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Kaur P, Shankar E, Gupta S. EZH2-mediated development of therapeutic resistance in cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216706. [PMID: 38331087 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) regulates gene expression and plays a definite role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence. Overexpression of EZH2 has been found in various human malignancies, including prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers, and is associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis. EZH2 catalyzes trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) as a canonical role in a PRC2-dependent manner. This mechanism silences various tumor suppressor genes through EZH2-mediated histone lysine methyltransferase activity. As a non-canonical role, EZH2 partners with other signaling molecules to undergo post-translational modification to orchestrate its function as a co-activator playing a critical role in cancer progression. Dysregulation of EZH2 has also been associated with therapeutic resistance in cancer cells. Given the role of EZH2 in promoting carcinogenesis and therapy resistance, both canonical and non-canonical EZH2 inhibitors have been used to combat multiple cancer types. Moreover, combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapeutic modalities have shown to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and overcome potential resistance mechanisms in these cancerous cells. Therefore, targeting EZH2 through canonical and non-canonical modes appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance efficacy and overcome resistance in multiple cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parminder Kaur
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA.
| | - Eswar Shankar
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44016, USA; Division of General Medical Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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2
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Xu X, Chen J, Wang G, Zhang X, Li Q, Zhou X, Guo F, Li M. Conformationally constrained potent inhibitors for enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 97:129558. [PMID: 37956762 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) plays the role of the main catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27). Overexpression or mutation of EZH2 has been observed in many types of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, such as myeloma, lymphoma, prostate, breast, kidney, and lung cancers. EZH2 has been demonstrated as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of tumors. Based on the structure of 1 (EPZ-6438), a series of novel conformationally constrained derivatives were designed and synthesized aiming to improve the EZH2 inhibition activity, especially for mutated EZH2. Structure and activity relationship (SAR) exploration and optimization at both enzymatic and cellular levels led to the discovery of 28. In vitro, 28 displayed potent EZH2 inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 0.95 nM, which is comparable to EPZ-6438 (1). 28 exhibited high anti-proliferation activity against different lymphoma cell lines including WSU-DLCL2, Pfeiffer and Karpas-422 (IC50 = 2.36, 1.73, and 1.82 nM, respectively). In vivo, 28 showed acceptable pharmacokinetic characteristics (oral bioavailability F = 36.9%) and better efficacy than 1 in both Pfeiffer and Karpas-422 xenograft mouse models, suggesting that it can be further developed as a potential therapeutic candidate for EZH2-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia Chen
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Fengying Guo
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Min Li
- Shanghai Synergy Pharmaceutical Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
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Zhou B, Wang B, Zou F, Mei H, Liu Q, Qi S, Wang W, Jin R, Wang A, Chen Y, Liu F, Wang W, Liu J, Liu Q. Discovery of dihydropyridinone derivative as a covalent EZH2 degrader. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115825. [PMID: 37826933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
EZH2 is overexpressed in multiple types of cancer and high expression level of EZH2 correlates with poor prognosis. Besides the regulation of H3K27 trimethylation, EZH2 itself regulates its downstream proteins in a PRC2- and methylation-independent way. Starting from an approved EZH2 inhibitor EPZ-6438, we used covalent drug design and medicinal chemistry approaches to discover a novel covalent EZH2 degrader 38, which forms a covalent bond with EZH2 Cys663 and showed strong biochemical activities against EZH2 WT and mutants. Compound 38 exhibited potent antiproliferation effects against both B-cell lymphoma and TNBC cell lines by reducing the levels of H3K27me3 and EZH2. The mass spectrometry, washout and competition experiments confirmed the covalent binding of 38 to EZH2. This study demonstrates that covalent EZH2 degraders could provide an opportunity for the development of promising new drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Beilei Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Fengming Zou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Husheng Mei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Qingwang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Shuang Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Wenliang Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Rui Jin
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China
| | - Aoli Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Yongfei Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Feiyang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China
| | - Jing Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China.
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China; Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, PR China; Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China; Primary Cell Engineering Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230088, PR China.
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Gao J, Fosbrook C, Gibson J, Underwood TJ, Gray JC, Walters ZS. Review: Targeting EZH2 in neuroblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 119:102600. [PMID: 37467626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest extra-cranial pediatric tumors, and accounts for over 15% of all childhood cancer mortality. Risk stratification for children with neuroblastoma is based on age, stage, histology, and tumor cytogenetics. The majority of patients are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma, for which the long-term survival is less than 50%. Current treatments combine surgical resection, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, anti-GD2 based immunotherapy as well as the differentiating agent isotretinoin. Despite the intensive multimodal therapies applied, there are high relapse rates, and recurrent disease is often resistant to further therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone methyltransferase that represses transcription through trimethylation of lysine residue K27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3). It is responsible for epigenetic repression of transcription, making EZH2 an essential regulator for cell differentiation. Overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation and prevent tumor cells from differentiating in a number of cancers. Therefore, research has been ongoing for the past decade, developing treatments that target EZH2 in neuroblastoma. This review summarises the role of EZH2 in neuroblastoma and evaluates the latest research findings on the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Gao
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Claire Fosbrook
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Juliet C Gray
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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5
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Discovery of IHMT-337 as a potent irreversible EZH2 inhibitor targeting CDK4 transcription for malignancies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:18. [PMID: 36642705 PMCID: PMC9841011 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), an enzymatic subunit of PRC2 complex, plays an important role in tumor development and progression through its catalytic and noncatalytic activities. Overexpression or gain-of-function mutations of EZH2 have been significantly associated with tumor cell proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). As a result, it has gained interest as a potential therapeutic target. The currently available EZH2 inhibitors, such as EPZ6438 and GSK126, are of benefit for clinical using or reached clinical trials. However, certain cancers are resistant to these enzymatic inhibitors due to its noncatalytic or transcriptional activity through modulating nonhistone proteins. Thus, it may be more effective to synergistically degrade EZH2 in addition to enzymatic inhibition. Here, through a rational design and chemical screening, we discovered a new irreversible EZH2 inhibitor, IHMT-337, which covalently bounds to and degrades EZH2 via the E3 ligase CHIP-mediated ubiquitination pathway. Moreover, we revealed that IHMT-337 affects cell cycle progression in TNBC cells through targeting transcriptional regulating of CDK4, a novel PRC2 complex- and enzymatic activity-independent function of EZH2. More significantly, our compound inhibits both DLBCL and TNBC cell proliferation in different preclinical models in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that in addition to enzymatic inhibition, destroying of EZH2 by IHMT-337 could be a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC and other malignancies that are independent of EZH2 enzymatic activity.
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Guo Y, Yu Y, Wang GG. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 in Oncology. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:273-320. [PMID: 38113005 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic regulation of the chromatin state by Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) provides an important mean for epigenetic gene control that can profoundly influence normal development and cell lineage specification. PRC2 and PRC2-induced methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) are critically involved in a wide range of DNA-templated processes, which at least include transcriptional repression and gene imprinting, organization of three-dimensional chromatin structure, DNA replication and DNA damage response and repair. PRC2-based genome regulation often goes wrong in diseases, notably cancer. This chapter discusses about different modes-of-action through which PRC2 and EZH2, a catalytic subunit of PRC2, mediate (epi)genomic and transcriptomic regulation. We will also discuss about how alteration or mutation of the PRC2 core or axillary component promotes oncogenesis, how post-translational modification regulates functionality of EZH2 and PRC2, and how PRC2 and other epigenetic pathways crosstalk. Lastly, we will briefly touch on advances in targeting EZH2 and PRC2 dependence as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Yao Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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7
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Critical Roles of Polycomb Repressive Complexes in Transcription and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179574. [PMID: 36076977 PMCID: PMC9455514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomp group (PcG) proteins are members of highly conserved multiprotein complexes, recognized as gene transcriptional repressors during development and shown to play a role in various physiological and pathological processes. PcG proteins consist of two Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) with different enzymatic activities: Polycomb repressive complexes 1 (PRC1), a ubiquitin ligase, and Polycomb repressive complexes 2 (PRC2), a histone methyltransferase. Traditionally, PRCs have been described to be associated with transcriptional repression of homeotic genes, as well as gene transcription activating effects. Particularly in cancer, PRCs have been found to misregulate gene expression, not only depending on the function of the whole PRCs, but also through their separate subunits. In this review, we focused especially on the recent findings in the transcriptional regulation of PRCs, the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles of PcG proteins, and the research progress of inhibitors targeting PRCs.
