
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea.
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28
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ATRIP Deacetylation by SIRT2 Drives ATR Checkpoint Activation by Promoting Binding to RPA-ssDNA. Cell Rep 2016; 14:1435-1447. [PMID: 26854234 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase checkpoint pathway maintains genome integrity; however, the role of the sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) acetylome in regulating this pathway is not clear. We found that deacetylation of ATR-interacting protein (ATRIP), a regulatory partner of ATR, by SIRT2 potentiates the ATR checkpoint. SIRT2 interacts with and deacetylates ATRIP at lysine 32 (K32) in response to replication stress. SIRT2 deacetylation of ATRIP at K32 drives ATR autophosphorylation and signaling and facilitates DNA replication fork progression and recovery of stalled replication forks. K32 deacetylation by SIRT2 further promotes ATRIP accumulation to DNA damage sites and binding to replication protein A-coated single-stranded DNA (RPA-ssDNA). Collectively, these results support a model in which ATRIP deacetylation by SIRT2 promotes ATR-ATRIP binding to RPA-ssDNA to drive ATR activation and thus facilitate recovery from replication stress, outlining a mechanism by which the ATR checkpoint is regulated by SIRT2 through deacetylation.
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Storch K, Cordes N. The impact of CDK9 on radiosensitivity, DNA damage repair and cell cycling of HNSCC cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2015; 48:191-8. [PMID: 26573875 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), mainly involved in regulation of transcription, has recently been shown to impact on cell cycling and DNA repair. Despite the fact that CDK9 has been proposed as potential cancer target, it remains largely elusive whether CDK9 targeting alters tumor cell radiosensitivity. Five human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines (SAS, FaDu, HSC4, Cal33, UTSCC5) as well as SAS cells stably transfected with CDK9-EGFP-N1 plasmid or empty vector controls were used. Upon either CDK9 small interfering RNA knockdown or treatment with a pan-CDK inhibitor (ZK304709), colony formation, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), apoptosis, cell cycling, and expression and phosphorylation of major cell cycle and DNA damage repair proteins were examined. While CDK9 overexpression mediated radioprotection, CDK9 depletion clearly enhanced the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells without an induction of apoptosis. While the cell cycle and cell cycle proteins were significantly modulated by CDK9 depletion, no further alterations in these parameters were observed after combined CDK9 knockdown with irradiation. ZK304709 showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity but failed to radiosensitize HNSCC cells. Our findings suggest a potential role of CDK9 in the radiation response of HNSCC cells. Additional studies are warranted to clarify the usefulness to target CDK9 in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Storch
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nils Cordes
- OncoRay - National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
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Khalil HS, Mitev V, Vlaykova T, Cavicchi L, Zhelev N. Discovery and development of Seliciclib. How systems biology approaches can lead to better drug performance. J Biotechnol 2015; 202:40-9. [PMID: 25747275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Seliciclib (R-Roscovitine) was identified as an inhibitor of CDKs and has undergone drug development and clinical testing as an anticancer agent. In this review, the authors describe the discovery of Seliciclib and give a brief summary of the biology of the CDKs Seliciclib inhibits. An overview of the published in vitro and in vivo work supporting the development as an anti-cancer agent, from in vitro experiments to animal model studies ending with a summary of the clinical trial results and trials underway is presented. In addition some potential non-oncology applications are explored and the potential mode of action of Seliciclib in these areas is described. Finally the authors argue that optimisation of the therapeutic effects of kinase inhibitors such as Seliciclib could be enhanced using a systems biology approach involving mathematical modelling of the molecular pathways regulating cell growth and division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilal S Khalil
- CMCBR, SIMBIOS, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, Scotland, UK
| | - Vanio Mitev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tatyana Vlaykova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Laura Cavicchi
- CMCBR, SIMBIOS, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, Scotland, UK
| | - Nikolai Zhelev
- CMCBR, SIMBIOS, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee DD1 1HG, Scotland, UK.
