1
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Mo HY, Wang RB, Ma MY, Zhang Y, Li XY, Wen WR, Han Y, Tian T. MTHFD2-mediated redox homeostasis promotes gastric cancer progression under hypoxic conditions. Redox Rep 2024; 29:2345455. [PMID: 38723197 PMCID: PMC11086033 DOI: 10.1080/13510002.2024.2345455] [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: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to adapt to high oxidative stress, but little is known about how metabolic remodeling enables gastric cancer cells to survive stress associated with aberrant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Here, we aimed to identify the key metabolic enzymes that protect gastric cancer (GC) cells from oxidative stress. METHODS ROS level was detected by DCFH-DA probes. Multiple cell biological studies were performed to identify the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, cell-based xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model were performed to evaluate the role of MTHFD2 in vivo. RESULTS We found that overexpression of MTHFD2, but not MTHFD1, is associated with reduced overall and disease-free survival in gastric cancer. In addition, MTHFD2 knockdown reduces the cellular NADPH/NADP+ ratio, colony formation and mitochondrial function, increases cellular ROS and cleaved PARP levels and induces in cell death under hypoxia, a hallmark of solid cancers and a common inducer of oxidative stress. Moreover, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of MTHFD2 reduces tumor burden in both tumor cell lines and patient-derived xenograft-based models. DISCUSSION our study highlights the crucial role of MTHFD2 in redox regulation and tumor progression, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of targeting MTHFD2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Yu Mo
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Shunde Hospital of Jinan University, Foshan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruo-Bing Wang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng-Yao Ma
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin-Yu Li
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wang-Rong Wen
- Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Shunde Hospital of Jinan University, Foshan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Han
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Tian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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2
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Lee Y, Vousden KH, Hennequart M. Cycling back to folate metabolism in cancer. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:701-715. [PMID: 38698089 PMCID: PMC7616045 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00739-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic changes contribute to cancer initiation and progression through effects on cancer cells, the tumor microenvironment and whole-body metabolism. Alterations in serine metabolism and the control of one-carbon cycles have emerged as critical for the development of many tumor types. In this Review, we focus on the mitochondrial folate cycle. We discuss recent evidence that, in addition to supporting nucleotide synthesis, mitochondrial folate metabolism also contributes to metastasis through support of antioxidant defense, mitochondrial protein synthesis and the overflow of excess formate. These observations offer potential therapeutic opportunities, including the modulation of formate metabolism through dietary interventions and the use of circulating folate cycle metabolites as biomarkers for cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marc Hennequart
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Molecular Physiology Unit (URPHYM), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
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3
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Ramos L, Henriksson M, Helleday T, Green AC. Targeting MTHFD2 to Exploit Cancer-Specific Metabolism and the DNA Damage Response. Cancer Res 2024; 84:9-16. [PMID: 37922465 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
The one-carbon folate enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase 2 (MTHFD2) is a promising therapeutic target in cancer. MTHFD2 is upregulated across numerous cancer types, promotes growth and metastasis of cancer, and correlates with poorer survival. Recent studies have developed small-molecule inhibitors to the isozymes MTHFD2 and MTHFD1 that show promise as anticancer agents through different mechanisms. This review discusses the current understanding of the function of MTHFD2 in cancer and the status of inhibitors for treating MTHFD2-overexpressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Ramos
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and Department of Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Martin Henriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Alanna C Green
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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4
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Ren X, Wang X, Zheng G, Wang S, Wang Q, Yuan M, Xu T, Xu J, Huang P, Ge M. Targeting one-carbon metabolism for cancer immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1521. [PMID: 38279895 PMCID: PMC10819114 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One-carbon (1C) metabolism is a metabolic network that plays essential roles in biological reactions. In 1C metabolism, a series of nutrients are used to fuel metabolic pathways, including nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, cellular redox defence and epigenetic maintenance. At present, 1C metabolism is considered the hallmark of cancer. The 1C units obtained from the metabolic pathways increase the proliferation rate of cancer cells. In addition, anticancer drugs, such as methotrexate, which target 1C metabolism, have long been used in the clinic. In terms of immunotherapy, 1C metabolism has been used to explore biomarkers connected with immunotherapy response and immune-related adverse events in patients. METHODS We collected numerous literatures to explain the roles of one-carbon metabolism in cancer immunotherapy. RESULTS In this review, we focus on the important pathways in 1C metabolism and the function of 1C metabolism enzymes in cancer immunotherapy. Then, we summarise the inhibitors acting on 1C metabolism and their potential application on cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we provide a viewpoint and conclusion regarding the opportunities and challenges of targeting 1C metabolism for cancer immunotherapy in clinical practicability in the future. CONCLUSION Targeting one-carbon metabolism is useful for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Ren
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Department of PathologyCancer CenterZhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of PharmacyAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Guowan Zheng
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Mengnan Yuan
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Tong Xu
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of PharmacyCenter for Clinical PharmacyCancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Minghua Ge
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryOtolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital)Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Malignant TumorHangzhouZhejiangChina
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5
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Rather GM. Folate trapping is lethal to cancer cells. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:1588-1591. [PMID: 37620162 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14329] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of formate flux by a key folate enzyme, MTHFD2 (methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2) in cancer cells remains poorly understood. Green et al. (Nature Metabolism, 2023; 5: 642-659) showed an interesting phenomenon of "folate trapping" toxicity leads to cancer cell kill using a potent inhibitor (TH9619) against the dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase (DC) activities of cytosolic methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (cMTHFD1) and nuclear methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (nMTHFD2), but not the mitochondrial MTHFD2 (mTHFD2). But, mMTHFD2 is required for formate flow to cytosol which leads to the trapping of 10-formyl tetrahydrofolate and causes toxicity by TH9619 treatment, to kill cancer cells expressing mMTHFD2. This article opens new avenues to be evaluated for therapeutic benefits of cancer patients where MTHFD2 shows overexpression viz-a-viz breast, prostate, colorectal, acute myeloid leukemia, and other cancer types.
