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Qin T, Wang Y, Kong M, Zhong H, Wu T, Xi Z, Qian Z, Li K, Cai Y, Wu J, Li W. Identification of potential PIM-2 inhibitors via ligand-based generative models, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10916-7. [PMID: 38954072 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10916-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Proviral Integrations of Moloney-2 (PIM-2) kinase is a promising target for various cancers and other diseases, and its inhibitors hold potential for treating related diseases. However, there is currently no clinically available PIM-2 inhibitor. In this study, we constructed a generative model for de novo PIM-2 inhibitor design based on artificial intelligence, performed molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to develop an efficient PIM-2 inhibitor generative model and discover potential PIM-2 inhibitors. First, we designed a generative model based on a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) framework combined with a transfer learning strategy and generated a new PIM-2 small molecule library using existing active drug databases. The generated compound library was then virtually screened by molecular docking and scaffold similarity comparison, identifying 10 initial hit compounds with better performance. Next, using the inhibitor in the crystal structure as a positive control, we performed two rounds of MD simulations, with lengths of 100 ns and 500 ns, respectively, to study the dynamic stability of the protein-ligand systems of the 10 compounds with PIM-2. Analyzed the interactions with key hinge region residues, binding free energies, and changes in the ATP pocket size. The generative model demonstrates good molecular generation capability and can generate efficient novel molecules with similar physicochemical properties as active PIM-2 drugs. Among the 10 initially selected hit compounds, 5 compounds C3 (- 29.69 kcal/mol), C4 (- 33.31 kcal/mol), C5 (- 28.59 kcal/mol), C8 (- 34.68 kcal/mol), and C9 (- 25.88 kcal/mol) have higher binding energies with PIM-2 than the positive drug 3YR (- 26.18 kcal/mol). The MD simulation results are consistent with the docking analysis, these compounds have lower and more stable RMSD values for the complex systems with the reported positive drug 3YR and PIM-2 complex system. They can form long-term stable interactions with active site and the hinge region of PIM-2, which suggests these compounds are likely to have potent inhibitory effects on PIM-2. This study provides an efficient generative model for PIM-2 inhibitor research and discovers 5 potential novel PIM-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Qin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yijian Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Miaomiao Kong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Hongliang Zhong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tao Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zixuan Xi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhenyong Qian
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ke Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuepiao Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- The Eye Hospital, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wulan Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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2
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Rout AK, Dehury B, Parida SN, Rout SS, Jena R, Kaushik N, Kaushik NK, Pradhan SK, Sahoo CR, Singh AK, Arya M, Behera BK. A review on structure-function mechanism and signaling pathway of serine/threonine protein PIM kinases as a therapeutic target. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132030. [PMID: 38704069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132030] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The proviral integration for the Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases, belonging to serine/threonine kinase family, have been found to be overexpressed in various types of cancers, such as prostate, breast, colon, endometrial, gastric, and pancreatic cancer. The three isoforms PIM kinases i.e., PIM1, PIM2, and PIM3 share a high degree of sequence and structural similarity and phosphorylate substrates controlling tumorigenic phenotypes like proliferation and cell survival. Targeting short-lived PIM kinases presents an intriguing strategy as in vivo knock-down studies result in non-lethal phenotypes, indicating that clinical inhibition of PIM might have fewer adverse effects. The ATP binding site (hinge region) possesses distinctive attributes, which led to the development of novel small molecule scaffolds that target either one or all three PIM isoforms. Machine learning and structure-based approaches have been at the forefront of developing novel and effective chemical therapeutics against PIM in preclinical and clinical settings, and none have yet received approval for cancer treatment. The stability of PIM isoforms is maintained by PIM kinase activity, which leads to resistance against PIM inhibitors and chemotherapy; thus, to overcome such effects, PIM proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are now being developed that specifically degrade PIM proteins. In this review, we recapitulate an overview of the oncogenic functions of PIM kinases, their structure, function, and crucial signaling network in different types of cancer, and the potential of pharmacological small-molecule inhibitors. Further, our comprehensive review also provides valuable insights for developing novel antitumor drugs that specifically target PIM kinases in the future. In conclusion, we provide insights into the benefits of degrading PIM kinases as opposed to blocking their catalytic activity to address the oncogenic potential of PIM kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajaya Kumar Rout
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi-284003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Budheswar Dehury
- Department of Bioinformatics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal-576104, India
| | - Satya Narayan Parida
