1
|
Lospinoso Severini L, Loricchio E, Navacci S, Basili I, Alfonsi R, Bernardi F, Moretti M, Conenna M, Cucinotta A, Coni S, Petroni M, De Smaele E, Giannini G, Maroder M, Canettieri G, Mastronuzzi A, Guardavaccaro D, Ayrault O, Infante P, Bufalieri F, Di Marcotullio L. SALL4 is a CRL3 REN/KCTD11 substrate that drives Sonic Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:170-187. [PMID: 38062245 PMCID: PMC10850099 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01246-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway is crucial regulator of embryonic development and stemness. Its alteration leads to medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The SHH-MB subgroup is the best genetically characterized, however the molecular mechanisms responsible for its pathogenesis are not fully understood and therapeutic benefits are still limited. Here, we show that the pro-oncogenic stemness regulator Spalt-like transcriptional factor 4 (SALL4) is re-expressed in mouse SHH-MB models, and its high levels correlate with worse overall survival in SHH-MB patients. Proteomic analysis revealed that SALL4 interacts with REN/KCTD11 (here REN), a substrate receptor subunit of the Cullin3-RING ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL3REN) and a tumor suppressor lost in ~30% of human SHH-MBs. We demonstrate that CRL3REN induces polyubiquitylation and degradation of wild type SALL4, but not of a SALL4 mutant lacking zinc finger cluster 1 domain (ΔZFC1). Interestingly, SALL4 binds GLI1 and cooperates with HDAC1 to potentiate GLI1 deacetylation and transcriptional activity. Notably, inhibition of SALL4 suppresses SHH-MB growth both in murine and patient-derived xenograft models. Our findings identify SALL4 as a CRL3REN substrate and a promising therapeutic target in SHH-dependent cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Loricchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Shirin Navacci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Romina Alfonsi
- Centro Nazionale per il Controllo e la Valutazione dei Farmaci, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Bernardi
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR, INSERM U, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Conenna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cucinotta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR, INSERM U, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Masci D, Puxeddu M, Di Magno L, D’Ambrosio M, Parisi A, Nalli M, Bai R, Coluccia A, Sciò P, Orlando V, D’Angelo S, Biagioni S, Urbani A, Hamel E, Nocentini A, Filiberti S, Turati M, Ronca R, Kopecka J, Riganti C, Fionda C, Bordone R, Della Rocca G, Canettieri G, Supuran CT, Silvestri R, La Regina G. 4-(3-Phenyl-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-1 H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide, a Novel Carbonic Anhydrase and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Dual-Targeting Inhibitor with Potent Activity against Multidrug Resistant Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2023; 66:14824-14842. [PMID: 37902628 PMCID: PMC10641813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
We synthesized new pyrrole and indole derivatives as human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors with the potential to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The presence of both N1-(4-sulfonamidophenyl) and 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) substituents was essential for strong hCA inhibitors. The most potent hCA XII inhibitor 15 (Ki = 6.8 nM) suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its target genes MYC, Fgf20, and Sall4 and exhibited the typical markers of apoptosis, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase, and cleaved caspase-3. Compound 15 showed strong inhibition of viability in a panel of cancer cells, including colorectal cancer and triple-negative breast cancer cells, was effective against the NCI/ADR-RES DOX-resistant cell line, and restored the sensitivity to doxorubicin (DOX) in HT29/DX and MDCK/P-gp cells. Compound 15 is a novel dual-targeting compound with activity against hCA and Wnt/β-catenin. It thus has a broad targeting spectrum and is an anticancer agent with specific potential in P-glycoprotein overexpressing cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Domiziana Masci
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Michela Puxeddu
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Laboratory
Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale
Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Michele D’Ambrosio
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Anastasia Parisi
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Ruoli Bai
- Molecular
Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division
of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory for
Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Antonio Coluccia
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Pietro Sciò
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Viviana Orlando
- Department
of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Sara D’Angelo
- Department
of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department
of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Ernest Hamel
- Molecular
Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division
of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory for
Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Alessio Nocentini
- Dipartimento
Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Universitá degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019, Firenze, Italy
| | - Serena Filiberti
- Experimental
Oncology and Immunology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational
Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Marta Turati
- Experimental
Oncology and Immunology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational
Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Experimental
Oncology and Immunology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational
Medicine, University of Brescia, Via Branze 39, Brescia 25123, Italy
| | - Joanna Kopecka
- Department
of Oncology and Molecular Biotecnology Center “Guido Tarone″, Oncological Pharmacology Unit, Via Nizza 44, Torino 10126, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Department
of Oncology and Molecular Biotecnology Center “Guido Tarone″, Oncological Pharmacology Unit, Via Nizza 44, Torino 10126, Italy
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Laboratory
Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale
Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Laboratory
Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale
Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giorgia Della Rocca
- Laboratory
Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale
Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Laboratory
Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale
Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Dipartimento
Neurofarba, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche, Universitá degli Studi di Firenze, Via Ugo Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino I-50019, Firenze, Italy
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy—Cenci Bolognetti
Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marzullo M, Coni S, De Simone A, Canettieri G, Ciapponi L. Modeling Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 Using Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14182. [PMID: 37762484 PMCID: PMC10532015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy 2 (DM2) is a genetic multi-systemic disease primarily affecting skeletal muscle. It is caused by CCTGn expansion in intron 1 of the CNBP gene, which encodes a zinc finger protein. DM2 disease has been successfully modeled in Drosophila melanogaster, allowing the identification and validation of new pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the principal tools used in Drosophila to study and dissect molecular pathways related to muscular dystrophies and summarize the main findings in DM2 pathogenesis based on DM2 Drosophila models. We also illustrate how Drosophila may be successfully used to generate a tractable animal model to identify novel genes able to affect and/or modify the pathogenic pathway and to discover new potential drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marzullo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.M.)
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Assia De Simone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.M.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Di Fiore A, Bellardinelli S, Pirone L, Russo R, Angrisani A, Terriaca G, Bowen M, Bordin F, Besharat ZM, Canettieri G, Fabretti F, Di Gaetano S, Di Marcotullio L, Pedone E, Moretti M, De Smaele E. KCTD1 is a new modulator of the KCASH family of Hedgehog suppressors. Neoplasia 2023; 43:100926. [PMID: 37597490 PMCID: PMC10462845 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction pathway plays a critical role in many developmental processes and, when deregulated, may contribute to several cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, colorectal, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. In recent years, several Hh inhibitors have been developed, mainly acting on the Smo receptor. However, drug resistance due to Smo mutations or non-canonical Hh pathway activation highlights the need to identify further mechanisms of Hh pathway modulation. Among these, deacetylation of the Hh transcription factor Gli1 by the histone deacetylase HDAC1 increases Hh activity. On the other end, the KCASH family of oncosuppressors binds HDAC1, leading to its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation, leaving Gli1 acetylated and not active. It was recently demonstrated that the potassium channel containing protein KCTD15 is able to interact with KCASH2 protein and stabilize it, enhancing its effect on HDAC1 and Hh pathway. KCTD15 and KCTD1 proteins share a high homology and are clustered in a specific KCTD subfamily. We characterize here KCTD1 role on the Hh pathway. Therefore, we demonstrated KCTD1 interaction with KCASH1 and KCASH2 proteins, and its role in their stabilization by reducing their ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. Consequently, KCTD1 expression reduces HDAC1 protein levels and Hh/Gli1 activity, inhibiting Hh dependent cell proliferation in Hh tumour cells. Furthermore, analysis of expression data on publicly available databases indicates that KCTD1 expression is reduced in Hh dependent MB samples, compared to normal cerebella, suggesting that KCTD1 may represent a new putative target for therapeutic approaches against Hh-dependent tumour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Di Fiore
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - S Bellardinelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - L Pirone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - R Russo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples 80131, Italy; Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - A Angrisani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - G Terriaca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - M Bowen
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - F Bordin
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Z M Besharat
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - G Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - F Fabretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - S Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - L Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - E Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - M Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Neuromed Institute, Pozzilli 86077, Italy
| | - E De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nalli M, Di Magno L, Wen Y, Liu X, D’Ambrosio M, Puxeddu M, Parisi A, Sebastiani J, Sorato A, Coluccia A, Ripa S, Di Pastena F, Capelli D, Montanari R, Masci D, Urbani A, Naro C, Sette C, Orlando V, D’Angelo S, Biagioni S, Bigogno C, Dondio G, Pastore A, Stornaiuolo M, Canettieri G, Liu T, Silvestri R, La Regina G. Novel N-(Heterocyclylphenyl)benzensulfonamide Sharing an Unreported Binding Site with T-Cell Factor 4 at the β-Catenin Armadillo Repeats Domain as an Anticancer Agent. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1087-1103. [PMID: 37470018 PMCID: PMC10353061 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive efforts, no inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway have been approved so far for the clinical treatment of cancer. We synthesized novel N-(heterocyclylphenyl)benzenesulfonamides as β-catenin inhibitors. Compounds 5-10 showed strong inhibition of the luciferase activity. Compounds 5 and 6 inhibited the MDA-MB-231, HCC1806, and HCC1937 TNBC cells. Compound 9 induced in vitro cell death in SW480 and HCT116 cells and in vivo tumorigenicity of a human colorectal cancer line HCT116. In a co-immunoprecipitation study in HCT116 cells transfected with Myc-tagged T-cell factor 4 (Tcf-4), compound 9 abrogated the association between β-catenin and Tcf-4. The crystallographic analysis of the β-catenin Armadillo repeats domain revealed that compound 9 and Tcf-4 share a common binding site within the hotspot binding region close to Lys508. To our knowledge, compound 9 is the first small molecule ligand of this region to be reported. These results highlight the potential of this novel class of β-catenin inhibitors as anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Yichao Wen
- Shanghai
Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 365 South Xiangyang Road, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department
of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese
and Western Medicine, Shanghai University
of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200437 Shanghai, China
| | - Michele D’Ambrosio
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Puxeddu
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Anastasia Parisi
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica Sebastiani
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sorato
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Coluccia
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Ripa
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Capelli
- CNR—Institute
of Crystallography, Via
Salaria—km 29.300, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Montanari
- CNR—Institute
of Crystallography, Via
Salaria—km 29.300, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Domiziana Masci
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Naro
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids
Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico
Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids
Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico
Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Orlando
- Department
of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Sara D’Angelo
- Department
of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department
of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Chiara Bigogno
- Aphad
SrL, Via della Resistenza
65, 20090 Buccinasco, Italy
| | - Giulio Dondio
- Aphad
SrL, Via della Resistenza
65, 20090 Buccinasco, Italy
| | - Arianna Pastore
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Via Domenico
Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariano Stornaiuolo
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, Via Domenico
Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Te Liu
- Shanghai
Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 365 South Xiangyang Road, 200031 Shanghai, China
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory
affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Salamone TA, Rutigliano L, Pennacchi B, Cerra S, Matassa R, Nottola S, Sciubba F, Battocchio C, Marsotto M, Del Giudice A, Chumakov A, Davydok A, Grigorian S, Canettieri G, Agostinelli E, Fratoddi I. Thiol functionalised gold nanoparticles loaded with methotrexate for cancer treatment: From synthesis to in vitro studies on neuroblastoma cell lines. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 649:264-278. [PMID: 37348346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.06.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalised with hydrophilic thiols can be used as drug delivery probes, thanks to their small size and hydrophilic character. AuNPs possess unique properties for their use in nanomedicine, especially in cancer treatment, as diagnostics and therapeutic tools. EXPERIMENTS Thiol functionalised AuNPs were synthesised and loaded with methotrexate (MTX). Spectroscopic and morphostructural characterisations evidenced the stability of the colloids upon interaction with MTX. Solid state (GISAXS, GIWAXS, FESEM, TEM, FTIR-ATR, XPS) and dispersed phase (UV-Vis, DLS, ζ-potential, NMR, SAXS) experiments allowed to understand structure-properties correlations. The nanoconjugate was tested in vitro (MTT assays) against two neuroblastoma cell lines: SNJKP and IMR5 with overexpressed n-Myc. FINDINGS Molar drug encapsulation efficiency was optimised to be >70%. A non-covalent interaction between the π system and the carboxylate moiety belonging to MTX and the charged aminic group of one of the thiols was found. The MTX loading slightly decreased the structural order of the system and increased the distance between the AuNPs. Free AuNPs showed no cytotoxicity whereas the AuNPs-MTX nanoconjugate had a more potent effect when compared to free MTX. The active role of AuNPs was evidenced by permeation studies: an improvement on penetration of the drug inside cells was evidenced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso A Salamone
