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Hablase R, Kyrou I, Randeva H, Karteris E, Chatterjee J. The "Road" to Malignant Transformation from Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancers (EAOCs): An mTOR-Centred Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2160. [PMID: 38893278 PMCID: PMC11172073 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is an umbrella term covering a number of distinct subtypes. Endometrioid and clear-cell ovarian carcinoma are endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers (EAOCs) frequently arising from ectopic endometrium in the ovary. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial regulator of cellular homeostasis and is dysregulated in both endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer, potentially favouring carcinogenesis across a spectrum from benign disease with cancer-like characteristics, through an atypical phase, to frank malignancy. In this review, we focus on mTOR dysregulation in endometriosis and EAOCs, investigating cancer driver gene mutations and their potential interaction with the mTOR pathway. Additionally, we explore the complex pathogenesis of transformation, considering environmental, hormonal, and epigenetic factors. We then discuss postmenopausal endometriosis pathogenesis and propensity for malignant transformation. Finally, we summarize the current advancements in mTOR-targeted therapeutics for endometriosis and EAOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa Hablase
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB83PH, UK; (R.H.); (E.K.)
- Academic Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
| | - Ioannis Kyrou
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK (H.R.)
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Institute for Cardiometabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
- Aston Medical School, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
- College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
- Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Harpal Randeva
- Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK (H.R.)
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Institute for Cardiometabolic Medicine, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
| | - Emmanouil Karteris
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB83PH, UK; (R.H.); (E.K.)
| | - Jayanta Chatterjee
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB83PH, UK; (R.H.); (E.K.)
- Academic Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
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2
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Linde-Garelli KY, Rogala KB. Structural mechanisms of the mTOR pathway. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102663. [PMID: 37572585 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102663] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The mTOR signaling pathway is essential for regulating cell growth and mammalian metabolism. The mTOR kinase forms two complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, which respond to external stimuli and regulate differential downstream targets. Cellular membrane-associated translocation mediates function and assembly of the mTOR complexes, and recent structural studies have begun uncovering the molecular basis by which the mTOR pathway (1) regulates signaling inputs, (2) recruits substrates, (3) localizes to biological membranes, and (4) becomes activated. Moreover, indications of dysregulated mTOR signaling are implicated in a wide range of diseases and an increasingly comprehensive understanding of structural mechanisms is driving novel translational development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Y Linde-Garelli
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kacper B Rogala
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Ma G, Sun Y, Cai F, Zhang M, Liang H, Deng J, Zhang R, Zhang L. DEPTOR as a novel prognostic marker inhibits the proliferation via deactivating mTOR signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells. Exp Cell Res 2023; 427:113598. [PMID: 37054772 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Aberrantly activated mTOR signaling pathway is commonly found in malignancies including gastric cancer (GC). DEPTOR, as a naturally occurred inhibitor of mTOR, functions in the pro- or anti-tumor manner depending on distinct tumor contexts. However, the roles of DEPTOR in GC remain largely unknown. In this study, DEPTOR expression was identified to be significantly decreased in GC tissues compared with matched normal gastric tissues, and reduced DEPTOR level was indicative of poor prognosis in patients. Restored DEPTOR expression inhibited the propagation in AGS and NCI-N87 cells, whose DEPTOR levels are low, via deactivating mTOR signaling pathway. Likewise, cabergoline (CAB) attenuated the proliferation in AGS and NCI-N87 cells via partially rescuing DEPTOR protein level. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that several key metabolites, such as l-serine, significantly changed in AGS cells with DEPTOR restoration. These results revealed the anti-proliferation function of DEPTOR in GC cells, suggesting that restored DEPTOR expression using CAB may be a potential therapeutic approach for patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Ma
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fenglin Cai
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jingyu Deng
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Rupeng Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Stary D, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, Bajda M. Searching for new mTOR kinase inhibitors: Analysis of binding sites and validation of docking protocols. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 101:103-119. [PMID: 35945665 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an important biological target for development of novel anticancer drugs and potential antiageing agents. Therefore, many scientific groups search for mTOR kinase inhibitors. Herein, we present structure-based approach which could be helpful in the studies on new bioactive compounds. Method validation was preceded by structural analysis of ATP catalytic cleft and FRB domain. In silico studies allowed us to point crucial amino acid residues for ligand binding and develop optimal docking protocols. The presented methodology could be applied for design and development of potential mTOR kinase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Stary
- Department of Physicochemical Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Bajda
- Department of Physicochemical Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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mTOR substrate phosphorylation in growth control. Cell 2022; 185:1814-1836. [PMID: 35580586 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The target of rapamycin (TOR), discovered 30 years ago, is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a central role in regulating cell growth and metabolism. It is activated by nutrients, growth factors, and cellular energy. TOR forms two structurally and functionally distinct complexes, TORC1 and TORC2. TOR signaling activates cell growth, defined as an increase in biomass, by stimulating anabolic metabolism while inhibiting catabolic processes. With emphasis on mammalian TOR (mTOR), we comprehensively reviewed the literature and identified all reported direct substrates. In the context of recent structural information, we discuss how mTORC1 and mTORC2, despite having a common catalytic subunit, phosphorylate distinct substrates. We conclude that the two complexes recruit different substrates to phosphorylate a common, minimal motif.
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Wälchli M, Berneiser K, Mangia F, Imseng S, Craigie LM, Stuttfeld E, Hall MN, Maier T. Regulation of human mTOR complexes by DEPTOR. eLife 2021; 10:e70871. [PMID: 34519268 PMCID: PMC8439649 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate-specific DEP domain-containing mTOR interacting protein (DEPTOR), an oncoprotein or tumor suppressor, has important roles in metabolism, immunity, and cancer. It is the only protein that binds and regulates both complexes of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a central regulator of cell growth. Biochemical analysis and cryo-EM reconstructions of DEPTOR bound to human mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2 reveal that both structured regions of DEPTOR, the PDZ domain and the DEP domain tandem (DEPt), are involved in mTOR interaction. The PDZ domain binds tightly with mildly activating effect, but then acts as an anchor for DEPt association that allosterically suppresses mTOR activation. The binding interfaces of the PDZ domain and DEPt also support further regulation by other signaling pathways. A separate, substrate-like mode of interaction for DEPTOR phosphorylation by mTOR complexes rationalizes inhibition of non-stimulated mTOR activity at higher DEPTOR concentrations. The multifaceted interplay between DEPTOR and mTOR provides a basis for understanding the divergent roles of DEPTOR in physiology and opens new routes for targeting the mTOR-DEPTOR interaction in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Timm Maier
- Biozentrum, University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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