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Hosea R, Hillary S, Naqvi S, Wu S, Kasim V. The two sides of chromosomal instability: drivers and brakes in cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:75. [PMID: 38553459 PMCID: PMC10980778 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01767-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer and is associated with tumor cell malignancy. CIN triggers a chain reaction in cells leading to chromosomal abnormalities, including deviations from the normal chromosome number or structural changes in chromosomes. CIN arises from errors in DNA replication and chromosome segregation during cell division, leading to the formation of cells with abnormal number and/or structure of chromosomes. Errors in DNA replication result from abnormal replication licensing as well as replication stress, such as double-strand breaks and stalled replication forks; meanwhile, errors in chromosome segregation stem from defects in chromosome segregation machinery, including centrosome amplification, erroneous microtubule-kinetochore attachments, spindle assembly checkpoint, or defective sister chromatids cohesion. In normal cells, CIN is deleterious and is associated with DNA damage, proteotoxic stress, metabolic alteration, cell cycle arrest, and senescence. Paradoxically, despite these negative consequences, CIN is one of the hallmarks of cancer found in over 90% of solid tumors and in blood cancers. Furthermore, CIN could endow tumors with enhanced adaptation capabilities due to increased intratumor heterogeneity, thereby facilitating adaptive resistance to therapies; however, excessive CIN could induce tumor cells death, leading to the "just-right" model for CIN in tumors. Elucidating the complex nature of CIN is crucial for understanding the dynamics of tumorigenesis and for developing effective anti-tumor treatments. This review provides an overview of causes and consequences of CIN, as well as the paradox of CIN, a phenomenon that continues to perplex researchers. Finally, this review explores the potential of CIN-based anti-tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rendy Hosea
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Sharon Hillary
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Sumera Naqvi
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Shourong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China.
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
| | - Vivi Kasim
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China.
- The 111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China.
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McCrury M, Swafford K, Shuttleworth SL, Mehdi SH, Acharya B, Saha D, Naceanceno K, Byrum SD, Storey AJ, Xu YZ, Doshier C, Patel V, Post GR, De Loose A, Rodriguez A, Shultz LD, Zhan F, Yoon D, Frett B, Kendrick S. Bifunctional Inhibitor Reveals NEK2 as a Therapeutic Target and Regulator of Oncogenic Pathways in Lymphoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:316-329. [PMID: 37816504 PMCID: PMC10932871 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0299] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the serine/threonine kinase never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is essential for entry into mitosis via its role in facilitating centrosome separation. Its overactivity can lead to tumorigenesis and drug resistance through the activation of several oncogenic pathways, including AKT. Although the cancer-enabling activities of NEK2 are documented in many malignancies, including correlations with poor survival in myeloma, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer, little is known about the role of NEK2 in lymphoma. Here, in tumors from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common, aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we found a high abundance of NEK2 mRNA and protein associated with an inferior overall survival. Using our recently developed NEK2 inhibitor, NBI-961, we discovered that DLBCL cell lines and patient-derived cells exhibit a dependency on NEK2 for their viability. This compromised cell fitness was directly attributable to efficient NEK2 inhibition and proteasomal degradation by NBI-961. In a subset of particularly sensitive DLBCL cells, NBI-961 induced G2/mitosis arrest and apoptosis. In contrast, an existing indirect NEK2 inhibitor, INH154, did not prevent NEK2 autophosphorylation, induce NEK2 proteasomal degradation, or affect cell viability. Global proteomics and phospho-proteomics revealed that NEK2 orchestrates cell-cycle and apoptotic pathways through regulation of both known and new signaling molecules. We show the loss of NEK2-sensitized DLBCL to the chemotherapy agents, doxorubicin and vincristine, and effectively suppressed tumor growth in mice. These studies establish the oncogenic activity of NEK2 in DLBCL and set the foundation for development of anti-NEK2 therapeutic strategies in this frequently refractory and relapse-prone cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason McCrury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kennith Swafford
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sydnye L. Shuttleworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Syed Hassan Mehdi
- Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Baku Acharya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Debasmita Saha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kevin Naceanceno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Stephanie D. Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Aaron J. Storey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ying-Zhi Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Claire Doshier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Vijay Patel
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ginell R. Post
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Annick De Loose
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Analiz Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Donghoon Yoon
- Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Samantha Kendrick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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3