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi-284003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sushree Swati Rout
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore-756089, Odisha, India
| | - Rajkumar Jena
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore-756089, Odisha, India
| | - Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong si, South Korea
| | | | - Sukanta Kumar Pradhan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar-751003, Odisha, India
| | - Chita Ranjan Sahoo
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Bhubaneswar-751023, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Singh
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi-284003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Meenakshi Arya
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi-284003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Bijay Kumar Behera
- Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi-284003, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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3
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Chen X, Zhao J, Chen R, Shen L, Lu J, Guo Y, Chi X, Geng S, Zhang Q, Pan Z, He X, Xu L, Shen Z, Yang H, Lei T. Identification and assessment of new PIM2 inhibitors for treating hematologic cancers: A combined approach of energy-based virtual screening and machine learning evaluation. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300516. [PMID: 38263717 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
PIM2, part of the PIM kinase family along with PIM1 and PIM3, is often overexpressed in hematologic cancers, fueling tumor growth. Despite its significance, there are no approved drugs targeting it. In response to this challenge, we devised a thorough virtual screening workflow for discovering novel PIM2 inhibitors. Our process includes molecular docking and diverse scoring methods like molecular mechanics generalized born surface area, XGBOOST, and DeepDock to rank potential inhibitors by binding affinities and interaction potential. Ten compounds were selected and subjected to an adequate evaluation of their biological activity. Compound 2 emerged as the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 of approximately 135.7 nM. It also displayed significant activity against various hematological cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Molecular dynamics simulations elucidated the binding mode of compound 2 with PIM2, offering insights for drug development. These results highlight the reliability and efficacy of our virtual screening workflow, promising new drugs for hematologic cancers, notably ALCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Lymphoma, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Zhao
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Roufen Chen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liteng Shen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jialiang Lu
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinglong Chi
- Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuangshuang Geng
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingnan Zhang
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhichao Pan
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinjun He
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, China
| | - Zheyuan Shen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Lymphoma, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Lei
- Department of Lymphoma, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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Assirelli E, Ciaffi J, Scorcu V, Naldi S, Brusi V, Mancarella L, Lisi L, Pignatti F, Ursini F, Neri S. PIM Kinases as Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Arthritides. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3123. [PMID: 38542097 PMCID: PMC10969826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The Proviral Integration site for the Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM)-1 kinase and its family members (PIM-2 and PIM-3) regulate several cellular functions including survival, proliferation, and apoptosis. Recent studies showed their involvement in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis RA, while no studies are available on psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The main objective of this study is to assess the expression of PIM kinases in inflammatory arthritides, their correlation with proinflammatory cytokines, and their variation after treatment with biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or JAK inhibitors. We evaluated PIM-1, -2, and -3 expression at the gene and protein level, respectively, in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum of patients with RA, PsA, axSpA, and healthy individuals (CTR). All the samples showed expression of PIM-1, -2, and -3 kinases both at the gene and protein level. PIM-1 was the most expressed protein, PIM-3 the least. PIM kinase levels differed between controls and disease groups, with reduced PIM-1 protein and increased PIM-3 protein in all disease samples compared to controls. No difference was found in the expression of these molecules between the three different pathologies. PIM levels were not modified after 6 months of therapy. In conclusion, our preliminary data suggest a deregulation of the PIM pathway in inflammatory arthritides. In-depth studies on the role of PIM kinases in this field are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Assirelli
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Jacopo Ciaffi
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Valentina Scorcu
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Susanna Naldi
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Veronica Brusi
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Luana Mancarella
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Lucia Lisi
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Federica Pignatti
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Francesco Ursini
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Neri
- Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (E.A.); (J.C.); (V.S.); (S.N.); (V.B.); (L.M.); (L.L.); (F.P.); (S.N.)
