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Altintas O, MacArthur MR. General control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) as a therapeutic target in age-related diseases. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 5:1447370. [PMID: 39319345 PMCID: PMC11420162 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1447370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
The function of General Control Nonderepressible 2 (GCN2), an evolutionary-conserved component of the integrated stress response (ISR), has been well-documented across organisms from yeast to mammals. Recently GCN2 has also gained attention for its role in health and disease states. In this review, we provide a brief overview of GCN2, including its structure, activation mechanisms and interacting partners, and explore its potential significance as a therapeutic target in various age-related diseases including neurodegeneration, inflammatory disorders and cancer. Finally, we summarize the barriers to effectively targeting GCN2 for the treatment of disease and to promote a healthier aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Altintas
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael R. MacArthur
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
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2
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Jiang K, Wang Q, Chen XL, Wang X, Gu X, Feng S, Wu J, Shang H, Ba X, Zhang Y, Tang K. Nanodelivery Optimization of IDO1 Inhibitors in Tumor Immunotherapy: Challenges and Strategies. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:8847-8882. [PMID: 39220190 PMCID: PMC11366248 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s458086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism plays a vital role in cancer immunity. Indoleamine 2.3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), is a crucial enzyme in the metabolic pathway by which Trp is degraded to kynurenine (Kyn). IDO1-mediated Trp metabolites can inhibit tumor immunity and facilitate immune evasion by cancer cells; thus, targeting IDO1 is a potential tumor immunotherapy strategy. Recently, numerous IDO1 inhibitors have been introduced into clinical trials as immunotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. However, drawbacks such as low oral bioavailability, slow onset of action, and high toxicity are associated with these drugs. With the continuous development of nanotechnology, medicine is gradually entering an era of precision healthcare. Nanodrugs carried by inorganic, lipid, and polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential for tumor therapy, providing new ways to overcome tumor diversity and improve therapeutic efficacy. Compared to traditional drugs, nanomedicines offer numerous significant advantages, including a prolonged half-life, low toxicity, targeted delivery, and responsive release. Moreover, based on the physicochemical properties of these nanomaterials (eg, photothermal, ultrasonic response, and chemocatalytic properties), various combination therapeutic strategies have been developed to synergize the effects of IDO1 inhibitors and enhance their anticancer efficacy. This review is an overview of the mechanism by which the Trp-IDO1-Kyn pathway acts in tumor immune escape. The classification of IDO1 inhibitors, their clinical applications, and barriers for translational development are discussed, the use of IDO1 inhibitor-based nanodrug delivery systems as combination therapy strategies is summarized, and the issues faced in their clinical application are elucidated. We expect that this review will provide guidance for the development of IDO1 inhibitor-based nanoparticle nanomedicines that can overcome the limitations of current treatments, improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, and lead to new breakthroughs in the field of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehua Jiang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Long Chen
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoya Gu
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuangshuang Feng
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haojie Shang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaozhuo Ba
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanlong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Tang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China
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Emanuelli G, Zhu J, Li W, Morrell NW, Marciniak SJ. Functional validation of EIF2AK4 (GCN2) missense variants associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1495-1505. [PMID: 38776952 PMCID: PMC11336063 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae082] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disorder with a large genetic component. Biallelic mutations of EIF2AK4, which encodes the kinase GCN2, are causal in two ultra-rare subtypes of PAH, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis. EIF2AK4 variants of unknown significance have also been identified in patients with classical PAH, though their relationship to disease remains unclear. To provide patients with diagnostic information and enable family testing, the functional consequences of such rare variants must be determined, but existing computational methods are imperfect. We applied a suite of bioinformatic and experimental approaches to sixteen EIF2AK4 variants that had been identified in patients. By experimentally testing the functional integrity of the integrated stress response (ISR) downstream of GCN2, we determined that existing computational tools have insufficient sensitivity to reliably predict impaired kinase function. We determined experimentally that several EIF2AK4 variants identified in patients with classical PAH had preserved function and are therefore likely to be non-pathogenic. The dysfunctional variants of GCN2 that we identified could be subclassified into three groups: misfolded, kinase-dead, and hypomorphic. Intriguingly, members of the hypomorphic group were amenable to paradoxical activation by a type-1½ GCN2 kinase inhibitor. This experiment approach may aid in the clinical stratification of EIF2AK4 variants and potentially identify hypomorophic alleles receptive to pharmacological activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Emanuelli