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Chitre TS, Hirode PV, Lokwani DK, Bhatambrekar AL, Hajare SG, Thorat SB, Priya D, Pradhan KB, Asgaonkar KD, Jain SP. In-silico studies of 2-aminothiazole derivatives as anticancer agents by QSAR, molecular docking, MD simulation and MM-GBSA approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37811574 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2262594] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Targeting Hec1/Nek2 is considered as crucial target for cancer treatment due to its significant role in cell proliferation. In pursuit of this, a series of twenty-five 2-aminothiazoles derivatives, along with their Hec1/Nek2 inhibitory activities were subjected to QSAR studies utilizing QSARINS software. The significant three descriptor QSAR model was generated, showing noteworthy statistical parameters: a correlation coefficient of cross validation leave one out (Q2LOO) = 0.7965, coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.8436, (R2ext) = 0.6308, cross validation leave many out (Q2LMO) = 0.7656, Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCCCV = 0.8875), CCCtr = 0.9151, and CCCext = 0.0.7241. The descriptors integral to generated QSAR model include Moreau-Broto autocorrelation, which represents the spatial autocorrelation of a property along the molecular graph's topological structure (ATSC1i), Moran autocorrelation at lag 8, which is weighted by charges (MATS8c) and RPSA representing the total molecular surface area. It was noted that these descriptors significantly influence Hec1/Nek2 inhibitory activity of 2-aminothiazoles derivatives. New lead molecules were designed and predicted for their Hec1/Nek2 inhibitory activity based on the developed three descriptor model. Further, the ADMET and Molecular docking studies were carried out for these designed molecules. The three molecules were selected based on their docking score and further subjected for MD simulation studies. Post-MD MM-GBSA analysis were also performed to predicted the free binding energies of molecules. The study helped us to understand the key interactions between 2-aminothiazoles derivatives and Hec1/Nek2 protein that may be necessary to develop new lead molecules against cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trupti S Chitre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Purvaj V Hirode
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Deepak K Lokwani
- Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy, Buldhana, Maharashtra, India
| | - Aniket L Bhatambrekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sayli G Hajare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shubhangi B Thorat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - D Priya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRMIST, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Kunal B Pradhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kalyani D Asgaonkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shirish P Jain
- Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy, Buldhana, Maharashtra, India
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Feng X, Jiang Y, Cui Y, Xu Y, Zhang Q, Xia Q, Chen Y. NEK2 is associated with poor prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and promotes tumor cell growth and metastasis. Gene 2022; 851:147040. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Ivasechko I, Yushyn I, Roszczenko P, Senkiv J, Finiuk N, Lesyk D, Holota S, Czarnomysy R, Klyuchivska O, Khyluk D, Kashchak N, Gzella A, Bielawski K, Bielawska A, Stoika R, Lesyk R. Development of Novel Pyridine-Thiazole Hybrid Molecules as Potential Anticancer Agents. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196219. [PMID: 36234755 PMCID: PMC9570594 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel pyridine-thiazole hybrid molecules were synthesized and subjected to physico-chemical characterization and screening of their cytotoxic action towards a panel of cell lines derived from different types of tumors (carcinomas of colon, breast, and lung, glioblastoma and leukemia), and normal human keratinocytes, for comparison. High antiproliferative activity of the 3-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-thiazol-5-yl]-propenone 3 and 4-(2-{1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-ylamino)-thiazol-5-yl]-3-oxopropylsulfanyl}-acetylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester 4 was revealed. The IC50 of the compound 3 in HL-60 cells of the acute human promyelocytic leukemia was 0.57 µM, while in the pseudo-normal human cell lines, the IC50 of this compound was >50 µM, which suggests that the compounds 3 and 4 might be perspective anticancer agents. The detected selectivity of the derivatives 3 and 4 for cancer cell lines inspired us to study the mechanisms of their cytotoxic action. It was shown that preincubation of tumor cells with Fluzaparib (inhibitor of PARP1) reduced the cytotoxic activity of the derivatives 3 and 4 by more than twice. The ability of these compounds to affect DNA nativity and cause changes in nucleus morphology allows for the suggestion that the mechanism of action of the novel pyridine-thiazole derivatives might be related to inducing the genetic instability in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna Ivasechko
- Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 14/16 Drahomanov Str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Ihor Yushyn
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Piotr Roszczenko
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Julia Senkiv
- Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 14/16 Drahomanov Str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Nataliya Finiuk
- Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 14/16 Drahomanov Str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Danylo Lesyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Serhii Holota
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Robert Czarnomysy
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Olga Klyuchivska
- Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 14/16 Drahomanov Str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Dmytro Khyluk
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Nataliya Kashchak
- Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 14/16 Drahomanov Str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Andrzej Gzella
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Bielawski
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Anna Bielawska
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Rostyslav Stoika
- Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 14/16 Drahomanov Str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Lesyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +380-677038010