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Lavinia Rutigliano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Pennacchi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cerra
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Matassa
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Nottola
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Section of Human Anatomy, Sapienza University of Rome, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Sciubba
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; NMR-based Metabolomics Laboratory (NMLab), Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Battocchio
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Marsotto
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrei Chumakov
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anton Davydok
- Institute of Material Physics, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Notkestr. 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Souren Grigorian
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Institute of Physics, University of Siegen, Walter-Flex-Strasse 3, D-57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; International Polyamines Foundation "ETS-ONLUS", Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Fratoddi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Coni S, Bordone R, Ivy DM, Yurtsever ZN, Di Magno L, D'Amico R, Cesaro B, Fatica A, Belardinilli F, Bufalieri F, Maroder M, De Smaele E, Di Marcotullio L, Giannini G, Agostinelli E, Canettieri G. Combined inhibition of polyamine metabolism and eIF5A hypusination suppresses colorectal cancer growth through a converging effect on MYC translation. Cancer Lett 2023; 559:216120. [PMID: 36893894 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
A key mechanism driving colorectal cancer (CRC) development is the upregulation of MYC and its targets, including ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a master regulator of polyamine metabolism. Elevated polyamines promote tumorigenesis in part by activating DHPS-mediated hypusination of the translation factor eIF5A, thereby inducing MYC biosynthesis. Thus, MYC, ODC and eIF5A orchestrate a positive feedback loop that represents an attractive therapeutic target for CRC therapy. Here we show that combined inhibition of ODC and eIF5A induces a synergistic antitumor response in CRC cells, leading to MYC suppression. We found that genes of the polyamine biosynthesis and hypusination pathways are significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer patients and that inhibition of ODC or DHPS alone limits CRC cell proliferation through a cytostatic mechanism, while combined ODC and DHPS/eIF5A blockade induces a synergistic inhibition, accompanied to apoptotic cell death in vitro and in mouse models of CRC and FAP. Mechanistically, we found that this dual treatment causes complete inhibition of MYC biosynthesis in a bimodal fashion, by preventing translational elongation and initiation. Together, these data illustrate a novel strategy for CRC treatment, based on the combined suppression of ODC and eIF5A, which holds promise for the treatment of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Devon Michael Ivy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuleyha Nihan Yurtsever
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Rodrigo D'Amico
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Cesaro
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Belardinilli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159, Rome, Italy; Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 151, 00155, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed S.p.A., Via Atinense 18, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Caballero-Ruiz B, Gkotsi DS, Ollerton H, Morales-Alcala CC, Bordone R, Jenkins GML, Di Magno L, Canettieri G, Riobo-Del Galdo NA. Partial Truncation of the C-Terminal Domain of PTCH1 in Cancer Enhances Autophagy and Metabolic Adaptability. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020369. [PMID: 36672319 PMCID: PMC9856372 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog receptor, Patched1 (PTCH1), is a well-known tumour suppressor. While the tumour suppressor's activity is mostly ascribed to its function as a repressor of the canonical Smoothened/Gli pathway, its C-terminal domain (CTD) was reported to have additional non-canonical functions. One of them is the reduction of autophagic flux through direct interaction with the Unc-51, like the autophagy activating kinase (ULK) complex subunit autophagy-related protein-101 (ATG101). With the aim of investigating whether this function of PTCH1 is important in cancer cell fitness, we first identified frameshift mutations in the CTD of PTCH1 in cancer databases. We demonstrated that those mutations disrupt PTCH1 interaction with ATG101 and increase autophagic flux. Using deletion mutants of the PTCH1 CTD in co-immunoprecipitation studies, we established that the 1309-1447 region is necessary and sufficient for interaction with ATG101. We next showed that the three most common PTCH1 CTD mutations in endometrial, stomach and colon adenocarcinomas that cause frameshifts at S1203, R1308 and Y1316 lack the ability to interact with ATG101 and limit autophagic flux, determined by bafilomycin A1-sensitive accumulation of the autophagy markers LC3BII and p62. We next engineered PTCH1 indel mutations at S1223 by CRISPR/Cas9 in SW620 colon cancer cells. Comparison of two independent clones harbouring PTCH1 S1223fs mutations to their isogenic parental cell lines expressing wild-type PTCH1 showed a significant increase in basal and rapamycin-stimulated autophagic flux, as predicted by loss of ATG101 interaction. Furthermore, the PTCH1 CTD mutant cells displayed increased proliferation in the presence of rapamycin and reduced sensitivity to glycolysis inhibitors. Our findings suggest that loss of the PTCH1-ATG101 interaction by mutations in the CTD of PTCH1 in cancer might confer a selective advantage by stimulating autophagy and facilitating adaptation to nutrient deprivation conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Danai S. Gkotsi
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | - Hattie Ollerton
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | | | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Georgia M. L. Jenkins
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute Pasteur Italy-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia A. Riobo-Del Galdo
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
- Leeds Institute for Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
- Leeds Cancer Research Centre, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
- Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-0113-3439-184
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Puxeddu M, Wu J, Bai R, D’Ambrosio M, Nalli M, Coluccia A, Manetto S, Ciogli A, Masci D, Urbani A, Fionda C, Coni S, Bordone R, Canettieri G, Bigogno C, Dondio G, Hamel E, Liu T, Silvestri R, La Regina G. Induction of Ferroptosis in Glioblastoma and Ovarian Cancers by a New Pyrrole Tubulin Assembly Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15805-15818. [PMID: 36395526 PMCID: PMC9743090 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We synthesized new aroyl diheterocyclic pyrrole (ARDHEP) 15 that exhibited the hallmarks of ferroptosis. Compound 15 strongly inhibited U-87 MG, OVCAR-3, and MCF-7 cancer cells, induced an increase of cleaved PARP, but was not toxic for normal human primary T lymphocytes at 0.1 μM. Analysis of the levels of lactoperoxidase, malondialdehyde, lactic acid, total glutathione, and ATP suggested that the in vivo inhibition of cancer cell proliferation by 15 went through stimulation of oxidative stress injury and Fe2+ accumulation. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of the mRNA expression in U-87 MG and SKOV-3 tumor tissues from 15-treated mice showed the presence of Ptgs2/Nfe2l2/Sat1/Akr1c1/Gpx4 genes correlated with ferroptosis in both groups. Immunofluorescence staining revealed significantly lower expressions of proteins Ki67, CD31, and ferroptosis negative regulation proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and FTH1. Compound 15 was found to be metabolically stable when incubated with human liver microsomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Puxeddu
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Jianchao Wu
- Shanghai
Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 365 South Xiangyang Road, 200031Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoli Bai
- Molecular
Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division
of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory for
Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland21702, United States
| | - Michele D’Ambrosio
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Coluccia
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Manetto
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciogli
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy
| | - Domiziana Masci
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, 00168Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department
of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensivological and Perioperative
Clinics, Catholic University of the Sacred
Heart, Largo Francesco
Vito 1, 00168Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza
University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bigogno
- Aphad
SrL, Via della Resistenza
65, 20090Buccinasco, Italy
| | - Giulio Dondio
- Aphad
SrL, Via della Resistenza
65, 20090Buccinasco, Italy
| | - Ernest Hamel
- Molecular
Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division
of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory for
Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland21702, United States
| | - Te Liu
- Shanghai
Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 365 South Xiangyang Road, 200031Shanghai, China,
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy,
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory
Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation,
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185Rome, Italy,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
De Vitis C, Capalbo C, Torsello A, Napoli C, Salvati V, Loffredo C, Blandino G, Piaggio G, Auciello FR, Pelliccia F, Salerno G, Simmaco M, Di Magno L, Canettieri G, Coluzzi F, Mancini R, Rocco M, Sciacchitano S. Opposite Effect of Thyroid Hormones on Oxidative Stress and on Mitochondrial Respiration in COVID-19 Patients. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11101998. [PMID: 36290721 PMCID: PMC9598114 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Thyroid hormones (TH)s are master regulators of mitochondrial activity and biogenesis. Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is generally considered an adaptative response to reduced energy that is secondary to critical illness, including COVID-19. COVID-19 has been associated with profound changes in the cell energy metabolism, especially in the cells of the immune system, with a central role played by the mitochondria, considered the power units of every cell. Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects and alters mitochondrial functions, both to influence its intracellular survival and to evade host immunity. Aim of the study: This study was undertaken to analyze the oxidative balance and mitochondrial respiration in COVID-19 patients with and without NTIS to elucidate the role that thyroid hormones (TH)s play in this context. Methods: In our cohort of 54 COVID-19 patients, admitted to our University Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by measuring the serum levels of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs), and we analyzed the antioxidant capacity by measuring the serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP). We then analyzed the mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)s of 28 of our COVID-19 patients, using the seahorse instrument (Agilent). Results were correlated with the serum levels of THs and, in particular, of FT3. In addition, the role of T3 on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and mitochondrial respiration parameters was directly evaluated in two COVID-19 patients with NTIS, in which treatment with synthetic liothyronine (LT3) was given both in vivo and in vitro. Results: In our COVID-19 patients with NTIS, the dROMs values were significantly lower and the BAP values were significantly higher. Consequently, the oxidative stress index (OSi), measured as BAP/dROMs ratio was reduced compared to that observed in COVID-19 patients without NTIS, indicating a protective role exerted by NTIS on oxidative stress. In our COVID-19 patients, the mitochondrial respiration, measured in PBMCs, was reduced compared to healthy controls. Those with NTIS showed a reduced maximal respiratory capacity and a reduced proton leak, compared to those with normal FT3 serum values. Such lowered mitochondrial respiratory capacity makes the cells more vulnerable to bioenergetic exhaustion. In a pilot study involving two COVID-19 patients with NTIS, we could reinforce our previous observation regarding the role of T3 in the maintenance of adequate peripheral hydroelectrolytic balance. In addition, in these two patients, we demonstrated that by treating their PBMCs with LT3, both in vitro and in vivo, all mitochondrial respiration parameters significantly increased. Conclusions: Our results regarding the reduction in the serum levels of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) of COVID-19 patients with NTIS support the hypothesis that NTIS could represent an adaptative response to severe COVID-19. However, beside this beneficial effect, we demonstrate that, in the presence of an acute reduction of FT3 serum levels, the mitochondrial respiration is greatly impaired, with a consequent establishment of a hypoenergetic state of the immune cells that may hamper their capacity to react to massive viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia De Vitis
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Torsello
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Napoli
- Department of Surgical and Medical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00181 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvati
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Loffredo
- Unit of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Auciello
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Pelliccia
- Unit of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Gerardo Salerno
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Simmaco
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flaminia Coluzzi
- Unit of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Rita Mancini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Rocco
- Department of Surgical and Medical Science and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00181 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sciacchitano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ragno R, Minarini A, Proia E, Lorenzo A, Milelli A, Tumiatti V, Fiore M, Fino P, Rutigliano L, Fioravanti R, Tahara T, Pacella E, Greco A, Canettieri G, Di Paolo ML, Agostinelli E. Bovine Serum Amine Oxidase and Polyamine Analogues: Chemical Synthesis and Biological Evaluation Integrated with Molecular Docking and 3-D QSAR Studies. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:3910-3927. [PMID: 35948439 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural polyamines (PAs) are key players in cellular homeostasis by regulating cell growth and proliferation. Several observations highlight that PAs are also implicated in pathways regulating cell death. Indeed, the PA accumulation cytotoxic effect, maximized with the use of bovine serum amine oxidase (BSAO) enzyme, represents a valuable strategy against tumor progression. In the present study, along with the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of new spermine (Spm) analogues (1-23), a mixed structure-based (SB) and ligand-based (LB) protocol was applied. Binding modes of BSAO-PA modeled complexes led to clarify electrostatic and steric features likely affecting the BSAO-PA biochemical kinetics. LB and SB three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (Py-CoMFA and Py-ComBinE) models were developed by means of the 3d-qsar.com portal, and their analysis represents a strong basis for future design and synthesis of PA BSAO substrates for potential application in oxidative stress-induced chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rino Ragno
- Rome Center for Molecular Design, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza Università di Roma, P. le A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Anna Minarini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Proia
- Rome Center for Molecular Design, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza Università di Roma, P. le A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Antonini Lorenzo
- Rome Center for Molecular Design, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza Università di Roma, P. le A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto, 237, Rimini 47921, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Tumiatti
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto, 237, Rimini 47921, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Department Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Via E. Ramarini, 32, Monterotondo Scalo Rome 00015, Italy
| | - Pasquale Fino