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5
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Ingle K, LaComb JF, Graves LM, Baines AT, Bialkowska AB. AUM302, a novel triple kinase PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, is a potent in vitro pancreatic cancer growth inhibitor. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294065. [PMID: 37943821 PMCID: PMC10635512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) being the most common subtype. Advanced stage diagnosis of PDAC is common, causing limited treatment opportunities. Gemcitabine is a frequently used chemotherapeutic agent which can be used as a monotherapy or in combination. However, tumors often develop resistance to gemcitabine. Previous studies show that the proto-oncogene PIM kinases (PIM1 and PIM3) are upregulated in PDAC compared to matched normal tissue and are related to chemoresistance and PDAC cell growth. The PIM kinases are also involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to promote cell survival. In this study, we evaluate the effect of the novel multikinase PIM/PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, AUM302, and commercially available PIM inhibitor, TP-3654. Using five human PDAC cell lines, we found AUM302 to be a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation, cell viability, cell cycle progression, and phosphoprotein expression, while TP-3654 was less effective. Significantly, AUM302 had a strong impact on the viability of gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that AUM302 exhibits antitumor activity in human PDAC cells and thus has the potential to be an effective drug for PDAC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komala Ingle
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Joseph F. LaComb
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Lee M. Graves
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Antonio T. Baines
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, College of Health & Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Agnieszka B. Bialkowska
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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Wang M, Fan R, Jiang J, Sun F, Sun Y, Wang Q, Jiang A, Yu Z, Yang T. PIM2 Promotes the Development of Ovarian Endometriosis by Enhancing Glycolysis and Fibrosis. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2692-2702. [PMID: 37059967 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01208-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of the endometrial glands and the stroma outside the uterine cavity. The disease affects reproductive function and quality of life in women of reproductive age. Endometriosis is similar to tumors in some characteristics, such as glycolysis. PIM2 can promote the development of tumors, but the mechanism of PIM2 in endometriosis is still unclear. Therefore, our goal is to study the mechanism of PIM2 in endometriosis. Through immunohistochemistry, we found PIM2, HK2, PKM2, SMH (smooth muscle myosin heavy chain), Desmin, and α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) were strongly expressed in the ovarian endometriosis. In endometriotic cells, PIM2 enhanced glycolysis and fibrosis via upregulating the expression of PKM2. Moreover, the PIM2 inhibitor SMI-4a inhibited the development of endometriosis. And we established a PIM2 knockout mouse model of endometriosis to demonstrate the role of PIM2 in vivo. In summary, our study indicates that PIM2 promotes the development of endometriosis. PIM2 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiqi Fan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyi Jiang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangyuan Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujun Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Aifang Jiang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhai Yu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Nock S, Karim E, Unsworth AJ. Pim Kinases: Important Regulators of Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11582. [PMID: 37511341 PMCID: PMC10380471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411582] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pim Kinases; Pim-1, Pim-2, and Pim-3, are a family of constitutively active serine/threonine kinases, widely associated with cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Historically considered to be functionally redundant, independent roles for the individual isoforms have been described. Whilst most established for their role in cancer progression, there is increasing evidence for wider pathological roles of Pim kinases within the context of cardiovascular disease, including inflammation, thrombosis, and cardiac injury. The Pim kinase isoforms have widespread expression in cardiovascular tissues, including the heart, coronary artery, aorta, and blood, and have been demonstrated to be upregulated in several co-morbidities/risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Pim kinase inhibition may thus be a desirable therapeutic for a multi-targeted approach to treat cardiovascular disease and some of the associated risk factors. In this review, we discuss what is known about Pim kinase expression and activity in cells of the cardiovascular system, identify areas where the role of Pim kinase has yet to be fully explored and characterised and review the suitability of targeting Pim kinase for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda J. Unsworth
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
