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Maresca L, Crivaro E, Migliorini F, Anichini G, Giammona A, Pepe S, Poggialini F, Vagaggini C, Giannini G, Sestini S, Borgognoni L, Lapucci A, Dreassi E, Taddei M, Manetti F, Petricci E, Stecca B. Targeting GLI1 and GLI2 with small molecule inhibitors to suppress GLI-dependent transcription and tumor growth. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106858. [PMID: 37473878 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Hedgehog (HH) signaling in cancer is the result of genetic alterations of upstream pathway components (canonical) or other oncogenic mechanisms (noncanonical), that ultimately concur to activate the zinc-finger transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2. Therefore, inhibition of GLI activity is a good therapeutic option to suppress both canonical and noncanonical activation of the HH pathway. However, only a few GLI inhibitors are available, and none of them have the profile required for clinical development due to poor metabolic stability and aqueous solubility, and high hydrophobicity. Two promising quinoline inhibitors of GLI were selected by virtual screening and subjected to hit-to-lead optimization, thus leading to the identification of the 4-methoxy-8-hydroxyquinoline derivative JC19. This molecule impaired GLI1 and GLI2 activities in several cellular models interfering with the binding of GLI1 and GLI2 to DNA. JC19 suppressed cancer cell proliferation by enhancing apoptosis, inducing a strong anti-tumor response in several cancer cell lines in vitro. Specificity towards GLI1 and GLI2 was demonstrated by lower activity of JC19 in GLI1- or GLI2-depleted cancer cells. JC19 showed excellent metabolic stability and high passive permeability. Notably, JC19 inhibited GLI1-dependent melanoma xenograft growth in vivo, with no evidence of toxic effects in mice. These results highlight the potential of JC19 as a novel anti-cancer agent targeting GLI1 and GLI2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Maresca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Enrica Crivaro
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy; Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Migliorini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Anichini
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giammona
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Poggialini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Vagaggini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Serena Sestini
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Borgognoni
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Lapucci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Taddei
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Manetti
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Elena Petricci
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy.
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Huang K, Zhang X, Hao Y, Feng R, Wang H, Shu Z, Li A, Du M. Hypoxia Tumor Microenvironment Activates GLI2 through HIF-1 α and TGF- β2 to Promote Chemotherapy Resistance of Colorectal Cancer. Comput Math Methods Med 2022; 2022:2032895. [PMID: 35186110 PMCID: PMC8853797 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2032895] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A majority of relapse cases have been reported in colorectal cancer patients due to cancer stem cell progenitors. The factors responsible for chemoresistance have yet to be discovered and investigated as CSCs have reported escaping from chemotherapy's killing action. OBJECTIVE In this study, we have investigated the effects of HIF-1α and TGF-β2 in hypoxia conditions on the expression of GLI2, which is a potential factor for causing chemoresistance. Material and Methods. Colorectal samples of treated patients were collected from the Hospital Biological Sample Library. Culture of patient-derived TSs and fibroblasts was performed. The collected patient samples and cells were used for immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR, and western blotting studies which were performed. RESULTS It was reported that HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor) and TGF-β2 secreted from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) synergistically work to express GLI2 in cancer stem cells. Hence, it increased the stemness as well as resistance to chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The HIF-1α/TGF-β2-mediated GLI2 signaling was responsible for causing chemoresistance in the hypoxia environment. High expressions of HIF1α/TGF-β2/GLI2 cause the relapsing of colorectal cancer, thus making this a potential biomarker for identifying the relapse and resistance in patients. The study uncovers the mechanism involved in sternness and chemotherapy resistance which will help in targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Central Hospital of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, China
| | - Yanhui Hao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, China
| | - Ruixing Feng
- Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, China
| | - Haojie Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, China
| | - Zhiwan Shu
- Research Center of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Qinghai University, China
| | - An Li
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital, Xinxiang Medical College, China
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Zhang J, Liu C, Liang Q, Zheng F, Guan Y, Yang G, Chen L. Postnatal deletion of Bmal1 in mice protects against obstructive renal fibrosis via suppressing Gli2 transcription. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21530. [PMID: 33813752 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002452r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Circadian clock is involved in regulating most renal physiological functions, including water and electrolyte balance and blood pressure homeostasis, however, the role of circadian clock in renal pathophysiology remains largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the role of Bmal1, a core clock component, in the development of renal fibrosis, the hallmark of pathological features in many renal diseases. The inducible Bmal1 knockout mice (iKO) whose gene deletion occurred in adulthood were used in the study. Analysis of the urinary water, sodium and potassium excretion showed that the iKO mice exhibit abolished diurnal variations. In the model of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction, the iKO mice displayed significantly decreased tubulointerstitial fibrosis reflected by attenuated collagen deposition and mitigated expression of fibrotic markers α-SMA and fibronectin. The hedgehog pathway transcriptional effectors Gli1 and Gli2, which have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, were significantly decreased in the iKO mice. Mechanistically, ChIP assay and luciferase reporter assay revealed that BMAL1 bound to the promoter of and activate the transcription of Gli2, but not Gli1, suggesting that the involvement of Bmal1 in renal fibrosis was possibly mediated via Gli2-dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, treatment with TGF-β increased Bmal1 in cultured murine proximal tubular cells. Knockdown of Bmal1 abolished, while overexpression of Bmal1 increased, Gli2 and the expression of fibrosis-related genes. Collectively, these results revealed a prominent role of the core clock gene Bmal1 in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Moreover, we identified Gli2 as a novel target of Bmal1, which may mediate the adverse effect of Bmal1 in obstructive nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayang Zhang
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chengcheng Liu
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qing Liang
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Feng Zheng
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Youfei Guan
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Guangrui Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lihong Chen
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Volnitskiy A, Shtam T, Burdakov V, Kovalev R, Konev A, Filatov M. Abnormal activity of transcription factors gli in high-grade gliomas. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211980. [PMID: 30730955 PMCID: PMC6366868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant transformation is associated with loss of cell differentiation, anaplasia. Transcription factors gli, required for embryonic development, may be involved in this process. We studied the activity of transcription factors gli in high-grade gliomas and their role in maintenance of stem cell state and glioma cell survival. 20 glioma cell lines and a sample of a normal adult brain tissue were used in the present study. We found the expression of gli target genes, including GLI1 and FOXM1, in all tested glioma cell lines, but not in the normal tissue. Interestingly, the expression of gli target genes in some glioma cell lines was observed together with a high level of their transcriptional repressor, Gli3R. Knockdown of GLI3 in one of these lines resulted in decrease of gli target gene expression. These data suggest that Gli3R does not prevent the gli target genes transcription, and gli3 acts in glioma cells more as an activator, than a repressor of transcription. We observed that gli regulated the expression of such genes, as SOX2 or OCT4 that maintain stem cell state, and TET1, involving in DNA demethylation. Treatment with GANT61 or siRNA against GLI1, GLI2, or GLI3 could result in complete glioma cell death, while cyclopamine had a weaker and line-specific effect on glioma cell survival. Thus, the gli transcription factors are abnormally active in high-grade gliomas, regulate expression of genes, maintaining the stem cell state, and contribute to glioma cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Volnitskiy
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
| | - Tatiana Shtam
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
- N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, St. Petersburg, Pesochnyj, Leningradskaya, Russia
| | - Vladimir Burdakov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
| | - Roman Kovalev
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
| | - Alexander Konev
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
| | - Michael Filatov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
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