- UOC of Dermatology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza Medical School of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome I-00161, Italy
| | - Lavinia Rutigliano
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico155, Rome I-00161, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, Sapienza Università di Roma, P. le A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Tomoaki Tahara
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico155, Rome I-00161, Italy
| | - Elena Pacella
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico155, Rome I-00161, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico155, Rome I-00161, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Di Paolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University Padua, Via G. Colombo 3, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico155, Rome I-00161, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation 'ETS-ONLUS', Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, Rome I-00159, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Petroni M, Fabretti F, Giulio SD, Robilant VND, Monica VL, Moretti M, Belardinilli F, Bufalieri F, Anna C, Paci P, Corsi A, Smaele ED, Coni S, Canettieri G, Marcotullio LD, Wang ZQ, Giannini G. A gene dosage-dependent effect unveils NBS1 as both a haploinsufficient tumour suppressor and an essential gene for SHH-medulloblastoma. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2022; 48:e12837. [PMID: 35839783 PMCID: PMC9542137 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Inherited or somatic mutations in the MRE11, RAD50 and NBN genes increase the incidence of tumours, including medulloblastoma (MB). On the other hand, MRE11, RAD50 and NBS1 protein components of the MRN complex are often overexpressed and sometimes essential in cancer. In order to solve the apparent conundrum about the oncosuppressive or oncopromoting role of the MRN complex, we explored the functions of NBS1 in a MB prone animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS We generated and analysed mono- or biallelic deletion of the Nbn gene in the context of the SmoA1 transgenic mouse, a SHH-dependent MB prone animal model. We used normal and tumour tissue from these animal models, primary granule cell progenitors (GCPs) from genetically modified animals, and NBS1-depleted primary MB cells, to uncover the effects of NBS1-depletion by RNA-Seq, by biochemical characterization of the SHH-pathway and the DNA damage response (DDR) as well as on the growth and clonogenic properties of GCPs. RESULTS We found that monoallelic Nbn deletion increases SmoA1-dependent MB incidence. In addition to a defective DDR, Nbn+/- GCPs show increased clonogenicity compared to Nbn+/+ GCPs, dependent on an enhanced Notch signalling. In contrast, full NbnKO impairs MB development both in SmoA1 mice and in a SHH-driven tumour allograft. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that Nbn is haploinsufficient for SHH-MB development while full NbnKO is epistatic on SHH-driven MB development, thus revealing a gene dosage-dependent effect of Nbn inactivation on SHH-MB development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marialaura Petroni
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Marta Moretti
- Dept. of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Coppa Anna
- Dept. of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Paci
- Dep. of Computer Engineering, Automation and Management, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science Antonio Ruberti, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsi
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Dept. of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Zhao-Qi Wang
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) Beutenbergstrasse 11, Jena, Germany
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Di Magno L, Coluccia A, Bufano M, Ripa S, La Regina G, Nalli M, Di Pastena F, Canettieri G, Silvestri R, Frati L. Discovery of novel human lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors: Structure-based virtual screening studies and biological assessment. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114605. [PMID: 35868126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Most cancer cells switch their metabolism from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis to generate ATP and precursors for the biosynthesis of key macromolecules. The aerobic conversion of pyruvate to lactate, coupled to oxidation of the nicotinamide cofactor, is a primary hallmark of cancer and is catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a central effector of this pathological reprogrammed metabolism. Hence, inhibition of LDH is a potential new promising therapeutic approach for cancer. In the search for new LDH inhibitors, we carried out a structure-based virtual screening campaign. Here, we report the identification of a novel specific LDH inhibitor, the pyridazine derivative 18 (RS6212), that exhibits potent anticancer activity within the micromolar range in multiple cancer cell lines and synergizes with complex I inhibition in the suppression of tumor growth. Altogether, our data support the conclusion that compound 18 deserves to be further investigated as a starting point for the development of LDH inhibitors and for novel anticancer strategies based on the targeting of key metabolic steps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Di Magno
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Coluccia
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marianna Bufano
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Ripa
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory Affiliated with the Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Luigi Frati
- Institute Pasteur Italy - Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Via Regina Elena 291, I-00161, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed S.p.A., Via Atinense 18, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Di Magno L, Di Pastena F, Bordone R, Coni S, Canettieri G. The Mechanism of Action of Biguanides: New Answers to a Complex Question. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133220. [PMID: 35804992 PMCID: PMC9265089 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Biguanides are a family of antidiabetic drugs with documented anticancer properties in preclinical and clinical settings. Despite intensive investigation, how they exert their therapeutic effects is still debated. Many studies support the hypothesis that biguanides inhibit mitochondrial complex I, inducing energy stress and activating compensatory responses mediated by energy sensors. However, a major concern related to this “complex” model is that the therapeutic concentrations of biguanides found in the blood and tissues are much lower than the doses required to inhibit complex I, suggesting the involvement of additional mechanisms. This comprehensive review illustrates the current knowledge of pharmacokinetics, receptors, sensors, intracellular alterations, and the mechanism of action of biguanides in diabetes and cancer. The conditions of usage and variables affecting the response to these drugs, the effect on the immune system and microbiota, as well as the results from the most relevant clinical trials in cancer are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.B.); (S.C.)
- Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci—Bolognetti, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wasson CW, Caballero-Ruiz B, Gillespie J, Derrett-Smith E, Mankouri J, Denton CP, Canettieri G, Riobo-Del Galdo NA, Del Galdo F. Induction of Pro-Fibrotic CLIC4 in Dermal Fibroblasts by TGF-β/Wnt3a Is Mediated by GLI2 Upregulation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030530. [PMID: 35159339 PMCID: PMC8834396 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) is a recently discovered driver of fibroblast activation in Scleroderma (SSc) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). CLIC4 expression and activity are regulated by TGF-β signalling through the SMAD3 transcription factor. In view of the aberrant activation of canonical Wnt-3a and Hedgehog (Hh) signalling in fibrosis, we investigated their role in CLIC4 upregulation. Here, we show that TGF-β/SMAD3 co-operates with Wnt3a/β-catenin and Smoothened/GLI signalling to drive CLIC4 expression in normal dermal fibroblasts, and that the inhibition of β-catenin and GLI expression or activity abolishes TGF-β/SMAD3-dependent CLIC4 induction. We further show that the expression of the pro-fibrotic marker α-smooth muscle actin strongly correlates with CLIC4 expression in dermal fibroblasts. Further investigations revealed that the inhibition of CLIC4 reverses morphogen-dependent fibroblast activation. Our data highlights that CLIC4 is a common downstream target of TGF-β, Hh, and Wnt-3a through signalling crosstalk and we propose a potential therapeutic avenue using CLIC4 inhibitors
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Wasson
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK; (J.G.); (F.D.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Begoña Caballero-Ruiz
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK; (B.C.-R.); (J.M.); (N.A.R.-D.G.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00196 Rome, Italy;
| | - Justin Gillespie
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK; (J.G.); (F.D.G.)
| | - Emma Derrett-Smith
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, London NW32PF, UK; (E.D.-S.); (C.P.D.)
| | - Jamel Mankouri
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK; (B.C.-R.); (J.M.); (N.A.R.-D.G.)
| | - Christopher P. Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, London NW32PF, UK; (E.D.-S.); (C.P.D.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00196 Rome, Italy;
| | - Natalia A. Riobo-Del Galdo
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK; (B.C.-R.); (J.M.); (N.A.R.-D.G.)
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK; (J.G.); (F.D.G.)
- Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Coni S, Falconio FA, Marzullo M, Munafò M, Zuliani B, Mosti F, Fatica A, Ianniello Z, Bordone R, Macone A, Agostinelli E, Perna A, Matkovic T, Sigrist S, Silvestri G, Canettieri G, Ciapponi L. Translational control of polyamine metabolism by CNBP is required for Drosophila locomotor function. eLife 2021; 10:69269. [PMID: 34517941 PMCID: PMC8439652 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsatellite expansions of CCTG repeats in the cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) gene leads to accumulation of toxic RNA and have been associated with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). However, it is still unclear whether the dystrophic phenotype is also linked to CNBP decrease, a conserved CCHC-type zinc finger RNA-binding protein that regulates translation and is required for mammalian development. Here, we show that depletion of Drosophila CNBP in muscles causes ageing-dependent locomotor defects that are correlated with impaired polyamine metabolism. We demonstrate that the levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamines are significantly reduced upon dCNBP depletion. Of note, we show a reduction of the CNBP-polyamine axis in muscles from DM2 patients. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that dCNBP controls polyamine metabolism through binding dOdc mRNA and regulating its translation. Remarkably, the locomotor defect of dCNBP-deficient flies is rescued by either polyamine supplementation or dOdc1 overexpression. We suggest that this dCNBP function is evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates with relevant implications for CNBP-related pathophysiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica A Falconio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences Imperial College London South Kensington campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Marzullo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IBPM CNR c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Munafò
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, Campus Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotond, Italy
| | - Benedetta Zuliani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mosti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, United States
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Ianniello
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation 'ETS-ONLUS', Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Perna
- Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, University Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Tanja Matkovic
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology and Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Sigrist
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology and Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriella Silvestri
- Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, University Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Department of Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della testa-Collo; UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation 'ETS-ONLUS', Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Di Giulio S, Colicchia V, Pastorino F, Pedretti F, Fabretti F, Nicolis di Robilant V, Ramponi V, Scafetta G, Moretti M, Licursi V, Belardinilli F, Peruzzi G, Infante P, Goffredo BM, Coppa A, Canettieri G, Bartolazzi A, Ponzoni M, Giannini G, Petroni M. A combination of PARP and CHK1 inhibitors efficiently antagonizes MYCN-driven tumors. Oncogene 2021; 40:6143-6152. [PMID: 34508175 PMCID: PMC8553625 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
MYCN drives aggressive behavior and refractoriness to chemotherapy, in several tumors. Since MYCN inactivation in clinical settings is not achievable, alternative vulnerabilities of MYCN-driven tumors need to be explored to identify more effective and less toxic therapies. We previously demonstrated that PARP inhibitors enhance MYCN-induced replication stress and promote mitotic catastrophe, counteracted by CHK1. Here, we showed that PARP and CHK1 inhibitors synergized to induce death in neuroblastoma cells and in primary cultures of SHH-dependent medulloblastoma, their combination being more effective in MYCN amplified and MYCN overexpressing cells compared to MYCN non-amplified cells. Although the MYCN amplified IMR-32 cell line carrying the p.Val2716Ala ATM mutation showed the highest sensitivity to the drug combination, this was not related to ATM status, as indicated by CRISPR/Cas9-based correction of the mutation. Suboptimal doses of the CHK1 inhibitor MK-8776 plus the PARP inhibitor olaparib led to a MYCN-dependent accumulation of DNA damage and cell death in vitro and significantly reduced the growth of four in vivo models of MYCN-driven tumors, without major toxicities. Our data highlight the combination of PARP and CHK1 inhibitors as a new potential chemo-free strategy to treat MYCN-driven tumors, which might be promptly translated into clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Di Giulio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Colicchia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University Tor Vergata, 00173, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Flaminia Pedretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Experimental Therapeutics Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Fabretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Ramponi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Cellular Plasticity and Disease Group, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giorgia Scafetta
- Pathology Research Laboratory, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Licursi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Coppa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Armando Bartolazzi
- Pathology Research Laboratory, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kanamori Y, Finotti A, Di Magno L, Canettieri G, Tahara T, Timeus F, Greco A, Tirassa P, Gasparello J, Fino P, Di Liegro CM, Proia P, Schiera G, Di Liegro I, Gambari R, Agostinelli E. Enzymatic Spermine Metabolites Induce Apoptosis Associated with Increase of p53, caspase-3 and miR-34a in Both Neuroblastoma Cells, SJNKP and the N-Myc-Amplified Form IMR5. Cells 2021; 10:1950. [PMID: 34440719 PMCID: PMC8393918 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common malignant solid tumor in children and accounts for 15% of childhood cancer mortality. Amplification of the N-Myc oncogene is a well-established poor prognostic marker in NB patients and strongly correlates with higher tumor aggression and resistance to treatment. New therapies for patients with N-Myc-amplified NB need to be developed. After treating NB cells with BSAO/SPM, the detection of apoptosis was determined after annexin V-FITC labeling and DNA staining with propidium iodide. The mitochondrial membrane potential activity was checked, labeling cells with the probe JC-1 dye. We analyzed, by real-time RT-PCR, the transcript of genes involved in the apoptotic process, to determine possible down- or upregulation of mRNAs after the treatment on SJNKP and the N-Myc-amplified IMR5 cell lines with BSAO/SPM. The experiments were carried out considering the proapoptotic genes Tp53 and caspase-3. After treatment with BSAO/SPM, both cell lines displayed increased mRNA levels for all these proapoptotic genes. Western blotting analysis with PARP and caspase-3 antibody support that BSAO/SPM treatment induces high levels of apoptosis in cells. The major conclusion is that BSAO/SPM treatment leads to antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of both NB cell lines, associated with activation of apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Kanamori
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.F.); (J.G.); (R.G.)
