Cell cycle-related signaling pathways modulated by peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands in colorectal cancer cells

Synthesis, biological profile and computational insights of new derivatives of benzo [B][1,4] diazepines as prospective anticancer agents for inhibiting the CDK-2 protein

In the current work, a new series of benzo[b][1, 4] diazepines (A-1 to C-4) was synthesized and screened against three different human cancer cell lines, HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), HeLa (cervical cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer), by employing MTT (MTT 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay. The outcomes of in vitro screening revealed that all the compounds exhibited momentous anticancer activity, most notably against the MCF-7 cell line by B1-4 compounds. Further, network pharmacology, UALCAN analysis, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory calculations were conducted to explore expression analysis, pharmacokinetics, toxicity profiles and binding interactions of the B1-4 compounds. By UALCAN, we explored the expression analysis of CDK-2 in 19 cancers. Through UALCAN, Pan-cancer analysis revealed that the expression of CDK-2 in 19 cancers was statistically significant. Among the 19 cancers, the CDK-2 expression was significantly upregulated in breast cancer (BRCA), cervical cancer (CESC) and lung carcinoma (LUSC) than normal tissues. Enzyme-docking examination revealed that B1-4 compounds exhibited significant binding affinity against the CDK-2 (PDB ID: 5IEV) drug target protein. Furthermore, MD simulations supported the docking results, which confirmed that the ligand + protein complex was in a stable conformation throughout the simulation time of 100 nanoseconds. Therefore, the present study demonstrates the potential of these benzo [b][1,4] diazepines as promising drug candidates against cancer.

The Role of Translocator Protein TSPO in Hallmarks of Glioblastoma

Simple Summary

The translocator protein (TSPO) has been under extensive investigation as a specific marker in positron emission tomography (PET) to visualize brain lesions following injury or disease. In recent years, TSPO is increasingly appreciated as a potential novel therapeutic target in cancer. In Glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant primary brain tumor, TSPO expression levels are strongly elevated and scientific evidence accumulates, hinting at a pivotal role of TSPO in tumorigenesis and glioma progression. The aim of this review is to summarize the current literature on TSPO with respect to its role both in diagnostics and especially with regard to the critical hallmarks of cancer postulated by Hanahan and Weinberg. Overall, our review contributes to a better understanding of the functional significance of TSPO in Glioblastoma and draws attention to TSPO as a potential modulator of treatment response and thus an important factor that may influence the clinical outcome of GBM.

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most fatal primary brain cancer in adults. Despite extensive treatment, tumors inevitably recur, leading to an average survival time shorter than 1.5 years. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is abundantly expressed throughout the body including the central nervous system. The expression of TSPO increases in states of inflammation and brain injury due to microglia activation. Not least due to its location in the outer mitochondrial membrane, TSPO has been implicated with a broad spectrum of functions. These include the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, migration, as well as mitochondrial functions such as mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress regulation. TSPO is frequently overexpressed in GBM. Its expression level has been positively correlated to WHO grade, glioma cell proliferation, and poor prognosis of patients. Several lines of evidence indicate that TSPO plays a functional part in glioma hallmark features such as resistance to apoptosis, invasiveness, and proliferation. This review provides a critical overview of how TSPO could regulate several aspects of tumorigenesis in GBM, particularly in the context of the hallmarks of cancer proposed by Hanahan and Weinberg in 2011.

Classical and Novel TSPO Ligands for the Mitochondrial TSPO Can Modulate Nuclear Gene Expression: Implications for Mitochondrial Retrograde Signaling

It is known that knockdown of the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) as well as TSPO ligands modulate various functions, including functions related to cancer. To study the ability of TSPO to regulate gene expression regarding such functions, we applied microarray analysis of gene expression to U118MG glioblastoma cells. Within 15 min, the classical TSPO ligand PK 11195 induced changes in expression of immediate early genes and transcription factors. These changes also included gene products that are part of the canonical pathway serving to modulate general gene expression. These changes are in accord with real-time, reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. At the time points of 15, 30, 45, and 60 min, as well as 3 and 24 h of PK 11195 exposure, the functions associated with the changes in gene expression in these glioblastoma cells covered well known TSPO functions. These functions included cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis. This was corroborated microscopically for cell migration, cell accumulation, adhesion, and neuronal differentiation. Changes in gene expression at 24 h of PK 11195 exposure were related to downregulation of tumorigenesis and upregulation of programmed cell death. In the vehicle treated as well as PK 11195 exposed cell cultures, our triple labeling showed intense TSPO labeling in the mitochondria but no TSPO signal in the cell nuclei. Thus, mitochondrial TSPO appears to be part of the mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling pathway for modulation of nuclear gene expression. The novel TSPO ligand 2-Cl-MGV-1 appeared to be very specific regarding modulation of gene expression of immediate early genes and transcription factors.