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Biomedical Campus, Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - JiaYi Zhu
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Biomedical Campus, Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Li
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 0BB, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital (Box 157), Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas W Morrell
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 0BB, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital (Box 157), Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
- Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth Rd, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 0AY, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan J Marciniak
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Biomedical Campus, Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital (Box 157), Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom
- Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth Rd, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 0AY, United Kingdom
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Tang M, Xia W, Song F, Liu C, Wang X, Zhou H, Mai K, He G. Loss of Gcn2 exacerbates gossypol induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in zebrafish. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:109727. [PMID: 38936520 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Gossypol, a naturally occurring compound found in cottonseed meal, shows promising therapeutic potential for human diseases. However, within the aquaculture industry, it is considered an antinutritional factor. The incorporation of cottonseed meal into fish feed introduces gossypol, which induces intracellular stresses and hinders overall health of farmed fish. The aim of this study is to determine the role of General control nonderepressible 2 (gcn2), a sensor for intracellular stresses in gossypol-induced stress responses in fish. In the present study, we established two gcn2 knockout zebrafish lines. A feeding trial was conducted to assess the growth-inhibitory effect of gossypol in both wild type and gcn2 knockout zebrafish. The results showed that in the absence of gcn2, zebrafish exhibited increased oxidative stress and apoptosis when exposed to gossypol, resulting in higher mortality rates. In feeding trial, dietary gossypol intensified liver inflammation in gcn2-/- zebrafish, diminishing their growth and feed conversion. Remarkably, administering the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was effective in reversing the gossypol induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, thereby increasing the gossypol tolerance of gcn2-/- zebrafish. Exposure to gossypol induces more severe mitochondrial stress in gcn2-/- zebrafish, thereby inducing metabolic disorders. These results reveal that gcn2 plays a protective role in reducing gossypol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, attenuating inflammation responses, and enhancing the survivability of zebrafish in gossypol-challenged conditions. Therefore, maintaining appropriate activation of Gcn2 may be beneficial for fish fed diets containing gossypol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Weiyi Xia
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Fei Song
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Chengdong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.
| | - Xuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Huihui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Kangsen Mai
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Gen He
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Nutrition and Feeds, Ministry of Agriculture, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
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Damayanti NP, Cordova RA, Rupert C, Delle Fontane I, Shen L, Orsi S, Klunk AJ, Linehan WM, Staschke KA, Hollenhorst PC, Heppner DE, Pili R. TFE3-Splicing Factor Fusions Represent Functional Drivers and Druggable Targets in Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1286-1302. [PMID: 38266162 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
TFE3 is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper MiT transcription factor family, and its chimeric proteins are associated with translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC). Despite the variety of gene fusions, most TFE3 fusion partner genes are related to spliceosome machinery. Dissecting the function of TFE3 fused to spliceosome machinery factors (TFE3-SF) could direct the development of effective therapies for this lethal disease, which is refractory to standard treatments for kidney cancer. Here, by using a combination of in silico structure prediction, transcriptome profiling, molecular characterization, and high-throughput high-content screening (HTHCS), we interrogated a number of oncogenic mechanisms of TFE3-SF fusions. TFE3-SF fusions drove the transformation of kidney cells and promoted distinct oncogenic phenotypes in a fusion partner-dependent manner, differentially altering the transcriptome and RNA splicing landscape and activating different oncogenic pathways. Inhibiting TFE3-SF dimerization reversed its oncogenic activity and represented a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Screening the FDA-approved drugs library LOPAC and a small-molecule library (Microsource) using HTHCS combined with FRET technology identified compounds that inhibit TFE3-SF dimerization. Hit compounds were validated in 2D and 3D patient-derived xenograft models expressing TFE3-SF. The antihistamine terfenadine decreased cell proliferation and reduced in vivo tumor growth of tRCC. Overall, these results unmask therapeutic strategies to target TFE3-SF dimerization for treating patients with tRCC. SIGNIFICANCE TFE3-splicing factor fusions possess both transcription and splicing factor functions that remodel the transcriptome and spliceosome and can be targeted with dimerization inhibitors to suppress the growth of translocation renal cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur P Damayanti