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8
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Wu S, Yin Y, Wang X. The epigenetic regulation of the germinal center response. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194828. [PMID: 35643396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In response to T-cell-dependent antigens, antigen-experienced B cells migrate to the center of the B-cell follicle to seed the germinal center (GC) response after cognate interactions with CD4+ T cells. These GC B cells eventually mature into memory and long-lived antibody-secreting plasma cells, thus generating long-lived humoral immunity. Within GC, B cells undergo somatic hypermutation of their B cell receptors (BCR) and positive selection for the emergence of high-affinity antigen-specific B-cell clones. However, this process may be dangerous, as the accumulation of aberrant mutations could result in malignant transformation of GC B cells or give rise to autoreactive B cell clones that can cause autoimmunity. Because of this, better understanding of GC development provides diagnostic and therapeutic clues to the underlying pathologic process. A productive GC response is orchestrated by multiple mechanisms. An emerging important regulator of GC reaction is epigenetic modulation, which has key transcriptional regulatory properties. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biology of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of GC reaction and outline its importance in identification of immunotherapy decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusheng Wu
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuye Yin
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Long-Distance Repression by Human Silencers: Chromatin Interactions and Phase Separation in Silencers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091560. [PMID: 35563864 PMCID: PMC9101175 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional genome organization represents an additional layer in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Active transcription controlled by enhancers or super-enhancers has been extensively studied. Enhancers or super-enhancers can recruit activators or co-activators to activate target gene expression through long-range chromatin interactions. Chromatin interactions and phase separation play important roles in terms of enhancer or super-enhancer functioning. Silencers are another major type of cis-regulatory element that can mediate gene regulation by turning off or reducing gene expression. However, compared to active transcription, silencer studies are still in their infancy. This review covers the current knowledge of human silencers, especially the roles of chromatin interactions and phase separation in silencers. This review also proposes future directions for human silencer studies.
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Drosos Y, Myers JA, Xu B, Mathias KM, Beane EC, Radko-Juettner S, Mobley RJ, Larsen ME, Piccioni F, Ma X, Low J, Hansen BS, Peters ST, Bhanu NV, Dhanda SK, Chen T, Upadhyaya SA, Pruett-Miller SM, Root DE, Garcia BA, Partridge JF, Roberts CW. NSD1 mediates antagonism between SWI/SNF and polycomb complexes and is required for transcriptional activation upon EZH2 inhibition. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2472-2489.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Zhang Q, Yang H, Feng Q, Cao J, Zhang Y, Li L, Yu L. Focus on the classical and non-classical functions of EZH2: Guide the development of inhibitors and degraders. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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12
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Liu KL, Zhu K, Zhang H. An overview of the development of EED inhibitors to disable the PRC2 function. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:39-53. [PMID: 35224495 PMCID: PMC8792826 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00274k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) and the enrichment of its catalytic product H3K27me3 is responsible for the silencing of tumor suppressor genes and the blocking of transcripts related to immunity and cell terminal differentiation. Aberrations of PRC2 components, such as mutation and overexpression, have been observed in various cancers, which makes PRC2 a potential therapeutic target for cancer. Up to now, targeting the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic subunit of PRC2, represents the main strategy in the development of PRC2 inhibitors. Although significant progress has been made, new problems also emerge, e.g. the drug resistance caused by secondary mutations. In recent years, more and more efforts have shifted to another new strategy - targeting embryonic ectoderm development (EED) to disrupt its major interactions with other components, which are necessary to the PRC2 function, and some promising results have been obtained. This review summarizes the recent development of EED inhibitors as possible chemotherapy for cancer treatment, which could help accelerate future related research work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Lu Liu
- School of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan Jinan 250022 China
| | - Kongkai Zhu
- School of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan Jinan 250022 China
| | - Hua Zhang
- School of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan Jinan 250022 China
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Zhou B, Liang X, Mei H, Qi S, Jiang Z, Wang A, Zou F, Liu Q, Liu J, Wang W, Hu C, Chen Y, Wang Z, Wang B, Wang L, Liu J, Liu Q. Discovery of IHMT-EZH2-115 as a Potent and Selective Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) Inhibitor for the Treatment of B-Cell Lymphomas. J Med Chem 2021; 64:15170-15188. [PMID: 34664960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 that catalyzes methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27). Overexpression or mutation of EZH2 has been identified in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Based on the structure of EPZ6438 (1) and the binding model with PRC2, we designed a series of analogues aiming to improve the activities of EZH2 mutants. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) exploration at both enzymatic and cellular levels led to the discovery of inhibitor 29. In the biochemical assay, 29 inhibited EZH2 (IC50 = 26.1 nM) with high selectivity over other histone methyltransferases. It was also potent against EZH2 mutants (EZH2 Y641F, IC50 = 72.3 nM). Furthermore, it showed no apparent inhibitory activity against the human ether-á-go-go related gene (hERG) (IC50 > 30 μM). In vivo, 29 exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties for oral administration and showed better efficacy than 1 in both Pfeiffer and Karpas-422 cell-mediated xenograft mouse models, indicating that it might be a new potential therapeutic candidate for EZH2 mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofei Liang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Husheng Mei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Qi
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Zongru Jiang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Aoli Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Fengming Zou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Qingwang Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Juan Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Wenliang Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Chen Hu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Yongfei Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Zuowei Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
| | - Beilei Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Jing Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, P. R. China.,Precision Medicine Research Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230088, P. R. China
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14
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Wang S, C Ordonez-Rubiano S, Dhiman A, Jiao G, Strohmier BP, Krusemark CJ, Dykhuizen EC. Polycomb group proteins in cancer: multifaceted functions and strategies for modulation. NAR Cancer 2021; 3:zcab039. [PMID: 34617019 PMCID: PMC8489530 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) are a heterogenous collection of dozens, if not hundreds, of protein complexes composed of various combinations of subunits. PRCs are transcriptional repressors important for cell-type specificity during development, and as such, are commonly mis-regulated in cancer. PRCs are broadly characterized as PRC1 with histone ubiquitin ligase activity, or PRC2 with histone methyltransferase activity; however, the mechanism by which individual PRCs, particularly the highly diverse set of PRC1s, alter gene expression has not always been clear. Here we review the current understanding of how PRCs act, both individually and together, to establish and maintain gene repression, the biochemical contribution of individual PRC subunits, the mis-regulation of PRC function in different cancers, and the current strategies for modulating PRC activity. Increased mechanistic understanding of PRC function, as well as cancer-specific roles for individual PRC subunits, will uncover better targets and strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Sandra C Ordonez-Rubiano
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Alisha Dhiman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Guanming Jiao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Brayden P Strohmier
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Casey J Krusemark
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Emily C Dykhuizen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, 201 S. University St., West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
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15
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Tomassi S, Romanelli A, Zwergel C, Valente S, Mai A. Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 Modulation through the Development of EZH2-EED Interaction Inhibitors and EED Binders. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11774-11797. [PMID: 34351144 PMCID: PMC8404197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Epigenetics is nowadays
a well-accepted area of research. In the
last years, tremendous progress was made regarding molecules targeting
EZH2, directly or indirectly. Recently tazemetostat hit the market
after FDA-approval for the treatment of lymphoma. However, the impairment
of EZH2 activity by orthosteric intervention has proven to be effective
only in a limited subset of cancers. Considering the multiproteic
nature of the PRC2 complex and the marked dependence of EZH2 functions
on the other core subunits such as EED, in recent years, a new targeting
approach ascended to prominence. The possibility to cripple the function
of the PRC2 complex by interfering with its multimeric integrity fueled
the interest in developing EZH2–EED protein–protein
interaction and EED inhibitors as indirect modulators of PRC2-dependent
methyltransferase activity. In this Perspective, we aim to summarize
the latest findings regarding the development and the biological activity
of these emerging classes of PRC2 modulators from a medicinal chemist’s
viewpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tomassi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Romanelli
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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16
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Gene Transcription as a Therapeutic Target in Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147340. [PMID: 34298959 PMCID: PMC8304797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood malignancies often arise from undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cells or partially differentiated stem-like cells. A tight balance of multipotency and differentiation, cell division, and quiescence underlying normal hematopoiesis requires a special program governed by the transcriptional machinery. Acquisition of drug resistance by tumor cells also involves reprogramming of their transcriptional landscape. Limiting tumor cell plasticity by disabling reprogramming of the gene transcription is a promising strategy for improvement of treatment outcomes. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms of action of transcription-targeted drugs in hematological malignancies (largely in leukemia) with particular respect to the results of clinical trials.