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Liu ZY, Meng NH, Cao PP, Peng FP, Luo JY, Wang H, Jiang FJ, Lu J, Fu R. Detection of myeloma cell-derived microvesicles: a tool to monitor multiple myeloma load. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:26. [PMID: 36879302 PMCID: PMC9987071 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00392-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistence of tumor load in multiple myeloma (MM) lead to relapse in patients achieving complete remission (CR). Appropriate and effective methods of myeloma tumor load monitoring are important for guiding clinical management. This study aimed to clarify the value of microvesicles in monitoring MM tumor load. Microvesicles in bone marrow and peripheral blood were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation and detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting was applied to assess myosin light chain phosphorylation levels. Flow cytometry to detect Ps+CD41a-, Ps+CD41a-CD138+, Ps+CD41a-BCMA+ microvesicles from bone marrow can be used to predict myeloma burden, furthermore, Ps+CD41a- microvesicles may as a potential index to MRD test. Mechanistically, the releasing of microvesicles from MM cell was regulated by Pim-2 Kinase via Phosphorylation of MLC-2 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Yun Liu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan-Hao Meng
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan-Pan Cao
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng-Ping Peng
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Yi Luo
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng-Juan Jiang
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Lu
- Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Institute of Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Disease, Beijing, 100044, People's Republic of China.,Innovative Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215031, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Street, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Wang C, Chen Q, Luo H, Chen R. Role and mechanism of PIM family in the immune microenvironment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. World J Surg Oncol 2023; 21:76. [PMID: 36871027 PMCID: PMC9985240 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-02947-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a more common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This study aims to explore the prognostic value of PIM kinase family in DLBCL and its relationship with the immune microenvironment, to provide a certain reference for the prognosis and treatment of DLBCL. METHODS The prognostic value of PIM kinase family in DLBCL from the data set GSE10846 was verified through survival analysis and cox regression analysis. Mutations in PIM kinase family and its relationship with immune cell infiltration were explored with online cBioPortal, TIMER database, and single-gene GSEA analysis. Finally, the expression of PIM kinase family in tissues from DLBCL clinical samples was validated through immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS The proteins of PIM kinase family were highly expressed in DLBCL patients, which are good prognostic factors for DLBCL patients. Then, PIM1-3 proteins were positively correlated with the immune infiltration of B cells, whose types of mutations also showed different degrees of correlation with B cells. PIM kinase family proteins also showed a high correlation with PDL1. In addition, PIM kinase family was also associated with the commonly mutated genes in DLBCL, such as MYD88, MYC, and BTK. CONCLUSION PIM kinase family may be a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changying Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China
| | - Qitian Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China
| | - Haichao Luo
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China.
| | - Ran Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, 441000, China.
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10
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Meller A, Ward M, Borowsky J, Kshirsagar M, Lotthammer JM, Oviedo F, Ferres JL, Bowman GR. Predicting locations of cryptic pockets from single protein structures using the PocketMiner graph neural network. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1177. [PMID: 36859488 PMCID: PMC9977097 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36699-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryptic pockets expand the scope of drug discovery by enabling targeting of proteins currently considered undruggable because they lack pockets in their ground state structures. However, identifying cryptic pockets is labor-intensive and slow. The ability to accurately and rapidly predict if and where cryptic pockets are likely to form from a structure would greatly accelerate the search for druggable pockets. Here, we present PocketMiner, a graph neural network trained to predict where pockets are likely to open in molecular dynamics simulations. Applying PocketMiner to single structures from a newly curated dataset of 39 experimentally confirmed cryptic pockets demonstrates that it accurately identifies cryptic pockets (ROC-AUC: 0.87) >1,000-fold faster than existing methods. We apply PocketMiner across the human proteome and show that predicted pockets open in simulations, suggesting that over half of proteins thought to lack pockets based on available structures likely contain cryptic pockets, vastly expanding the potentially druggable proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Meller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Box 8231, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Michael Ward
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Box 8231, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jonathan Borowsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Box 8231, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey M Lotthammer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Box 8231, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Felipe Oviedo
- AI for Good Research Lab, Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA
| | | | - Gregory R Bowman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Box 8231, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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11