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (L.D.M.); (G.C.)
- Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Tomoaki Tahara
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Fabio Timeus
- Paediatric Onco-haematology, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital and Paediatric Department, Chivasso Hospital, 10034 Turin, Italy;
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (T.T.)
| | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.F.); (J.G.); (R.G.)
| | - Pasquale Fino
- UOC of Dermatology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza Medical School of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Carlo Maria Di Liegro
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche) (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.D.L.); (G.S.)
| | - Patrizia Proia
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement (Dipartimento di Scienze Psicologiche, Pedagogiche, dell’Esercizio fisico e della Formazione), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Schiera
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche) (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.D.L.); (G.S.)
| | - Italia Di Liegro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.F.); (J.G.); (R.G.)
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (T.T.)
- International Polyamines Foundation ‘ETS-ONLUS’ Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Caballero-Ruiz B, Morales-Alcala CC, Wood HM, Canettieri G, Galdo NARD. Abstract 2421: PTCH1 C-terminal domain truncations in colorectal cancer increase mitogenic signalling and autophagy. Cancer Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2021-2421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The canonical Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, driving activation of SMO and GLI1, has been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) stemness and resistance to chemotherapy. We recently reported that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the Hh receptor PTCH1 limits autophagic flux and ERK signaling by non-canonical mechanisms (independently of SMO/GLI1). Given that those novel functions are implicated in tumorigenesis, we explored the existence of PTCH1 CTD mutations in cancer specimens. Analysis of the TCGA Cancer Atlas database and the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project revealed relatively frequent somatic mutations in the CTD of PTCH1 in CRC: S1203(fs) and R1308(fs), which result in premature truncations of the CTD in about 4% of cases. PTCH1 CTD mutations were strongly associated with BRAF mutations (61% samples) and with right-sided disease (10/10 of samples with sidedness information). Co-immunoprecipitation analysis of truncated PTCH1(S1203*) and PTCH1(R1308*) showed loss of interaction with ATG101 and GRB2, required for regulation of autophagic flux and ERK signaling, respectively. To determine the pathogenic role of those mutations, we engineered SW620 metastatic CRC cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9 to create two clones with indel mutations between S1203 and R1308. Truncation of the CTD increased basal ERK and AKT phosphorylation levels, proliferation, invasion and migration compared to isogenic cells expressing wild type PTCH1. The mutant clones also showed persistent proliferation in the presence of glycolysis inhibitors and of the autophagy inducer rapamycin. Moreover, both clones displayed an enhanced autophagic flux by analysis of the LC3BI/II and p62 markers in the presence and absence of Bafilomycin A1. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the CTD truncation resulted in increase in GO terms of metabolic pathways, pathways in cancer, mTOR signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and regulation of actin cytoskeleton, among others. The clones morphology changed together with a remarkable cadherin switch and loss of vimentin at RNA and protein level, suggestive of mesenchymal-epithelial transition, a process necessary for establishment of metastasis following cancer cell spread. Interestingly, one clone showed enhanced apoptosis in response to FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil/lecovorin/oxaliplatin), the most effective chemotherapy for metastatic CRC, as determined by cleaved PARP and Caspase 7 activity, compared to the parental cells. These findings reveal important tumor suppressor functions of the CTD of PTCH1 acting to suppress autophagy and mitogenic signaling, which are dysregulated by CTD mutations in a subset of colon cancer patients. Our results provide mechanistic insights of the effect of PTCH1 mutations in CRC and identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Citation Format: Begoña Caballero-Ruiz, Cintli C. Morales-Alcala, Henry M. Wood, Gianluca Canettieri, Natalia A. Riobo-Del Galdo. PTCH1 C-terminal domain truncations in colorectal cancer increase mitogenic signalling and autophagy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2421.
Collapse
|
20
|
Angrisani A, Di Fiore A, Di Trani CA, Fonte S, Petroni M, Lospinoso Severini L, Bordin F, Belloni L, Ferretti E, Canettieri G, Moretti M, De Smaele E. Specific Protein 1 and p53 Interplay Modulates the Expression of the KCTD-Containing Cullin3 Adaptor Suppressor of Hedgehog 2. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:638508. [PMID: 33898425 PMCID: PMC8060498 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.638508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in normal embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. On the other end, dysregulated Hh signaling triggers a prolonged mitogenic response that may prompt abnormal cell proliferation, favoring tumorigenesis. Indeed, about 30% of medulloblastomas (MBs), the most common malignant childhood cerebellar tumors, exhibit improper activation of the Hh signaling. The oncosuppressor KCASH2 has been described as a suppressor of the Hh signaling pathway, and low KCASH2 expression was observed in Hh-dependent MB tumor. Therefore, the study of the modulation of KCASH2 expression may provide fundamental information for the development of new therapeutic approaches, aimed to restore physiological KCASH2 levels and Hh inhibition. To this end, we have analyzed the TATA-less KCASH2 proximal promoter and identified key transcriptional regulators of this gene: Sp1, a TF frequently overexpressed in tumors, and the tumor suppressor p53. Here, we show that in WT cells, Sp1 binds KCASH2 promoter on several putative binding sites, leading to increase in KCASH2 expression. On the other hand, p53 is involved in negative regulation of KCASH2. In this context, the balance between p53 and Sp1 expression, and the interplay between these two proteins determine whether Sp1 acts as an activator or a repressor of KCASH2 transcription. Indeed, in p53–/– MEF and p53 mutated tumor cells, we hypothesize that Sp1 drives promoter methylation through increased expression of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and reduces KCASH2 transcription, which can be reversed by Sp1 inhibition or use of demethylating agents. We suggest therefore that downregulation of KCASH2 expression in tumors could be mediated by gain of Sp1 activity and epigenetic silencing events in cells where p53 functionality is lost. This work may open new venues for novel therapeutic multidrug approaches in the treatment of Hh-dependent tumors carrying p53 deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simone Fonte
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Bordin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Belloni
- Department of Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Clinical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lepore Signorile M, Grossi V, Di Franco S, Forte G, Disciglio V, Fasano C, Sanese P, De Marco K, Susca FC, Mangiapane LR, Nicotra A, Di Carlo G, Dituri F, Giannelli G, Ingravallo G, Canettieri G, Stassi G, Simone C. Pharmacological targeting of the novel β-catenin chromatin-associated kinase p38α in colorectal cancer stem cell tumorspheres and organoids. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:316. [PMID: 33767160 PMCID: PMC7994846 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03572-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The prognosis of locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently unsatisfactory. This is mainly due to drug resistance, recurrence, and subsequent metastatic dissemination, which are sustained by the cancer stem cell (CSC) population. The main driver of the CSC gene expression program is Wnt signaling, and previous reports indicate that Wnt3a can activate p38 MAPK. Besides, p38 was shown to feed into the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here we show that patient-derived locally advanced CRC stem cells (CRC-SCs) are characterized by increased expression of p38α and are "addicted" to its kinase activity. Of note, we found that stage III CRC patients with high p38α levels display reduced disease-free and progression-free survival. Extensive molecular analysis in patient-derived CRC-SC tumorspheres and APCMin/+ mice intestinal organoids revealed that p38α acts as a β-catenin chromatin-associated kinase required for the regulation of a signaling platform involved in tumor proliferation, metastatic dissemination, and chemoresistance in these CRC model systems. In particular, the p38α kinase inhibitor ralimetinib, which has already entered clinical trials, promoted sensitization of patient-derived CRC-SCs to chemotherapeutic agents commonly used for CRC treatment and showed a synthetic lethality effect when used in combination with the MEK1 inhibitor trametinib. Taken together, these results suggest that p38α may be targeted in CSCs to devise new personalized CRC treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lepore Signorile
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Valentina Grossi
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy.
| | - Simone Di Franco
- Cellular & Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Forte
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Vittoria Disciglio
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Candida Fasano
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Paola Sanese
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Katia De Marco
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Francesco Claudio Susca
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Rosa Mangiapane
- Cellular & Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Nicotra
- Cellular & Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Carlo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Operating Unit of Pathological Anatomy, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Dituri
- Personalized Medicine, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- Personalized Medicine, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ingravallo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Operating Unit of Pathological Anatomy, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Cellular & Molecular Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Surgical & Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cristiano Simone
- Medical Genetics, National Institute for Gastroenterology, IRCCS 'S. de Bellis' Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Italy.