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17
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von Keudell G, Salles G. The role of tazemetostat in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. Ther Adv Hematol 2021; 12:20406207211015882. [PMID: 34104370 PMCID: PMC8165870 DOI: 10.1177/20406207211015882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Large strides have been made in the treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) over the last few years. Although the majority of patients respond to upfront therapy, many experience disease progression with a progressive shortening of subsequent treatment free intervals. New treatment options are therefore crucial for such patients. Tazemetostat is a first-in-class, selective, oral inhibitor of enhancer of zester homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase that is mutated in about a quarter of FL cases. Tazemetostat was recently approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed FL after 2 or more prior lines of therapy in the presence of an EZH2 mutation and for those without any other available therapeutic option, independently of EZH2 mutation status. In this review, we will summarize the background and key data that led to the development of tazemetostat, and, ultimately, to its approval for this indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gottfried von Keudell
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gilles Salles
- Lymphoma Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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18
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Siklos M, Kubicek S. Therapeutic targeting of chromatin: status and opportunities. FEBS J 2021; 289:1276-1301. [PMID: 33982887 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The molecular characterization of mechanisms underlying transcriptional control and epigenetic inheritance since the 1990s has paved the way for the development of targeted therapies that modulate these pathways. In the past two decades, cancer genome sequencing approaches have uncovered a plethora of mutations in chromatin modifying enzymes across tumor types, and systematic genetic screens have identified many of these proteins as specific vulnerabilities in certain cancers. Now is the time when many of these basic and translational efforts start to bear fruit and more and more chromatin-targeting drugs are entering the clinic. At the same time, novel pharmacological approaches harbor the potential to modulate chromatin in unprecedented fashion, thus generating entirely novel opportunities. Here, we review the current status of chromatin targets in oncology and describe a vision for the epigenome-modulating drugs of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marton Siklos
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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19
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Prado G, Kaestner CL, Licht JD, Bennett RL. Targeting epigenetic mechanisms to overcome venetoclax resistance. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119047. [PMID: 33945824 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The BH-3 mimetic venetoclax overcomes apoptosis and therapy resistance caused by high expression of BCL2 or loss of BH3-only protein function. Although a promising therapy for hematologic malignancies, increased expression of anti-apoptotic MCL-1 or BCL-XL, as well as other resistance mechanisms prevent a durable response to venetoclax. Recent studies demonstrate that agents targeting epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, histone methyltransferase EZH2 inhibitors, or bromodomain reader protein inhibitors may disable oncogenic gene expression signatures responsible for venetoclax resistance. Combination therapies including venetoclax and epigenetic therapies are effective in preclinical models and the subject of many current clinical trials. Here we review epigenetic strategies to overcome venetoclax resistance mechanisms in hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Prado
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Charlotte L Kaestner
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Richard L Bennett
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center and University of Florida Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America.
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20
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Raspin K, FitzGerald LM, Marthick JR, Field MA, Malley RC, Banks A, Donovan S, Thomson RJ, Foley GR, Stanford JL, Dickinson JL. A rare variant in EZH2 is associated with prostate cancer risk. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:1089-1099. [PMID: 33821477 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PrCa) is highly heritable, and although rare variants contribute significantly to PrCa risk, few have been identified to date. Herein, whole-genome sequencing was performed in a large PrCa family featuring multiple affected relatives spanning several generations. A rare, predicted splice site EZH2 variant, rs78589034 (G > A), was identified as segregating with disease in all but two individuals in the family, one of whom was affected with lymphoma and bowel cancer and a female relative. This variant was significantly associated with disease risk in combined familial and sporadic PrCa datasets (n = 1551; odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, P = 1.20 × 10-5 ). Transcriptome analysis was performed on prostate tumour needle biopsies available for two rare variant carriers and two wild-type cases. Although no allele-dependent differences were detected in EZH2 transcripts, a distinct differential gene expression signature was observed when comparing prostate tissue from the rare variant carriers with the wild-type samples. The gene expression signature comprised known downstream targets of EZH2 and included the top-ranked genes, DUSP1, FOS, JUNB and EGR1, which were subsequently validated by qPCR. These data provide evidence that rs78589034 is associated with increased PrCa risk in Tasmanian men and further, that this variant may be associated with perturbed EZH2 function in prostate tissue. Disrupted EZH2 function is a driver of tumourigenesis in several cancers, including prostate, and is of significant interest as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsie Raspin
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Liesel M FitzGerald
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - James R Marthick
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Matt A Field
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.,John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Roslyn C Malley
- Hobart Pathology, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Annette Banks
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Russell J Thomson
- Centre for Research in Mathematics and Data Science, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Georgea R Foley
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Janet L Stanford
- Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joanne L Dickinson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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21
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Li C, Wang Y, Gong Y, Zhang T, Huang J, Tan Z, Xue L. Finding an easy way to harmonize: a review of advances in clinical research and combination strategies of EZH2 inhibitors. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:62. [PMID: 33761979 PMCID: PMC7992945 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors (EZH2i) have garnered increased attention owing to their anticancer activity by targeting EZH2, a well-known cancer-promoting factor. However, some lymphomas are resistant to EZH2i, and EZH2i treatment alone is ineffective in case of EZH2-overexpressing solid tumors. The anti-cancer efficacy of EZH2i may be improved through safe and effective combinations of these drugs with other treatment modalities. Preclinical evidence indicates that combining EZH2i with other therapies, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy, has complementary or synergistic antitumor effects. Therefore, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the individual constituents of the combination therapies is fundamental for their clinical application. In this review, we have summarized notable clinical trials and preclinical studies using EZH2i, their progress, and combinations of EZH2i with different therapeutic modalities, aiming to provide new insights for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yueqing Gong
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tengrui Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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22
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Chetverina DA, Lomaev DV, Georgiev PG, Erokhin MM. Genetic Impairments of PRC2 Activity in Oncology: Problems and Prospects. RUSS J GENET+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795421030042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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23
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Huang J, Gou H, Yao J, Yi K, Jin Z, Matsuoka M, Zhao T. The noncanonical role of EZH2 in cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:1376-1382. [PMID: 33615636 PMCID: PMC8019201 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Dysregulation of EZH2 causes alteration of gene expression and functions, thereby promoting cancer development. The regulatory function of EZH2 varies across different tumor types. The canonical role of EZH2 is gene silencing through catalyzing the trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) in a PRC2‐dependent manner. Accumulating evidence indicates that EZH2 has an H3K27me3‐independent function as a transcriptional coactivator and plays a critical role in cancer initiation, development, and progression. In this review, we summarize the regulation and function of EZH2 and focus on the current understanding of the noncanonical role of EZH2 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Huang
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Hongwei Gou
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Jia Yao
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Kaining Yi
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Zhigang Jin
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Masao Matsuoka
- Department of Hematology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Laboratory of Virus Control, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tiejun Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China.,Laboratory of Virus Control, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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24
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Liu Z, Hu X, Wang Q, Wu X, Zhang Q, Wei W, Su X, He H, Zhou S, Hu R, Ye T, Zhu Y, Wang N, Yu L. Design and Synthesis of EZH2-Based PROTACs to Degrade the PRC2 Complex for Targeting the Noncatalytic Activity of EZH2. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2829-2848. [PMID: 33606537 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