- Genitourinary Program, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ricardo A Cordova
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Christopher Rupert
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ilaria Delle Fontane
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Li Shen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Sabrina Orsi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Angela J Klunk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - W Marston Linehan
- Urological Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kirk A Staschke
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Peter C Hollenhorst
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - David E Heppner
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Roberto Pili
- Genitourinary Program, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
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Yuan S, Almagro J, Fuchs E. Beyond genetics: driving cancer with the tumour microenvironment behind the wheel. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:274-286. [PMID: 38347101 PMCID: PMC11077468 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00660-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Cancer has long been viewed as a genetic disease of cumulative mutations. This notion is fuelled by studies showing that ageing tissues are often riddled with clones of complex oncogenic backgrounds coexisting in seeming harmony with their normal tissue counterparts. Equally puzzling, however, is how cancer cells harbouring high mutational burden contribute to normal, tumour-free mice when allowed to develop within the confines of healthy embryos. Conversely, recent evidence suggests that adult tissue cells expressing only one or a few oncogenes can, in some contexts, generate tumours exhibiting many of the features of a malignant, invasive cancer. These disparate observations are difficult to reconcile without invoking environmental cues triggering epigenetic changes that can either dampen or drive malignant transformation. In this Review, we focus on how certain oncogenes can launch a two-way dialogue of miscommunication between a stem cell and its environment that can rewire downstream events non-genetically and skew the morphogenetic course of the tissue. We review the cells and molecules of and the physical forces acting in the resulting tumour microenvironments that can profoundly affect the behaviours of transformed cells. Finally, we discuss possible explanations for the remarkable diversity in the relative importance of mutational burden versus tumour microenvironment and its clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Yuan
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge Almagro
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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Kalinin A, Zubkova E, Menshikov M. Integrated Stress Response (ISR) Pathway: Unraveling Its Role in Cellular Senescence. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17423. [PMID: 38139251 PMCID: PMC10743681 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417423] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a complex process characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells accumulate with age, promoting disease development, yet the absence of specific markers hampers the development of selective anti-senescence drugs. The integrated stress response (ISR), an evolutionarily highly conserved signaling network activated in response to stress, globally downregulates protein translation while initiating the translation of specific protein sets including transcription factors. We propose that ISR signaling plays a central role in controlling senescence, given that senescence is considered a form of cellular stress. Exploring the intricate relationship between the ISR pathway and cellular senescence, we emphasize its potential as a regulatory mechanism in senescence and cellular metabolism. The ISR emerges as a master regulator of cellular metabolism during stress, activating autophagy and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, crucial for maintaining mitochondrial quality and efficiency. Our review comprehensively examines ISR molecular mechanisms, focusing on ATF4-interacting partners, ISR modulators, and their impact on senescence-related conditions. By shedding light on the intricate relationship between ISR and cellular senescence, we aim to inspire future research directions and advance the development of targeted anti-senescence therapies based on ISR modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kalinin
- National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.Z.)
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Zubkova
- National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Mikhail Menshikov
- National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.Z.)
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Levy JL, Mirek ET, Rodriguez EM, Zalma B, Burns J, Jonsson WO, Sampath H, Staschke KA, Wek RC, Anthony TG. GCN2 is required to maintain core body temperature in mice during acute cold. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 325:E624-E637. [PMID: 37792040 PMCID: PMC10864021 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00181.