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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.
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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.
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Bufalieri F, Basili I, Di Marcotullio L, Infante P. Harnessing the Activation of RIG-I Like Receptors to Inhibit Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:710171. [PMID: 34305530 PMCID: PMC8295747 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.710171] [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: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is an incurable form of brain malignancy in an adult with a median survival of less than 15 months. The current standard of care, which consists of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide, has been unsuccessful due to an extensive inter- and intra-tumoral genetic and molecular heterogeneity. This aspect represents a serious obstacle for developing alternative therapeutic options for GB. In the last years, immunotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for a wide range of cancers and several trials have evaluated its effects in GB patients. Unfortunately, clinical outcomes were disappointing particularly because of the presence of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Recently, anti-cancer approaches aimed to improve the expression and the activity of RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) have emerged. These innovative therapeutic strategies attempt to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses against tumor antigens and to promote the apoptosis of cancer cells. Indeed, RLRs are important mediators of the innate immune system by triggering the type I interferon (IFN) response upon recognition of immunostimulatory RNAs. In this mini-review, we discuss the functions of RLRs family members in the control of immune response and we focus on the potential clinical application of RLRs agonists as a promising strategy for GB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center For Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
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Bonandi E, Mori M, Infante P, Basili I, Di Marcotullio L, Calcaterra A, Catti F, Botta B, Passarella D. Design and Synthesis of New Withaferin A Inspired Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors. Chemistry 2021; 27:8350-8357. [PMID: 33811701 PMCID: PMC8251939 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100315] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Withanolides constitute a well-known family of plant-based alkaloids characterised by widespread biological properties, including the ability of interfering with Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway. Following our interest in natural products and in anticancer compounds, we report here the synthesis of a new class of Hh signalling pathway inhibitors, inspired by withaferin A, the first isolated member of withanolides. The decoration of our scaffolds was rationally supported by in silico studies, while functional evaluation revealed promising candidates, confirming once again the importance of natural products as inspiration source for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. A stereoselective approach, based on Brown chemistry, allowed the obtainment and the functional evaluation of the enantiopure hit compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bonandi
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di MilanoVia Golgi 1920133MilanItaly
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy Università degli Studi di SienaVia Aldo Moro 253100SienaItaly
| | - Paola Infante
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomeItaly
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity La Sapienza, RomaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomaItaly
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular MedicineUniversity La Sapienza, RomaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomaItaly
- Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci BolognettiDepartment of Molecular MedicineUniversity La SapienzaViale Regina Elena 29100161RomaItaly
| | - Andrea Calcaterra
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of DrugsUniversity La Sapienza, RomaPiazzale Aldo Moro 500185RomeItaly
| | - Federica Catti
- Arkansas State UniversityCampus Querétaro Carretera Estatal 100, km 17.5. C.P.76270 Municipio de ColónQuerétaroMéxico
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of DrugsUniversity La Sapienza, RomaPiazzale Aldo Moro 500185RomeItaly
| | - Daniele Passarella
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di MilanoVia Golgi 1920133MilanItaly
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Infante P, Malfanti A, Quaglio D, Balducci S, De Martin S, Bufalieri F, Mastrotto F, Basili I, Garofalo M, Lospinoso Severini L, Mori M, Manni I, Moretti M, Nicoletti C, Piaggio G, Caliceti P, Botta B, Ghirga F, Salmaso S, Di Marcotullio L. Glabrescione B delivery by self-assembling micelles efficiently inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:220-231. [PMID: 33249196 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway leads to the development of several tumors, including medulloblastoma (MB), the most common pediatric brain malignancy. Hh inhibitors acting on GLI1, the final effector of Hh signaling, offer a valuable opportunity to overcome the pitfalls of the existing therapies to treat Hh-driven cancers. In this study, the toxicity, delivery, biodistribution, and anticancer efficacy of Glabrescione B (GlaB), a selective GLI1 inhibitor, were investigated in preclinical models of Hh-dependent MB. To overcome its poor water solubility, GlaB was formulated with a self-assembling amphiphilic polymer forming micelles, called mPEG5kDa-cholane. mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB showed high drug loading and stability, low cytotoxicity, and long permanence in the bloodstream. We found that mPEG5kDa-cholane efficiently enhanced the solubility of GlaB, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB possesses favorable pharmacokinetics and negligible toxicity. Remarkably, GlaB encapsulated in mPEG5kDa-cholane micelles was delivered through the blood-brain barrier and drastically inhibited tumor growth in both allograft and orthotopic models of Hh-dependent MB. Our findings reveal that mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB is a good candidate for the treatment of Hh-driven tumors and provide relevant implications for the translation of GlaB into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Malfanti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Balducci
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Mastrotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Mariangela Garofalo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Caliceti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Roma, Italy.
| | - Stefano Salmaso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
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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.
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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.)
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