EZH2 mediates both PRC2-dependent gene silencing via catalyzing H3K27me3 and PRC2-independent transcriptional activation in various cancers. Given its oncogenic role in cancers, EZH2 has constituted a compelling target for anticancer therapy. However, current EZH2 inhibitors only target its methyltransferase activity to downregulate H3K27me3 levels and show limited efficacy because of inadequate suppression of the EZH2 oncogenic activity. Therefore, therapeutic strategies to completely block the oncogenic activity of EZH2 are urgently needed. Herein, we report a series of EZH2-targeted proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that induce proteasomal degradation of PRC2 components, including EZH2, EED, SUZ12, and RbAp48. Preliminary assessment identified E7 as the most active PROTAC molecule, which decreased PRC2 subunits and H3K27me2/3 levels in various cancer cells. Furthermore, E7 strongly inhibited transcriptional silencing mediated by EZH2 dependent on PRC2 and transcriptional activation mediated by EZH2 independent of PRC2, showing significant antiproliferative activities against cancer cell lines dependent on the enzymatic and nonenzymatic activities of EZH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiuli Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiangsheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xingping Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hualong He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shuyan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Rong Hu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Tinghong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongxia Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ningyu Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Luoting Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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25
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Sharma A, Liu H, Herwig-Carl MC, Chand Dakal T, Schmidt-Wolf IGH. Epigenetic Regulatory Enzymes: mutation Prevalence and Coexistence in Cancers. Cancer Invest 2021; 39:257-273. [PMID: 33411587 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2021.1872593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is an important layer of transcriptional control with the particularity to affect the broad spectrum of genome. Over the years, largely due to the substantial number of recurrent mutations, there have been hundreds of novel driver genes characterized in various cancers. Additionally, the relative contribution of two dysregulated epigenomic entities (DNA methylation and histone modifications) that gradually drive the cancer phenotype remains in the research focus. However, a complex scenario arises when the disease phenotype does not harbor any relevant mutation or an abnormal transcription level. Although the cancer landscape involves the contribution of multiple genetic and non-genetic factors, herein, we discuss specifically the mutation spectrum of epigenetically-related enzymes in cancer. In addition, we address the coexistence of these two epigenetic entities in malignant human diseases, especially cancer. We suggest that the study of epigenetically-related somatic mutations in the early cellular differentiation stage of embryonic development might help to understand their later-staged footprints in the cancer genome. Furthermore, understanding the co-occurrence and/or inverse association of different disease types and redefining the general definition of "healthy" controls could provide insights into the genome reorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sharma
- Department of Integrated Oncology, CIO Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hongde Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Tikam Chand Dakal
- Department of Biotechnology, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ingo G H Schmidt-Wolf
- Department of Integrated Oncology, CIO Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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26
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Bhat KP, Ümit Kaniskan H, Jin J, Gozani O. Epigenetics and beyond: targeting writers of protein lysine methylation to treat disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:265-286. [PMID: 33469207 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-00108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein lysine methylation is a crucial post-translational modification that regulates the functions of both histone and non-histone proteins. Deregulation of the enzymes or 'writers' of protein lysine methylation, lysine methyltransferases (KMTs), is implicated in the cause of many diseases, including cancer, mental health disorders and developmental disorders. Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in developing drugs to target KMTs that are involved in histone methylation and epigenetic regulation. The first of these inhibitors, tazemetostat, was recently approved for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma, and several more are in clinical and preclinical evaluation. Beyond chromatin, the many KMTs that regulate protein synthesis and other fundamental biological processes are emerging as promising new targets for drug development to treat diverse diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamakoti P Bhat
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Or Gozani
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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27
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Stuckey JI, Cantone NR, Côté A, Arora S, Vivat V, Ramakrishnan A, Mertz JA, Khanna A, Brenneman J, Gehling VS, Moine L, Sims RJ, Audia JE, Trojer P, Levell JR, Cummings RT. Identification and characterization of second-generation EZH2 inhibitors with extended residence times and improved biological activity. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100349. [PMID: 33524394 PMCID: PMC7949150 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase EZH2 has been the target of numerous small-molecule inhibitor discovery efforts over the last 10+ years. Emerging clinical data have provided early evidence for single agent activity with acceptable safety profiles for first-generation inhibitors. We have developed kinetic methodologies for studying EZH2-inhibitor-binding kinetics that have allowed us to identify a unique structural modification that results in significant increases in the drug-target residence times of all EZH2 inhibitor scaffolds we have studied. The unexpected residence time enhancement bestowed by this modification has enabled us to create a series of second-generation EZH2 inhibitors with sub-pM binding affinities. We provide both biophysical evidence validating this sub-pM potency and biological evidence demonstrating the utility and relevance of such high-affinity interactions with EZH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob I Stuckey
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nico R Cantone
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexandre Côté
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shilpi Arora
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Valerie Vivat
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Avinash Khanna
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Ludivine Moine
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert J Sims
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James E Audia
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick Trojer
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julian R Levell
- Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Prognostic Value of EZH2 in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancers: A Meta-Analysis and Bioinformatics Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2380124. [PMID: 33299862 PMCID: PMC7705440 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2380124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background The prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been significantly improved. In the past several years, research on epigenetics is in full swing. There is a focus on the gene EZH2; however, its role as a predictor of the prognosis of NSCLC is in the debate. Objective To clarify if the expression level of EZH2 can influence the prognosis of NSCLC and explain its prognostic value. Methods We have systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library, screened relevant articles, and conducted a meta-analysis on the expression level of EZH2 in NSCLC. We collected the hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) and used STATA 12.0 to calculate the combined result of EZH2 overall survival. In addition, we conducted subgroup analyses, a sensitivity analysis, and a funnel plot to test the reliability of the results. We further validated these meta-analysis results using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In addition, we have investigated the correlation between EZH2 expression and EGFR expression, KRAS expression, BRAF expression, and smoking in TCGA database to further explore the mechanism behind the influence of high EZH2 expression on lung cancer prognosis. Results 13 studies including 2180 participants were included in the meta-analysis. We found that high expression of EZH2 indicates a poor prognosis of NSCLC (HR = 1.65 and 95% CI 1.16-2.35; p ≤ 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed high heterogeneity in stages I-IV (I 2 = 85.1% and p ≤ 0.001) and stages I-III (I 2 = 66.9% and p = 0.029) but not in stage I (I 2 = 0.00% and p = 0.589). In the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, there was a high expression in 963 cases and low expression in 964 cases (HR = 1.31 and 95% CI 1.15-1.48; p < 0.05). Further analysis found that the high expression of EZH2 was statistically significant in lung adenocarcinoma (HR = 1.27and 95% CI 1.01-1.6; p = 0.045), but not in lung squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 1.03 and 95% CI 0.81-1.3; p = 0.820). The results of the TCGA database showed that the expression of EZH2 in normal tissues was lower than that in lung cancer tissues (p < 0.05). Smoking was associated with high expression of EZH2 (p < 0.001). EZH2 was also highly expressed in lung cancers with positive KRAS expression, and the correlation was positive in lung adenocarcinoma (r = 0.3129 and p < 0.001). The correlation was also positive in lung squamous cell carcinoma (r = 0.3567 and p < 0.001). EZH2 expression was positively correlated with BRAF expression (r = 0.2397 and p < 0.001), especially in lung squamous cell carcinoma (r = 0.3662 and p < 0.001). In lung squamous cell carcinoma, a positive yet weak correlation was observed between EZH2 expression and EGFR expression (r = 0.1122 and p < 0.001). Conclusions The high expression of EZH2 indicates a poor prognosis of NSCLC, which may be related to tumor stage or cancer type. EZH2 may be an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC. EZH2 high expression or its synergistic action with KRAS and BRAF mutations affects the prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer.