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Meliton AY, Cetin-Atalay R, Tian Y, Szafran JCH, Shin KWD, Cho T, Sun KA, Woods PS, Shamaa OR, Chen B, Muir A, Mutlu GM, Hamanaka RB. Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism is Required for TGF-β-Induced Glycine Synthesis and Collagen Protein Production. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.07.566074. [PMID: 37986788 PMCID: PMC10659399 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
A hallmark of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is the TGF-β-dependent activation of lung fibroblasts, leading to excessive deposition of collagen proteins and progressive scarring. We have previously shown that synthesis of collagen by lung fibroblasts requires de novo synthesis of glycine, the most abundant amino acid in collagen protein. TGF-β upregulates the expression of the enzymes of the de novo serine/glycine synthesis pathway in lung fibroblasts through mTORC1 and ATF4-dependent transcriptional programs. SHMT2, the final enzyme of the de novo serine/glycine synthesis pathway, transfers a one-carbon unit from serine to tetrahydrofolate (THF), producing glycine and 5,10-methylene-THF (meTHF). meTHF is converted back to THF in the mitochondrial one-carbon (1C) pathway through the sequential actions of MTHFD2 (which converts meTHF to 10-formyl-THF), and either MTHFD1L, which produces formate, or ALDH1L2, which produces CO2. It is unknown how the mitochondrial 1C pathway contributes to glycine biosynthesis or collagen protein production in fibroblasts, or fibrosis in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that TGF-β induces the expression of MTHFD2, MTHFD1L, and ALDH1L2 in human lung fibroblasts. MTHFD2 expression was required for TGF-β-induced cellular glycine accumulation and collagen protein production. Combined knockdown of both MTHFD1L and ALDH1L2 also inhibited glycine accumulation and collagen protein production downstream of TGF-β; however knockdown of either protein alone had no inhibitory effect, suggesting that lung fibroblasts can utilize either enzyme to regenerate THF. Pharmacologic inhibition of MTHFD2 recapitulated the effects of MTHFD2 knockdown in lung fibroblasts and ameliorated fibrotic responses after intratracheal bleomycin instillation in vivo. Our results provide insight into the metabolic requirements of lung fibroblasts and provide support for continued development of MTHFD2 inhibitors for the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Y Meliton
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Rengül Cetin-Atalay
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Yufeng Tian
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Jennifer C Houpy Szafran
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Kun Woo D Shin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Takugo Cho
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Kaitlyn A Sun
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Parker S Woods
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Obada R Shamaa
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Bohao Chen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Alexander Muir
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Gökhan M Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Robert B Hamanaka
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
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7
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Tang H, Hou N. Whether MTHFD2 plays a new role: from anticancer targets to anti-inflammatory disease. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1257107. [PMID: 37936908 PMCID: PMC10625907 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1257107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- Stem Cell Clinical Institute, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Ning Hou
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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8
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Rana N, Patel D, Parmar M, Mukherjee N, Jha PC, Manhas A. Targeting allosteric binding site in methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) to identify natural product inhibitors via structure-based computational approach. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18090. [PMID: 37872243 PMCID: PMC10593809 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45175-3] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has been viewed as one of the deadliest diseases worldwide. Among various types of cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is a promising druggable target and is overexpressed in cancerous cells, like, breast cancer. We conducted structure-based modeling on the allosteric site of the enzyme. Targeting the allosteric site avoids the problem of drug resistance. Pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking, HYDE assessment, drug-likeness, ADMET predictions, simulations, and free-energy calculations were performed. The RMSD, RMSF, RoG, SASA, and Hydrogen-bonding studies showed that seven candidates displayed stable behaviour. As per the literature, average superimposed simulated structures revealed a similar protein conformational change in the αE'-βf' loop, causing its displacement away from the allosteric site. The MM-PBSA showed tight binding of six compounds with the allosteric pocket. The effect of inhibitors interacting in the allosteric site causes a decrease in the binding energy of J49 (active-site inhibitor), suggesting the effect of allosteric binding. The PCA and FEL analysis revealed the significance of the docked compounds in the stable behaviour of the complexes. The outcome can contribute to the development of potential natural products with drug-like properties that can inhibit the MTHFD2 enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisarg Rana
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, 382426, India
| | - Dhaval Patel
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Meet Parmar
- Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Nandini Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, 382426, India
| | - Prakash C Jha
- School of Applied Material Sciences, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, 382030, India
| | - Anu Manhas
- Department of Chemistry, School of Energy Technology, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar, 382426, India.
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9
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Zhang J, Bai J, Gong C, Wang J, Cheng Y, Zhao J, Xiong H. Serine-associated one-carbon metabolic reprogramming: a new anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1184626. [PMID: 37664062 PMCID: PMC10471886 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1184626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour metabolism is a major focus of cancer research, and metabolic reprogramming is an important feature of malignant tumours. Serine is an important non-essential amino acid, which is a main resource of one-carbon units in tumours. Cancer cells proliferate more than normal cells and require more serine for proliferation. The cancer-related genes that are involved in serine metabolism also show changes corresponding to metabolic alterations. Here, we reviewed the serine-associated one-carbon metabolism and its potential as a target for anti-tumour therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian Bai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Gong
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huihua Xiong
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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10
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Sugarman AJ, Do Huynh L, Shabro A, Di Cristofano A. Anaplastic thyroid cancer cells upregulate mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism to meet purine demand, eliciting a critical targetable vulnerability. Cancer Lett 2023; 568:216304. [PMID: 37422127 PMCID: PMC10380793 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal tumor types, characterized by loss of differentiation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, extremely high proliferation rate, and generalized resistance to therapy. To identify novel relevant, targetable molecular alterations, we analyzed gene expression profiles from a genetically engineered ATC mouse model and from human patient datasets, and found consistent upregulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in the one-carbon metabolic pathway, which uses serine and folates to generate both nucleotides and glycine. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of SHMT2, a key enzyme of the mitochondrial arm of the one-carbon pathway, rendered ATC cells glycine auxotroph and led to significant inhibition of cell proliferation and colony forming ability, which was primarily caused by depletion of the purine pool. Notably, these growth-suppressive effects were significantly amplified when cells were grown in the presence of physiological types and levels of folates. Genetic depletion of SHMT2 dramatically impaired tumor growth in vivo, both in xenograft models and in an immunocompetent allograft model of ATC. Together, these data establish the upregulation of the one-carbon metabolic pathway as a novel and targetable vulnerability of ATC cells, which can be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Sugarman
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Luong Do Huynh
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Aidin Shabro
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Antonio Di Cristofano
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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11
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Zheng Y, Zhu L, Qin ZY, Guo Y, Wang S, Xue M, Shen KY, Hu BY, Wang XF, Wang CQ, Qin LX, Dong QZ. Modulation of cellular metabolism by protein crotonylation regulates pancreatic cancer progression. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112666. [PMID: 37347667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein lysine crotonylation has been recently identified as a vital posttranslational modification in cellular processes, particularly through the modification of histones. We show that lysine crotonylation is an important modification of the cytoplastic and mitochondria proteins. Enzymes in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acid metabolism, glutamine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, the urea cycle, one-carbon metabolism, and mitochondrial fusion/fission dynamics are found to be extensively crotonylated in pancreatic cancer cells. This modulation is mainly controlled by a pair of crotonylation writers and erasers including CBP/p300, HDAC1, and HDAC3. The dynamic crotonylation of metabolic enzymes is involved in metabolism regulation, which is linked with tumor progression. Interestingly, the activation of MTHFD1 by decrotonylation at Lys354 and Lys553 promotes the development of pancreatic cancer by increasing resistance to ferroptosis. Our study suggests that crotonylation represents a metabolic regulatory mechanism in pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Le Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Key Laboratory of Whole-Period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer, Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Yu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Shun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Min Xue
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Ke-Yu Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Bei-Yuan Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xu-Feng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chao-Qun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital & Cancer Metastasis Institute & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Key Laboratory of Whole-Period Monitoring and Precise Intervention of Digestive Cancer, Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Jha V, Eriksson LA. Binding Modes of Xanthine-Derived Selective Allosteric Site Inhibitors of MTHFD2. ChemistryOpen 2023; 12:e202300052. [PMID: 37129313 PMCID: PMC10152887 DOI: 10.1002/open.202300052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2) is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in 1 C metabolism that is upregulated in various cancer cells, but absent in normal proliferating cells. Xanthine derivatives are the first selective inhibitors of MTHFD2 which bind to its allosteric site. Xanthine derivatives (including the co-crystallized inhibitors) were herein interrogated by molecular/induced-fit docking, MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations in both MTHFD2 and MTHFD1 (a close homolog expressed in healthy cells). The gained insights from our in silico protocol allowed us to study binding mode, key protein-ligand interactions and dynamic movement of the allosteric inhibitors, correlating with their experimental binding affinities, biological activities and selectivity for MTHFD2. The reported conformational changes with MTHFD2 upon binding of xanthine derivatives were furthermore evaluated and confirmed by RMSF analyses of the MD simulation trajectories. The results reported herein are expected to benefit in the rational design of selective MTHFD2 allosteric inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhu Jha
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 9c, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Leif A Eriksson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 9c, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
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13
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Sugarman AJ, Huynh LD, Shabro A, Di Cristofano A. Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells Upregulate Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism To Meet Purine Demand, Eliciting A Critical Targetable Vulnerability. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.30.538848. [PMID: 37162981 PMCID: PMC10168415 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.30.538848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal tumor types, characterized by loss of differentiation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, extremely high proliferation rate, and generalized resistance to therapy. To identify novel relevant, targetable molecular alterations, we analyzed gene expression profiles from a genetically engineered ATC mouse model and from human patient datasets, and found consistent upregulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in the one-carbon metabolic pathway, which uses serine and folates to generate both nucleotides and glycine. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of SHMT2 , a key enzyme of the mitochondrial arm of the one-carbon pathway, rendered ATC cells glycine auxotroph and led to significant inhibition of cell proliferation and colony forming ability, which was primarily caused by depletion of the purine pool. Notably, these growth-suppressive effects were significantly amplified when cells were grown in the presence of physiological types and levels of folates. Genetic depletion of SHMT2 dramatically impaired tumor growth in vivo, both in xenograft models and in an immunocompetent allograft model of ATC. Together, these data establish the upregulation of the one-carbon metabolic pathway as a novel and targetable vulnerability of ATC cells, which can be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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14