- Medical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology (DIMO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Di Magno L, Manni S, Di Pastena F, Coni S, Macone A, Cairoli S, Sambucci M, Infante P, Moretti M, Petroni M, Nicoletti C, Capalbo C, De Smaele E, Di Marcotullio L, Giannini G, Battistini L, Goffredo BM, Iorio E, Agostinelli E, Maroder M, Canettieri G. Phenformin Inhibits Hedgehog-Dependent Tumor Growth through a Complex I-Independent Redox/Corepressor Module. Cell Rep 2021; 30:1735-1752.e7. [PMID: 32049007 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The antidiabetic drug phenformin displays potent anticancer activity in different tumors, but its mechanism of action remains elusive. Using Shh medulloblastoma as model, we show here that at clinically relevant concentrations, phenformin elicits a significant therapeutic effect through a redox-dependent but complex I-independent mechanism. Phenformin inhibits mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD), a component of the glycerophosphate shuttle, and causes elevations of intracellular NADH content. Inhibition of mGPD mimics phenformin action and promotes an association between corepressor CtBP2 and Gli1, thereby inhibiting Hh transcriptional output and tumor growth. Because ablation of CtBP2 abrogates the therapeutic effect of phenformin in mice, these data illustrate a biguanide-mediated redox/corepressor interplay, which may represent a relevant target for tumor therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Manni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences A. Rossi Fanelli, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cairoli
- Division of Metabolism and Research Unit of metabolic Biochemistry, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Manolo Sambucci
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Neuroimmunology Unit, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Battistini
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Neuroimmunology Unit, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Goffredo
- Division of Metabolism and Research Unit of metabolic Biochemistry, Children's Hospital and Research Institute Bambino Gesù IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Egidio Iorio
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences A. Rossi Fanelli, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, 00159 Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, 00159 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Miele E, Po A, Mastronuzzi A, Carai A, Besharat ZM, Pediconi N, Abballe L, Catanzaro G, Sabato C, De Smaele E, Canettieri G, Di Marcotullio L, Vacca A, Mai A, Levrero M, Pfister SM, Kool M, Giangaspero F, Locatelli F, Ferretti E. Downregulation of miR-326 and its host gene β-arrestin1 induces pro-survival activity of E2F1 and promotes medulloblastoma growth. Mol Oncol 2020; 15:523-542. [PMID: 32920979 PMCID: PMC7858128 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent mortality rates of medulloblastoma (MB) and severe side effects of the current therapies require the definition of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor progression. Using cultured MB cancer stem cells and xenograft tumors generated in mice, we show that low expression of miR-326 and its host gene β-arrestin1 (ARRB1) promotes tumor growth enhancing the E2F1 pro-survival function. Our models revealed that miR-326 and ARRB1 are controlled by a bivalent domain, since the H3K27me3 repressive mark is found at their regulatory region together with the activation-associated H3K4me3 mark. High levels of EZH2, a feature of MB, are responsible for the presence of H3K27me3. Ectopic expression of miR-326 and ARRB1 provides hints into how their low levels regulate E2F1 activity. MiR-326 targets E2F1 mRNA, thereby reducing its protein levels; ARRB1, triggering E2F1 acetylation, reverses its function into pro-apoptotic activity. Similar to miR-326 and ARRB1 overexpression, we also show that EZH2 inhibition restores miR-326/ARRB1 expression, limiting E2F1 pro-proliferative activity. Our results reveal a new regulatory molecular axis critical for MB progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Miele
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Natalia Pediconi
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Sabato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Vacca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), UMR Inserm 1052 CNRS 5286 Mixte CLB, Université de Lyon 1 (UCBL1), France.,Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany.,Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Coni S, Serrao SM, Yurtsever ZN, Di Magno L, Bordone R, Bertani C, Licursi V, Ianniello Z, Infante P, Moretti M, Petroni M, Guerrieri F, Fatica A, Macone A, De Smaele E, Di Marcotullio L, Giannini G, Maroder M, Agostinelli E, Canettieri G. Blockade of EIF5A hypusination limits colorectal cancer growth by inhibiting MYC elongation. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1045. [PMID: 33303756 PMCID: PMC7729396 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03174-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 5A (EIF5A) is a translation factor regulated by hypusination, a unique posttranslational modification catalyzed by deoxyhypusine synthetase (DHPS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH) starting from the polyamine spermidine. Emerging data are showing that hypusinated EIF5A regulates key cellular processes such as autophagy, senescence, polyamine homeostasis, energy metabolism, and plays a role in cancer. However, the effects of EIF5A inhibition in preclinical cancer models, the mechanism of action, and specific translational targets are still poorly understood. We show here that hypusinated EIF5A promotes growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by directly regulating MYC biosynthesis at specific pausing motifs. Inhibition of EIF5A hypusination with the DHPS inhibitor GC7 or through lentiviral-mediated knockdown of DHPS or EIF5A reduces the growth of various CRC cells. Multiplex gene expression analysis reveals that inhibition of hypusination impairs the expression of transcripts regulated by MYC, suggesting the involvement of this oncogene in the observed effect. Indeed, we demonstrate that EIF5A regulates MYC elongation without affecting its mRNA content or protein stability, by alleviating ribosome stalling at five distinct pausing motifs in MYC CDS. Of note, we show that blockade of the hypusination axis elicits a remarkable growth inhibitory effect in preclinical models of CRC and significantly reduces the size of polyps in APCMin/+ mice, a model of human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Together, these data illustrate an unprecedented mechanism, whereby the tumor-promoting properties of hypusinated EIF5A are linked to its ability to regulate MYC elongation and provide a rationale for the use of DHPS/EIF5A inhibitors in CRC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Maria Serrao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zuleyha Nihan Yurtsever
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Bertani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Licursi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Ianniello
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Guerrieri
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), UMR Inserm U1052/CNRS 5286, Lyon, France
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159, Rome, Italy
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Di Magno L, Di Pastena F, Puxeddu M, La Regina G, Coluccia A, Ciogli A, Manetto S, Maroder M, Canettieri G, Silvestri R, Nalli M. Sulfonamide Inhibitors of β-Catenin Signaling as Anticancer Agents with Different Output on c-MYC. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2264-2268. [PMID: 32946182 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is often found deregulated in cancer. The aberrant accumulation of β-catenin in the cell nucleus results in the development of various malignancies. Specific drugs against this signaling pathway for clinical treatments have not been approved yet. Herein we report inhibitors of β-catenin signaling of potential therapeutic value as anticancer agents. Ethyl 4-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfonamido)benzoate (compound 14) inhibits the effect on Wnt reporter with an IC50 value of 7.0 μM, significantly reduces c-MYC levels, inhibits HCT116 colon cancer cell growth (IC50 20.2 μM), does not violate Lipinski and Veber rules, and shows predicted Caco-2 and MDCK cell permeability Papp >500 nm s-1 . Compound 14 seems to have potential for the development of new anticancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Di Magno
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Puxeddu
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Coluccia
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciogli
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Manetto
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Romano Silvestri
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Giuli MV, Diluvio G, Giuliani E, Franciosa G, Di Magno L, Pignataro MG, Tottone L, Nicoletti C, Besharat ZM, Peruzzi G, Pelullo M, Palermo R, Canettieri G, Talora C, d'Amati G, Bellavia D, Screpanti I, Checquolo S. Notch3 contributes to T-cell leukemia growth via regulation of the unfolded protein response. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:93. [PMID: 33071287 PMCID: PMC7569087 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00279-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Unfolded protein response (UPR) is a conserved adaptive response that tries to restore protein homeostasis after endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Recent studies highlighted the role of UPR in acute leukemias and UPR targeting has been suggested as a therapeutic approach. Aberrant Notch signaling is a common feature of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), as downregulation of Notch activity negatively affects T-ALL cell survival, leading to the employment of Notch inhibitors in T-ALL therapy. Here we demonstrate that Notch3 is able to sustain UPR in T-ALL cells, as Notch3 silencing favored a Bip-dependent IRE1α inactivation under ER stress conditions, leading to increased apoptosis via upregulation of the ER stress cell death mediator CHOP. By using Juglone, a naturally occurring naphthoquinone acting as an anticancer agent, to decrease Notch3 expression and induce ER stress, we observed an increased ER stress-associated apoptosis. Altogether our results suggest that Notch3 inhibition may prevent leukemia cells from engaging a functional UPR needed to compensate the Juglone-mediated ER proteotoxic stress. Notably, in vivo administration of Juglone to human T-ALL xenotransplant models significantly reduced tumor growth, finally fostering the exploitation of Juglone-dependent Notch3 inhibition to perturb the ER stress/UPR signaling in Notch3-dependent T-ALL subsets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Valeria Giuli
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Diluvio
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eugenia Giuliani
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Franciosa
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenaghen, Copenaghen, Denmark
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Gemma Pignataro
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Tottone
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Zein Mersini Besharat
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pelullo
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocco Palermo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Talora
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia d'Amati
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Bellavia
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
| | - Saula Checquolo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnology, Sapienza University, Latina, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Magro M, Venerando A, Macone A, Canettieri G, Agostinelli E, Vianello F. Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Develop New Anticancer Therapies. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E735. [PMID: 32397196 PMCID: PMC7278173 DOI: 10.3390/biom10050735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The blooming of nanotechnology has made available a limitless landscape of solutions responding to crucial issues in many fields and, nowadays, a wide choice of nanotechnology-based strategies can be adopted to circumvent the limitations of conventional therapies for cancer. Herein, the current stage of nanotechnological applications for cancer management is summarized encompassing the core nanomaterials as well as the available chemical-physical approaches for their surface functionalization and drug ligands as possible therapeutic agents. The use of nanomaterials as vehicles to delivery various therapeutic substances is reported emphasizing advantages, such as the high drug loading, the enhancement of the pay-load half-life and bioavailability. Particular attention was dedicated to highlight the importance of nanomaterial intrinsic features. Indeed, the ability of combining the properties of the transported drug with the ones of the nano-sized carrier can lead to multifunctional theranostic tools. In this view, fluorescence of carbon quantum dots, optical properties of gold nanoparticle and superparamagnetism of iron oxide nanoparticles, are fundamental examples. Furthermore, smart anticancer devices can be developed by conjugating enzymes to nanoparticles, as in the case of bovine serum amine oxidase (BSAO) and gold nanoparticles. The present review is aimed at providing an overall vision on nanotechnological strategies to face the threat of human cancer, comprising opportunities and challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Magro
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Andrea Venerando
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (M.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Pasteur Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy;
- International Polyamines Foundation ‘ETS-ONLUS’, Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159 Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- International Polyamines Foundation ‘ETS-ONLUS’, Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Vianello
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy; (M.M.); (A.V.)
- International Polyamines Foundation ‘ETS-ONLUS’, Via del Forte Tiburtino 98, 00159 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Belardinilli F, Capalbo C, Malapelle U, Pisapia P, Raimondo D, Milanetti E, Yasaman M, Liccardi C, Paci P, Sibilio P, Pepe F, Bonfiglio C, Mezi S, Magri V, Coppa A, Nicolussi A, Gradilone A, Petroni M, Di Giulio S, Fabretti F, Infante P, Coni S, Canettieri G, Troncone G, Giannini G. Clinical Multigene Panel Sequencing Identifies Distinct Mutational Association Patterns in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:560. [PMID: 32457828 PMCID: PMC7221020 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive molecular characterization of human colorectal cancer (CRC) via Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) indicated that genetic or epigenetic dysregulation of a relevant, but limited, number of molecular pathways typically occurs in this tumor. The molecular picture of the disease is significantly complicated by the frequent occurrence of individually rare genetic aberrations, which expand tumor heterogeneity. Inter- and intratumor molecular heterogeneity is very likely responsible for the remarkable individual variability in the response to conventional and target-driven first-line therapies, in metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients, whose median overall survival remains unsatisfactory. Implementation of an extensive molecular characterization of mCRC in the clinical routine does not yet appear feasible on a large scale, while multigene panel sequencing of most commonly mutated oncogene/oncosuppressor hotspots is more easily achievable. Here, we report that clinical multigene panel sequencing performed for anti-EGFR therapy predictive purposes in 639 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) mCRC specimens revealed previously unknown pairwise mutation associations and a high proportion of cases carrying actionable gene mutations. Most importantly, a simple principal component analysis directed the delineation of a new molecular stratification of mCRC patients in eight groups characterized by non-random, specific mutational association patterns (MAPs), aggregating samples with similar biology. These data were validated on a The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) CRC dataset. The proposed stratification may provide great opportunities to direct more informed therapeutic decisions in the majority of mCRC cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Pisapia
- Department of Public Health, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Raimondo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mahdavian Yasaman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Liccardi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Paci
- Institute for System Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Sibilio
- Institute for System Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pepe
- Department of Public Health, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Bonfiglio
- National Institute of Gastroenterology-Research Hospital, IRCCS "S. de Bellis", Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Mezi
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Magri
- Department of Surgery Pietro Valdoni, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Coppa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Nicolussi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Gradilone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Giulio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bufalieri F, Caimano M, Lospinoso Severini L, Basili I, Paglia F, Sampirisi L, Loricchio E, Petroni M, Canettieri G, Santoro A, D’Angelo L, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. The RNA-Binding Ubiquitin Ligase MEX3A Affects Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis by Inducing Ubiquitylation and Degradation of RIG-I. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020321. [PMID: 32019099 PMCID: PMC7072305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) is the most malignant primary brain tumor in humans, with an overall survival of approximatively 15 months. The molecular heterogeneity of GB, as well as its rapid progression, invasiveness and the occurrence of drug-resistant cancer stem cells, limits the efficacy of the current treatments. In order to develop an innovative therapeutic strategy, it is mandatory to identify and characterize new molecular players responsible for the GB malignant phenotype. In this study, the RNA-binding ubiquitin ligase MEX3A was selected from a gene expression analysis performed on publicly available datasets, to assess its biological and still-unknown activity in GB tumorigenesis. We find that MEX3A is strongly up-regulated in GB specimens, and this correlates with very low protein levels of RIG-I, a tumor suppressor involved in differentiation, apoptosis and innate immune response. We demonstrate that MEX3A binds RIG-I and induces its ubiquitylation and proteasome-dependent degradation. Further, the genetic depletion of MEX3A leads to an increase of RIG-I protein levels and results in the suppression of GB cell growth. Our findings unveil a novel molecular mechanism involved in GB tumorigenesis and suggest MEX3A and RIG-I as promising therapeutic targets in GB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Miriam Caimano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Ludovica Lospinoso Severini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Francesco Paglia
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Luigi Sampirisi
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Elena Loricchio
- Center for Life Nano Science (CLNS@Sapienza), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Santoro
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Luca D’Angelo
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science (CLNS@Sapienza), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.I.); (L.D.M.); Tel.: +39-06-49255132 (P.I.); +39-06-49255657 (L.D.M.); Fax: +39-06-49255660 (L.D.M.)