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29
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Chetverina DA, Lomaev DV, Erokhin MM. Polycomb and Trithorax Group Proteins: The Long Road from Mutations in Drosophila to Use in Medicine. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:66-85. [PMID: 33456979 PMCID: PMC7800605 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG) proteins are evolutionarily conserved factors responsible for the repression and activation of the transcription of multiple genes in Drosophila and mammals. Disruption of the PcG/TrxG expression is associated with many pathological conditions, including cancer, which makes them suitable targets for diagnosis and therapy in medicine. In this review, we focus on the major PcG and TrxG complexes, the mechanisms of PcG/TrxG action, and their recruitment to chromatin. We discuss the alterations associated with the dysfunction of a number of factors of these groups in oncology and the current strategies used to develop drugs based on small-molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. A. Chetverina
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia
| | - D. V. Lomaev
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia
| | - M. M. Erokhin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia
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30
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Lee JE, Park CM, Kim JH. USP7 deubiquitinates and stabilizes EZH2 in prostate cancer cells. Genet Mol Biol 2020; 43:e20190338. [PMID: 32453339 PMCID: PMC7252518 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of target proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is common in a wide range of cellular events, including transcriptional regulation, cell cycle progression, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7) has been implicated in tumor development and metastasis in various malignancies through the regulation of target protein stability. In this study, we found that the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which catalyzes the methylation at lysine 27 of histone H3, is a target of USP7 and is stabilized by USP7-mediated deubiquitination. In prostate cancer cells, the transcriptional repression function of EZH2 was inhibited by USP7-knockdown. Furthermore, ectopic introduction of EZH2 restored the cell migration, invasion, and sphere-forming potential of prostate cancer cells, which had been decreased by USP7-knockdown. Moreover, combined treatment with the USP7-specific inhibitor P5091 and EZH2 inhibitors, such as GSK126, EPZ6438, and DZNep, induced synergistic inhibitory effects on cell migration, invasion, and sphere-forming potential in prostate cancer cells. Collectively, our findings revealed that the promotion of the malignancy-associated characteristics of prostate cancer cells by USP7 was in part due to EZH2 stabilization. Thus, we suggest that simultaneous treatment with a USP7 inhibitor and an EZH2 inhibitor could be a rational strategy for treating EZH2-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Eun Lee
- Inha University, Department of Biological Sciences, Incheon 22212,
South Korea
| | - Chan Mi Park
- Inha University, Department of Biological Sciences, Incheon 22212,
South Korea
| | - Jung Hwa Kim
- Inha University, Department of Biological Sciences, Incheon 22212,
South Korea
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31
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Zhang X, Murray B, Mo G, Shern JF. The Role of Polycomb Repressive Complex in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11030287. [PMID: 32182803 PMCID: PMC7140867 DOI: 10.3390/genes11030287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that can arise most frequently in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Despite an increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie these tumors, there remains limited therapeutic options for this aggressive disease. One potentially critical finding is that a significant proportion of MPNSTs exhibit recurrent mutations in the genes EED or SUZ12, which are key components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Tumors harboring these genetic lesions lose the marker of transcriptional repression, trimethylation of lysine residue 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) and have dysregulated oncogenic signaling. Given the recurrence of PRC2 alterations, intensive research efforts are now underway with a focus on detailing the epigenetic and transcriptomic consequences of PRC2 loss as well as development of novel therapeutic strategies for targeting these lesions. In this review article, we will summarize the recent findings of PRC2 in MPNST tumorigenesis, including highlighting the functions of PRC2 in normal Schwann cell development and nerve injury repair, as well as provide commentary on the potential therapeutic vulnerabilities of a PRC2 deficient tumor cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Tumor Evolution and Genomics Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (X.Z.); (B.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Béga Murray
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Tumor Evolution and Genomics Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (X.Z.); (B.M.); (G.M.)
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn road, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - George Mo
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Tumor Evolution and Genomics Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (X.Z.); (B.M.); (G.M.)
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Jack F. Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Tumor Evolution and Genomics Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (X.Z.); (B.M.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence:
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32
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Huang D, Tian S, Qi Y, Zhang JZH. Binding Modes of Small-Molecule Inhibitors to the EED Pocket of PRC2. Chemphyschem 2020; 21:263-271. [PMID: 31816138 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) plays a key role in silencing epigenetic gene through trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27). Dysregulations of PRC2 caused by overexpression and mutations of the core subunits of PRC2 have been implicated in many cancers. The core subunits EZH1/2 are histone-lysine N-methyltransferases that function as the enzymatic component of PRC2. While the core subunit EED is a scaffolding protein to support EZH1/2 and binds JARID2K116me3/H3K27me3 to enhance the enzymatic activity of PRC2 through allosteric activation. Recently, several small molecules that compete with JARI2K116me3 and H3K27me3 have been reported. These molecules selectively bind to the JARID2K116me3/H3K27me3-binding pocket of EED, thereby preventing the allosteric regulation of PRC2. These first-in-class PRC2 inhibitors show robust suppression in DLBCL cell lines, demonstrating anticancer drugs that target the EED subunit of PRC2 are viable. In this study, we used the recently developed MM/GBSA_IE and the alanine scanning method to analyze the hot spots in EED/inhibitor interactions. The analysis of these hot and warm spots helps us to understand the fundamental differences between inhibitors. Our results give a quantitative explanation on why the binding affinities of EED/A-395 interactions are stronger than that of EED/EED226 while their binding modes are similar and provide valuable insights for rational design of novel EED inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dading Huang
- School of Physics and Material Science, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Shuaizhen Tian
- School of Physics and Material Science, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yifei Qi
- School of Physics and Material Science, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.,NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - John Z H Zhang
- School of Physics and Material Science, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.,NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China.,Department of Chemistry, New York University, NY, NY 10003, USA.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China
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33
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Li B, Chng WJ. EZH2 abnormalities in lymphoid malignancies: underlying mechanisms and therapeutic implications. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:118. [PMID: 31752930 PMCID: PMC6868783 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0814-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which along with other PRC2 components mediates gene expression suppression via the methylation of Histone H3 at lysine 27. Recent studies have revealed a dichotomous role of EZH2 in physiology and in the pathogenesis of cancer. While it plays an essential role in the development of the lymphoid system, its deregulation, whether due to genetic or non-genetic causes, promotes B cell- and T cell-related lymphoma or leukemia. These findings triggered a boom in the development of therapeutic EZH2 inhibitors in recent years. Here, we discuss physiologic and pathogenic function of EZH2 in lymphoid context, various internal causes of EZH2 aberrance and how EZH2 modulates lymphomagenesis through epigenetic silencing, post-translational modifications (PTMs), orchestrating with surrounding tumor micro-environment and associating with RNA or viral partners. We also summarize different strategies to directly inhibit PRC2-EZH2 or to intervene EZH2 upstream signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boheng Li
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wee-Joo Chng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Utility of Combined EZH2, p-ERK1/2, p-STAT, and MYC Expression in the Differential Diagnosis of EZH2-positive Hodgkin Lymphomas and Related Large B-Cell Lymphomas. Am J Surg Pathol 2019; 43:102-109. [PMID: 30371509 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000001180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
EZH2 is a methyltransferase that plays an important tumorigenic role in various neoplasms. We previously found that EZH2 is expressed in a range of aggressive B-cell lymphomas (ABCLs), T-cell lymphomas, and histiocytic neoplasms, with differential expression of intracellular signaling molecules p-ERK, MYC, and p-STAT3, potential regulators of EZH2 expression. We studied EZH2 expression in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL), classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL), and B-cell Lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and classic Hodgkin lymphoma (BCLu-DLBCL/cHL), as well as the coexpression of p-ERK, MYC, and p-STAT3 in these neoplasms. The neoplastic LP cells of NLPHL and Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells of cHL were strongly positive for EZH2, as were the neoplastic cells in THRLBCL and BCLu-DLBCL/cHL. EZH2 expression correlated with proliferation rate, as assessed by Ki-67 staining. LP cells in NLPHL and Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells in cHL were strongly positive for p-ERK, p-STAT3, and MYC, as were the neoplastic cells in THRLBCL and BCLu-DLBCL/cHL, in contrast to the differential expression of these molecules seen in ABCLs. These findings suggest that combined expression of p-ERK, MYC, and p-STAT3 is a useful immunohistochemical pattern for the diagnosis of EZH2-positive Hodgkin lymphomas and related lymphomas, in contrast to ABCLs. Furthermore, the overexpression of EZH2, in association with coexpression of tumorigenic signaling molecules, suggests an oncogenic role for this molecule in the development of Hodgkin lymphomas and related lymphomas. THRLBCL and BCLu-DLBCL/cHL appear to have a mechanism for the regulation of EZH2 expression that is similar to NLPHL and cHL and different from that of ABCLs. In addition, EZH2 and associated signaling cascades may serve as therapeutic targets for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphomas and related lymphomas.