TRAP1 is involved in BRAF regulation and downstream attenuation of ERK phosphorylation and cell-cycle progression: a novel target for BRAF-mutated colorectal tumors

Human BRAF-driven tumors are aggressive malignancies with poor clinical outcome and lack of sensitivity to therapies. TRAP1 is a HSP90 molecular chaperone deregulated in human tumors and responsible for specific features of cancer cells, i.e., protection from apoptosis, drug resistance, metabolic regulation, and protein quality control/ubiquitination. The hypothesis that TRAP1 plays a regulatory function on the BRAF pathway, arising from the observation that BRAF levels are decreased upon TRAP1 interference, was tested in human breast and colorectal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. This study shows that TRAP1 is involved in the regulation of BRAF synthesis/ubiquitination, without affecting its stability. Indeed, BRAF synthesis is facilitated in a TRAP1-rich background, whereas increased ubiquitination occurs upon disruption of the TRAP1 network that correlates with decreased protein levels. Remarkably, BRAF downstream pathway is modulated by TRAP1 regulatory activity: indeed, TRAP1 silencing induces (i) ERK phosphorylation attenuation, (ii) cell-cycle inhibition with cell accumulation in G0-G1 and G2-M transitions, and (iii) extensive reprogramming of gene expression. Interestingly, a genome-wide profiling of TRAP1-knockdown cells identified cell growth and cell-cycle regulation as the most significant biofunctions controlled by the TRAP1 network. It is worth noting that TRAP1 regulation on BRAF is conserved in human colorectal carcinomas, with the two proteins being frequently coexpressed. Finally, the dual HSP90/TRAP1 inhibitor HSP990 showed activity against the TRAP1 network and high cytostatic potential in BRAF-mutated colorectal carcinoma cells. Therefore, this novel TRAP1 function represents an attractive therapeutic window to target dependency of BRAF-driven tumors on TRAP1 translational/quality control machinery.

Antiproliferative effect of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist PK11195 in rat mammary tumor cells

This study aims to establish the antiproliferative effects of PK11195, a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist (PBR) in rat mammary tumor cells. Breast tumors were induced by administration of a carcinogen, dimethylbenz[a]anthracene to 50-day-old female rats maintained on a standard AIN-76A diet with casein as the protein source. The tumors were developed approximately after 120 days. The tumors were of grade I (20%), grade II (60%), and grade III (20%). The tumors were isolated and cultured in DMEM/F12 media with supplements. We characterized the properties of the isolated cells and study the effect of PK11195 on those cells. We were successful in growing breast tumor cells up to 30 passages for cellular characterization. These cells had high reactivity with Ki-67 and PCNA antibodies suggesting high proliferation rate. These cells were highly invasive as evident by matrigel invading ability. Furthermore, these cells acquired a positive response for CD-31 and VEGF antibodies suggesting angiogenic potential, and also possessed migrating ability/motility as evident by the wound healing properties. These cells expressed elevated levels of PBR, a cancer promoting gene. The proliferation, invasion and migration appear to decrease when treated with PK11195, a PBR antagonist. Furthermore, PK11195 treatment caused an increase in apoptosis as evident by increase in the levels of annexin V. However, the inhibition of cell proliferation by PK11195 was counteracted by Ro5-4864, a PBR agonist. Thus, PBR antagonist may be a potential therapeutic agent for the control of aggressiveness of breast cancer.

Implications of endoplasmic reticulum stress, the unfolded protein response and apoptosis for molecular cancer therapy. Part I: targeting p53, Mdm2, GADD153/CHOP, GRP78/BiP and heat shock proteins

BACKGROUND

In eukaryotes, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and the unfolded protein response (UPR) are coordinately regulated to maintain steady-state levels and activities of various cellular proteins to ensure cell survival.