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Liu Z, Guo Y, Liu X, Cao P, Liu H, Dong X, Ding K, Fu R. Pim-2 Kinase Regulates Energy Metabolism in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010067. [PMID: 36612063 PMCID: PMC9817993 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pim-2 kinase is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with MM. Changes in quantitative metabolism, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways are reportedly markers of all tumor cells. However, the relationship between Pim-2 and glycolysis in MM cells remains unclear. In the present study, we explored the relationship between Pim-2 and glycolysis. We found that Pim-2 inhibitors inhibited glycolysis and energy production in MM cells. Inhibition of Pim-2 decreased the proliferation of MM tumor cells and increased their susceptibility to apoptosis. Our data suggest that reduced Pim-2 expression inhibits the energy metabolism process in MM, thereby inhibiting tumor progression. Hence, Pim-2 is a potential metabolic target for MM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rong Fu
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-022-60817181
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12
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Lu C, Qiao P, Fu R, Wang Y, Lu J, Ling X, Liu L, Sun Y, Ren C, Yu Z. Phosphorylation of PFKFB4 by PIM2 promotes anaerobic glycolysis and cell proliferation in endometriosis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:790. [PMID: 36109523 PMCID: PMC9477845 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05241-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM) is one of the vanquished wonted causes of chronic pelvic sting in women and is closely associated with infertility. The long-term, complex, systemic, and post-treatment recurrence of EM wreaks havoc on women's quality of life. Extensive metabolic reprogramming (aerobic glycolysis, glucose overweening intake, and high lactate production) and cancer-like changes have been found in EM, which bears striking similarities to tumorigenesis. The key glycolysis regulator PFKFB4 is overexpressed in EM. However, the mechanism of PFKFB4 in EM remains unknown. We found that PFKFB4 was upregulated and was closely related to the progression of EM. We identified focus PIM2 as a new pioneering adjoin protein of PFKFB4. Vigorous biochemical methods were used to confirm that PIM2 phosphorylated site Thr140 of PFKFB4. PIM2 also could enhance PFKFB4 protein expression through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Moreover, PIM2 expression was really corresponding prevalent with PFKFB4 in endometriosis in vivo. Importantly, phosphorylation of PFKFB4 on Thr140 by PIM2 promoted EM glycolysis and cell growth. Our study demonstrates that PIM2 mediates PFKFB4 Thr140 phosphorylation thus regulating glycolysis and EM progression. We illustrated a new mechanism that PIM2 simulated a central upstream partnership in the regulation of PFKFB4, and reveal a novel means of PIM2-PFKFB4 setting EM growth. Our research provided new theoretical support for further clarifying the reprogramming of EM glucose metabolism, and provided new clues for exploring non-contraceptive treatments for EM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
| | - Pengyun Qiao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Ruihai Fu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Yadi Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Jiayi Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Xi Ling
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Yujun Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Chune Ren
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
| | - Zhenhai Yu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
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13
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Exploiting gene dependency to inform drug development for multiple myeloma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12696. [PMID: 35882937 PMCID: PMC9325789 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in therapy, multiple myeloma essentially remains an incurable malignancy. Targeting tumour-specific essential genes, which constitute a druggable dependency, potentially offers a strategy for developing new therapeutic agents to treat MM and overcome drug resistance. To explore this possibility, we analysed DepMap project data identifying 23 MM essential genes and examined the relationship between their expression and patient outcome in three independent series totalling 1503 cases. The expression of TCF3 and FLVCR1 were both significantly associated with progression-free survival. IKBKB is already a drug target in other diseases, offering the prospect of repurposing to treat MM, while PIM2 is currently being investigated as a treatment for the disease. Our analysis supports the rationale of using large-scale genetic perturbation screens to guide the development of new therapeutic agents for MM.
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14
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Julson JR, Marayati R, Beierle EA, Stafman LL. The Role of PIM Kinases in Pediatric Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3565. [PMID: 35892829 PMCID: PMC9332273 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PIM kinases have been identified as potential therapeutic targets in several malignancies. Here, we provide an in-depth review of PIM kinases, including their structure, expression, activity, regulation, and role in pediatric carcinogenesis. Also included is a brief summary of the currently available pharmaceutical agents targeting PIM kinases and existing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rae Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (J.R.J.); (R.M.)
| | - Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (J.R.J.); (R.M.)
| | - Elizabeth Ann Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (J.R.J.); (R.M.)