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Nonshivering thermogenesis in rodents requires macronutrients to fuel the generation of heat during hypothermic conditions. In this study, we examined the role of the nutrient sensing kinase, general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) in directing adaptive thermogenesis during acute cold exposure in mice. We hypothesized that GCN2 is required for adaptation to acute cold stress via activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) resulting in liver production of FGF21 and increased amino acid transport to support nonshivering thermogenesis. In alignment with our hypothesis, female and male mice lacking GCN2 failed to adequately increase energy expenditure and veered into torpor. Mice administered a small molecule inhibitor of GCN2 were also profoundly intolerant to acute cold stress. Gcn2 deletion also impeded liver-derived FGF21 but in males only. Within the brown adipose tissue (BAT), acute cold exposure increased ISR activation and its transcriptional execution in males and females. RNA sequencing in BAT identified transcripts that encode actomyosin mechanics and transmembrane transport as requiring GCN2 during cold exposure. These transcripts included class II myosin heavy chain and amino acid transporters, critical for maximal thermogenesis during cold stress. Importantly, Gcn2 deletion corresponded with higher circulating amino acids and lower intracellular amino acids in the BAT during cold stress. In conclusion, we identify a sex-independent role for GCN2 activation to support adaptive thermogenesis via uptake of amino acids into brown adipose.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper details the discovery that GCN2 activation is required in both male and female mice to maintain core body temperature during acute cold exposure. The results point to a novel role for GCN2 in supporting adaptive thermogenesis via amino acid transport and actomyosin mechanics in brown adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Levy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Esther M Rodriguez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Brian Zalma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Jeffrey Burns
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - William O Jonsson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Harini Sampath
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Kirk A Staschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
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9
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Kahlhofer J, Teis D. The human LAT1-4F2hc (SLC7A5-SLC3A2) transporter complex: Physiological and pathophysiological implications. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 133:459-472. [PMID: 36460306 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13821] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
LAT1 and 4F2hc form a heterodimeric membrane protein complex, which functions as one of the best characterized amino acid transporters. Since LAT1-4F2hc is required for the efficient uptake of essential amino acids and hormones, it promotes cellular growth, in part, by stimulating mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) signalling and by repressing the integrated stress response (ISR). Gain or loss of LAT1-4F2hc function is associated with cancer, diabetes, and immunological and neurological diseases. Hence, LAT1-4F2hc represents an attractive drug target for disease treatment. Specific targeting of LAT1-4F2hc will be facilitated by the increasingly detailed understanding of its molecular architecture, which provides important concepts for its function and regulation. Here, we summarize (i) structural insights that help to explain how LAT1 and 4F2hc assemble to transport amino acids across membranes, (ii) the role of LAT1-4F2hc in key metabolic signalling pathways, and (iii) how derailing these processes could contribute to diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kahlhofer
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Teis
- Institute for Cell Biology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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10
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Gauthier-Coles G, Rahimi F, Bröer A, Bröer S. Inhibition of GCN2 Reveals Synergy with Cell-Cycle Regulation and Proteostasis. Metabolites 2023; 13:1064. [PMID: 37887389 PMCID: PMC10609202 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13101064] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response is a signaling network comprising four branches, each sensing different cellular stressors, converging on the phosphorylation of eIF2α to downregulate global translation and initiate recovery. One of these branches includes GCN2, which senses cellular amino acid insufficiency and participates in maintaining amino acid homeostasis. Previous studies have shown that GCN2 is a viable cancer target when amino acid stress is induced by inhibiting an additional target. In this light, we screened numerous drugs for their potential to synergize with the GCN2 inhibitor TAP20. The drug sensitivity of six cancer cell lines to a panel of 25 compounds was assessed. Each compound was then combined with TAP20 at concentrations below their IC50, and the impact on cell growth was evaluated. The strongly synergistic combinations were further characterized using synergy analyses and matrix-dependent invasion assays. Inhibitors of proteostasis and the MEK-ERK pathway, as well as the pan-CDK inhibitors, flavopiridol, and seliciclib, were potently synergistic with TAP20 in two cell lines. Among their common CDK targets was CDK7, which was more selectively targeted by THZ-1 and synergized with TAP20. Moreover, these combinations were partially synergistic when assessed using matrix-dependent invasion assays. However, TAP20 alone was sufficient to restrict invasion at concentrations well below its growth-inhibitory IC50. We conclude that GCN2 inhibition can be further explored in vivo as a cancer target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Gauthier-Coles
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (G.G.-C.); (F.R.); (A.B.)
- School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06504, USA
| | - Farid Rahimi
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (G.G.-C.); (F.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Angelika Bröer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (G.G.-C.); (F.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Stefan Bröer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (G.G.-C.); (F.R.); (A.B.)