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Shchebet A, Karpiuk O, Kremmer E, Eick D, Johnsen SA. Phosphorylation by cyclin-dependent kinase-9 controls ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme-2A function. Cell Cycle 2014; 11:2122-7. [DOI: 10.4161/cc.20548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Garriga J, Graña X. CDK9 inhibition strategy defines distinct sets of target genes. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:301. [PMID: 24886624 PMCID: PMC4045923 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CDK9 is the catalytic subunit of the Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb), which phosphorylates the CTD of RNAPII and negative elongation factors enabling for productive elongation after initiation. CDK9 associates with T-type cyclins and cyclin K and its activity is tightly regulated in cells at different levels. CDK9 is also the catalytic subunit of TAK (Tat activating Kinase), essential for HIV1 replication. Because of CDK9′s potential as a therapeutic target in AIDS, cancer, inflammation, and cardiomyophathy it is important to understand the consequences of CDK9 inhibition. A previous gene expression profiling study performed with human glioblastoma T98G cells in which CDK9 activity was inhibited either with a dominant negative mutant form of CDK9 (dnCDK9) or the pharmacological inhibitor Flavopiridol unveiled striking differences in gene expression effects. In the present report we extended these studies by (1) using both immortalized normal human fibroblasts and primary human astrocytes, (2) eliminating potential experimental variability due to transduction methodology and (3) also modulating CDK9 activity with siRNA. Findings Striking differences in the effects on gene expression resulting from the strategy used to inhibit CDK9 activity (dnCDK9 or FVP) remain even when potential variability due to viral transduction is eliminated. siRNA mediated CDK9 knockdown in human fibroblasts and astrocytes efficiently reduced CDK9 expression and led to potent changes in gene expression that exhibit little correlation with the effects of dnCDK9 or FVP. Interestingly, HEXIM1 a validated CDK9 target gene, was found to be potently downregulated by dnCDK9, FVP and siCDK9, but the cluster of genes with expression profiles similar to HEXIM1 was small. Finally, cluster analysis of all treatments revealed higher correlation between treatments than cell type origin. Conclusion The nature of the strategy used to inhibit CDK9 profoundly affects the patterns of gene expression resulting from CDK9 inhibition. These results suggest multiple variables that affect outcome, including kinetics of inhibition, potency, off-target effects, and selectivity issues. This is particularly important when considering CDK9 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Graña
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, AHP bldg,, room 308, 3307 North Broad St,, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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SIRT2 directs the replication stress response through CDK9 deacetylation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:13546-51. [PMID: 23898190 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1301463110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) is a sirtuin family deacetylase that directs acetylome signaling, protects genome integrity, and is a murine tumor suppressor. We show that SIRT2 directs replication stress responses by regulating the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a protein required for recovery from replication arrest. SIRT2 deficiency results in replication stress sensitivity, impairment in recovery from replication arrest, spontaneous accumulation of replication protein A to foci and chromatin, and a G2/M checkpoint deficit. SIRT2 interacts with and deacetylates CDK9 at lysine 48 in response to replication stress in a manner that is partially dependent on ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) but not cyclin T or K, thereby stimulating CDK9 kinase activity and promoting recovery from replication arrest. Moreover, wild-type, but not acetylated CDK9, alleviates the replication stress response impairment of SIRT2 deficiency. Collectively, our results define a function for SIRT2 in regulating checkpoint pathways that respond to replication stress through deacetylation of CDK9, providing insight into how SIRT2 maintains genome integrity and a unique mechanism by which SIRT2 may function, at least in part, as a tumor suppressor protein.
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Grondahl ML, Borup R, Vikesa J, Ernst E, Andersen CY, Lykke-Hartmann K. The dormant and the fully competent oocyte: comparing the transcriptome of human oocytes from primordial follicles and in metaphase II. Mol Hum Reprod 2013; 19:600-17. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gat027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Abstract
Since the Central dogma of Molecular Biology was proposed about 40 years ago; our understanding of the intricacies of gene regulation has undergone tectonic shifts almost every decade. It is now widely accepted that the complexity of an organism is not directed by the sheer number of genes it carries but how they are decoded by a myriad of regulatory modules. Over the years, it has emerged that the organizations chromatins and its remodeling; splicing and polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs, stability and localization of mRNAs and modulation of their expression by non-coding and miRNAs play pivotal roles in metazoan gene expression. Nevertheless, in spite of tremendous progress in our understanding of all these mechanisms of gene regulation, the way these events are coordinated leading towards a highly defined proteome of a given cell type remains enigmatic. In that context, the structures of many metazoan genes cannot fully explain their pattern of expression in different tissues, especially during embryonic development and progression of various diseases. Further, numerous studies done during the past quarter of a century suggested that the heritable states of transcriptional activation or repression of a gene can be influenced by the covalent modifications of constituent bases and associated histones; its chromosomal context and long-range interactions between various chromosomal elements (Holliday 1987; Turner 1998; Lyon 1993). However, molecular dissection of these phenomena is largely unknown and is an exciting topic of research under the sub-discipline epigenetics (Gasser et al. 1998).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyamal K Goswami