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.I.); (L.D.M.); Tel.: +39-06-49255132 (P.I.); +39-06-49255657 (L.D.M.); Fax: +39-06-49255660 (L.D.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kanamori Y, Via LD, Macone A, Canettieri G, Greco A, Toninello A, Agostinelli E. Aged garlic extract and its constituent, S-allyl-L-cysteine, induce the apoptosis of neuroblastoma cancer cells due to mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Exp Ther Med 2019; 19:1511-1521. [PMID: 32010332 PMCID: PMC6966145 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been demonstrated to have therapeutic properties in tumors; however its mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated. A previous study revealed that AGE exerts an anti-proliferative effect on a panel of both sensitive [wild-type (WT)] and multidrug-resistant (MDR) human cancer cells. Following treatment of the cells with AGE, cytofluorimetric analysis revealed the occurrence of dose-dependent mitochondrial membrane depolarization (MMD). In this study, in order to further clarify the mechanisms of action of AGE, the effects of AGE on mitochondria isolated from rat liver mitochondria (RLM) were also examined. AGE induced an effect on the components of the electrochemical gradient (ΔµH+), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and mitochondrial electrochemical gradient (ΔpHm). The mitochondrial membrane dysfunctions of RLM induced by AGE, namely the decrease in both membrane potential and chemical gradient were associated with a higher oxidation of both the endogenous glutathione and pyridine nucleotide content. To confirm the anti-proliferative effects of AGE, experiments were performed on the human neuroblastoma (NB) cancer cells, SJ-N-KP and the MYCN-amplified IMR5 cells, using its derivative S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), with the aim of providing evidence of the anticancer activity of this compound and its possible molecular mechanism as regards the induction of cytotoxicity. Following treatment of the cells with SAC at 20 mM, cell viability was determined by MTT assay and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, using Annexin V-FITC labeling. The percentages of cells undergoing apoptosis was found to be 48.0% in the SJ-N-KP and 50.1% in the IMR5 cells. By cytofluorimetric analysis, it was suggested that the target of SAC are the mitochondria. Mitochondrial activity was examined by labeling the cells with the probe, 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethylimidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). Following treatment with SAC at 50 mM, both NB cell lines exhibited a marked increase in MMD. On the whole, the findings of this study indicate that both natural products, AGE and SAC, cause cytotoxicity to tumor cells via the induction of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Kanamori
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa Dalla Via
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Pasteur Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, I-00159 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Toninello
- International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, I-00159 Rome, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation-ONLUS, I-00159 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Spiombi E, Angrisani A, Fonte S, De Feudis G, Fabretti F, Cucchi D, Izzo M, Infante P, Miele E, Po A, Di Magno L, Magliozzi R, Guardavaccaro D, Maroder M, Canettieri G, Giannini G, Ferretti E, Gulino A, Di Marcotullio L, Moretti M, De Smaele E. KCTD15 inhibits the Hedgehog pathway in Medulloblastoma cells by increasing protein levels of the oncosuppressor KCASH2. Oncogenesis 2019; 8:64. [PMID: 31685809 PMCID: PMC6828672 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-019-0175-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor. About 30% of all MBs belong to the I molecular subgroup, characterized by constitutive activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. The Hh pathway is involved in several fundamental processes during embryogenesis and in adult life and its deregulation may lead to cerebellar tumorigenesis. Indeed, Hh activity must be maintained via a complex network of activating and repressor signals. One of these repressor signals is KCASH2, belonging to the KCASH family of protein, which acts as negative regulators of the Hedgehog signaling pathway during cerebellar development and differentiation. KCASH2 leads HDAC1 to degradation, allowing hyperacetylation and inhibition of transcriptional activity of Gli1, the main effector of the Hh pathway. In turn, the KCASH2 loss leads to persistent Hh activity and eventually tumorigenesis. In order to better characterize the physiologic role and modulation mechanisms of KCASH2, we have searched through a proteomic approach for new KCASH2 interactors, identifying Potassium Channel Tetramerization Domain Containing 15 (KCTD15). KCTD15 is able to directly interact with KCASH2, through its BTB/POZ domain. This interaction leads to increase KCASH2 stability which implies a reduction of the Hh pathway activity and a reduction of Hh-dependent MB cells proliferation. Here we report the identification of KCTD15 as a novel player in the complex network of regulatory proteins, which modulate Hh pathway, this could be a promising new target for therapeutic approach against MB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Spiombi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20090, Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Annapaola Angrisani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Fonte
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina De Feudis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Fabretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Cucchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Molecular Oncology, John Vane Science Center, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Mariapaola Izzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ohkubo S, Mancinelli R, Miglietta S, Cona A, Angelini R, Canettieri G, Spandidos DA, Gaudio E, Agostinelli E. Maize polyamine oxidase in the presence of spermine/spermidine induces the apoptosis of LoVo human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Int J Oncol 2019; 54:2080-2094. [PMID: 31081059 PMCID: PMC6521933 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2019.4780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amine oxidases, which contribute to the regulation of polyamine levels, catalyze the oxidative deamination of polyamines to generate H2O2 and aldehyde(s). In this study, and at least to the best of our knowledge, maize polyamine oxidase (ZmPAO) was used for the first time with the aim of identifying a novel strategy for cancer therapy. The cytotoxicity and the mechanisms of cell death induced by the enzymatic oxidation products of polyamine generated by ZmPAO were investigated. Exogenous spermine and ZmPAO treatment decreased cell viability in a spermine dose‑ and time‑dependent manner, particularly, the viability of the multidrug‑resistant (MDR) colon adenocarcinoma cells, LoVo DX, when compared with drug‑sensitive ones (LoVo WT). Further analyses revealed that H2O2 derived from spermine was mainly responsible for the cytotoxicity. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that treatment with ZmPAO and spermine increased the apoptotic population of LoVo WT and LoVo DX cells. In addition, we found that treatment with ZmPAO and spermine markedly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in the LoVo DX cells, in agreement with the results of cell viability and apoptosis assays. Transmission electron microscopic observations supported the involvement of mitochondrial depolarization in the apoptotic process. Therefore, the dysregulation of polyamine metabolism in tumor cells may be a potential therapeutic target. In addition, the development of MDR tumor cells is recognized as a major obstacle in cancer therapy. Therefore, the design of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the use of this combination may be taken into account, making this approach attractive mainly in treating MDR cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Ohkubo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome
| | - Romina Mancinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome
| | - Selenia Miglietta
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome
| | | | | | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Pasteur Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00161 Rome
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome
- International Polyamines Foundation - ONLUS, I-00159 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Coluccia A, La Regina G, Naccarato V, Nalli M, Orlando V, Biagioni S, De Angelis ML, Baiocchi M, Gautier C, Gianni S, Di Pastena F, Di Magno L, Canettieri G, Coluccia AML, Silvestri R. Drug Design and Synthesis of First in Class PDZ1 Targeting NHERF1 Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:499-503. [PMID: 30996786 PMCID: PMC6466550 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Targeted
approaches aiming at modulating NHERF1 activity, rather
than its overall expression, would be preferred to preserve the normal
functions of this versatile protein. We focused our attention on the
NHERF1/PDZ1 domain that governs its membrane recruitment/displacement
through a transient phosphorylation switch. We herein report the design
and synthesis of novel NHERF1 PDZ1 domain inhibitors. These compounds
have potential therapeutic value when used in combination with antagonists
of β-catenin to augment apoptotic death of colorectal cancer
cells refractory to currently available Wnt/β-catenin-targeted
agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Coluccia
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Regina
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Valentina Naccarato
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Marianna Nalli
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Viviana Orlando
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Biagioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Laura De Angelis
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Baiocchi
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Candice Gautier
- Department of Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Gianni
- Department of Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena, 291, I-00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Viale Regina Elena, 291, I-00161 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Romano Silvestri
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia − Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Capalbo C, Belardinilli F, Raimondo D, Milanetti E, Malapelle U, Pisapia P, Magri V, Prete A, Pecorari S, Colella M, Coppa A, Bonfiglio C, Nicolussi A, Valentini V, Tessitore A, Cardinali B, Petroni M, Infante P, Santoni M, Filetti M, Colicchia V, Paci P, Mezi S, Longo F, Cortesi E, Marchetti P, Troncone G, Bellavia D, Canettieri G, Giannini G. A Simplified Genomic Profiling Approach Predicts Outcome in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020147. [PMID: 30691222 PMCID: PMC6406354 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The response of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) to the first-line conventional combination therapy is highly variable, reflecting the elevated heterogeneity of the disease. The genetic alterations underlying this heterogeneity have been thoroughly characterized through omic approaches requiring elevated efforts and costs. In order to translate the knowledge of CRC molecular heterogeneity into a practical clinical approach, we utilized a simplified Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based platform to screen a cohort of 77 patients treated with first-line conventional therapy. Samples were sequenced using a panel of hotspots and targeted regions of 22 genes commonly involved in CRC. This revealed 51 patients carrying actionable gene mutations, 22 of which carried druggable alterations. These mutations were frequently associated with additional genetic alterations. To take into account this molecular complexity and assisted by an unbiased bioinformatic analysis, we defined three subgroups of patients carrying distinct molecular patterns. We demonstrated these three molecular subgroups are associated with a different response to first-line conventional combination therapies. The best outcome was achieved in patients exclusively carrying mutations on TP53 and/or RAS genes. By contrast, in patients carrying mutations in any of the other genes, alone or associated with mutations of TP53/RAS, the expected response is much worse compared to patients with exclusive TP53/RAS mutations. Additionally, our data indicate that the standard approach has limited efficacy in patients without any mutations in the genes included in the panel. In conclusion, we identified a reliable and easy-to-use approach for a simplified molecular-based stratification of mCRC patients that predicts the efficacy of the first-line conventional combination therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- Department of Medical Oncology Sant' Andrea Hospital, I-00189 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Domenico Raimondo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Umberto Malapelle
- Department of Public Health, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Pisapia
- Department of Public Health, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Valentina Magri
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Prete
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Pecorari
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Anna Coppa
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Caterina Bonfiglio
- National Institute of Gastroenterology-Research Hospital, IRCCS "S. de Bellis", Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Arianna Nicolussi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Virginia Valentini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Tessitore
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy.
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Matteo Santoni
- Oncology Unit, Macerata Hospital, 62012 Macerata, Italy.
| | - Marco Filetti
- Department of Medical Oncology Sant' Andrea Hospital, I-00189 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valeria Colicchia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Paola Paci
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Mezi
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Flavia Longo
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Enrico Cortesi
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo Marchetti
- Department of Medical Oncology Sant' Andrea Hospital, I-00189 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, University Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Diana Bellavia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy.