| | - Laura Lee Stafman
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA;
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15
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Di Francesco B, Verzella D, Capece D, Vecchiotti D, Di Vito Nolfi M, Flati I, Cornice J, Di Padova M, Angelucci A, Alesse E, Zazzeroni F. NF-κB: A Druggable Target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14143557. [PMID: 35884618 PMCID: PMC9319319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary AML is a highly heterogeneous hematological disease and is the second most common form of leukemia. Around 40% of AML patients display elevated nuclear NF-κB activity, providing a compelling rationale for targeting the NF-κB pathway in AML. Here we summarize the main drivers of the NF-κB pathway in AML pathogenesis as well as the conventional and novel therapeutic strategies targeting NF-κB to improve the survival of AML patients. Abstract Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy that relies on highly heterogeneous cytogenetic alterations. Although in the last few years new agents have been developed for AML treatment, the overall survival prospects for AML patients are still gloomy and new therapeutic options are still urgently needed. Constitutive NF-κB activation has been reported in around 40% of AML patients, where it sustains AML cell survival and chemoresistance. Given the central role of NF-κB in AML, targeting the NF-κB pathway represents an attractive strategy to treat AML. This review focuses on current knowledge of NF-κB’s roles in AML pathogenesis and summarizes the main therapeutic approaches used to treat NF-κB-driven AML.
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16
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Sadrkhanloo M, Entezari M, Orouei S, Ghollasi M, Fathi N, Rezaei S, Hejazi ES, Kakavand A, Saebfar H, Hashemi M, Goharrizi MASB, Salimimoghadam S, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Samarghandian S. STAT3-EMT axis in tumors: modulation of cancer metastasis, stemness and therapy response. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106311. [PMID: 35716914 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism is responsible for metastasis of tumor cells and their spread to various organs and tissues of body, providing undesirable prognosis. In addition to migration, EMT increases stemness and mediates therapy resistance. Hence, pathways involved in EMT regulation should be highlighted. STAT3 is an oncogenic pathway that can elevate growth rate and migratory ability of cancer cells and induce drug resistance. The inhibition of STAT3 signaling impairs cancer progression and promotes chemotherapy-mediated cell death. Present review focuses on STAT3 and EMT interaction in modulating cancer migration. First of all, STAT3 is an upstream mediator of EMT and is able to induce EMT-mediated metastasis in brain tumors, thoracic cancers and gastrointestinal cancers. Therefore, STAT3 inhibition significantly suppresses cancer metastasis and improves prognosis of patients. EMT regulators such as ZEB1/2 proteins, TGF-β, Twist, Snail and Slug are affected by STAT3 signaling to stimulate cancer migration and invasion. Different molecular pathways such as miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs modulate STAT3/EMT axis. Furthermore, we discuss how STAT3 and EMT interaction affects therapy response of cancer cells. Finally, we demonstrate targeting STAT3/EMT axis by anti-tumor agents and clinical application of this axis for improving patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdokht Sadrkhanloo
- Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Orouei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ghollasi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikoo Fathi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamin Rezaei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elahe Sadat Hejazi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirabbas Kakavand
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Saebfar
- European University Association, League of European Research Universities, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Healthy Ageing Research Centre, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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17
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Dibenzofuran Derivatives Inspired from Cercosporamide as Dual Inhibitors of Pim and CLK1 Kinases. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216572. [PMID: 34770981 PMCID: PMC8587151 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pim kinases (proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus kinases) are overexpressed in various types of hematological malignancies and solid carcinomas, and promote cell proliferation and survival. Thus, Pim kinases are validated as targets for antitumor therapy. In this context, our combined efforts in natural product-inspired library generation and screening furnished very promising dibenzo[b,d]furan derivatives derived from cercosporamide. Among them, lead compound 44 was highlighted as a potent Pim-1/2 kinases inhibitor with an additional nanomolar IC50 value against CLK1 (cdc2-like kinases 1) and displayed a low micromolar anticancer potency towards the MV4-11 (AML) cell line, expressing high endogenous levels of Pim-1/2 kinases. The design, synthesis, structure-activity relationship, and docking studies are reported herein and supported by enzyme, cellular assays, and Galleria mellonella larvae testing for acute toxicity.