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35
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Cyrus S, Burkardt D, Weaver DD, Gibson WT. PRC2-complex related dysfunction in overgrowth syndromes: A review of EZH2, EED, and SUZ12 and their syndromic phenotypes. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2019; 181:519-531. [PMID: 31724824 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The EZH2, EED, and SUZ12 genes encode proteins that comprise core components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), an epigenetic "writer" with H3K27 methyltransferase activity, catalyzing the addition of up to three methyl groups on histone 3 at lysine residue 27 (H3K27). Partial loss-of-function variants in genes encoding the EZH2 and EED subunits of the complex lead to overgrowth, macrocephaly, advanced bone age, variable intellectual disability, and distinctive facial features. EZH2-associated overgrowth, caused by constitutional heterozygous mutations within Enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), has a phenotypic spectrum ranging from tall stature without obvious intellectual disability or dysmorphic features to classical Weaver syndrome (OMIM #277590). EED-associated overgrowth (Cohen-Gibson syndrome; OMIM #617561) is caused by germline heterozygous mutations in Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED), and manifests overgrowth and intellectual disability (OGID), along with other features similar to Weaver syndrome. Most recently, rare coding variants in SUZ12 have also been described that present with clinical characteristics similar to the previous two syndromes. Here we review the PRC2 complex and clinical syndromes of OGID associated with core components EZH2, EED, and SUZ12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharri Cyrus
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Deepika Burkardt
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children/Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - David D Weaver
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - William T Gibson
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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36
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Chammas P, Mocavini I, Di Croce L. Engaging chromatin: PRC2 structure meets function. Br J Cancer 2019; 122:315-328. [PMID: 31708574 PMCID: PMC7000746 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0615-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a key epigenetic multiprotein complex involved in the regulation of gene expression in metazoans. PRC2 is formed by a tetrameric core that endows the complex with histone methyltransferase activity, allowing it to mono-, di- and tri-methylate histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3); H3K27me3 is a hallmark of facultative heterochromatin. The core complex of PRC2 is bound by several associated factors that are responsible for modulating its targeting specificity and enzymatic activity. Depletion and/or mutation of the subunits of this complex can result in severe developmental defects, or even lethality. Furthermore, mutations of these proteins in somatic cells can be drivers of tumorigenesis, by altering the transcriptional regulation of key tumour suppressors or oncogenes. In this review, we present the latest results from structural studies that have characterised PRC2 composition and function. We compare this information with data and literature for both gain-of function and loss-of-function missense mutations in cancers to provide an overview of the impact of these mutations on PRC2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Chammas
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Ivano Mocavini
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona, 08003, Spain
| | - Luciano Di Croce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona, 08003, Spain. .,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain. .,ICREA, Pg Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Spain.
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37
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Ren Z, Ahn JH, Liu H, Tsai YH, Bhanu NV, Koss B, Allison DF, Ma A, Storey AJ, Wang P, Mackintosh SG, Edmondson RD, Groen RWJ, Martens AC, Garcia BA, Tackett AJ, Jin J, Cai L, Zheng D, Wang GG. PHF19 promotes multiple myeloma tumorigenicity through PRC2 activation and broad H3K27me3 domain formation. Blood 2019; 134:1176-1189. [PMID: 31383640 PMCID: PMC6776795 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) promotes oncogenesis partly through its enzymatic function for inducing trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). However, it remains to be determined how PRC2 activity is regulated in normal and diseased settings. We here report a PRC2-associated cofactor, PHD finger protein 19 (PHF19; also known as polycomb-like 3), as a crucial mediator of tumorigenicity in multiple myeloma (MM). Overexpression and/or genomic amplification of PHF19 is found associated with malignant progression of MM and plasma cell leukemia, correlating to worse treatment outcomes. Using various MM models, we demonstrated a critical requirement of PHF19 for tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PHF19-mediated oncogenic effect relies on its PRC2-interacting and chromatin-binding functions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing profiling showed a critical role for PHF19 in maintaining the H3K27me3 landscape. PHF19 depletion led to loss of broad H3K27me3 domains, possibly due to impaired H3K27me3 spreading from cytosine guanine dinucleotide islands, which is reminiscent to the reported effect of an "onco"-histone mutation, H3K27 to methionine (H3K27M). RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome profiling in MM lines also demonstrated a requirement of PHF19 for optimal silencing of PRC2 targets, which include cell cycle inhibitors and interferon-JAK-STAT signaling genes critically involved in tumor suppression. Correlation studies using patient sample data sets further support a clinical relevance of the PHF19-regulated pathways. Lastly, we show that MM cells are generally sensitive to PRC2 inhibitors. Collectively, this study demonstrates that PHF19 promotes MM tumorigenesis through enhancing H3K27me3 deposition and PRC2's gene-regulatory functions, lending support for PRC2 blockade as a means for MM therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Ren
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Jeong Hyun Ahn
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Hequn Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | | | - Natarajan V Bhanu
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Brian Koss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - David F Allison
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Anqi Ma
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Aaron J Storey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Samuel G Mackintosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Ricky D Edmondson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Richard W J Groen
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton C Martens
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Alan J Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute and UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Ling Cai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Neuroscience and
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; and
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
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Murashima A, Shinjo K, Katsushima K, Onuki T, Kondoh Y, Osada H, Kagaya N, Shin-Ya K, Kimura H, Yoshida M, Murakami S, Kondo Y. Identification of a chemical modulator of EZH2-mediated silencing by cell-based high-throughput screening assay. J Biochem 2019; 166:41-50. [PMID: 30690451 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvz007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), a methyltransferase component of polycomb repressive complex 2, is found in many types of cancers especially those that are highly progressive and aggressive. Specific catalytic inhibitors of EZH2 have high anti-tumour activity, particularly in lymphomas with EZH2 activating mutations. However, the clinical benefits of EZH2 catalytic inhibitors in tumours overexpressing EZH2 are still limited. Here, we identified NPD13668, a novel modulator of EZH2-mediated gene silencing, from 329,049 small chemical compounds using a cell-based high-throughput screening assay. NPD13668 reactivated the expression of silenced H3K27me3 target genes together with depletion of the H3K27me3 modification. In addition, NPD13668 repressed the cell growth of prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and LNCaP) and ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and NIH-OVCAR3). NPD13668 partially inhibited the methyltransferase activity of EZH2 in vitro. Genome-wide expression analysis revealed that after NPD13668 treatment, about half of the upregulated genes overlapped with genes upregulated after treatment with GSK126, well-known EZH2 catalytic inhibitor, indicating that NPD13668 is a potential modulator of EZH2 methyltransferase activity. Our data demonstrated that targeting the pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 activity by NPD13668 might be a novel cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Murashima