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India,
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Zhang H, Yu DS. One stone, two birds: CDK9-directed activation of UBE2A regulates monoubiquitination of both H2B and PCNA. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:2418. [PMID: 22722497 PMCID: PMC3404870 DOI: 10.4161/cc.21068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Comment on: Shchebet A, et al. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:2122-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Keskin H, Garriga J, Georlette D, Graña X. Complex effects of flavopiridol on the expression of primary response genes. Cell Div 2012; 7:11. [PMID: 22458775 PMCID: PMC3339560 DOI: 10.1186/1747-1028-7-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 03/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) is a complex of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) with either cyclins T1, T2 or K. The complex phosphorylates the C-Terminal Domain of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and negative elongation factors, stimulating productive elongation by RNAPII, which is paused after initiation. P-TEFb is recruited downstream of the promoters of many genes, including primary response genes, upon certain stimuli. Flavopiridol (FVP) is a potent pharmacological inhibitor of CDK9 and has been used extensively in cells as a means to inhibit CDK9 activity. Inhibition of P-TEFb complexes has potential therapeutic applications. Results It has been shown that Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates the recruitment of P-TEFb to Primary Response Genes (PRGs) and proposed that P-TEFb activity is required for their expression, as the CDK9 inhibitor DRB prevents localization of RNAPII in the body of these genes. We have previously determined the effects of FVP in global gene expression in a variety of cells and surprisingly observed that FVP results in potent upregulation of a number of PRGs in treatments lasting 4-24 h. Because inhibition of CDK9 activity is being evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical studies for the treatment of several pathologies, it is important to fully understand the short and long term effects of its inhibition. To this end, we determined the immediate and long-term effect of FVP in the expression of several PRGs. In exponentially growing normal human fibroblasts, the expression of several PRGs including FOS, JUNB, EGR1 and GADD45B, was rapidly and potently downregulated before they were upregulated following FVP treatment. In serum starved cells re-stimulated with serum, FVP also inhibited the expression of these genes, but subsequently, JUNB, GADD45B and EGR1 were upregulated in the presence of FVP. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation of RNAPII revealed that EGR1 and GADD45B are transcribed at the FVP-treatment time points where their corresponding mRNAs accumulate. These results suggest a possible stress response triggered by CDK9 inhibition than ensues transcription of certain PRGs. Conclusions We have shown that certain PRGs are transcribed in the presence of FVP in a manner that might be independent of CDK9, suggesting a possible alternative mechanism for their transcription when P-TEFb kinase activity is pharmacologically inhibited. These results also show that the sensitivity to FVP is quite variable, even among PRGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Havva Keskin
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University School of Medicine, AHP bldg,, room 308, 3307 North Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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Caracciolo V, Laurenti G, Romano G, Carnevale V, Cimini AM, Crozier-Fitzgerald C, Gentile Warschauer E, Russo G, Giordano A. Flavopiridol induces phosphorylation of AKT in a human glioblastoma cell line, in contrast to siRNA-mediated silencing of Cdk9: Implications for drug design and development. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:1202-16. [PMID: 22391209 DOI: 10.4161/cc.11.6.19663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cdk9 and Cdk7 are cdc2-like serine/threonine kinases that stabilize RNA transcript elongation through RNA polII carboxyl terminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation and are considered suitable targets for cancer therapy. The effects of flavopiridol and of siRNA-mediated inhibition of Cdk9 and/or Cdk7 were analyzed in human glioblastoma and human prostate cancer cell lines. One finding revealed that Cdk9 and Cdk7 could substitute each other in RNA polII CTD phosphorylation in contrast to the in vitro system. Thus, a simultaneous inhibition of Cdk9 and Cdk7 might be required both for targeting malignant cells and developing a platform for microarray analysis. However, these two pathways are not redundant, as indicated by differential effects observed in cell cycle regulation following siRNA-mediated inhibition of Cdk9 and/or Cdk7 in human PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Specifically, siRNA-mediated inhibition of Cdk9 caused a shift from G 0/G 1 to G 2/M phase in human PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Another finding showed that flavopiridol treatment induced a substantial AKT-Ser473 phosphorylation in human glioblastoma T98G cell line in contrast to siRNA-mediated inhibition of Cdk9 and Cdk9 combined with Cdk7, whereas siRNA-mediated silencing of Cdk7 caused a minor increase in AKT-Ser473 phosphorylation. AKT-Ser473 is a hallmark of AKT pathway activation and may protect cells from apoptosis. This finding also shows that Cdk9 and Cdk7 pathways are not redundant and may have important implications in drug development and for studying the mechanism of chemoresistance in malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Caracciolo
