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Huang QX, Fan DM, Zheng ZZ, Ran T, Bai A, Xiao RQ, Hu GS, Liu W. Peptide Inhibitor Targeting the Extraterminal Domain in BRD4 Potently Suppresses Breast Cancer Both In Vitro and In Vivo. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6658-6672. [PMID: 38569135 PMCID: PMC11056977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00141] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BRD4 is associated with a variety of human diseases, including breast cancer. The crucial roles of amino-terminal bromodomains (BDs) of BRD4 in binding with acetylated histones to regulate oncogene expression make them promising drug targets. However, adverse events impede the development of the BD inhibitors. BRD4 adopts an extraterminal (ET) domain, which recruits proteins to drive oncogene expression. We discovered a peptide inhibitor PiET targeting the ET domain to disrupt BRD4/JMJD6 interaction, a protein complex critical in oncogene expression and breast cancer. The cell-permeable form of PiET, TAT-PiET, and PROTAC-modified TAT-PiET, TAT-PiET-PROTAC, potently inhibits the expression of BRD4/JMJD6 target genes and breast cancer cell growth. Combination therapy with TAT-PiET/TAT-PiET-PROTAC and JQ1, iJMJD6, or Fulvestrant exhibits synergistic effects. TAT-PiET or TAT-PiET-PROTAC treatment overcomes endocrine therapy resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. Taken together, we demonstrated that targeting the ET domain is effective in suppressing breast cancer, providing a therapeutic avenue in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-xuan Huang
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Da-meng Fan
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zao-zao Zheng
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Ting Ran
- Bioland
Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health—Guangdong
Laboratory), KaiYuan
Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
| | - Ao Bai
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Rong-quan Xiao
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Guo-sheng Hu
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Wen Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Fujian
Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- Xiang
An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiang’an South Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
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Moll GM, Swenson CL, Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V. BET Inhibitor JQ1 Attenuates Feline Leukemia Virus DNA, Provirus, and Antigen Production in Domestic Cat Cell Lines. Viruses 2023; 15:1853. [PMID: 37766260 PMCID: PMC10535802 DOI: 10.3390/v15091853] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a cosmopolitan gammaretrovirus that causes lifelong infections and fatal diseases, including leukemias, lymphomas, immunodeficiencies, and anemias, in domestic and wild felids. There is currently no definitive treatment for FeLV, and while existing vaccines reduce the prevalence of progressive infections, they neither provide sterilizing immunity nor prevent regressive infections that result in viral reservoirs with the potential for reactivation, transmission, and the development of associated clinical diseases. Previous studies of murine leukemia virus (MuLV) established that host cell epigenetic reader bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins facilitate MuLV replication by promoting proviral integration. Here, we provide evidence that this facilitatory effect of BET proteins extends to FeLV. Treatment with the archetypal BET protein bromodomain inhibitor (+)-JQ1 and FeLV challenge of two phenotypically disparate feline cell lines, 81C fibroblasts and 3201 lymphoma cells, significantly reduced FeLV proviral load, total FeLV DNA load, and p27 capsid protein expression at nonlethal concentrations. Moreover, significant decreases in FeLV proviral integration were documented in 81C and 3201 cells. These findings elucidate the importance of BET proteins for efficient FeLV replication, including proviral integration, and provide a potential target for treating FeLV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrick M. Moll
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Cheryl L. Swenson
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan
- Comparative Medicine & Integrative Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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To KKW, Xing E, Larue RC, Li PK. BET Bromodomain Inhibitors: Novel Design Strategies and Therapeutic Applications. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073043. [PMID: 37049806 PMCID: PMC10096006 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family of proteins consists of four conserved members (Brd2, Brd3, Brd4, and Brdt) that regulate numerous cancer-related and immunity-associated genes. They are epigenetic readers of histone acetylation with broad specificity. BET proteins are linked to cancer progression due to their interaction with numerous cellular proteins including chromatin-modifying factors, transcription factors, and histone modification enzymes. The spectacular growth in the clinical development of small-molecule BET inhibitors underscores the interest and importance of this protein family as an anticancer target. Current approaches targeting BET proteins for cancer therapy rely on acetylation mimics to block the bromodomains from binding chromatin. However, bromodomain-targeted agents are suffering from dose-limiting toxicities because of their effects on other bromodomain-containing proteins. In this review, we provided an updated summary about the evolution of small-molecule BET inhibitors. The design of bivalent BET inhibitors, kinase and BET dual inhibitors, BET protein proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), and Brd4-selective inhibitors are discussed. The novel strategy of targeting the unique C-terminal extra-terminal (ET) domain of BET proteins and its therapeutic significance will also be highlighted. Apart from single agent treatment alone, BET inhibitors have also been combined with other chemotherapeutic modalities for cancer treatment demonstrating favorable clinical outcomes. The investigation of specific biomarkers for predicting the efficacy and resistance of BET inhibitors is needed to fully realize their therapeutic potential in the clinical setting.
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Cai M, Dong J, Li H, Qin JJ. Recent Developments in Targeting Bromodomain and Extra Terminal Domain Proteins for Cancer Therapeutics. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:4391-4409. [PMID: 35152859 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220211091806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are a well-studied family of proteins associated with a variety of diseases including malignancy and chronic inflammation. Currently, numerous pan BET inhibitors have exhibited potent efficacy in several in vivo preclinical models and entered clinical trials, but have largely stalled due to their adverse events. Therefore, the development of new selective inhibitors and PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) targeting BET is urgently needed. In the present review, we summarize the BET protein structure, the recent development of BET inhibitors, focusing mainly on BRD4-selective inhibitors and PROTAC degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maohua Cai
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China
| | - Jinyun Dong
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Haobin Li
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institutes of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China
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