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Oto-rhino-laryngology and Head-and-neck-surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keiko Shinjo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keisuke Katsushima
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Onuki
- Chemical Genomics Research Group & Seed Compound Exploratory Unit for Drug Discovery Platform, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Japan
| | - Yasumitsu Kondoh
- Chemical Biology Research Group & Chemical Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Osada
- Chemical Biology Research Group & Chemical Resource Development Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Japan
| | - Noritaka Kagaya
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Shin-Ya
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Cell Biology Unit. Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Yokohama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Yoshida
- Chemical Genomics Research Group & Seed Compound Exploratory Unit for Drug Discovery Platform, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Japan
| | - Shingo Murakami
- Department of Oto-rhino-laryngology and Head-and-neck-surgery, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
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Akpa CA, Kleo K, Lenze D, Oker E, Dimitrova L, Hummel M. DZNep-mediated apoptosis in B-cell lymphoma is independent of the lymphoma type, EZH2 mutation status and MYC, BCL2 or BCL6 translocations. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220681. [PMID: 31419226 PMCID: PMC6697340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) tri-methylates histone 3 at position lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Overexpression and gain-of-function mutations in EZH2 are regarded as oncogenic drivers in lymphoma and other malignancies due to the silencing of tumor suppressors and differentiation genes. EZH2 inhibition is sought to represent a good strategy for tumor therapy. In this study, we treated Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines with 3-deazaneplanocin—A (DZNep), an indirect EZH2 inhibitor which possesses anticancer properties both in-vitro and in-vivo. We aimed to address the impact of the lymphoma type, EZH2 mutation status, as well as MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 translocations on the sensitivity of the lymphoma cell lines to DZNep-mediated apoptosis. We show that DZNep inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of these cell lines independent of the type of lymphoma, the EZH2 mutation status and the MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangement status. Furthermore, DZNep induced a much stronger apoptosis in majority of these cell lines at a lower concentration, and within a shorter period when compared with EPZ-6438, a direct EZH2 inhibitor currently in phase II clinical trials. Apoptosis induction by DZNep was both concentration-dependent and time-dependent, and was associated with the inhibition of EZH2 and subsequent downregulation of H3K27me3 in DZNep-sensitive cell lines. Although EZH2, MYC, BCL2 and BCL6 are important prognostic biomarkers for lymphomas, our study shows that they poorly influence the sensitivity of lymphoma cell lines to DZNep-mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chidimma Agatha Akpa
- Department of Experimental Hematopathology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin School of Integrative Oncology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Karsten Kleo
- Department of Experimental Hematopathology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dido Lenze
- Department of Experimental Hematopathology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Oker
- Department of Experimental Hematopathology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lora Dimitrova
- Department of Experimental Hematopathology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Hummel
- Department of Experimental Hematopathology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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40
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Korfhage J, Lombard DB. Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: From Epigenome to Bedside. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:1417-1428. [PMID: 31023785 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are aggressive sarcomas typically developing in the context of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). With the exception of surgical resection, these tumors are resistant to all current therapies, and unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic tumors are considered incurable. Preclinical studies have identified several novel candidate molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, but, to date, targeted therapies have proven ineffective. Recent studies have identified recurrent mutations in polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) core components, embryonic ectoderm development protein (EED) and suppressor of zeste 12 homolog (SUZ12), in MPNST. These mutations result in global loss of the histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation epigenetic mark, normally deposited by PRC2, and subsequent gain in acetylation at this residue. This altered chromatin state has been shown to promote MPNST malignancy; however, acetylation at this residue sensitizes MPNSTs to BRD4 and bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibition. Interestingly, the catalytic component of PRC2, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), is not mutated in MPNST, hinting that a noncanonical, PRC2-independent function of EZH2 may play a role in this cancer. This review examines the pathobiology of MPNST, the contribution of PRC2 subunits to this process, and the prospects for PRC2-related therapies for this cancer. IMPLICATIONS: Identification of mutations in the PRC2 components EED and SUZ12 in the majority of MPNSTs may imply noncanonical oncogenic activities of the intact component, EZH2, and provide new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Korfhage
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - David B Lombard
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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41
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Copeland RA. Protein methyltransferase inhibitors as precision cancer therapeutics: a decade of discovery. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0080. [PMID: 29685962 PMCID: PMC5915721 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein methyltransferases (PMTs) represent a large class of enzymes that catalyse the methylation of side chain nitrogen atoms of the amino acids lysine or arginine at specific locations along the primary sequence of target proteins. These enzymes play a key role in the spatio-temporal control of gene transcription by performing site-specific methylation of lysine or arginine residues within the histone proteins of chromatin, thus effecting chromatin conformational changes that activate or repress gene transcription. Over the past decade, it has become clear that the dysregulated activity of some PMTs plays an oncogenic role in a number of human cancers. Here we review research of the past decade that has identified specific PMTs as oncogenic drivers of cancers and progress toward the discovery and development of selective, small molecule inhibitors of these enzymes as precision cancer therapeutics. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Frontiers in epigenetic chemical biology’.