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Zhang YR, Zheng PS. NEK2 inactivates the Hippo pathway to advance the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by cooperating with STRIPAK complexes. Cancer Lett 2022; 549:215917. [PMID: 36115593 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The never in mitosis gene A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) protein has been reported to be an oncoprotein that plays different oncogenic roles in multiple cancers. Here, we confirmed that NEK2 highly expressed in cervical cancer cells rather than in normal epithelial basal layer cells in cervical tissues and correlated with worse outcomes. We also demonstrated that NEK2 promoted the in vivo growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors stemming from cervical cancer cells and the in vitro cell proliferation by decreasing Ser127-phosphorylation of the YAP protein retained in the cytoplasm while increasing the levels of active nucleus-associated YAP protein, which was followed by increases in the targeted proteins CTGF, CYR61 and GLI2. Furthermore, the Hippo signaling pathway was inactivated in manipulated NEK2-overexpressing cervical cancer cells by regulating the levels of MST1/2 dephosphorylation. Additionally, mass spectrometric sequencing and bilateral coimmunoprecipitation were employed suggested that NEK2 acted at an early upstream step to promote dephosphorylation of MST2 and inactivate the Hippo signaling cascade by cooperating with STRIPAK complexes. We conjecture that NEK2 may be a future target for cervical cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ru Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Peng-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China; Section of Cancer Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Li J, Xu X, Peng X. NDC80 Enhances Cisplatin-resistance in Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Arch Med Res 2022; 53:378-387. [PMID: 35346500 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Chemotherapy is a standard systemic treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Cisplatin has been used to treat TNBC, but frequently leads to cisplatin resistance in patients. The aim of our study was to investigate cisplatin-resistant mechanism in TNBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS To identify the potential genes and pathways relative to cisplatin resistance, GSE103115 data were analyzed by the Limma package and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). TNBC data from TCGA, GSE76250 and GSE115275 datasets were used to calculate NDC80 expression. Immunohistochemistry detected NDC80 protein expression in TNBC tissues from patients before and after cisplatin treatment. After expose to cisplatin treatment, the viability and proliferation of TNBC cells were measured by CCK-8 and colony formation assays, respectively. RESULTS NDC80 was regarded as a cisplatin-resistant gene because after cisplatin treatment NDC80 was downregulated in cisplatin-sensitive cells but was upregulated in cisplatin-resistant cells. NDC80 was over-expressed in TNBC tissues compared to normal tissues. Furthermore, NDC80 expression in TNBC patients was increased after cisplatin treatment. Cisplatin-sensitive TNBC patients showed lower NDC80 expression than cisplatin-resistant patients. Additionally, NDC80 expression was correlated with clinical stages, tumor size and chemotherapy of TNBC patients. Moreover, NDC80 overexpression promoted the viability and proliferation of TNBC cells and enhanced the cells resistance to cisplatin. The potential pathways relative to cisplatin resistance were obtained, such as p53 signaling pathway and Oxidative phosphorylation. CONCLUSION These findings provide new insights for understanding the mechanism of cisplatin resistance in TNBC, and NDC80 may be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC treatment.
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Dana D, Das T, Choi A, Bhuiyan AI, Das TK, Talele TT, Pathak SK. Nek2 Kinase Signaling in Malaria, Bone, Immune and Kidney Disorders to Metastatic Cancers and Drug Resistance: Progress on Nek2 Inhibitor Development. Molecules 2022; 27:347. [PMID: 35056661 PMCID: PMC8779408 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle kinases represent an important component of the cell machinery that controls signal transduction involved in cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. Nek2 is a mitotic Ser/Thr kinase that localizes predominantly to centrosomes and kinetochores and orchestrates centrosome disjunction and faithful chromosomal segregation. Its activity is tightly regulated during the cell cycle with the help of other kinases and phosphatases and via proteasomal degradation. Increased levels of Nek2 kinase can promote centrosome amplification (CA), mitotic defects, chromosome instability (CIN), tumor growth, and cancer metastasis. While it remains a highly attractive target for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics, several new roles of the Nek2 enzyme have recently emerged: these include drug resistance, bone, ciliopathies, immune and kidney diseases, and parasitic diseases such as malaria. Therefore, Nek2 is at the interface of multiple cellular processes and can influence numerous cellular signaling networks. Herein, we provide a critical overview of Nek2 kinase biology and discuss the signaling roles it plays in both normal and diseased human physiology. While the majority of research efforts over the last two decades have focused on the roles of Nek2 kinase in tumor development and cancer metastasis, the signaling mechanisms involving the key players associated with several other notable human diseases are highlighted here. We summarize the efforts made so far to develop Nek2 inhibitory small molecules, illustrate their action modalities, and provide our opinion on the future of Nek2-targeted therapeutics. It is anticipated that the functional inhibition of Nek2 kinase will be a key strategy going forward in drug development, with applications across multiple human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dibyendu Dana
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- KemPharm Inc., 2200 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Tuhin Das
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
| | - Athena Choi
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 Fort Greene Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
| | - Ashif I. Bhuiyan
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- Chemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Tirtha K. Das
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tanaji T. Talele
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA;
| | - Sanjai K. Pathak
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of the City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, USA; (D.D.); (T.D.); (A.C.); (A.I.B.)
- Chemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Biochemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Nita A, Abraham SP, Krejci P, Bosakova M. Oncogenic FGFR Fusions Produce Centrosome and Cilia Defects by Ectopic Signaling. Cells 2021; 10:1445. [PMID: 34207779 PMCID: PMC8227969 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A single primary cilium projects from most vertebrate cells to guide cell fate decisions. A growing list of signaling molecules is found to function through cilia and control ciliogenesis, including the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR). Aberrant FGFR activity produces abnormal cilia with deregulated signaling, which contributes to pathogenesis of the FGFR-mediated genetic disorders. FGFR lesions are also found in cancer, raising a possibility of cilia involvement in the neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Here, we focus on FGFR gene fusions, and discuss the possible mechanisms by which they function as oncogenic drivers. We show that a substantial portion of the FGFR fusion partners are proteins associated with the centrosome cycle, including organization of the mitotic spindle and ciliogenesis. The functions of centrosome proteins are often lost with the gene fusion, leading to haploinsufficiency that induces cilia loss and deregulated cell division. We speculate that this complements the ectopic FGFR activity and drives the FGFR fusion cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Nita
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Sara P. Abraham
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Pavel Krejci
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Bosakova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic; (A.N.); (S.P.A.); (P.K.)
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the CAS, 60200 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 65691 Brno, Czech Republic
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Systematic Analysis of the Transcriptome Profiles and Co-Expression Networks of Tumour Endothelial Cells Identifies Several Tumour-Associated Modules and Potential Therapeutic Targets in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081768. [PMID: 33917186 PMCID: PMC8067977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death, with tumour associated liver endothelial cells being thought to be major drivers in HCC progression. This study aims to compare the gene expression profiles of tumour endothelial cells from the liver with endothelial cells from non-tumour liver tissue, to identify perturbed biologic functions, co-expression modules, and potentially drugable hub genes that could give rise to novel therapeutic targets and strategies. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) showed that cell growth-related pathways were upregulated, whereas apoptosis induction, immune and inflammatory-related pathways were downregulated in tumour endothelial cells. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified several modules strongly associated to tumour endothelial cells or angiogenic activated endothelial cells with high endoglin (ENG) expression. In tumour cells, upregulated modules were associated with cell growth, cell proliferation, and DNA-replication, whereas downregulated modules were involved in immune functions, particularly complement activation. In ENG+ cells, upregulated modules were associated with cell adhesion and endothelial functions. One downregulated module was associated with immune system-related functions. Querying the STRING database revealed known functional-interaction networks underlying the modules. Several possible hub genes were identified, of which some (for example FEN1, BIRC5, NEK2, CDKN3, and TTK) are potentially druggable as determined by querying the Drug Gene Interaction database. In summary, our study provides a detailed picture of the transcriptomic differences between tumour and non-tumour endothelium in the liver on a co-expression network level, indicates several potential therapeutic targets and presents an analysis workflow that can be easily adapted to other projects.
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11
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The novel testicular enrichment protein Cfap58 is required for Notch-associated ciliogenesis. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:221781. [PMID: 31904090 PMCID: PMC6970087 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20192666] [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: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cilia and flagella are critical organelles with conserved internal structures and diverse developmental and physiological processes according to cell type. Although the core components of structures are shared with thousands of associated proteins involved in cilia or flagella formation, we hypothesized that some unknown proteins, such as outer dense fiber 2 (Odf2/Cenexin) perform distinct functions in these organelles. In the present study, we identified several uncharacterized proteins through mass spectrometry interactome analysis of Odf2/Cenexin proteins. We further examined the expression patterns and functions of a protein named cilia and flagella associated protein 58 (Cfap58) in cultured astrocytes and sperm flagella. The results of a combination of biochemical analyses and drug administration studies reveal that Cfap58 is a testis-enrichment protein that exhibits similar localization to Odf2/Cenexin proteins and is required for the elongation of the primary cilium and sperm midpiece via modulation of the Notch signaling pathway. However, the cell cycle-related functions and localization of Odf2/Cenexin in the mother centriole were not altered in Cfap58 knockdown cells. These findings indicate that Cfap58 may be partially recruited by Odf2/Cenexin proteins and is indispensable for the cilia and flagellar assembly. These data provide us with a better understanding of ciliogenesis and flagellar elongation and may aid in identifying new targets for diseases caused by Notch-mediated ciliopathies and flagellar abnormalities.