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Jha V, Holmelin FL, Eriksson LA. Binding Analysis and Structure-Based Design of Tricyclic Coumarin-Derived MTHFD2 Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents: Insights from Computational Modeling. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:14440-14458. [PMID: 37125100 PMCID: PMC10134251 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c08025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Unfolded protein response (UPR)-dependent metabolic reprogramming diverts metabolites from glycolysis to mitochondrial 1C metabolism, highlighting pharmacological resistance to folate drugs and overexpression of certain enzymes. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2) is a mitochondrial enzyme that plays a key role in 1C metabolism in purine and thymidine synthesis and is exclusively overexpressed in cancer cells but absent in most healthy adult human tissues. To the best of our knowledge, tricyclic coumarin-based compounds (substrate site binders) and xanthine derivatives (allosteric site binders) are the only selective inhibitors of MTHFD2 reported until the present date. The current study aims at the investigation of the available structural data of MTHFD2 in complex with potent and selective inhibitors that occupy the substrate binding site, further providing insights into binding mode, key protein-ligand interactions, and conformational dynamics, that correspond to the experimental binding affinities and biological activities. In addition, we carried out structure-based drug design on the substrate binding site of MTHFD2, by exploiting the cocrystal structure of MTHFD2 with the tricyclic coumarin-based inhibitor. The structure-based drug design campaign involves R-group enumeration, bioisostere replacement, molecular docking, ADME prediction, MM-GBSA binding free energy calculations, and molecular dynamics simulations, that led to a small library of new and potential compounds, capable of selectively inhibiting MTHFD2. The results reported herein are expected to benefit medicinal chemists working on the development of selective MTHFD2 inhibitors for cancer treatment, although experimental validation by biochemical and/or pharmacokinetic assays is required to substantiate the outcomes of the study.
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15
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Green AC, Marttila P, Kiweler N, Chalkiadaki C, Wiita E, Cookson V, Lesur A, Eiden K, Bernardin F, Vallin KSA, Borhade S, Long M, Ghahe EK, Jiménez-Alonso JJ, Jemth AS, Loseva O, Mortusewicz O, Meyers M, Viry E, Johansson AI, Hodek O, Homan E, Bonagas N, Ramos L, Sandberg L, Frödin M, Moussay E, Slipicevic A, Letellier E, Paggetti J, Sørensen CS, Helleday T, Henriksson M, Meiser J. Formate overflow drives toxic folate trapping in MTHFD1 inhibited cancer cells. Nat Metab 2023; 5:642-659. [PMID: 37012496 PMCID: PMC10132981 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00771-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells fuel their increased need for nucleotide supply by upregulating one-carbon (1C) metabolism, including the enzymes methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase 1 and 2 (MTHFD1 and MTHFD2). TH9619 is a potent inhibitor of dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase activities in both MTHFD1 and MTHFD2, and selectively kills cancer cells. Here, we reveal that, in cells, TH9619 targets nuclear MTHFD2 but does not inhibit mitochondrial MTHFD2. Hence, overflow of formate from mitochondria continues in the presence of TH9619. TH9619 inhibits the activity of MTHFD1 occurring downstream of mitochondrial formate release, leading to the accumulation of 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, which we term a 'folate trap'. This results in thymidylate depletion and death of MTHFD2-expressing cancer cells. This previously uncharacterized folate trapping mechanism is exacerbated by physiological hypoxanthine levels that block the de novo purine synthesis pathway, and additionally prevent 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate consumption for purine synthesis. The folate trapping mechanism described here for TH9619 differs from other MTHFD1/2 inhibitors and antifolates. Thus, our findings uncover an approach to attack cancer and reveal a regulatory mechanism in 1C metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanna C Green
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Petra Marttila
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nicole Kiweler
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Christina Chalkiadaki
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elisée Wiita
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Victoria Cookson
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Antoine Lesur
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Kim Eiden
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - François Bernardin
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Karl S A Vallin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Borhade
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- RedGlead Discover, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maeve Long
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elahe Kamali Ghahe
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julio J Jiménez-Alonso
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ann-Sofie Jemth
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Olga Loseva
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Oliver Mortusewicz
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Marianne Meyers
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Elodie Viry
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Annika I Johansson
- Swedish Metabolomics Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ondřej Hodek
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Evert Homan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nadilly Bonagas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Louise Ramos
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Lars Sandberg
- Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Organic Chemistry, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Morten Frödin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Etienne Moussay
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Ana Slipicevic
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- One-carbon Therapeutics AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Letellier
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jérôme Paggetti
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | - Thomas Helleday
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Martin Henriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Johannes Meiser
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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16
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Zhou F, Yuan Z, Gong Y, Li L, Wang Y, Wang X, Ma C, Yang L, Liu Z, Wang L, Zhao H, Zhao C, Huang X. Pharmacological targeting of MTHFD2 suppresses NSCLC via the regulation of ILK signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114412. [PMID: 36827714 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide with the highest mortality rate. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85 % of lung cancers. Mitochondrial methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is a bifunctional enzyme and is the most differentially expressed metabolic enzyme in various tumors including lung cancer. However, little is known about how MTHFD2 functions in NSCLC. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling plays key a role in tumor progression including metastasis, proliferation and migration. Here, we show that MTHFD2 inhibition results in suppression of cell growth, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC. Microarray analysis suggests that MTHFD2 is positively associated with ILK signaling based on western blotting results. In addition, the phosphorylation of AMPKα plays an essential role in MTHFD2 regulation of ILK signaling. Further, the small-molecule compound C18 inhibits MTHFD2 with great efficiency. C18 blocks MTHFD2/ILK signaling pathway and restrains cell growth, migration, invasion, and EMT of NSCLC and induces apoptosis. In brief, our study found that the positive impact of MTHFD2 is mediated via ILK signaling pathway in NSCLC. Thus, blocking MTHFD2 represents a promising therapeutic strategy against NSCLC clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Ziyi Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Yuyan Gong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Luyao Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yanmao Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Xian Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Chunbo Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Lehe Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China
| | - Liangxing Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Haiyang Zhao
- Institute of Life Sciences, Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chengguang Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
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17
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Huang M, Xue J, Chen Z, Zhou X, Chen M, Sun J, Xu Z, Wang S, Xu H, Du Z, Liu M. MTHFD2 suppresses glioblastoma progression via the inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 101:112-124. [PMID: 36493392 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2022-0291] [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: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a WHO grade 4 tumor and is the most malignant form of glioma. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in folate metabolism, has been reported to be highly expressed in several human tumors. However, little is known about the role of MTHFD2 in GBM. In this study, we aimed to explore the biological functions of MTHFD2 in GBM and identify the associated mechanisms. We performed experiments such as immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and transwell assays and found that MTHFD2 expression was lower in high-grade glioma than in low-grade glioma. Furthermore, a high expression of MTHFD2 was associated with a favorable prognosis, and MTHFD2 levels showed good prognostic accuracy for glioma patients. The overexpression of MTHFD2 could inhibit the migration, invasion, and proliferation of GBM cells, whereas its knockdown induced the opposite effect. Mechanistically, our findings revealed that MTHFD2 suppressed GBM progression independent of its enzymatic activity, likely by inducing cytoskeletal remodeling through the regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, thereby influencing GBM malignance. Collectively, these findings uncover a potential tumor-suppressor role of MTHFD2 in GBM cells. MTHFD2 may act as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for GBM treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihui Huang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiajian Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiming Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Mantong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianhong Sun
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhennan Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaohong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Haixiong Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Zepeng Du
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pathology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingfa Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou 515031, Guangdong, China
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18
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Lin JMG, Kourtis S, Ghose R, Pardo Lorente N, Kubicek S, Sdelci S. Metabolic modulation of transcription: The role of one-carbon metabolism. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:S2451-9456(22)00415-9. [PMID: 36513079 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
While it is well known that expression levels of metabolic enzymes regulate the metabolic state of the cell, there is mounting evidence that the converse is also true, that metabolite levels themselves can modulate gene expression via epigenetic modifications and transcriptional regulation. Here we focus on the one-carbon metabolic pathway, which provides the essential building blocks of many classes of biomolecules, including purine nucleotides, thymidylate, serine, and methionine. We review the epigenetic roles of one-carbon metabolic enzymes and their associated metabolites and introduce an interactive computational resource that places enzyme essentiality in the context of metabolic pathway topology. Therefore, we briefly discuss examples of metabolic condensates and higher-order complexes of metabolic enzymes downstream of one-carbon metabolism. We speculate that they may be required to the formation of transcriptional condensates and gene expression control. Finally, we discuss new ways to exploit metabolic pathway compartmentalization to selectively target these enzymes in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Ming G Lin
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Savvas Kourtis
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia 08003, Spain
| | - Ritobrata Ghose
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia 08003, Spain
| | - Natalia Pardo Lorente
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia 08003, Spain
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Sara Sdelci
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Catalonia 08003, Spain.