- Pasteur Institute-Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Antonucci L, Di Magno L, D'Amico D, Manni S, Serrao SM, Di Pastena F, Bordone R, Yurtsever ZN, Caimano M, Petroni M, Giorgi A, Schininà ME, Yates Iii JR, Di Marcotullio L, De Smaele E, Checquolo S, Capalbo C, Agostinelli E, Maroder M, Coni S, Canettieri G. Mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase 1 inhibits hedgehog signaling and medulloblastoma growth through GLI1 phosphorylation. Int J Oncol 2018; 54:505-514. [PMID: 30483764 PMCID: PMC6317670 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant activation of hedgehog (HH) signaling is a leading cause of the development of medulloblastoma, a pediatric tumor of the cerebellum. The FDA-approved HH inhibitor, Vismodegib, which targets the transmembrane transducer SMO, has shown limited efficacy in patients with medulloblastoma, due to compensatory mechanisms that maintain an active HH-GLI signaling status. Thus, the identification of novel actionable mechanisms, directly affecting the activity of the HH-regulated GLI transcription factors is an important goal for these malignancies. In this study, using gene expression and reporter assays, combined with biochemical and cellular analyses, we demonstrate that mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), the most upstream kinase of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation modules, suppresses HH signaling by associating and phosphorylating GLI1, the most potent HH-regulated transcription factor. Phosphorylation occurred at multiple residues in the C-terminal region of GLI1 and was followed by an increased association with the cytoplasmic proteins 14-3-3. Of note, the enforced expression of MEKK1 or the exposure of medulloblastoma cells to the MEKK1 activator, Nocodazole, resulted in a marked inhibitory effect on GLI1 activity and tumor cell proliferation and viability. Taken together, the results of this study shed light on a novel regulatory mechanism of HH signaling, with potentially relevant implications in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Antonucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide D'Amico
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Manni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Maria Serrao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Di Pastena
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Zuleyha Nihan Yurtsever
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Miriam Caimano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Giorgi
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Eugenia Schininà
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - John R Yates Iii
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Saula Checquolo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ohkubo S, Dalla Via L, Grancara S, Kanamori Y, García-Argáez AN, Canettieri G, Arcari P, Toninello A, Agostinelli E. The antioxidant, aged garlic extract, exerts cytotoxic effects on wild-type and multidrug-resistant human cancer cells by altering mitochondrial permeability. Int J Oncol 2018; 53:1257-1268. [PMID: 29956777 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been shown to possess therapeutic properties in cancer; however its mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we demonstrate by MTT assay that AGE exerts an anti-proliferative effect on a panel of both sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) human cancer cell lines and enhances the effects of hyperthermia (42˚C) on M14 melanoma cells. The evaluation of the mitochondrial activity in whole cancer cells treated with AGE, performed by cytofluorimetric analysis in the presence of the lipophilic cationic fluorochrome JC-1, revealed the occurrence of dose-dependent mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Membrane potential was measured by the TPP+ selective electrode. In order to shed light on its mechanisms of action, the effects of AGE on isolated rat liver mitochondria were also examined. In this regard, AGE induced a mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization of approximately 15 mV through a mechanism that was similar to that observed with the ionophores, nigericin or salinomycin, by activating an exchange between endogenous K+ with exogenous H+. The prolonged incubation of the mitochondria with AGE induced depolarization and matrix swelling, indicative of mitochondrial permeability transition induction that, however, occurs through a different mechanism from the well-known one. In particular, the transition pore opening induced by AGE was due to the rearrangement of the mitochondrial membranes following the increased activity of the K+/H+ exchanger. On the whole, the findings of this study indicate that AGE exerts cytotoxic effects on cancer cells by altering mitochondrial permeability. In particular, AGE in the mitochondria activates K+/H+ exchanger, causes oxidative stress and induces mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Ohkubo
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa Dalla Via
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Silvia Grancara
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Yuta Kanamori
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Aída Nelly García-Argáez
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine - Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Arcari
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, I-80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Toninello
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza University of Rome, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gruber W, Peer E, Elmer DP, Sternberg C, Tesanovic S, Del Burgo P, Coni S, Canettieri G, Neureiter D, Bartz R, Kohlhof H, Vitt D, Aberger F. Targeting class I histone deacetylases by the novel small molecule inhibitor 4SC-202 blocks oncogenic hedgehog-GLI signaling and overcomes smoothened inhibitor resistance. Int J Cancer 2017; 142:968-975. [PMID: 29055107 PMCID: PMC5813224 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Hedgehog (HH)/GLI signaling is causally involved in numerous human malignancies, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and medulloblastoma. HH pathway antagonists targeting smoothened (SMO), an essential effector of canonical HH/GLI signaling, show significant clinical success in BCC patients and have recently been approved for the treatment of advanced and metastatic BCC. However, rapid and frequent development of drug resistance to SMO inhibitors (SMOi) together with severe side effects caused by prolonged SMOi treatment call for alternative treatment strategies targeting HH/GLI signaling downstream of SMO. In this study, we report that 4SC-202, a novel clinically validated inhibitor of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs), efficiently blocks HH/GLI signaling. Notably, 4SC-202 treatment abrogates GLI activation and HH target gene expression in both SMOi-sensitive and -resistant cells. Mechanistically, we propose that the inhibition of HDACs 1/2/3 is crucial for targeting oncogenic HH/GLI signaling, and that class I HDAC inhibitors either in combination with SMOi or as second-line therapy may improve the treatment options for HH-associated malignancies with SMOi resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Gruber
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Dominik P Elmer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Christina Sternberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Suzana Tesanovic
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Pedro Del Burgo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00161, Italy
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburger Landeskliniken (SALK), Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - René Bartz
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, Germany
| | - Hella Kohlhof
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, Germany.,Immunic AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, Germany
| | - Daniel Vitt
- 4SC AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, Germany.,Immunic AG, Planegg-Martinsried, 82152, Germany
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Miele E, Po A, Begalli F, Antonucci L, Mastronuzzi A, Marras CE, Carai A, Cucchi D, Abballe L, Besharat ZM, Catanzaro G, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, Canettieri G, De Smaele E, Screpanti I, Locatelli F, Ferretti E. β-arrestin1-mediated acetylation of Gli1 regulates Hedgehog/Gli signaling and modulates self-renewal of SHH medulloblastoma cancer stem cells. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:488. [PMID: 28716052 PMCID: PMC5512842 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3477-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aberrant Sonic Hedgehog/Gli (Hh/Gli) signaling pathway is a critical regulator of Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma (SHH-MB). Cancer stem cells (CSCs), thought to be largely responsible for tumor initiation, maintenance, dissemination and relapse, have been identified in SHH-MB. Since we previously demonstrated that Hh/Gli signaling controls CSCs features in SHH-MB and that in these tumors miR-326 is down regulated, here we investigated whether there is a functional link between Hh/Gli signaling and miR-326. Methods We evaluated β-arrestin1 (Arrb1) and its intragenic miR-326 levels in CSCs derived from SHH-MB. Subsequently, we modulated the expression of Arrb1 and miR-326 in CSCs in order to gain insight into their biological role. We also analyzed the mechanism by which Arrb1 and miR-326 control Hh/Gli signaling and self-renewal, using luciferase and protein immunoprecipitation assays. Results Low levels of Arrb1 and miR-326 represent a feature of CSCs derived from SHH-MB. We observed that re-expression of Arrb1 and miR-326 inhibits Hh/Gli signaling pathway at multiple levels, which cause impaired proliferation and self-renewal, accompanied by down regulation of Nanog levels. In detail, miR-326 negatively regulates two components of the Hh/Gli pathway the receptor Smoothened (Smo) and the transcription factor Gli2, whereas Arrb1 suppresses the transcriptional activity of Gli1, by potentiating its p300-mediated acetylation. Conclusions Our results identify a new molecular mechanism involving miR-326 and Arrb1 as regulators of SHH-MB CSCs. Specifically, low levels of Arrb1 and miR-326 trigger and maintain Hh/Gli signaling and self-renewal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Miele
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Begalli
- Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Antonucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Efisio Marras
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Neurosurgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Neurosurgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Cucchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Luana Abballe
- Department of Experimental Medicine Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 291 - 00161, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Zein Mersini Besharat
- Department of Experimental Medicine Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 291 - 00161, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Catanzaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 291 - 00161, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 291 - 00161, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161, Rome, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza University, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatric Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 291 - 00161, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Neuromed Institute, 86077, Pozzilli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Coni S, Mancuso AB, Di Magno L, Sdruscia G, Manni S, Serrao SM, Rotili D, Spiombi E, Bufalieri F, Petroni M, Kusio-Kobialka M, De Smaele E, Ferretti E, Capalbo C, Mai A, Niewiadomski P, Screpanti I, Di Marcotullio L, Canettieri G. Corrigendum: Selective targeting of HDAC1/2 elicits anticancer effects through Gli1 acetylation in preclinical models of SHH Medulloblastoma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46645. [PMID: 28429760 PMCID: PMC5399352 DOI: 10.1038/srep46645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
40
|
Infante P, Alfonsi R, Ingallina C, Quaglio D, Ghirga F, D'Acquarica I, Bernardi F, Di Magno L, Canettieri G, Screpanti I, Gulino A, Botta B, Mori M, Di Marcotullio L. Inhibition of Hedgehog-dependent tumors and cancer stem cells by a newly identified naturally occurring chemotype. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2376. [PMID: 27899820 PMCID: PMC5059851 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) inhibitors have emerged as valid tools in the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Indeed, aberrant activation of the Hh pathway occurring either by ligand-dependent or -independent mechanisms is a key driver in tumorigenesis. The smoothened (Smo) receptor is one of the main upstream transducers of the Hh signaling and is a validated target for the development of anticancer compounds, as underlined by the FDA-approved Smo antagonist Vismodegib (GDC-0449/Erivedge) for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. However, Smo mutations that confer constitutive activity and drug resistance have emerged during treatment with Vismodegib. For this reason, the development of new effective Hh inhibitors represents a major challenge for cancer therapy. Natural products have always represented a unique source of lead structures in drug discovery, and in recent years have been used to modulate the Hh pathway at multiple levels. Here, starting from an in house library of natural compounds and their derivatives, we discovered novel chemotypes of Hh inhibitors by mean of virtual screening against the crystallographic structure of Smo. Hh functional based assay identified the chalcone derivative 12 as the most effective Hh inhibitor within the test set. The chalcone 12 binds the Smo receptor and promotes the displacement of Bodipy-Cyclopamine in both Smo WT and drug-resistant Smo mutant. Our molecule stands as a promising Smo antagonist able to specifically impair the growth of Hh-dependent tumor cells in vitro and in vivo and medulloblastoma stem-like cells and potentially overcome the associated drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Alfonsi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Ingallina
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291 Rome, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Acquarica
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Bernardi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
D'Amico D, Canettieri G. Translating Hedgehog in Cancer: Controlling Protein Synthesis. Trends Mol Med 2016; 22:851-862. [PMID: 27591077 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Developmental Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is found deregulated in a broad spectrum of human malignancies and, thus, is an attractive target for cancer therapy. Currently available Hh inhibitors have shown the rapid occurrence of drug resistance, due to altered signaling in collateral pathways. Emerging observations suggest that Hh signaling regulates protein translation in pathways that depend both on Cap- and IRES-mediated translation. In addition, translational regulators have been shown to modulate Hh function. In this opinion, we describe this novel Hh/translation crosstalk and argue that it plays a relevant role in Hh-mediated tumorigenesis and drug resistance. As such, we suggest that drugs targeting translation might be introduced in novel protocols aimed at treating malignancies driven by aberrant Hh signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide D'Amico
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Po A, Silvano M, Miele E, Eramo A, Todaro M, Capalbo C, Salvati V, Sette G, Cucchi D, Besharat ZM, Canettieri G, Di Marcotullio L, Screpanti I, Stassi G, De Maria R, Zeuner A, De Smaele E, Ferretti E. Abstract 2484: Non-canonical Hedgehog/Gli1 signaling drives lung adenocarcinoma stem cells survival and its targeting inhibits CSC-derived tumors. Cancer Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2016-2484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Lung Adenocarcinoma (AC) is the most frequent lung cancer histological subtype and is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Hedgehog/Gli (Hh/Gli) signaling pathway regulates lung development and its aberrant activation contributes to tumor pathogenesis and play a role in cancer stem cells (CSC) control.
We investigated oncogenic Hh/Gli signaling in AC-CSC.
Methods: human AC-CSC were derived from primary tumors. For in vitro studies AC-CSC were maintained in serum-free medium supplemented with EGF/bFGF. For in vivo experiments, immunocompromised mice were injected with AC-CSC. Gli1 inhibitor GANT61 was used both in vitro and in vivo (IP 40 mg/kg twice/we) treatments.
Results: Using mRNA datasets and tissue microarray of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NCSLC) samples we found that in AC Gli1 is expressed independently of its canonical activator Smoothened (Smo) expression level. Similarly, CSC were Gli1 positive regardless of Smo expression levels. Indeed, we found that SMO regulatory region is highly methylated in AC cells where Smo mRNA and protein are low.