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11
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Lamichhane PP, Samir P. Cellular Stress: Modulator of Regulated Cell Death. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1172. [PMID: 37759572 PMCID: PMC10525759 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Cellular stress response activates a complex program of an adaptive response called integrated stress response (ISR) that can allow a cell to survive in the presence of stressors. ISR reprograms gene expression to increase the transcription and translation of stress response genes while repressing the translation of most proteins to reduce the metabolic burden. In some cases, ISR activation can lead to the assembly of a cytoplasmic membraneless compartment called stress granules (SGs). ISR and SGs can inhibit apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, suggesting that they guard against uncontrolled regulated cell death (RCD) to promote organismal homeostasis. However, ISR and SGs also allow cancer cells to survive in stressful environments, including hypoxia and during chemotherapy. Therefore, there is a great need to understand the molecular mechanism of the crosstalk between ISR and RCD. This is an active area of research and is expected to be relevant to a range of human diseases. In this review, we provided an overview of the interplay between different cellular stress responses and RCD pathways and their modulation in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parimal Samir
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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12
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Lines CL, McGrath MJ, Dorwart T, Conn CS. The integrated stress response in cancer progression: a force for plasticity and resistance. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1206561. [PMID: 37601686 PMCID: PMC10435748 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1206561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
During their quest for growth, adaptation, and survival, cancer cells create a favorable environment through the manipulation of normal cellular mechanisms. They increase anabolic processes, including protein synthesis, to facilitate uncontrolled proliferation and deplete the tumor microenvironment of resources. As a dynamic adaptation to the self-imposed oncogenic stress, cancer cells promptly hijack translational control to alter gene expression. Rewiring the cellular proteome shifts the phenotypic balance between growth and adaptation to promote therapeutic resistance and cancer cell survival. The integrated stress response (ISR) is a key translational program activated by oncogenic stress that is utilized to fine-tune protein synthesis and adjust to environmental barriers. Here, we focus on the role of ISR signaling for driving cancer progression. We highlight mechanisms of regulation for distinct mRNA translation downstream of the ISR, expand on oncogenic signaling utilizing the ISR in response to environmental stresses, and pinpoint the impact this has for cancer cell plasticity during resistance to therapy. There is an ongoing need for innovative drug targets in cancer treatment, and modulating ISR activity may provide a unique avenue for clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Crystal S. Conn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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13
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Blinka S, Mishra R, Hsieh AC. ELAC2 is a functional prostate cancer risk allele. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:586-588. [PMID: 37353407 PMCID: PMC10527048 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.06.002] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Stentenbach and colleagues have unveiled a functional role of a human germline mutation found in the ribonuclease (RNase) Z enzyme, ELAC2, in prostate cancer. Here, we discuss the importance of these findings in enhancing our understanding of how risk variants enable prostate cancer progression and the post-transcriptional mechanisms underlying oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Blinka
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rashmi Mishra
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Andrew C Hsieh
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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14
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Sannino S, Manuel AM, Shang C, Wendell SG, Wipf P, Brodsky JL. Non-Essential Amino Acid Availability Influences Proteostasis and Breast Cancer Cell Survival During Proteotoxic Stress. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:675-690. [PMID: 36961392 PMCID: PMC10330057 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) regulates tumor growth and proliferation when cells are exposed to proteotoxic stress, such as during treatment with certain chemotherapeutics. Consequently, cancer cells depend to a greater extent on stress signaling, and require the integrated stress response (ISR), amino acid metabolism, and efficient protein folding and degradation pathways to survive. To define how these interconnected pathways are wired when cancer cells are challenged with proteotoxic stress, we investigated how amino acid abundance influences cell survival when Hsp70, a master proteostasis regulator, is inhibited. We previously demonstrated that cancer cells exposed to a specific Hsp70 inhibitor induce the ISR via the action of two sensors, GCN2 and PERK, in stress-resistant and sensitive cells, respectively. In resistant cells, the induction of GCN2 and autophagy supported resistant cell survival, yet the mechanism by which these events were induced remained unclear. We now report that amino acid availability reconfigures the proteostasis network. Amino acid supplementation, and in particular arginine addition, triggered cancer cell death by blocking autophagy. Consistent with the importance of amino acid availability, which when limited activates GCN2, resistant cancer cells succumbed when challenged with a potentiator for another amino acid sensor, mTORC1, in conjunction with Hsp70 inhibition. IMPLICATIONS These data position amino acid abundance, GCN2, mTORC1, and autophagy as integrated therapeutic targets whose coordinated modulation regulates the survival of proteotoxic-resistant breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sannino
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Allison M. Manuel
- Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Chaowei Shang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stacy G. Wendell
- Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Peter Wipf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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15
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Mijit M, Boner M, Cordova RA, Gampala S, Kpenu E, Klunk AJ, Zhang C, Kelley MR, Staschke KA, Fishel ML. Activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) pathways in response to Ref-1 inhibition in human pancreatic cancer and its tumor microenvironment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1146115. [PMID: 37181357 PMCID: PMC10174294 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1146115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a profound inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) with high heterogeneity, metastatic propensity, and extreme hypoxia. The integrated stress response (ISR) pathway features a family of protein kinases that phosphorylate eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and regulate translation in response to diverse stress conditions, including hypoxia. We previously demonstrated that eIF2 signaling pathways were profoundly affected in response to Redox factor-1 (Ref-1) knockdown in human PDAC cells. Ref-1 is a dual function enzyme with activities of DNA repair and redox signaling, responds to cellular stress, and regulates survival pathways. The redox function of Ref-1 directly regulates multiple transcription factors including HIF-1α, STAT3, and NF-κB, which are highly active in the PDAC TME. However, the mechanistic details of the crosstalk between Ref-1 redox signaling and activation of ISR pathways are unclear. Following Ref-1 knockdown, induction of ISR was observed under normoxic conditions, while hypoxic conditions were sufficient to activate ISR irrespective of Ref-1 levels. Inhibition of Ref-1 redox activity increased expression of p-eIF2 and ATF4 transcriptional activity in a concentration-dependent manner in multiple human PDAC cell lines, and the effect on eIF2 phosphorylation was PERK-dependent. Treatment with PERK inhibitor, AMG-44 at high concentrations resulted in activation of the alternative ISR kinase, GCN2 and induced levels of p-eIF2 and ATF4 in both tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Combination treatment with inhibitors of Ref-1 and PERK enhanced cell killing effects in both human pancreatic cancer lines and CAFs in 3D co-culture, but only at high doses of PERK inhibitors. This effect was completely abrogated when Ref-1 inhibitors were used in combination with GCN2 inhibitor, GCN2iB. We demonstrate that targeting of Ref-1 redox signaling activates the ISR in multiple PDAC lines and that this activation of ISR is critical for inhibition of the growth of co-culture spheroids. Combination effects were only observed in physiologically relevant 3D co-cultures, suggesting that the model system utilized can greatly affect the outcome of these targeted agents. Inhibition of Ref-1 signaling induces cell death through ISR signaling pathways, and combination of Ref-1 redox signaling blockade with ISR activation could be a novel therapeutic strategy for PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmut Mijit
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Megan Boner
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Ricardo A Cordova
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Silpa Gampala
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Eyram Kpenu
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Angela J Klunk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Chi Zhang
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - MarK R Kelley
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kirk A Staschke
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Melissa L Fishel
- Department of Pediatrics and Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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16
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Carlson KR, Georgiadis MM, Tameire F, Staschke KA, Wek RC. Activation of Gcn2 by small molecules designed to be inhibitors. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104595. [PMID: 36898579 PMCID: PMC10124904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) is an important mechanism by which cells confer protection against environmental stresses. Central to the ISR is a collection of related protein kinases that monitor stress conditions, such as Gcn2 (EIF2AK4) that recognizes nutrient limitations, inducing phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2). Gcn2 phosphorylation of eIF2 lowers bulk protein synthesis, conserving energy and nutrients, coincident with preferential translation of stress-adaptive gene transcripts, such as that encoding the Atf4 transcriptional regulator. While Gcn2 is central for cell protection to nutrient stress and its depletion in humans leads to pulmonary disorders, Gcn2 can also contribute to the progression of cancers and facilitate neurological disorders during chronic stress. Consequently, specific ATP-competitive inhibitors of Gcn2 protein kinase have been developed. In this study, we report that one such Gcn2 inhibitor, Gcn2iB, can activate Gcn2, and we probe the mechanism by which this activation occurs. Low concentrations of Gcn2iB increase Gcn2 phosphorylation of eIF2 and enhance Atf4 expression and activity. Of importance, Gcn2iB can activate Gcn2 mutants devoid of functional regulatory domains or with certain kinase domain substitutions derived from Gcn2-deficient human patients. Other ATP-competitive inhibitors can also activate Gcn2, although there are differences in their mechanisms of activation. These results provide a cautionary note about the pharmacodynamics of eIF2 kinase inhibitors in therapeutic applications. Compounds designed to be kinase inhibitors that instead directly activate Gcn2, even loss of function variants, may provide tools to alleviate deficiencies in Gcn2 and other regulators of the ISR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R Carlson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Millie M Georgiadis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Kirk A Staschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
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17