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Baradaran-Heravi A, Cho KS, Tolhuis B, Sanyal M, Morozova O, Morimoto M, Elizondo LI, Bridgewater D, Lubieniecka J, Beirnes K, Myung C, Leung D, Fam HK, Choi K, Huang Y, Dionis KY, Zonana J, Keller K, Stenzel P, Mayfield C, Lücke T, Bokenkamp A, Marra MA, van Lohuizen M, Lewis DB, Shaw C, Boerkoel CF. Penetrance of biallelic SMARCAL1 mutations is associated with environmental and genetic disturbances of gene expression. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:2572-87. [PMID: 22378147 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Biallelic mutations of the DNA annealing helicase SMARCAL1 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a-like 1) cause Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD, MIM 242900), an incompletely penetrant autosomal recessive disorder. Using human, Drosophila and mouse models, we show that the proteins encoded by SMARCAL1 orthologs localize to transcriptionally active chromatin and modulate gene expression. We also show that, as found in SIOD patients, deficiency of the SMARCAL1 orthologs alone is insufficient to cause disease in fruit flies and mice, although such deficiency causes modest diffuse alterations in gene expression. Rather, disease manifests when SMARCAL1 deficiency interacts with genetic and environmental factors that further alter gene expression. We conclude that the SMARCAL1 annealing helicase buffers fluctuations in gene expression and that alterations in gene expression contribute to the penetrance of SIOD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Baradaran-Heravi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Blazek D, Kohoutek J, Bartholomeeusen K, Johansen E, Hulinkova P, Luo Z, Cimermancic P, Ule J, Peterlin BM. The Cyclin K/Cdk12 complex maintains genomic stability via regulation of expression of DNA damage response genes. Genes Dev 2011; 25:2158-72. [PMID: 22012619 PMCID: PMC3205586 DOI: 10.1101/gad.16962311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 350] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Various cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) complexes have been implicated in the regulation of transcription. In this study, we identified a 70-kDa Cyclin K (CycK) that binds Cdk12 and Cdk13 to form two different complexes (CycK/Cdk12 or CycK/Cdk13) in human cells. The CycK/Cdk12 complex regulates phosphorylation of Ser2 in the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II and expression of a small subset of human genes, as revealed in expression microarrays. Depletion of CycK/Cdk12 results in decreased expression of predominantly long genes with high numbers of exons. The most prominent group of down-regulated genes are the DNA damage response genes, including the critical regulators of genomic stability: BRCA1 (breast and ovarian cancer type 1 susceptibility protein 1), ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related), FANCI, and FANCD2. We show that CycK/Cdk12, rather than CycK/Cdk13, is necessary for their expression. Nuclear run-on assays and chromatin immunoprecipitations with RNA polymerase II on the BRCA1 and FANCI genes suggest a transcriptional defect in the absence of CycK/Cdk12. Consistent with these findings, cells without CycK/Cdk12 induce spontaneous DNA damage and are sensitive to a variety of DNA damage agents. We conclude that through regulation of expression of DNA damage response genes, CycK/Cdk12 protects cells from genomic instability. The essential role of CycK for organisms in vivo is further supported by the result that genetic inactivation of CycK in mice causes early embryonic lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalibor Blazek
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology, Rosalind Russell Medical Research Center, University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), USA.
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Ramakrishnan R, Yu W, Rice AP. Limited redundancy in genes regulated by Cyclin T2 and Cyclin T1. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:260. [PMID: 21791050 PMCID: PMC3160394 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The elongation phase, like other steps of transcription by RNA Polymerase II, is subject to regulation. The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex allows for the transition of mRNA synthesis to the productive elongation phase. P-TEFb contains Cdk9 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 9) as its catalytic subunit and is regulated by its Cyclin partners, Cyclin T1 and Cyclin T2. The HIV-1 Tat transactivator protein enhances viral gene expression by exclusively recruiting the Cdk9-Cyclin T1 P-TEFb complex to a RNA element in nascent viral transcripts called TAR. The expression patterns of Cyclin T1 and Cyclin T2 in primary monocytes and CD4+ T cells suggests that Cyclin T2 may be generally involved in expression of constitutively expressed genes in quiescent cells, while Cyclin T1 may be involved in expression of genes up-regulated during macrophage differentiation, T cell activation, and conditions of increased metabolic activity To investigate this issue, we wished to identify the sets of genes whose levels are regulated by either Cyclin T2 or Cyclin T1. Findings We used shRNA lentiviral vectors to stably deplete either Cyclin T2 or Cyclin T1 in HeLa cells. Total RNA extracted from these cells was subjected to cDNA microarray analysis. We found that 292 genes were down- regulated by depletion of Cyclin T2 and 631 genes were down-regulated by depletion of Cyclin T1 compared to cells transduced with a control lentivirus. Expression of 100 genes was commonly reduced in either knockdown. Additionally, 111 and 287 genes were up-regulated when either Cyclin T2 or Cyclin T1 was depleted, respectively, with 45 genes in common. Conclusions These results suggest that there is limited redundancy in genes regulated by Cyclin T1 or Cyclin T2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Ramakrishnan
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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