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19
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Helleday T, Rudd SG. Targeting the DNA damage response and repair in cancer through nucleotide metabolism. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3792-3810. [PMID: 35583750 PMCID: PMC9627788 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The exploitation of the DNA damage response and DNA repair proficiency of cancer cells is an important anticancer strategy. The replication and repair of DNA are dependent upon the supply of deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) building blocks, which are produced and maintained by nucleotide metabolic pathways. Enzymes within these pathways can be promising targets to selectively induce toxic DNA lesions in cancer cells. These same pathways also activate antimetabolites, an important group of chemotherapies that disrupt both nucleotide and DNA metabolism to induce DNA damage in cancer cells. Thus, dNTP metabolic enzymes can also be targeted to refine the use of these chemotherapeutics, many of which remain standard of care in common cancers. In this review article, we will discuss both these approaches exemplified by the enzymes MTH1, MTHFD2 and SAMHD1. © 2022 The Authors. Molecular Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Helleday
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology‐PathologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden,Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Weston Park Cancer CentreUniversity of SheffieldUK
| | - Sean G. Rudd
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology‐PathologyKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
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20
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Scaletti ER, Gustafsson Westergren R, Andersson Y, Wiita E, Henriksson M, Homan EJ, Jemth A, Helleday T, Stenmark P. The First Structure of Human MTHFD2L and Its Implications for the Development of Isoform-Selective Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200274. [PMID: 35712863 PMCID: PMC9796130 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is a mitochondrial 1-carbon metabolism enzyme, which is an attractive anticancer drug target as it is highly upregulated in cancer but is not expressed in healthy adult cells. Selective MTHFD2 inhibitors could therefore offer reduced side-effects during treatment, which are common with antifolate drugs that target other 1C-metabolism enzymes. This task is challenging however, as MTHFD2 shares high sequence identity with the constitutively expressed isozymes cytosolic MTHFD1 and mitochondrial MTHFD2L. In fact, one of the most potent MTHFD2 inhibitors reported to date, TH7299, is actually more active against MTHFD1 and MTHFD2L. While structures of MTHFD2 and MTHFD1 exist, no MTHFD2L structures are available. We determined the first structure of MTHFD2L and its complex with TH7299, which reveals the structural basis for its highly potent MTHFD2L inhibition. Detailed analysis of the MTHFD2L structure presented here clearly highlights the challenges associated with developing truly isoform-selective MTHFD2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R. Scaletti
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsStockholm UniversitySvante Arrhenius väg 16 CStockholm106 91Sweden
| | | | - Yasmin Andersson
- Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Science for Life Laboratory School of BiotechnologyRoyal Institute of TechnologyTomtebodavägen 23aStockholm17165Sweden
| | - Elisee Wiita
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology-PathologyKarolinska InstituteTomtebodavägen 23aStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Martin Henriksson
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology-PathologyKarolinska InstituteTomtebodavägen 23aStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Evert J. Homan
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology-PathologyKarolinska InstituteTomtebodavägen 23aStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Ann‐Sofie Jemth
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology-PathologyKarolinska InstituteTomtebodavägen 23aStockholm171 65Sweden
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Oncology-PathologyKarolinska InstituteTomtebodavägen 23aStockholm171 65Sweden,Department of Oncology and MetabolismThe University of SheffieldBeech Hill RoadSheffieldS10 2RXUK
| | - Pål Stenmark
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsStockholm UniversitySvante Arrhenius väg 16 CStockholm106 91Sweden
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21
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Zhu Z, Kiang KMY, Li N, Liu J, Zhang P, Jin L, He X, Zhang S, Leung GKK. Folate enzyme MTHFD2 links one-carbon metabolism to unfolded protein response in glioblastoma. Cancer Lett 2022; 549:215903. [PMID: 36089117 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The mitochondrial folate enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase (MTHFD2) has shown oncogenic roles in various cancers and may have non-metabolic functions. This study investigated the role of MTHFD2 in glioblastoma pathogenesis. We find that MTHFD2 expression is enriched in gliomas by analysing public databases and clinical specimens. RNA interference (RNAi) and inhibitor of MTHFD2 hamper the proliferation of glioblastoma and induce apoptosis in cell lines, glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Metabolomic analyses show that MTHFD2 depletion suppresses the central carbon metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. GSEA reveals a novel non-metabolic function of MTHFD2 in association with the unfolded protein response (UPR). MTHFD2 depletion activates the PERK/eIF2α axis which contributes to translation inhibition and apoptosis; these effects are attenuated by a PERK inhibitor. Mechanistically, MTHFD2 may be linked to UPR via the post-transcriptionally regulation of chaperone protein GRP78. In conclusion, MTHFD2 could be a promising therapeutic target for glioblastoma. Besides its canonical role, MTHFD2 may contribute to glioblastoma pathogenesis via UPR, highlighting a newly identified functional link between one-carbon metabolism and cell stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zhu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China; Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karrie Mei-Yee Kiang
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pingde Zhang
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaozheng He
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shizhong Zhang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, The National Key Clinical Specialty, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
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22
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Achreja A, Yu T, Mittal A, Choppara S, Animasahun O, Nenwani M, Wuchu F, Meurs N, Mohan A, Jeon JH, Sarangi I, Jayaraman A, Owen S, Kulkarni R, Cusato M, Weinberg F, Kweon HK, Subramanian C, Wicha MS, Merajver SD, Nagrath S, Cho KR, DiFeo A, Lu X, Nagrath D. Metabolic collateral lethal target identification reveals MTHFD2 paralogue dependency in ovarian cancer. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1119-1137. [PMID: 36131208 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00636-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent loss-of-function deletions cause frequent inactivation of tumour suppressor genes but often also involve the collateral deletion of essential genes in chromosomal proximity, engendering dependence on paralogues that maintain similar function. Although these paralogues are attractive anticancer targets, no methodology exists to uncover such collateral lethal genes. Here we report a framework for collateral lethal gene identification via metabolic fluxes, CLIM, and use it to reveal MTHFD2 as a collateral lethal gene in UQCR11-deleted ovarian tumours. We show that MTHFD2 has a non-canonical oxidative function to provide mitochondrial NAD+, and demonstrate the regulation of systemic metabolic activity by the paralogue metabolic pathway maintaining metabolic flux compensation. This UQCR11-MTHFD2 collateral lethality is confirmed in vivo, with MTHFD2 inhibition leading to complete remission of UQCR11-deleted ovarian tumours. Using CLIM's machine learning and genome-scale metabolic flux analysis, we elucidate the broad efficacy of targeting MTHFD2 despite distinct cancer genetic profiles co-occurring with UQCR11 deletion and irrespective of stromal compositions of tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Achreja
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anjali Mittal
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Srinadh Choppara
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Olamide Animasahun
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Minal Nenwani
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fulei Wuchu
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Noah Meurs
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aradhana Mohan
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jin Heon Jeon
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Itisam Sarangi
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anusha Jayaraman
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah Owen
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Reva Kulkarni
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michele Cusato
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Frank Weinberg
- Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hye Kyong Kweon
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chitra Subramanian
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Max S Wicha