Looking for Smo-independent regulation of GLI activity we found that NRP2/Erk and IGF1R/Erk axes regulate Gli1 in AC-CSC. Suppression of Gli1 with GANT61 in CSC resulted in impairment of cell growth and stemness features. We performed in-vivo experiments: CSC-derived xenograft from GANT61 treated mice showed impaired tumor growth, reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. We next highlighted a tumor-stroma crosstalk. A positive autocrine oncogenic feedback loop sustains Gli1 in AC-CSC since we found that the CSC expressed NRP2 and its ligands VEGF-A and VEGF-C. A paracrine positive loop also sustain Hh/Gli signaling in AC where Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) harbor Hh/Gli1 canonical pathway that regulates the expression of VEGF-A, VEGF-C and IGF2 ligands of NRP2 and IGF1R respectively.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a non-canonical activation of Hh/Gli pathway in AC. In this context, GLI1 transcription factor is effectors of NRP2/Erk and/or IGF1R/Erk signaling inputs.
Our results have implications for the understanding of AC development and sustain the inclusion of target therapy acting downstream of Smo level in the design of AC treatment.
Citation Format: Agnese Po, Marianna Silvano, Evelina Miele, Adriana Eramo, Matilde Todaro, Carlo Capalbo, Valentina Salvati, Giovanni Sette, Danilo Cucchi, Zein M. Besharat, Gianluca Canettieri, Lucia Di Marcotullio, Isabella Screpanti, Giorgio Stassi, Ruggero De Maria, Ann Zeuner, Enrico De Smaele, Elisabetta Ferretti. Non-canonical Hedgehog/Gli1 signaling drives lung adenocarcinoma stem cells survival and its targeting inhibits CSC-derived tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2484.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Po
- 1Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ann Zeuner
- 3Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Canettieri G, Coni S, Laura D, Sdruscia G. Non-canonical Hedgehog/AMPK-mediated control of polyamine metabolism is required for medulloblastoma growth. Eur J Cancer 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(16)61250-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
44
|
D'Amico D, Antonucci L, Di Magno L, Coni S, Sdruscia G, Macone A, Miele E, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, De Smaele E, Ferretti E, Ciapponi L, Giangaspero F, Yates JR, Agostinelli E, Cardinali B, Screpanti I, Gulino A, Canettieri G. Non-canonical Hedgehog/AMPK-Mediated Control of Polyamine Metabolism Supports Neuronal and Medulloblastoma Cell Growth. Dev Cell 2016; 35:21-35. [PMID: 26460945 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Developmental Hedgehog signaling controls proliferation of cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs), and its aberrant activation is a leading cause of medulloblastoma. We show here that Hedgehog promotes polyamine biosynthesis in GCPs by engaging a non-canonical axis leading to the translation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). This process is governed by AMPK, which phosphorylates threonine 173 of the zinc finger protein CNBP in response to Hedgehog activation. Phosphorylated CNBP increases its association with Sufu, followed by CNBP stabilization, ODC translation, and polyamine biosynthesis. Notably, CNBP, ODC, and polyamines are elevated in Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma, and genetic or pharmacological inhibition of this axis efficiently blocks Hedgehog-dependent proliferation of medulloblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Together, these data illustrate an auxiliary mechanism of metabolic control by a morphogenic pathway with relevant implications in development and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide D'Amico
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Laura Antonucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy; Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Center for Life Nanoscience@Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giulia Sdruscia
- Center for Life Nanoscience@Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Center for Life Nanoscience@Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nanoscience@Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy; Center for Life Nanoscience@Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy; Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Felice Giangaspero
- Department of Radiological, Oncological, and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy; Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute, National Research Council, Monterotondo 00016, Italy
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy; Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy; Center for Life Nanoscience@Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Di Magno L, Manzi D, D'Amico D, Coni S, Macone A, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, De Smaele E, Ferretti E, Screpanti I, Agostinelli E, Gulino A, Canettieri G. Druggable glycolytic requirement for Hedgehog-dependent neuronal and medulloblastoma growth. Cell Cycle 2015; 13:3404-13. [PMID: 25485584 DOI: 10.4161/15384101.2014.952973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of SHH pathway is a major cause of medulloblastoma (MB), the most frequent brain malignancy of the childhood. A few Hedgehog inhibitors, all antagonizing the membrane transducer Smo, have been approved or are under clinical trials for the treatment of human MB. However, the efficacy of these drugs is limited by the occurrence of novel mutations or by activation of downstream or non-canonical Hedgehog components. Thus, the identification of novel druggable downstream pathways represents a critical step to overcome this problem. In the present work we demonstrate that aerobic glycolysis is a valuable HH-dependent downstream target, since its inhibition significantly counteracts the HH-mediated growth of normal and tumor cells. Hedgehog activation induces transcription of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), two key gatekeepers of glycolysis. The process is mediated by the canonical activation of the Gli transcription factors and causes a robust increase of extracellular lactate concentration. We show that inhibition of glycolysis at different levels blocks the Hedgehog-induced proliferation of granule cell progenitors (GCPs), the cells from which medulloblastoma arises. Remarkably, we demonstrate that this glycolytic transcriptional program is also upregulated in SHH-dependent tumors and that pharmacological targeting with the pyruvate kinase inhibitor dichloroacetate (DCA) efficiently represses MB growth in vitro and in vivo. Together, these data illustrate a previously uncharacterized pharmacological strategy to target Hedgehog dependent growth, which can be exploited for the treatment of medulloblastoma patients.
Collapse
Key Words
- 2DG, 2-deoxy-D-glucose
- 3-BrPA, 3-Bromopyruvate
- ACC, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase
- ATO, arsenic trioxide
- DCA
- DCA, dichloroacetate
- EGL, external granular layer
- GCPs, granule cells progenitors
- HH, Hedgehog
- HK2, Hexokinase 2
- Hedgehog
- IGL, internal granular layer
- MB, Medulloblastoma
- PARP, poly( ADP-ribose) polymerase
- PKM2, Pyruvate Kinase M2
- Ptch1, Patched1
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SHH, Sonic Hedgehog
- Smo, Smoothened
- Sufu, suppressor of fused
- cerebellum
- glycolysis
- medulloblastoma
- metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Di Magno
- a Department of Molecular Medicine ; Sapienza University of Rome
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Infante P, Mori M, Alfonsi R, Ghirga F, Aiello F, Toscano S, Ingallina C, Siler M, Cucchi D, Po A, Miele E, D'Amico D, Canettieri G, De Smaele E, Ferretti E, Screpanti I, Uccello Barretta G, Botta M, Botta B, Gulino A, Di Marcotullio L. Gli1/DNA interaction is a druggable target for Hedgehog-dependent tumors. EMBO J 2014; 34:200-17. [PMID: 25476449 PMCID: PMC4298015 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201489213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling is essential for tissue development and stemness, and its deregulation has been observed in many tumors. Aberrant activation of Hedgehog signaling is the result of genetic mutations of pathway components or other Smo-dependent or independent mechanisms, all triggering the downstream effector Gli1. For this reason, understanding the poorly elucidated mechanism of Gli1-mediated transcription allows to identify novel molecules blocking the pathway at a downstream level, representing a critical goal in tumor biology. Here, we clarify the structural requirements of the pathway effector Gli1 for binding to DNA and identify Glabrescione B as the first small molecule binding to Gli1 zinc finger and impairing Gli1 activity by interfering with its interaction with DNA. Remarkably, as a consequence of its robust inhibitory effect on Gli1 activity, Glabrescione B inhibited the growth of Hedgehog-dependent tumor cells in vitro and in vivo as well as the self-renewal ability and clonogenicity of tumor-derived stem cells. The identification of the structural requirements of Gli1/DNA interaction highlights their relevance for pharmacologic interference of Gli signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Infante
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Alfonsi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Aiello
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Toscano
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Ingallina
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Siler
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Cucchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Po
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Evelina Miele
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide D'Amico
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Maurizio Botta
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bruno Botta
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti - University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
|
48
|
Infante P, Canettieri G, Gulino A, Di Marcotullio L. Yin-Yang strands of PCAF/Hedgehog axis in cancer control. Trends Mol Med 2014; 20:416-8. [PMID: 24906555 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PCAF (p300/CBP associated factor) harbors acetyltransferase and a recently identified ubiquitylation activity that regulates gene expression in response to genotoxic stress or mitogenic signals. We highlight the dual role of PCAF in the control of Hedgehog signaling, a master regulator of tissue development, stemness, and tumorigenesis. By promoting histone acetylation at Hedgehog/GLI1 target gene promoters or direct ubiquitylation and proteolysis of GLI1, the PCAF/GLI1 axis stands as a promising therapeutic target for Hedgehog-dependent tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nanoscience (CLNS), Italian Institute of Technology-Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, "La Sapienza" University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Center for Life Nanoscience (CLNS), Italian Institute of Technology-Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, "La Sapienza" University, 00161 Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Antonucci L, D'Amico D, Di Magno L, Coni S, Di Marcotullio L, Cardinali B, Gulino A, Ciapponi L, Canettieri G. CNBP regulates wing development in Drosophila melanogaster by promoting IRES-dependent translation of dMyc. Cell Cycle 2013; 13:434-9. [PMID: 24275942 DOI: 10.4161/cc.27268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CCHC-type zinc finger nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a small conserved protein, which plays a key role in development and disease. Studies in animal models have shown that the absence of CNBP results in severe developmental defects that have been mostly attributed to its ability to regulate c-myc mRNA expression. Functionally, CNBP binds single-stranded nucleic acids and acts as a molecular chaperone, thus regulating both transcription and translation. In this work we report that in Drosophila melanogaster, CNBP is an essential gene, whose absence causes early embryonic lethality. In contrast to what observed in other species, ablation of CNBP does not affect dMyc mRNA expression, whereas the protein levels are markedly reduced. We demonstrate for the first time that dCNBP regulates dMyc translation through an IRES-dependent mechanism, and that knockdown of dCNBP in the wing territory causes a general reduction of wing size, in keeping with the reported role of dMyc in this region. Consistently, reintroduction of dMyc in CNBP-deficient wing imaginal discs rescues the wing size, further supporting a key role of the CNBP-Myc axis in this context. Collectively, these data show a previously uncharacterized mechanism, whereby, by regulating dMyc IRES-dependent translation, CNBP controls Drosophila wing development. These results may have relevant implications in other species and in pathophysiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Antonucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy
| | - Davide D'Amico
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy; CNRS UMR 7277; INSERM 1091; Institut de Biologie de Valrose (iBV); Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis; Nice, France
| | | | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute; IBCN; National Research Council; Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy; Neuromed Institute; Pozzilli, Italy; Center for Life NanoScience at LaSapienza; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia; Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Garg N, Po A, Miele E, Campese AF, Begalli F, Silvano M, Infante P, Capalbo C, De Smaele E, Canettieri G, Di Marcotullio L, Screpanti I, Ferretti E, Gulino A. microRNA-17-92 cluster is a direct Nanog target and controls neural stem cell through Trp53inp1. EMBO J 2013; 32:2819-32. [PMID: 24076654 PMCID: PMC3817465 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Nanog plays a critical role in the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells as well as in neural stem cells (NSCs). microRNAs (miRNAs) are also involved in stemness regulation. However, the miRNA network downstream of Nanog is still poorly understood. High-throughput screening of miRNA expression profiles in response to modulated levels of Nanog in postnatal NSCs identifies miR-17-92 cluster as a direct target of Nanog. Nanog controls miR-17-92 cluster by binding to the upstream regulatory region and maintaining high levels of transcription in NSCs, whereas Nanog/promoter association and cluster miRNAs expression are lost alongside differentiation. The two miR-17 family members of miR-17-92 cluster, namely miR-17 and miR-20a, target Trp53inp1, a downstream component of p53 pathway. To support a functional role, the presence of miR-17/20a or the loss of Trp53inp1 is required for the Nanog-induced enhancement of self-renewal of NSCs. We unveil an arm of the Nanog/p53 pathway, which regulates stemness in postnatal NSCs, wherein Nanog counteracts p53 signals through miR-17/20a-mediated repression of Trp53inp1. Direct control of the miRNA-17/92 cluster enables Nanog to restrain p53 activity and thus to maintain pluripotency in neural stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Garg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|