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18
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Engineered Fully Human Single-Chain Monoclonal Antibodies to PIM2 Kinase. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216436. [PMID: 34770845 PMCID: PMC8588357 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proviral integration site of Moloney virus-2 (PIM2) is overexpressed in multiple human cancer cells and high level is related to poor prognosis; thus, PIM2 kinase is a rational target of anti-cancer therapeutics. Several chemical inhibitors targeting PIMs/PIM2 or their downstream signaling molecules have been developed for treatment of different cancers. However, their off-target toxicity is common in clinical trials, so they could not be advanced to official approval for clinical application. Here, we produced human single-chain antibody fragments (HuscFvs) to PIM2 by using phage display library, which was constructed in a way that a portion of phages in the library carried HuscFvs against human own proteins on their surface with the respective antibody genes in the phage genome. Bacterial derived-recombinant PIM2 (rPIM2) was used as an antigenic bait to fish out the rPIM2-bound phages from the library. Three E. coli clones transfected with the HuscFv genes derived from the rPIM2-bound phages expressed HuscFvs that bound also to native PIM2 from cancer cells. The HuscFvs presumptively interact with the PIM2 at the ATP binding pocket and kinase active loop. They were as effective as small chemical drug inhibitor (AZD1208, which is an ATP competitive inhibitor of all PIM isoforms for ex vivo use) in inhibiting PIM kinase activity. The HuscFvs should be engineered into a cell-penetrating format and tested further towards clinical application as a novel and safe pan-anti-cancer therapeutics.
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19
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PIM Kinases in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174304. [PMID: 34503111 PMCID: PMC8428354 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease and novel therapeutic agents/approaches are urgently needed. The PIM (Proviral insertion in murine malignancies) serine/threonine kinases have 3 isoforms: PIM1, PIM2, and PIM3. PIM kinases are engaged with an expansive scope of biological activities including cell growth, apoptosis, drug resistance, and immune response. An assortment of molecules and pathways that are critical to myeloma tumorigenesis has been recognized as the downstream targets of PIM kinases. The inhibition of PIM kinases has become an emerging scientific interest for the treatment of multiple myeloma and several PIM kinase inhibitors, such as SGI-1776, AZD1208, and PIM447 (formerly LGH447), have been developed and are under different phases of clinical trials. Current research has been focused on the development of a new generation of potent PIM kinase inhibitors with appropriate pharmacological profiles reasonable for human malignancy treatment. Combination therapy of PIM kinase inhibitors with chemotherapeutic appears to create an additive cytotoxic impact in cancer cells. Notwithstanding, the mechanisms by which PIM kinases modulate the immune microenvironment and synergize with the immunomodulatory agents such as lenalidomide have not been deliberately depicted. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the PIM kinase pathways and the current research status of the development of PIM kinase inhibitors for the treatment of MM. Additionally, the combinatorial effects of the PIM kinase inhibitors with other targeted agents and the promising strategies to exploit PIM as a therapeutic target in malignancy are highlighted.
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20
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Crystal Structure-Guided Design of Bisubstrate Inhibitors and Photoluminescent Probes for Protein Kinases of the PIM Family. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144353. [PMID: 34299628 PMCID: PMC8307404 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed an X-ray crystallographic study of complexes of protein kinase PIM-1 with three inhibitors comprising an adenosine mimetic moiety, a linker, and a peptide-mimetic (d-Arg)6 fragment. Guided by the structural models, simplified chemical structures with a reduced number of polar groups and chiral centers were designed. The developed inhibitors retained low-nanomolar potency and possessed remarkable selectivity toward the PIM kinases. The new inhibitors were derivatized with biotin or fluorescent dye Cy5 and then applied for the detection of PIM kinases in biochemical solutions and in complex biological samples. The sandwich assay utilizing a PIM-2-selective detection antibody featured a low limit of quantification (44 pg of active recombinant PIM-2). Fluorescent probes were efficiently taken up by U2OS cells and showed a high extent of co-localization with PIM-1 fused with a fluorescent protein. Overall, the developed inhibitors and derivatives represent versatile chemical tools for studying PIM function in cellular systems in normal and disease physiology.
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