OBJECTIVE

This review (Part I of II) focuses on specific ERS and UPR signalling regulators, their expression in the cancer phenotype and apoptosis, and proposes how their implication in these processes can be rationalised into proteasome inhibition, apoptosis induction and the development of more efficacious targeted molecular cancer therapies.

METHOD

In this review, we contextualise many ERS and UPR client proteins that are deregulated or mutated in cancers and show links between ERS and the UPR, their implication in oncogenic transformation, tumour progression and escape from immune surveillance, apoptosis inhibition, angiogenesis, metastasis, acquired drug resistance and poor cancer prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Evasion of programmed cell death or apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer that enables tumour cells to proliferate uncontrollably. Successful eradication of cancer cells through targeting ERS- and UPR-associated proteins to induce apoptosis is currently being pursued as a central tenet of anticancer drug discovery.

Translocator protein (18 kDa) ligand PK 11195 induces transient mitochondrial Ca2+ release leading to transepithelial Cl- secretion in HT-29 human colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TSPO (translocator protein), known previously as PBR (peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor), is a 18 kDa protein expressed in the mitochondrial membrane of a variety of tissues. TSPO has been reported to be over-expressed in human colorectal tumours and cancer cell lines, but its function is not well characterized.

RESULTS

We investigated the expression and function of TSPO in the human colon cancer cells HT-29. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that TSPO is localized in mitochondria, and its endogenous ligand, the polypeptide diazepam-binding inhibitor, in the cytosol. Radioligand binding studies using the specific high-affinity drug ligand [(3)H]PK 11195 and membrane fraction demonstrated saturable binding, with K(d) and B(max) values of 13.5+/-1.5 nM and 10.1+/-1.0 pmol/mg respectively. PK 11195 induced a rapid and transient dose-dependent rise in intracellular [Ca(2+)], which was unaffected by extracellular Ca(2+), but was blocked by the PTP (permeability transition pore) inhibitor, cyclosporin A, and by the TSPO partial agonist, flunitrazepam. Using HT-29 clone 19A cell line, which forms cell monolayers, we demonstrated that TSPO ligand stimulated a Ca(2+)-dependent transepithelial Cl(-) secretion. This secretion was inhibited: (i) after removal of extracellular Cl(-); (ii) by apical addition of the Cl(-) channel blocker NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate]; and (iii) by basolateral addition of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) co-transporter inhibitor bumetanide. Furthermore, the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA/AM [bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester)] and cyclosporin A abolished the rise in PK 11195-induced Cl(-) secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that TSPO is located in mitochondrial membranes of HT-29 and reveal that its activation induces a rise in cytosolic Ca(2+), leading to the stimulation of Cl(-) secretion.

Elucidation of susceptible factors to endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma

The initiation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been suggested to play potential roles in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, many obstacles remain as to whether ER stress plays a role in carcinogenesis or tumoricide. This study sought to identify the signals that can serve as anticancer effectors in cells in response to ER stress. Tunicamycin (an N-glycosylation inhibitor) inhibited cell proliferation with IC(50) values of 0.19 and 0.62 microg/ml in hepatoma (Hep) 3B and HepG2 cells, respectively. It induced G1 arrest of the cell cycle in both cell lines. The anticancer mechanism of tunicamycin was investigated in Hep3B cells. Tunicamycin induced a rapid decline of cyclin D1 and cyclin A expression and an early increase of glucose-related protein (GRP) 78 and growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible transcription factor (GADD) 153 levels. Cyclin A was the most sensitive regulator to tunicamycin-triggered degradation mechanism. The association of p27(Kip1) with cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 4 was also increased by tunicamycin. The inhibition of GADD153 expression by transfection of GADD153 antisense did not modify tunicamycin-induced G1 arrest and cyclin/Cdk expressions. The knockdown of GRP78 expression by the siRNA transfection technique moderately increased tunicamycin-induced apoptosis but not the antiproliferative effect by sulforhodamine B assay. We suggest that tunicamycin induces G1 arrest through down-regulation of cyclins and Cdks, in which cyclin A is more susceptible to ER stress-triggered degradation mechanism in Hep3B cells. The increased association of p27(Kip1) with cyclin D1/Cdk4 may also contribute to tunicamycin-induced cell-cycle arrest. GADD153 and GRP78 play a minor role in tunicamycin-mediated antiproliferative effect, although GRP78 moderately inhibits apoptosis in Hep3B cells. These data provide evidence that cell-cycle regulators are susceptible factors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) responsive to ER stress.