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12
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Identification of Genes Universally Differentially Expressed in Gastric Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:7326853. [PMID: 33542925 PMCID: PMC7843176 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7326853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Owing to the remarkable heterogeneity of gastric cancer (GC), population-level differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified using case-control comparison cannot indicate the dysregulated frequency of each DEG in GC. In this work, first, the individual-level DEGs were identified for 1,090 GC tissues without paired normal tissues using the RankComp method. Second, we directly compared the gene expression in a cancer tissue to that in paired normal tissue to identify individual-level DEGs among 448 paired cancer-normal gastric tissues. We found 25 DEGs to be dysregulated in more than 90% of 1,090 GC tissues and also in more than 90% of 448 GC tissues with paired normal tissues. The 25 genes were defined as universal DEGs for GC. Then, we measured 24 paired cancer-normal gastric tissues by RNA-seq to validate them further. Among the universal DEGs, 4 upregulated genes (BGN, E2F3, PLAU, and SPP1) and 1 downregulated gene (UBL3) were found to be cancer genes already documented in the COSMIC or F-Census databases. By analyzing protein-protein interaction networks, we found 12 universally upregulated genes, and we found that their 284 direct neighbor genes were significantly enriched with cancer genes and key biological pathways related to cancer, such as the MAPK signaling pathway, cell cycle, and focal adhesion. The 13 universally downregulated genes and 16 direct neighbor genes were also significantly enriched with cancer genes and pathways related to gastric acid secretion. These universal DEGs may be of special importance to GC diagnosis and treatment targets, and they may make it easier to study the molecular mechanisms underlying GC.
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13
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Zhou L, Jilderda LJ, Foijer F. Exploiting aneuploidy-imposed stresses and coping mechanisms to battle cancer. Open Biol 2020; 10:200148. [PMID: 32873156 PMCID: PMC7536071 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy, an irregular number of chromosomes in cells, is a hallmark feature of cancer. Aneuploidy results from chromosomal instability (CIN) and occurs in almost 90% of all tumours. While many cancers display an ongoing CIN phenotype, cells can also be aneuploid without displaying CIN. CIN drives tumour evolution as ongoing chromosomal missegregation will yield a progeny of cells with variable aneuploid karyotypes. The resulting aneuploidy is initially toxic to cells because it leads to proteotoxic and metabolic stress, cell cycle arrest, cell death, immune cell activation and further genomic instability. In order to overcome these aneuploidy-imposed stresses and adopt a malignant fate, aneuploid cancer cells must develop aneuploidy-tolerating mechanisms to cope with CIN. Aneuploidy-coping mechanisms can thus be considered as promising therapeutic targets. However, before such therapies can make it into the clinic, we first need to better understand the molecular mechanisms that are activated upon aneuploidization and the coping mechanisms that are selected for in aneuploid cancer cells. In this review, we discuss the key biological responses to aneuploidization, some of the recently uncovered aneuploidy-coping mechanisms and some strategies to exploit these in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Floris Foijer
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
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14
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Ustinov NB, Korshunova AV, Gudimchuk NB. Protein Complex NDC80: Properties, Functions, and Possible Role in Pathophysiology of Cell Division. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2020; 85:448-462. [PMID: 32569552 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920040057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Mitotic division maintains genetic identity of any multicellular organism throughout an entire lifetime. Each time a parent cell divides, chromosomes are equally distributed between the daughter cells due to the action of mitotic spindle. Mitotic spindle is formed by the microtubules that represent dynamic polymers of tubulin protein. Spindle microtubules are attached end-on to kinetochores - large multi-protein complexes on chromosomes. This review focuses on the four-subunit NDC80 complex, one of the most important kinetochore elements that plays a major role in the attachment of assembling/disassembling microtubule ends to the chromosomes. Here, we summarize published data on the structure, properties, and regulation of the NDC80 complex and discuss possible relationship between changes in the expression of genes coding for the NDC80 complex components, mitotic disorders, and oncogenesis with special emphasis on the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of NDC80.
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Affiliation(s)
- N B Ustinov
- Center for Theoretical Problems of Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - A V Korshunova
- Center for Theoretical Problems of Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Physics, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - N B Gudimchuk
- Center for Theoretical Problems of Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia. .,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Physics, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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15
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Chen Y, Wu N, Liu L, Dong H, Liu X. microRNA-128-3p overexpression inhibits breast cancer stem cell characteristics through suppression of Wnt signalling pathway by down-regulating NEK2. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:7353-7369. [PMID: 32558224 PMCID: PMC7339185 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has reported that dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) participated in the development of diverse types of cancers. Our initial microarray‐based analysis identified differentially expressed NEK2 related to breast cancer and predicted the regulatory microRNA‐128‐3p (miR‐128‐3p). Herein, this study aimed to characterize the tumour‐suppressive role of miR‐128‐3p in regulating the biological characteristics of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). CD44+CD24−/low cells were selected for subsequent experiments. After verification of the target relationship between miR‐128‐3p and NEK2, the relationship among miR‐128‐3p, NEK2 and BCSCs was further investigated with the involvement of the Wnt signalling pathway. The regulatory effects of miR‐128‐3p on proliferation, migration, invasion and self‐renewal in vitro as well as tumorigenicity in vivo of BCSCs were examined via gain‐ and loss‐of‐function approaches. Highly expressed NEK2 was found in breast cancer based on GSE61304 expression profile. Breast cancer stem cells and breast cancer cells showed a down‐regulation of miR‐128‐3p. Overexpression of miR‐128‐3p was found to inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, self‐renewal in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo of BCSCs, which was further validated to be achieved through inhibition of Wnt signalling pathway by down‐regulating NEK2. In summary, this study indicates that miR‐128‐3p inhibits the stem‐like cell features of BCSCs via inhibition of the Wnt signalling pathway by down‐regulating NEK2, which provides a new target for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwen Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Chongqing Renji Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Nian Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Chongqing Renji Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Chongqing Renji Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing, China
| | - Huaying Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xinao Liu
- Clinical laboratory, Chongqing Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing, China
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16
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Roberts MS, Sahni JM, Schrock MS, Piemonte KM, Weber-Bonk KL, Seachrist DD, Avril S, Anstine LJ, Singh S, Sizemore ST, Varadan V, Summers MK, Keri RA. LIN9 and NEK2 Are Core Regulators of Mitotic Fidelity That Can Be Therapeutically Targeted to Overcome Taxane Resistance. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1693-1706. [PMID: 32054769 PMCID: PMC7165041 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A significant therapeutic challenge for patients with cancer is resistance to chemotherapies such as taxanes. Overexpression of LIN9, a transcriptional regulator of cell-cycle progression, occurs in 65% of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a disease commonly treated with these drugs. Here, we report that LIN9 is further elevated with acquisition of taxane resistance. Inhibiting LIN9 genetically or by suppressing its expression with a global BET inhibitor restored taxane sensitivity by inducing mitotic progression errors and apoptosis. While sustained LIN9 is necessary to maintain taxane resistance, there are no inhibitors that directly repress its function. Hence, we sought to discover a druggable downstream transcriptional target of LIN9. Using a computational approach, we identified NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2), a regulator of centrosome separation that is also elevated in taxane-resistant cells. High expression of NEK2 was predictive of low survival rates in patients who had residual disease following treatment with taxanes plus an anthracycline, suggesting a role for this kinase in modulating taxane sensitivity. Like LIN9, genetic or pharmacologic blockade of NEK2 activity in the presence of paclitaxel synergistically induced mitotic abnormalities in nearly 100% of cells and completely restored sensitivity to paclitaxel, in vitro. In addition, suppressing NEK2 activity with two distinct small molecules potentiated taxane response in multiple in vivo models of TNBC, including a patient-derived xenograft, without inducing toxicity. These data demonstrate that the LIN9/NEK2 pathway is a therapeutically targetable mediator of taxane resistance that can be leveraged to improve response to this core chemotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Resistance to chemotherapy is a major hurdle for treating patients with cancer. Combining NEK2 inhibitors with taxanes may be a viable approach for improving patient outcomes by enhancing mitotic defects induced by taxanes alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melyssa S Roberts
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jennifer M Sahni
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Morgan S Schrock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard L. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Katrina M Piemonte
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Darcie D Seachrist
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Stefanie Avril
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Lindsey J Anstine
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Salendra Singh
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Steven T Sizemore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard L. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Vinay Varadan
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Matthew K Summers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Richard L. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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17
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Chuang SH, Lee YSE, Huang LYL, Chen CK, Lai CL, Lin YH, Yang JY, Yang SC, Chang LH, Chen CH, Liu CW, Lin HS, Lee YR, Huang KP, Fu KC, Jen HM, Lai JY, Jian PS, Wang YC, Hsueh WY, Tsai PY, Hong WH, Chang CC, Wu DZ, Wu J, Chen MH, Yu KM, Chern CY, Chang JM, Lau JYN, Huang JJ. Discovery of T-1101 tosylate as a first-in-class clinical candidate for Hec1/Nek2 inhibition in cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 191:112118. [PMID: 32113126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Highly expressed in cancer 1 (Hec1) plays an essential role in mitosis and is correlated with cancer formation, progression, and survival. Phosphorylation of Hec1 by Nek2 kinase is essential for its mitotic function, thus any disruption of Hec1/Nek2 protein-protein interaction has potential for cancer therapy. We have developed T-1101 tosylate (9j tosylate, 9j formerly known as TAI-95), optimized from 4-aryl-N-pyridinylcarbonyl-2-aminothiazole of scaffold 9 by introducing various C-4' substituents to enhance potency and water solubility, as a first-in-class oral clinical candidate for Hec1 inhibition with potential for cancer therapy. T-1101 has good oral absorption, along with potent in vitro antiproliferative activity (IC50: 14.8-21.5 nM). It can achieve high concentrations in Huh-7 and MDA-MB-231 tumor tissues, and showed promise in antitumor activity in mice bearing human tumor xenografts of liver cancer (Huh-7), as well as of breast cancer (BT474, MDA-MB-231, and MCF7) with oral administration. Oral co-administration of T-1101 halved the dose of sorafenib (25 mg/kg to 12.5 mg/kg) required to exhibit comparable in vivo activity towards Huh-7 xenografts. Cellular events resulting from Hec1/Nek2 inhibition with T-1101 treatment include Nek2 degradation, chromosomal misalignment, and apoptotic cell death. A combination of T-1101 with either of doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and topotecan in select cancer cells also resulted in synergistic effects. Inactivity of T-1101 on non-cancerous cells, a panel of kinases, and hERG demonstrates cancer specificity, target specificity, and cardiac safety, respectively. Subsequent salt screening showed that T-1101 tosylate has good oral AUC (62.5 μM·h), bioavailability (F = 77.4%), and thermal stability. T-1101 tosylate is currently in phase I clinical trials as an orally administered drug for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Hsien Chuang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Shuan E Lee