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sofia D Merajver
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sunitha Nagrath
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kathleen R Cho
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Analisa DiFeo
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiongbin Lu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Melvin & Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Deepak Nagrath
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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23
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ATF4/MYC Regulates MTHFD2 to Promote NSCLC Progression by Mediating Redox Homeostasis. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:7527996. [PMID: 36051358 PMCID: PMC9425107 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7527996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) has been reported to be overexpressed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to correlate with malignant proliferation. However, the mechanism of high MTHFD2 expression in NSCLC has not been clarified. Methods. qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence experiments were used to measure the expression of related mRNAs and proteins. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. The CCK-8 assay was used to determine cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle. ROS, H2O2, MDA, SOD, and NADPH/NADP+ were evaluated by relevant assay kits. Transfection of siRNA or vectors was used to downregulate or upregulate gene expression. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were used to evaluate the regulated relationship between MTHFD2 and ATF4 or MYC. Results. MTHFD2 was highly expressed in NSCLC cells. Knockdown of MTHFD2 inhibited proliferation and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, oxidative factors significantly increased, while antioxidant factors significantly decreased in NSCLC cells with MTHFD2 knockdown, indicating that MTHFD2 was involved in NSCLC progression through the redox pathway. Although MTHFD2 was downregulated with ATF4 silencing, the dual-luciferase reporter assay suggested that ATF4 did not directly mediate MTHFD2 transcription. Further studies revealed that MYC had a transcriptional effect on MTHFD2 and was also regulated by ATF4. PCR, and western blotting experiments with ATF4 knockdown and MYC overexpression as well as ATF4 overexpression and MYC knockdown proved that ATF4 stimulated MTHFD2 through MYC mediation. Conclusions. ATF4 promoted high expression of MTHFD2 in NSCLC dependent on MYC.
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Regulation and Therapeutic Targeting of MTHFD2 and EZH2 in KRAS-Mutated Human Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12070652. [PMID: 35888776 PMCID: PMC9324032 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12070652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Activating KRAS mutations occur in about 30% of pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AC) cases and the discovery of specific inhibitors of G12C-mutated KRAS has considerably improved the prognosis for a subgroup of about 14% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, even in patients with a KRAS G12C mutation, the overall response rate only reaches about 40% and mutations other than G12C still cannot be targeted. Despite the fact that one-carbon metabolism (1CM) and epigenetic regulation are known to be dysregulated by aberrant KRAS activity, we still lack evidence that co-treatment with drugs that regulate these factors might ameliorate response rates and patient prognosis. In this study, we show a direct dependency of Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) expression on mutationally activated KRAS and their prognostic relevance in KRAS-mutated AC. We show that aberrant KRAS activity generates a vulnerability of AC cancer cell lines to both MTHFD2 and EZH2 inhibitors. Importantly, co-inhibition of both factors was synergistically effective and comparable to KRASG12C inhibition alone, paving the way for their use in a therapeutic approach for NSCLC cancer patients.
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25
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Sainero-Alcolado L, Liaño-Pons J, Ruiz-Pérez MV, Arsenian-Henriksson M. Targeting mitochondrial metabolism for precision medicine in cancer. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1304-1317. [PMID: 35831624 PMCID: PMC9287557 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01022-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During decades, the research field of cancer metabolism was based on the Warburg effect, described almost one century ago. Lately, the key role of mitochondria in cancer development has been demonstrated. Many mitochondrial pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid, glutamine, and one carbon metabolism are altered in tumors, due to mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as in metabolic enzymes. This results in metabolic reprogramming that sustains rapid cell proliferation and can lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species used by cancer cells to maintain pro-tumorigenic signaling pathways while avoiding cellular death. The knowledge acquired on the importance of mitochondrial cancer metabolism is now being translated into clinical practice. Detailed genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis of tumors are necessary to develop more precise treatments. The successful use of drugs targeting metabolic mitochondrial enzymes has highlighted the potential for their use in precision medicine and many therapeutic candidates are in clinical trials. However, development of efficient personalized drugs has proved challenging and the combination with other strategies such as chemocytotoxic drugs, immunotherapy, and ketogenic or calorie restriction diets is likely necessary to boost their potential. In this review, we summarize the main mitochondrial features, metabolic pathways, and their alterations in different cancer types. We also present an overview of current inhibitors, highlight enzymes that are attractive targets, and discuss challenges with translation of these approaches into clinical practice. The role of mitochondria in cancer is indisputable and presents several attractive targets for both tailored and personalized cancer therapy. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Sainero-Alcolado
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - María Victoria Ruiz-Pérez
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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26
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Zhu L, Liu X, Zhang W, Hu H, Wang Q, Xu K. MTHFD2 is a potential oncogene for its strong association with poor prognosis and high level of immune infiltrates in urothelial carcinomas of bladder. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:556. [PMID: 35581573 PMCID: PMC9112551 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09606-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (NADP+ dependent) 2, methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase (MTHFD2) has been reported to play an oncogenic role in various types of cancers. However, the function of MTHFD2 in urothelial carcinomas of bladder (UCB) and its association with tumor immune infiltration remains unknown. We aim to examine the suitability of MTHFD2 to be a novel biomarker of bladder cancer and whether MTHFD2 is linked to immune infiltration. METHODS RNA sequencing data and clinical information (bladder cancer samples: normal samples = 414: 19) were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas official website. Western blot analysis was performed to detect MTHFD2 expression in human bladder cancer (BLCA) cells and normal urothelial cell line SV-HUC-1. Associations between MTHFD2 expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed using Mann Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test. The "survival" and "survminer" packages were utilized to plot Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Moreover, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted using a clusterProfiler package. The correlation of MTHFD2 expression with immune infiltration level was estimated using the single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) algorithm. Furthermore, associations between MTHFD2 and immune checkpoint genes were evaluated using the correlation analysis. RESULTS Transcriptome analysis manifested that MTHFD2 was highly expressed in UCB tissues than normal bladder tissues, which was further confirmed by western blot analysis in human BLCA cells and SV-HUC-1 cells. Moreover, MTHFD2 high expression was significantly associated with the advanced disease progression. Also, the high expression of MTHFD2 was correlated with poor prognosis, and MTHFD2 was considered as an independent prognostic factor for disease specific survival. Furthermore, a number of cancer-related pathways were enriched in MTHFD2 high group, including NF-κB activation, JAK/STAT, and cancer immunotherapy by PD1 blockade. Several immune checkpoint molecules were also strongly associated with MTHFD2 expression, including PDCD1, CD274, CTLA4, CD276, LAG3, HAVCR2, and TIGIT. CONCLUSIONS MTHFD2 expression was remarkably elevated in UCB, suggesting that MTHFD2 could be a promising biomarker for BLCA as well as novel target for anti-cancer immunotherapy since its close association with immune infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Xianhui Liu
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.,Peking University Applied Lithotripsy Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Kexin Xu
- Department of Urology, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.