Increased Translocator Protein (TSPO) mRNA Levels in Colon but Not in Rectum Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor or translocator protein (TSPO) is an 18-kDa protein involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis. TSPO was shown to be overexpressed in malignant tumors and cancer cell lines, correlating with enhanced malignant behavior. The present study analyzed the role of TSPO in patients with colorectal carcinomas.

METHODS

Tumor tissues and corresponding normal mucosa from 55 patients who underwent resection for colorectal carcinomas were analyzed for TSPO expression in correlation to GAPDH expression(glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) using a multiplex RT-PCR assay.

RESULTS

TSPO was overexpressed in 67% of the tumors in comparison to corresponding normal mucosa, and positivity as well as expression levels in colon carcinomas were significantly higher than in the rectum carcinomas. In contrast, TSPO expression was not different in intermediate versus high-grade tumors or in lymph node-positive versus -negative patients.

CONCLUSION

The differences in TSPO expression between colon and rectum carcinoma may imply that these tumors are of different biological behavior.

Effects of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligands on Ehrlich tumor cell proliferation

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors have been found throughout the body, and particularly, in high numbers, in neoplastic tissues such as the ovary, liver, colon, breast, prostate and brain cancer. Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor expression has been associated with tumor malignity, and its subcellular localization is important to define its function in tumor cells. We investigated the presence of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in Ehrlich tumor cells, and the in vitro effects of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors ligands on tumor cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate the presence of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in the nucleus of Ehrlich tumor cells (85.53+/-12.60%). They also show that diazepam and Ro5-4864 (peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor agonists) but not clonazepam (a molecule with low affinity for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor) decreased the percentage of tumor cells in G0-G1 phases and increased that of cells in S-G2-M phases. The effects of those agonists were prevented by PK11195 (a peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor antagonist) that did not produce effects by itself. Altogether, these data suggest that the presence of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor within the nucleus of Ehrlich tumor cells is associated with tumor malignity and proliferation capacity.

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor overexpression and knockdown in human breast cancer cells indicate its prominent role in tumor cell proliferation

The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), an 18-kDa high affinity drug and cholesterol binding protein, is expressed at high levels in various cancers. Its expression is positively correlated with aggressive metastatic behavior in human breast cancer cells. To determine the role of PBR in tumor progression, two human mammary carcinoma cell lines were utilized: the non-aggressive MCF-7 cell line, which expresses extremely low PBR levels, and the highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cell line, which has much higher PBR levels. We have generated stably transfected lines of the tetracycline-repressible MCF-7 cell line (MCF-7 Tet-Off) with inducible human PBR cDNA. Induction of PBR expression in MCF-7 Tet-Off cells increased PBR ligand binding and cell proliferation. Transfection of MDA-MB-231 cells with multiple siRNAs complementary to PBR (PBR-siRNAs) led to different levels of PBR mRNA knockdown. Lentiviral-mediated PBR RNA interference in MDA-MB-231 cells decreased PBR levels by 50%. Decreased PBR expression was associated with cell cycle arrest at G2 phase, decreased cell proliferation, and significant increases in the protein levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF/CIP1). These changes were accompanied by p53 activation seen as increased p53 phosphorylation (Ser15). In parallel, increased proteolytic activation of caspase-3 was also observed. Taken together these results suggest that PBR protein expression is directly involved in regulating cell survival and proliferation in human breast cancer cells by influencing signaling mechanisms involved in cell cycle control and apoptosis.

Ciglitazone-induced p27 gene transcriptional activity is mediated through Sp1 and is negatively regulated by the MAPK signaling pathway