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Zhao C, Guo H, Hou Y, Lei T, Wei D, Zhao Y. Multiple Roles of the Stress Sensor GCN2 in Immune Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054285. [PMID: 36901714 PMCID: PMC10002013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine-protein kinase general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) is a well-known stress sensor that responds to amino acid starvation and other stresses, making it critical to the maintenance of cellular and organismal homeostasis. More than 20 years of research has revealed the molecular structure/complex, inducers/regulators, intracellular signaling pathways and bio-functions of GCN2 in various biological processes, across an organism's lifespan, and in many diseases. Accumulated studies have demonstrated that the GCN2 kinase is also closely involved in the immune system and in various immune-related diseases, such as GCN2 acts as an important regulatory molecule to control macrophage functional polarization and CD4+ T cell subset differentiation. Herein, we comprehensively summarize the biological functions of GCN2 and discuss its roles in the immune system, including innate and adaptive immune cells. We also discuss the antagonism of GCN2 and mTOR pathways in immune cells. A better understanding of GCN2's functions and signaling pathways in the immune system under physiological, stressful, and pathological situations will be beneficial to the development of potential therapies for many immune-relevant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Han Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yangxiao Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tong Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-64807302
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18
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Samaržija I, Trošelj KG, Konjevoda P. Prognostic Significance of Amino Acid Metabolism-Related Genes in Prostate Cancer Retrieved by Machine Learning. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041309. [PMID: 36831650 PMCID: PMC9954451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is among the leading cancers according to both incidence and mortality. Due to the high molecular, morphological and clinical heterogeneity, the course of prostate cancer ranges from slow growth that usually does not require immediate therapeutic intervention to aggressive and fatal disease that spreads quickly. However, currently available biomarkers cannot precisely predict the course of a disease, and novel strategies are needed to guide prostate cancer management. Amino acids serve numerous roles in cancers, among which are energy production, building block reservoirs, maintenance of redox homeostasis, epigenetic regulation, immune system modulation and resistance to therapy. In this article, by using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, we found that the expression of amino acid metabolism-related genes is highly aberrant in prostate cancer, which holds potential to be exploited in biomarker design or in treatment strategies. This change in expression is especially evident for catabolism genes and transporters from the solute carrier family. Furthermore, by using recursive partitioning, we confirmed that the Gleason score is strongly prognostic for progression-free survival. However, the expression of the genes SERINC3 (phosphatidylserine and sphingolipids generation) and CSAD (hypotaurine generation) can refine prognosis for high and low Gleason scores, respectively. Therefore, our results hold potential for novel prostate cancer progression biomarkers.
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19
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Boulton DP, Caino MC. Mitochondria engage the integrated stress response to promote tumor growth. Oncotarget 2023. [DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
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20
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Cordova RA, Misra J, Amin PH, Klunk AJ, Damayanti NP, Carlson KR, Elmendorf AJ, Kim HG, Mirek ET, Elzey BD, Miller MJ, Dong XC, Cheng L, Anthony TG, Pili R, Wek RC, Staschke KA. GCN2 eIF2 kinase promotes prostate cancer by maintaining amino acid homeostasis. eLife 2022; 11:e81083. [PMID: 36107759 PMCID: PMC9578714 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A stress adaptation pathway termed the integrated stress response has been suggested to be active in many cancers including prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we demonstrate that the eIF2 kinase GCN2 is required for sustained growth in androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant models of PCa both in vitro and in vivo, and is active in PCa patient samples. Using RNA-seq transcriptome analysis and a CRISPR-based phenotypic screen, GCN2 was shown to regulate expression of over 60 solute-carrier (SLC) genes, including those involved in amino acid transport and loss of GCN2 function reduces amino acid import and levels. Addition of essential amino acids or expression of 4F2 (SLC3A2) partially restored growth following loss of GCN2, suggesting that GCN2 targeting of SLC transporters is required for amino acid homeostasis needed to sustain tumor growth. A small molecule inhibitor of GCN2 showed robust in vivo efficacy in androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant mouse models of PCa, supporting its therapeutic potential for the treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A Cordova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Jagannath Misra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Parth H Amin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Anglea J Klunk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Nur P Damayanti
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisUnited States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Kenneth R Carlson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Andrew J Elmendorf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Hyeong-Geug Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers UniversityNew BrunswickUnited States
| | - Bennet D Elzey
- Department of Comparative Pathology, Purdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
- Department of Urology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Marcus J Miller
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - X Charlie Dong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Liang Cheng
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisUnited States
- Department of Urology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers UniversityNew BrunswickUnited States
| | - Roberto Pili
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at BuffaloBuffaloUnited States
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Kirk A Staschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer CenterIndianapolisUnited States
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