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27
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Zhao R, Feng T, Gao L, Sun F, Zhou Q, Wang X, Liu J, Zhang W, Wang M, Xiong X, Jia W, Chen W, Wang L, Han B. PPFIA4 promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer by enhancing mitochondrial metabolism through MTHFD2. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:125. [PMID: 35382861 PMCID: PMC8985307 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02331-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains a major obstacle in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Dysregulated mitochondrial function has been linked to the initiation and progression of diverse human cancers. Deciphering the novel molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial function may provide important insights for developing novel therapeutics for CRPC. Methods We investigate the expression of the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type F polypeptide interacting protein alpha 4 (PPFIA4) using public datasets and tumor specimens from PCa cases by immunohistochemistry. Gain- and loss-of-function studies are performed in PCa cell lines and mouse models of subcutaneous xenograft to characterize the role of PPFIA4 in CRPC. Gene expression regulation is evaluated by a series of molecular and biochemical experiments in PCa cell lines. The therapeutic effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) inhibitor combined enzalutamide are assessed using in vitro functional assays and in vivo mouse models. Results We show that the increase of PPFIA4 exacerbates aggressive phenotype resembling CRPC. A fraction of PPFIA4 localizes to mitochondria and interacts with MTHFD2, a key enzyme for one-carbon metabolism. Androgen deprivation increases the translocation of PPFIA4 into mitochondria and increases the interaction between PPFIA4 and MTHFD2, which result in the elevation of tyrosine phosphorylated MTHFD2. Consequently, the levels of NADPH synthesis increase, resulting in protection against androgen deprivation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as promotion of tumor growth. Clinically, PPFIA4 expression is significantly increased in CRPC tissues compared with localized PCa ones. Importantly, an MTHFD2 inhibitor, DS18561882, combined with enzalutamide can significantly inhibit CRPC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Overall, our findings reveal a PPFIA4-MTHFD2 complex in mitochondria that links androgen deprivation to mitochondrial metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction, which suggest a potential strategy to inhibit CRPC progression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02331-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Feifei Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qianqian Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Junmei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xueting Xiong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wenqiao Jia
- Department of Health Management CenterQilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwen Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University; Biomedical Sciences College & Shandong Medicinal Biotechnology Centre, Key lab for Biotech-Drugs of National Health Commission, Key Lab for Rare & Uncommon Diseases of Shandong Province, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Bo Han
- The Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education and Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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28
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Dionellis VS, Halazonetis TD. Beating cancer one carbon at a time. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:141-142. [PMID: 35228750 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00333-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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29
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Sugiura A, Andrejeva G, Voss K, Heintzman DR, Xu X, Madden MZ, Ye X, Beier KL, Chowdhury NU, Wolf MM, Young AC, Greenwood DL, Sewell AE, Shahi SK, Freedman SN, Cameron AM, Foerch P, Bourne T, Garcia-Canaveras JC, Karijolich J, Newcomb DC, Mangalam AK, Rabinowitz JD, Rathmell JC. MTHFD2 is a metabolic checkpoint controlling effector and regulatory T cell fate and function. Immunity 2022; 55:65-81.e9. [PMID: 34767747 PMCID: PMC8755618 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Antigenic stimulation promotes T cell metabolic reprogramming to meet increased biosynthetic, bioenergetic, and signaling demands. We show that the one-carbon (1C) metabolism enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) regulates de novo purine synthesis and signaling in activated T cells to promote proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production. In pathogenic T helper-17 (Th17) cells, MTHFD2 prevented aberrant upregulation of the transcription factor FoxP3 along with inappropriate gain of suppressive capacity. MTHFD2 deficiency also promoted regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation. Mechanistically, MTHFD2 inhibition led to depletion of purine pools, accumulation of purine biosynthetic intermediates, and decreased nutrient sensor mTORC1 signaling. MTHFD2 was also critical to regulate DNA and histone methylation in Th17 cells. Importantly, MTHFD2 deficiency reduced disease severity in multiple in vivo inflammatory disease models. MTHFD2 is thus a metabolic checkpoint to integrate purine metabolism with pathogenic effector cell signaling and is a potential therapeutic target within 1C metabolism pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Sugiura
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Gabriela Andrejeva
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kelsey Voss
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Darren R Heintzman
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xincheng Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Cancer Research Institute Princeton Branch, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Matthew Z Madden
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xiang Ye
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Katherine L Beier
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nowrin U Chowdhury
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Melissa M Wolf
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Arissa C Young
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dalton L Greenwood
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Allison E Sewell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shailesh K Shahi
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Alanna M Cameron
- Sitryx Therapeutics Limited, Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Patrik Foerch
- Sitryx Therapeutics Limited, Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Tim Bourne
- Sitryx Therapeutics Limited, Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Juan C Garcia-Canaveras
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Cancer Research Institute Princeton Branch, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - John Karijolich
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dawn C Newcomb
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Cancer Research Institute Princeton Branch, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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30
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Folate Transport and One-Carbon Metabolism in Targeted Therapies of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010191. [PMID: 35008360 PMCID: PMC8750473 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
New therapies are urgently needed for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. To identify new approaches for targeting EOC, metabolic vulnerabilities must be discovered and strategies for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents must be established. Folate receptor (FR) α and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) are expressed in the majority of EOCs. FRβ is expressed on tumor-associated macrophages, a major infiltrating immune population in EOC. One-carbon (C1) metabolism is partitioned between the cytosol and mitochondria and is important for the synthesis of nucleotides, amino acids, glutathione, and other critical metabolites. Novel inhibitors are being developed with the potential for therapeutic targeting of tumors via FRs and the PCFT, as well as for inhibiting C1 metabolism. In this review, we summarize these exciting new developments in targeted therapies for both tumors and the tumor microenvironment in EOC.
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Lee J, Chen X, Wang Y, Nishimura T, Li M, Ishikawa S, Daikoku T, Kawai J, Tojo A, Gotoh N. A novel oral inhibitor for one-carbon metabolism and checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor as a rational combination treatment for breast cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 584:7-14. [PMID: 34753066 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer have a poor prognosis as only a few efficient targeted therapies are available. Cancer cells are characterized by their unregulated proliferation and require large amounts of nucleotides to replicate their DNA. One-carbon metabolism contributes to purine and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis by supplying one carbon atom. Although mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism has recently been focused on as an important target for cancer treatment, few specific inhibitors have been reported. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of DS18561882 (DS18), a novel, orally active, specific inhibitor of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in one-carbon metabolism. Treatment with DS18 led to a marked reduction in cancer-cell proliferation; however, it did not induce cell death. Combinatorial treatment with DS18 and inhibitors of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), an activator of the S phase checkpoint pathway, efficiently induced apoptotic cell death in breast cancer cells and suppressed tumorigenesis in a triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft model. Mechanistically, MTHFD2 inhibition led to cell cycle arrest and slowed nucleotide synthesis. This finding suggests that DNA replication stress occurs due to nucleotide shortage and that the S-phase checkpoint pathway is activated, leading to cell-cycle arrest. Combinatorial treatment with both inhibitors released cell-cycle arrest, but induced accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, leading to apoptotic cell death. Collectively, a combination of MTHFD2 and Chk1 inhibitors would be a rational treatment option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Lee
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Xiaoxi Chen
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yuming Wang
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Nishimura
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mengjiao Li
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Satoko Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Takiko Daikoku
- Research Center for Experimental Modeling of Human Disease, Institute for Experimental Animals, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Junya Kawai
- R&D Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-8710, Japan
| | - Arinobu Tojo
- Division of Molecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Noriko Gotoh
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan.