We have previously demonstrated that the PPARgamma ligand, ciglitazone, increases p27kip1 protein levels in HT-29 colon cancer cells through both inhibition of proteasome associated degradation and activation of transcriptional activity. [F. Chen, L.E. Harrison, Cell Signal. 17 (2005) 809] The purpose of this investigation was to further elucidate the mechanism of ciglitazone-induced activation of p27 gene transcription. We observed that the region -774/-462 of the p27 promoter plays a key role in ciglitazone-induced gene transcriptional activity and this region contains two Sp1 binding sites. When the p27PF-luc reporter was co-transfected with Sp1 expression plasmids, ciglitazone-induced p27PF-luc activity significantly increased, while mithramycin A, a Sp1 inhibitor, was able to abrogate its effects. Ciglitazone exposure increased both Sp1 protein expression and Sp1-DNA binding, which was also associated with a decrease of Erk1/2 phosphorylation. A similar increase of Sp1-DNA binding was observed when phosphorylation of Erk1/2 was inhibited by pretreatment with the MAP kinase inhibitor, U0126. In addition, a significant increase of p27PF-luc reporter luciferase activity was noted after MAP kinase inhibition, which could be abolished with co-treatment with mithramycin A. Based on these data, we postulate that ciglitazone induces p27 gene transcription through increased Sp1 binding to its promoter region, which in turn is mediated through increased Sp1 protein levels and decreased inhibitory regulation by the MAP kinase pathway.

PIGA (N,N-Di-n-butyl-5-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylamide), a new mitochondrial benzodiazepine-receptor ligand, induces apoptosis in C6 glioma cells

Mitochondrial benzodiazepine-receptor (mBzR) ligands constitute a heterogeneous class of compounds that show a pleiotropic spectrum of effects within the cells, including the modulation of apoptosis. In this paper, a novel synthetic 2-phenylindol-3-ylglyoxylamide derivative, N,N-di-n-butyl-5-chloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylamide (PIGA), which shows high affinity and selectivity for the mBzR, is demonstrated to induce apoptosis in rat C6 glioma cells. PIGA was able to dissipate mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) and to cause a significant cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c. Moreover, typical features of apoptotic cell death, such as caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation, were also detected in PIGA-treated cells. Our data expand the knowledge on mBzR ligand-mediated apoptosis and suggest PIGA as a novel proapoptotic compound with therapeutic potential against glial tumours, in which apoptosis resistance has been reported to be involved in carcinogenesis.

Mechanisms of mitochondrial apoptosis induced by peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands in human colorectal cancer cells

Specific ligands of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) have been shown to induce apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancers. The aim of this study was to characterize the signaling pathways of PBR ligand-induced apoptosis. FGIN-1-27 but not PK 11195-induced apoptosis was associated with a decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase of mitochondrial volume in HT29 colorectal cancer cells. However, PK 11195-elicited apoptosis was associated with a downregulation of Bcl-2, translocation of Bax to the mitochondria including subsequent oligomerization, and activation of caspase-9, indicating the involvement of mitochondria in PK 11195-induced apoptosis. Moreover, PK 11195-induced apoptosis was associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species. This study demonstrates a novel mechanism of PK 11195-induced mitochondrial apoptosis without alteration of the mitochondrial membrane potential. The characterization of signaling pathways associated with PBR ligand-induced apoptosis will build the base for a future use of these ligands in anti-neoplastic therapeutic approaches.

An embryonic poly(A)-binding protein (ePAB) is expressed in mouse oocytes and early preimplantation embryos

Gene expression during oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryo development until zygotic gene activation is regulated mainly by translational activation of maternally derived mRNAs. This process requires the presence of a poly(A)-binding protein. However, the cytoplasmic somatic cell poly(A)-binding protein (PABP1) is not expressed until later in embryogenesis. We recently identified an embryonic poly(A)-binding protein (ePAB) in Xenopus. ePAB is the predominant cytoplasmic PABP in Xenopus oocytes and early embryos and prevents deadenylation of mRNAs, suggesting its importance in the regulation of gene expression during early Xenopus development. Here we report the identification of the mouse ortholog of Xenopus ePAB. The mouse ePAB gene on chromosome 2 contains 14 exons that specify an alternatively spliced mRNA encoding a protein of 608 or 561 aa with approximately 65% identity to Xenopus ePAB. Mouse ePAB mRNA is expressed in ovaries and testis but not in somatic tissues. In situ hybridization localizes ePAB RNA to oocytes and confirms its absence from surrounding somatic cells in the mouse ovary. During early development, mouse ePAB is expressed in prophase I and metaphase II oocytes and one-cell and two-cell embryos and then becomes undetectable in four-or-more-cell embryos. In contrast, PABP1 mRNA expression is minimal in oocytes and early embryos until the eight-cell stage when it increases, becoming predominant at the blastocyst stage. The expression of mouse ePAB before zygotic gene activation argues for its importance in translational activation of maternally derived mRNAs during mammalian oocyte and early preimplantation embryo development.