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42
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Han M, Jia L, Lv W, Wang L, Cui W. Epigenetic Enzyme Mutations: Role in Tumorigenesis and Molecular Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2019; 9:194. [PMID: 30984620 PMCID: PMC6449417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, result in heritable changes in gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulatory enzymes such as DNA methyltransferases, histone methyltransferases, and histone deacetylases are involved in epigenetic modification. Studies have shown that the dysregulation caused by changes in the amino acid sequence of these enzymes is closely correlated with tumor onset and progression. In addition, certain amino acid changes in the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) are linked to altered epigenetic modifications in tumors. Some small molecule inhibitors targeting these aberrant enzymes have shown promising anti-cancer efficacy in preclinical and clinical trials. For example, the small molecule inhibitor ivosidenib, which targets IDH1 with a mutation at R132, has been approved by the FDA for the clinical treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. In this review, we summarize the recurrent “hotspot” mutations in these enzymes in various tumors and their role in tumorigenesis. We also describe candidate inhibitors of the mutant enzymes which show potential therapeutic value. In addition, we introduce some previously unreported mutation sites in these enzymes, which may be related to tumor development and provide opportunities for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wencai Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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43
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Sayılgan JF, Haliloğlu T, Gönen M. Protein dynamics analysis reveals that missense mutations in cancer‐related genes appear frequently on hinge‐neighboring residues. Proteins 2019; 87:512-519. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Fehmi Sayılgan
- Graduate School of Sciences and EngineeringKoç University İstanbul Turkey
| | - Türkan Haliloğlu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of EngineeringBoğaziçi University İstanbul Turkey
- Polymer Research CenterBoğaziçi University İstanbul Turkey
| | - Mehmet Gönen
- Department of Industrial Engineering, College of EngineeringKoç University İstanbul Turkey
- School of MedicineKoç University İstanbul Turkey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of MedicineOregon Health and Science University Portland Oregon
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44
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Park JM, Lee JE, Park CM, Kim JH. USP44 Promotes the Tumorigenesis of Prostate Cancer Cells through EZH2 Protein Stabilization. Mol Cells 2019; 42:17-27. [PMID: 30622230 PMCID: PMC6354053 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-specific protease 44 (USP44) has been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis across various tumors. However, the function of USP44 in prostate cancers and regulatory mechanism of histone-modifying enzymes by USP44 in tumors is not well-understood. Here, we found that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase, is regulated by USP44. We showed that EZH2 is a novel target of USP44 and that the protein stability of EZH2 is upregulated by USP44-mediated deubiquitination. In USP44 knockdown prostate cancer cells, the EZH2 protein level and its gene silencing activity were decreased. Furthermore, USP44 knockdown inhibited the tumorigenic characteristics and cancer stem cell-like behaviors of prostate cancer cells. Inhibition of tumorigenesis caused by USP44 knockdown was recovered by ectopic introduction of EZH2. Additionally, USP44 regulates the protein stability of oncogenic EZH2 mutants. Taken together, our results suggest that USP44 promotes the tumorigenesis of prostate cancer cells partly by stabilizing EZH2 and that USP44 is a viable therapeutic target for treating EZH2-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Min Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212,
Korea
| | - Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212,
Korea
| | - Chan Mi Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212,
Korea
| | - Jung Hwa Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212,
Korea
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45
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Papale M, Ferretti E, Battaglia G, Bellavia D, Mai A, Tafani M. EZH2, HIF-1, and Their Inhibitors: An Overview on Pediatric Cancers. Front Pediatr 2018; 6:328. [PMID: 30510924 PMCID: PMC6254013 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2018.00328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decades, several discoveries have established the role of epigenetic modifications and cellular microenvironment in tumor growth and progression. One of the main representatives concerning epigenetic modification is the polycomb group (PcG). It is composed of different highly conserved epigenetic effector proteins preserving, through several post-translational modifications of histones, the silenced state of the genes implicated in a wide range of central biological events such as development, stem cell formation, and tumor progression. Proteins of the PcG can be divided in polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs): PRC1 and PRC2. In particular, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic core subunit of PRC2, acts as an epigenetic silencer of many tumor suppressor genes through the trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3, an essential binding site for DNA methyl transferases and histone deacetylases. A growing number of data suggests that overexpression of EZH2 associates with progression and poor outcome in a large number of cancer cases. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is an important transcription factor involved in modulating cellular response to the microenvironment by promoting and regulating tumor development such as angiogenesis, inflammation, metabolic reprogramming, invasion, and metastatic fate. The HIF complex is represented by different subunits (α and β) acting together and promoting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hexokinase II (HKII), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), carbonic anhydrase (CA), etc., after binding to the hypoxia-response element (HRE) binding site on the DNA. In this review, we will try to connect these two players by detailing the following: (i) the activity and influence of these two important regulators of cancer progression in particular for what concerns pediatric tumors, (ii) the possible correlation between them, and (iii) the feasibility and efficiency to contrast them using several inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Papale
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Isernia, Italy
| | | | - Diana Bellavia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tafani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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46
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Di Carlo V, Mocavini I, Di Croce L. Polycomb complexes in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. J Cell Biol 2018; 218:55-69. [PMID: 30341152 PMCID: PMC6314559 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201808028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Di Carlo et al. discuss how the regulation/dysregulation of Polycomb group proteins contributes to hematopoiesis and hematological disorders. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial for sustaining cell type–specific transcription programs. Among the distinct factors, Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are major negative regulators of gene expression in mammals. These proteins play key roles in regulating the proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation of stem cells. During hematopoietic differentiation, many PcG proteins are fundamental for proper lineage commitment, as highlighted by the fact that a lack of distinct PcG proteins results in embryonic lethality accompanied by differentiation biases. Correspondingly, proteins of these complexes are frequently dysregulated in hematological diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the role of PcG proteins in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, focusing on the compositional complexity of PcG complexes, and we briefly discuss the ongoing clinical trials for drugs targeting these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Di Carlo
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivano Mocavini
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luciano Di Croce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain .,Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
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47
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Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the enzymatic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that exerts important functions during normal development as well as disease. PRC2 through EZH2 tri-methylates histone H3 lysine tail residue 27 (H3K27me3), a modification associated with repression of gene expression programs related to stem cell self-renewal, cell cycle, cell differentiation, and cellular transformation. EZH2 is deregulated and subjected to gain of function or loss of function mutations, and hence functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in a context-dependent manner. The development of highly selective inhibitors against the histone methyltransferase activity of EZH2 has also contributed to insight into the role of EZH2 and PRC2 in tumorigenesis, and their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer. EZH2 can function as an oncogene in multiple myeloma (MM) by repressing tumor suppressor genes that control apoptosis, cell cycle control and adhesion properties. Taken together these findings have raised the possibility that EZH2 inhibitors could be a useful therapeutic modality in MM alone or in combination with other targeted agents in MM. Therefore, we review the current knowledge on the regulation of EZH2 and its biological impact in MM, the anti-myeloma activity of EZH2 inhibitors and their potential as a targeted therapy in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alzrigat
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Helena Jernberg-Wiklund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jonathan D Licht
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
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48
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49
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Abstract
Protein lysine methylation is a distinct posttranslational modification that causes minimal changes in the size and electrostatic status of lysine residues. Lysine methylation plays essential roles in regulating fates and functions of target proteins in an epigenetic manner. As a result, substrates and degrees (free versus mono/di/tri) of protein lysine methylation are orchestrated within cells by balanced activities of protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) and demethylases (KDMs). Their dysregulation is often associated with neurological disorders, developmental abnormalities, or cancer. Methyllysine-containing proteins can be recognized by downstream effector proteins, which contain methyllysine reader domains, to relay their biological functions. While numerous efforts have been made to annotate biological roles of protein lysine methylation, limited work has been done to uncover mechanisms associated with this modification at a molecular or atomic level. Given distinct biophysical and biochemical properties of methyllysine, this review will focus on chemical and biochemical aspects in addition, recognition, and removal of this posttranslational mark. Chemical and biophysical methods to profile PKMT substrates will be discussed along with classification of PKMT inhibitors for accurate perturbation of methyltransferase activities. Semisynthesis of methyllysine-containing proteins will also be covered given the critical need for these reagents to unambiguously define functional roles of protein lysine methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minkui Luo
- Chemical Biology Program , Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York , New York 10065 , United States.,Program of Pharmacology, Weill Graduate School of Medical Science , Cornell University , New York , New York 10021 , United States
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Bratkowski M, Yang X, Liu X. An Evolutionarily Conserved Structural Platform for PRC2 Inhibition by a Class of Ezh2 Inhibitors. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9092. [PMID: 29904056 PMCID: PMC6002473 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27175-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) mediates trimethylation of histone H3K27 (H3K27me3), an epigenetic hallmark for repressed chromatin. Overactive mutants of the histone lysine methyltransferase subunit of PRC2, Ezh2, are found in various types of cancers. Pyridone-containing inhibitors such as GSK126 compete with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) for Ezh2 binding and effectively inhibit PRC2 activity. PRC2 from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum (ct) is functionally similar to the human version in several regards and has the added advantage of producing high-resolution crystal structures, although inhibitor-bound structures of human or human/chameleon PRC2 are also available at up to 2.6 Å resolution. We solved crystal structures of both human and ctPRC2 bound to GSK126 and the structurally similar inhibitor GSK343. While the two organisms feature a disparate degree of inhibitor potency, surprisingly, GSK126 binds in a similar manner in both structures. Structure-guided protein engineering of the drug binding pocket allowed us to introduce humanizing mutations into ctEzh2 to produce a ctPRC2 variant that is more susceptible to GSK126 inhibition. Additional analysis indicated that an evolutionarily conserved structural platform dictates a unique mode of GSK126 binding, suggesting a mechanism of drug selectivity. The existing drug scaffold may thus be used to probe the function and cellular regulation of PRC2 in a wide spectrum of organisms, ranging from fungi to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bratkowski
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xin Yang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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