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Lee LC, Peng YH, Chang HH, Hsu T, Lu CT, Huang CH, Hsueh CC, Kung FC, Kuo CC, Jiaang WT, Wu SY. Xanthine Derivatives Reveal an Allosteric Binding Site in Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2). J Med Chem 2021; 64:11288-11301. [PMID: 34337952 PMCID: PMC8389891 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Methylenetetrahydrofolate
dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) plays an important
role in one-carbon metabolism. The MTHFD2 gene is upregulated in various
cancers but very low or undetectable in normal proliferating cells,
and therefore a potential target for cancer treatment. In this study,
we present the structure of MTHFD2 in complex with xanthine derivative 15, which allosterically binds to MTHFD2 and coexists with
the substrate analogue. A kinetic study demonstrated the uncompetitive
inhibition of MTHFD2 by 15. Allosteric inhibitors often
provide good selectivity and, indeed, xanthine derivatives are highly
selective for MTHFD2. Moreover, several conformational changes were
observed upon the binding of 15, which impeded the binding
of the cofactor and phosphate to MTHFD2. To the best of our knowledge,
this is the first study to identify allosteric inhibitors targeting
the MTHFD family and our results would provide insights on the inhibition
mechanism of MTHFD proteins and the development of novel inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Chun Lee
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Hui Peng
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsin-Huei Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsu Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Cheng-Tai Lu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih-Hsiang Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ching-Cheng Hsueh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fang-Chun Kung
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ching-Chuan Kuo
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Weir-Torn Jiaang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
| | - Su-Ying Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350 Taiwan, ROC
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Li Q, Yang F, Shi X, Bian S, Shen F, Wu Y, Zhu C, Fu F, Wang J, Zhou J, Chen Y. MTHFD2 promotes ovarian cancer growth and metastasis via activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:2845-2857. [PMID: 34231329 PMCID: PMC8487042 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is a bifunctional enzyme located in the mitochondria. MTHFD2 has been reported to be overexpressed in several malignant tumors and is implicated in cancer development. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MTHFD2 on ovarian cancer progression. The expression of MTHFD2 was detected by bioinformatic analysis, immunohistochemistry, RT‐qPCR (real‐time quantitative PCR analysis), and western blot analysis. The effects of MTHFD2 depletion on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined through in vitro experiments. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were accessed by flow cytometry. The related signaling pathway protein expression was determined by western blot analysis. We found that MTHFD2 is highly expressed in both ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. MTHFD2 deletion suppressed cell proliferation and metastasis. Knockdown of MTHFD2 induces cell apoptosis and G2/M arrest, whereas the number of cells in S phase increased with MTHFD2 overexpression. Mechanically, our results indicate that an inhibitory effect of MTHFD2 knockdown may be mediated by the downregulation of cyclin B1/Cdc2 complex and the inhibitory effect on its activity. Additionally, MTHFD2 could regulate cell growth and aggressiveness via activation of STAT3 and the STAT3‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition signaling pathway. These findings indicate that MTHFD2 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and regulates cell proliferation and metastasis, presenting an attractive therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiutong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shimin Bian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangrong Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenjie Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengqing Fu
- Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Youguo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
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34
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Yao S, Peng L, Elakad O, Küffer S, Hinterthaner M, Danner BC, von Hammerstein-Equord A, Ströbel P, Bohnenberger H. One carbon metabolism in human lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:2523-2538. [PMID: 34295659 PMCID: PMC8264328 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1039] [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: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Lung cancer remains the major cause of cancer related death worldwide. The discovery of targeted therapies against activating mutations in genes like EGFR considerably improved the prognosis for a subgroup of patients but still leaves a large part without a targeted therapy. One carbon metabolism (1CM) has been investigated in several cancer entities and its increased activity has been linked to higher tumor aggressiveness and reduced prognosis. In spite of 1CM enzymes role and correlation to cancer cells progression, comprehensive analysis for the diagnostic and functional role of the complete 1CM enzymes in lung cancer has not been conducted so far. Methods We investigated the prognostic and functional relevance of five major 1CM factors (MTHFD2, PGDH3, SHMT2, MTHFD1 and TYMS) in the three major subclasses of lung cancer [pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AC), squamous cell lung cancer (SQCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)]. We analyzed 1CM enzymes expression and clinicopathological correlation in patient derived tissue samples of 103 AC, 183 SQCLC and 37 SCLC patients by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the effect of 1CM enzymes expression on lung cancer cell proliferation and the response to chemotherapy was investigated in 15 representative AC, SQCLC and SCLC cell lines. Results Expression of MTHFD2 and PGDH3 was significantly correlated to a worse overall survival only in AC patients. Cell proliferation assays resolved that all 1CM enzymes have a significant impact on cell growth in AC cell lines and are partially involved in cell proliferation in SQCLC and SCLC cell lines. In addition, expression of MTHFD2 correlated significantly with an increased pemetrexed chemoresistance. Conclusions Expression of MTHFD2 significantly reduces the prognosis of AC patients. Furthermore, MTHFD2 expression is crucial for survival of AC cell lines and its expression correlates with resistance against Pemetrexed. As MTHFD2 is almost not expressed in healthy adult tissue, we therefore suggest that the inhibition of MTHFD2 might be a potential therapeutic strategy to surround pemetrexed resistance in AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Yao
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luogen Peng
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Omar Elakad
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Küffer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marc Hinterthaner
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard C Danner
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
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35
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Uckun FM, Venkatachalam T. Targeting Solid Tumors With BTK Inhibitors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:650414. [PMID: 33937249 PMCID: PMC8079762 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.650414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The repurposing of FDA-approved Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors as therapeutic agents for solid tumors may offer renewed hope for chemotherapy-resistant cancer patients. Here we review the emerging evidence regarding the clinical potential of BTK inhibitors in solid tumor therapy. The use of BTK inhibitors may through lead optimization and translational research lead to the development of new and effective combination regimens for metastatic and/or therapy-refractory solid tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih M Uckun
- Immuno-Oncology Program, Ares Pharmaceuticals, LLC, St. Paul, MN, United States
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36
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Zhao LN, Björklund M, Caldez MJ, Zheng J, Kaldis P. Therapeutic targeting of the mitochondrial one-carbon pathway: perspectives, pitfalls, and potential. Oncogene 2021; 40:2339-2354. [PMID: 33664451 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Most of the drugs currently prescribed for cancer treatment are riddled with substantial side effects. In order to develop more effective and specific strategies to treat cancer, it is of importance to understand the biology of drug targets, particularly the newly emerging ones. A comprehensive evaluation of these targets will benefit drug development with increased likelihood for success in clinical trials. The folate-mediated one-carbon (1C) metabolism pathway has drawn renewed attention as it is often hyperactivated in cancer and inhibition of this pathway displays promise in developing anticancer treatment with fewer side effects. Here, we systematically review individual enzymes in the 1C pathway and their compartmentalization to mitochondria and cytosol. Based on these insight, we conclude that (1) except the known 1C targets (DHFR, GART, and TYMS), MTHFD2 emerges as good drug target, especially for treating hematopoietic cancers such as CLL, AML, and T-cell lymphoma; (2) SHMT2 and MTHFD1L are potential drug targets; and (3) MTHFD2L and ALDH1L2 should not be considered as drug targets. We highlight MTHFD2 as an excellent therapeutic target and SHMT2 as a complementary target based on structural/biochemical considerations and up-to-date inhibitor development, which underscores the perspectives of their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Na Zhao
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Mikael Björklund
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute, Haining, Zhejiang, PR China.,2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China.,Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Matias J Caldez
- Laboratory of Host Defense, The World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Information Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
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37
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Tan YQ, Zhang X, Zhang S, Zhu T, Garg M, Lobie PE, Pandey V. Mitochondria: The metabolic switch of cellular oncogenic transformation. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188534. [PMID: 33794332 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria, well recognized as the "powerhouse" of cells, are maternally inherited organelles with bacterial ancestry that play essential roles in a myriad of cellular functions. It has become profoundly evident that mitochondria regulate a wide array of cellular and metabolic functions, including biosynthetic metabolism, cell signaling, redox homeostasis, and cell survival. Correspondingly, defects in normal mitochondrial functioning have been implicated in various human malignancies. Cancer development involves the activation of oncogenes, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and impairment of apoptotic programs in cells. Mitochondria have been recognized as the site of key metabolic switches for normal cells to acquire a malignant phenotype. This review outlines the role of mitochondria in human malignancies and highlights potential aspects of mitochondrial metabolism that could be targeted for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qin Tan
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Shuwei Zhang
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China; The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230000, Anhui, PR China
| | - Manoj Garg
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Sector-125, Noida 201313, India
| | - Peter E Lobie
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Tsinghua Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, PR China; Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
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38
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Cuthbertson CR, Arabzada Z, Bankhead A, Kyani A, Neamati N. A Review of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of One-Carbon Enzymes: SHMT2 and MTHFD2 in the Spotlight. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:624-646. [PMID: 33860190 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a key hallmark of cancer and shifts cellular metabolism to meet the demands of biomass production necessary for abnormal cell reproduction. One-carbon metabolism (1CM) contributes to many biosynthetic pathways that fuel growth and is comprised of a complex network of enzymes. Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil were pioneering drugs in this field and are still widely used today as anticancer agents as well as for other diseases such as arthritis. Besides dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase, two other enzymes of the folate cycle arm of 1CM have not been targeted clinically: serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD). An increasing body of literature suggests that the mitochondrial isoforms of these enzymes (SHMT2 and MTHFD2) are clinically relevant in the context of cancer. In this review, we focused on the 1CM pathway as a target for cancer therapy and, in particular, SHMT2 and MTHFD2. The function, regulation, and clinical relevance of SHMT2 and MTHFD2 are all discussed. We expand on previous clinical studies and evaluate the prognostic significance of these critical enzymes by performing a pan-cancer analysis of patient data from the The Cancer Genome Atlas and a transcriptional coexpression network enrichment analysis. We also provide an overview of preclinical and clinical inhibitors targeting the folate pathway, the methionine cycle, and folate-dependent purine biosynthesis enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Cuthbertson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Zahra Arabzada
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Armand Bankhead
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Armita Kyani
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and the Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 1600 Huron Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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39
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Yang PW, Liu XX, Li XQ, Wei MX. Transition metal-free and solvent-free calcium carbide promotes the formation of β-keto sulfoxide from acyl chloride and DMSO. Org Chem Front 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1qo00147g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A transition metal-free, solvent-free, cheap and readily available calcium carbide promoted one-pot reaction of acid chloride with dimethyl sulfoxide produced β-keto sulfoxide directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Wen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia Engineering Research Center for Natural Medicine
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia University
| | - Xin-Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia Engineering Research Center for Natural Medicine
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia University
| | - Xue-Qiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia Engineering Research Center for Natural Medicine
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia University
| | - Meng-Xue Wei
- State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia Engineering Research Center for Natural Medicine
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Ningxia University
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Yang C, Zhang J, Liao M, Yang Y, Wang Y, Yuan Y, Ouyang L. Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism: a targeting strategy in cancer therapy. Drug Discov Today 2020; 26:817-825. [PMID: 33316375 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) supports vital events for the growth and survival of proliferating cells. Nucleotide synthesis and DNA methylation are the biochemical bases of cancers that are highly dependent on FOCM. Recent studies revealed that FOCM is connected with redox homeostasis and epigenetics in cancer. Furthermore, folate-metabolizing enzymes, such as serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2), are associated with the development of cancers, including breast cancer, highlighting their potential application in tumor-targeted therapy. Therefore, targeting metabolizing enzymes, especially SHMT2 and MTHFD2, provides a novel strategy for cancer treatment. In this review, we outline current understanding of the functions of SHMT2 and MTHFD2, discussing their expression, potential functions, and regulatory mechanism in cancers. Furthermore, we discuss examples of inhibitors of SHMT2 and MTHFD2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Minru Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Yushang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China.
| | - Yong Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China.
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China; The Research Units of West China, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
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NADPH homeostasis in cancer: functions, mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:231. [PMID: 33028807 PMCID: PMC7542157 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is an essential electron donor in all organisms, and provides the reducing power for anabolic reactions and redox balance. NADPH homeostasis is regulated by varied signaling pathways and several metabolic enzymes that undergo adaptive alteration in cancer cells. The metabolic reprogramming of NADPH renders cancer cells both highly dependent on this metabolic network for antioxidant capacity and more susceptible to oxidative stress. Modulating the unique NADPH homeostasis of cancer cells might be an effective strategy to eliminate these cells. In this review, we summarize the current existing literatures on NADPH homeostasis, including its biological functions, regulatory mechanisms and the corresponding therapeutic interventions in human cancers, providing insights into therapeutic implications of targeting NADPH metabolism and the associated mechanism for cancer therapy.
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Dekhne AS, Hou Z, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Therapeutic Targeting of Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism in Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:2245-2255. [PMID: 32879053 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
One-carbon (1C) metabolism encompasses folate-mediated 1C transfer reactions and related processes, including nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis, antioxidant regeneration, and epigenetic regulation. 1C pathways are compartmentalized in the cytosol, mitochondria, and nucleus. 1C metabolism in the cytosol has been an important therapeutic target for cancer since the inception of modern chemotherapy, and "antifolates" targeting cytosolic 1C pathways continue to be a mainstay of the chemotherapy armamentarium for cancer. Recent insights into the complexities of 1C metabolism in cancer cells, including the critical role of the mitochondrial 1C pathway as a source of 1C units, glycine, reducing equivalents, and ATP, have spurred the discovery of novel compounds that target these reactions, with particular focus on 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 and serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2. In this review, we discuss key aspects of 1C metabolism, with emphasis on the importance of mitochondrial 1C metabolism to metabolic homeostasis, its relationship with the oncogenic phenotype, and its therapeutic potential for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
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Zhu Z, Leung GKK. More Than a Metabolic Enzyme: MTHFD2 as a Novel Target for Anticancer Therapy? Front Oncol 2020; 10:658. [PMID: 32411609 PMCID: PMC7199629 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase (MTHFD2) is a mitochondrial one-carbon folate metabolic enzyme whose role in cancer was not known until recently. MTHFD2 is highly expressed in embryos and a wide range of tumors but has low or absent expression in most adult differentiated tissues. Elevated MTHFD2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in both hematological and solid malignancy. Its depletion leads to suppression of multiple malignant phenotypes including proliferation, invasion, migration, and induction of cancer cell death. The non-metabolic functions of this enzyme, especially in cancers, have thus generated considerable research interests. This review summarizes current knowledge on both the metabolic functions and non-enzymatic roles of MTHFD2. Its expression, potential functions, and regulatory mechanism in cancers are highlighted. The development of MTHFD2 inhibitors and their implications in pre-clinical models are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Gilberto Ka Kit Leung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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