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Lynn Y L Huang
- Taivex Therapeutics Corporation, 2nd Floor, Dongxing Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City, 10511, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Kuan Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Liang Lai
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiang Lin
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Ying Yang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Chuan Yang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Lien-Hsiang Chang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hui Chen
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Liu
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Her-Sheng Lin
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ru Lee
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Kuan Pin Huang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Kuo Chu Fu
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Min Jen
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yu Lai
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Shiou Jian
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuan Wang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yun Hsueh
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Tsai
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Hua Hong
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Chang
- Taivex Therapeutics Corporation, 2nd Floor, Dongxing Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City, 10511, Taiwan
| | - Diana Zc Wu
- Xenobiotic Laboratories, Inc., Plainsboro, NJ, USA
| | - Jinn Wu
- Xenobiotic Laboratories, Inc., Plainsboro, NJ, USA
| | - Meng-Hsin Chen
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ming Yu
- Taivex Therapeutics Corporation, 2nd Floor, Dongxing Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City, 10511, Taiwan
| | - Ching Yuh Chern
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ming Chang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Johnson Y N Lau
- Taivex Therapeutics Corporation, 2nd Floor, Dongxing Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City, 10511, Taiwan
| | - Jiann-Jyh Huang
- Development Center for Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei City, 11571, Taiwan; Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University, No. 300, Syuefu Rd., Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan.
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18
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Chen Z, Lin Y, Gao J, Lin S, Zheng Y, Liu Y, Chen SQ. Identification of key candidate genes for colorectal cancer by bioinformatics analysis. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:6583-6593. [PMID: 31788116 PMCID: PMC6865583 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers of the digestive tract. Although numerous studies have been conducted to elucidate the cause of CRC, the exact mechanism of CRC development remains to be determined. To identify candidate genes that may be involved in CRC development and progression, the microarray datasets GSE41657, GSE77953 and GSE113513 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were used for functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and the hub genes were subjected to module analysis and identification using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and Cytoscape. A total of 142 DEGs were identified, with enriched functions and pathways in the ‘cell cycle’, ‘cell proliferation’, ‘the mitotic cell cycle’ and ‘one-carbon metabolic process’. In addition, 10 hub genes were identified, and functional analysis indicated that these genes are mainly enriched in ‘cell division’, ‘cell cycle’ and functions associated with nucleotide binding processes. Survival analysis demonstrated that DNA topoisomerase II α, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 2 may be involved in cancer invasion or recurrence. The DEGs identified in the present study may help explain the molecular mechanisms of CRC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Yilin Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Ji Gao
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Suyong Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Yisu Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
| | - Shao Qin Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350004, P.R. China
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19
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Deng L, Sun J, Chen X, Liu L, Wu D. Nek2 augments sorafenib resistance by regulating the ubiquitination and localization of β-catenin in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2019; 38:316. [PMID: 31319849 PMCID: PMC6639974 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1311-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sorafenib is the first-line treatment for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several studies have shown that the up-regulation of β-catenin plays a role in sorafenib resistance in HCC; however, the mechanism associated with this phenomenon remains elusive. METHODS Western blotting, flow cytometry, and an evaluation of IC50 values were used to confirm the role of β-catenin in HCC sorafenib resistance. Immunoprecipitation and western blotting were then performed to identify regulatory interactions between β-catenin and Nek2. Further, western blotting, flow cytometry, and an in vivo xenograft model were used to evaluate the function of Nek2 in HCC sorafenib resistance, whereas rescue experiments were performed to confirm that Nek2 induces sorafenib resistance via β-catenin. Finally, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the expression level of Nek2 in paired HCC and non-tumor tissues. RESULTS We showed that β-catenin could suppress sorafenib-induced apoptosis and cell growth inhibition in HCC cell lines. By screening β-catenin-interacting proteins, we found that Nek2 could bind β-catenin in sorafenib-treated HCC cell lines. Our results also showed that Nek2 stabilizes β-catenin and promotes its translocation to the nucleus, consequently activating the transcription of downstream target genes. We further confirmed that Nek2 could induce sorafenib resistance in HCC cell lines, and that β-catenin was the key element involved in this process. Further, a xenograft tumor model showed that Nek2 knockdown could improve the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib, whereas an analysis of tumor proteins showed that Nek2 regulates β-catenin protein levels and its nuclear translocation in vivo. In addition, Nek2 was found to be up-regulated in HCC tissue, and especially in advanced-stage disease. CONCLUSIONS Our study proves that Nek2 induces HCC sorafenib resistance via β-catenin and suggests a novel therapeutic strategy to improve the anti-tumor effects of sorafenib in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Jingyuan Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Li Liu
- Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhoudadaobei Road, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, 510515 China
| | - Dehua Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China
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20
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Gu C, Jing X, Holman C, Sompallae R, Zhan F, Tricot G, Yang Y, Janz S. Upregulation of FOXM1 leads to diminished drug sensitivity in myeloma. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:1152. [PMID: 30463534 PMCID: PMC6249818 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-5015-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following up on previous work demonstrating the involvement of the transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) in the biology and outcome of a high-risk subset of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (nMM), this study evaluated whether FOXM1 gene expression may be further upregulated upon tumor recurrence in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (rMM). Also assessed was the hypothesis that increased levels of FOXM1 diminish the sensitivity of myeloma cells to commonly used myeloma drugs, such as the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Bz) and the DNA intercalator doxorubicin (Dox). METHODS FOXM1 message was evaluated in 88 paired myeloma samples from patients with nMM and rMM, using gene expression microarrays as measurement tool. Sources of differential gene expression were identified and outlier analyses were performed using statistical methods. Two independent human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) containing normal levels of FOXM1 (FOXM1N) or elevated levels of lentivirus-encoded FOXM1 (FOXM1Hi) were employed to determine FOXM1-dependent changes in cell proliferation, survival, efflux-pump activity, and drug sensitivity. Levels of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein were determined with the assistance of Western blotting. RESULTS Upregulation of FOXM1 occurred in 61 of 88 (69%) patients with rMM, including 4 patients that exhibited > 20-fold elevated expression peaks. Increased FOXM1 levels in FOXM1Hi myeloma cells caused partial resistance to Bz (1.9-5.6 fold) and Dox (1.5-2.9 fold) in vitro, using FOXM1N myeloma as control. Reduced sensitivity of FOXM1Hi cells to Bz was confirmed in vivo using myeloma-in-mouse xenografts. FOXM1-dependent regulation of total and phosphorylated Rb agreed with a working model of myeloma suggesting that FOXM1 governs both chromosomal instability (CIN) and E2F-dependent proliferation, using a mechanism that involves interaction with NIMA related kinase 2 (NEK2) and cyclin dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS These findings enhanced our understanding of the emerging FOXM1 genetic network in myeloma and provided preclinical support for the therapeutic targeting of the FOXM1-NEK2 and CDK4/6-Rb-E2F pathways using small-drug CDK and NEK2 inhibitors. Clinical research is warranted to assess whether this approach may overcome drug resistance in FOXM1Hi myeloma and, thereby, improve the outcome of patients in which the transcription factor is expressed at high levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Gu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023 China
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Xuefang Jing
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Carol Holman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Ramakrishna Sompallae
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
- Iowa Institute for Genetics, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Guido Tricot
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
| | - Ye Yang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023 China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research, Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023 China
| | - Siegfried Janz
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 USA
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53213 USA
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21
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Literature-based automated discovery of tumor suppressor p53 phosphorylation and inhibition by NEK2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:10666-10671. [PMID: 30266789 PMCID: PMC6196525 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1806643115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific progress depends on formulating testable hypotheses informed by the literature. In many domains, however, this model is strained because the number of research papers exceeds human readability. Here, we developed computational assistance to analyze the biomedical literature by reading PubMed abstracts to suggest new hypotheses. The approach was tested experimentally on the tumor suppressor p53 by ranking its most likely kinases, based on all available abstracts. Many of the best-ranked kinases were found to bind and phosphorylate p53 (P value = 0.005), suggesting six likely p53 kinases so far. One of these, NEK2, was studied in detail. A known mitosis promoter, NEK2 was shown to phosphorylate p53 at Ser315 in vitro and in vivo and to functionally inhibit p53. These bona fide validations of text-based predictions of p53 phosphorylation, and the discovery of an inhibitory p53 kinase of pharmaceutical interest, suggest that automated reasoning using a large body of literature can generate valuable molecular hypotheses and has the potential to accelerate scientific discovery.
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22
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Fang Y, Kong Y, Xi J, Zhu M, Zhu T, Jiang T, Hu W, Ma M, Zhang X. Preclinical activity of MBM-5 in gastrointestinal cancer by inhibiting NEK2 kinase activity. Oncotarget 2018; 7:79327-79341. [PMID: 27764815 PMCID: PMC5346717 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
NEK2 is a conserved mitotic regulator critical for cell cycle progression. Aberrant expression of NEK2 has been found in a variety of human cancers, making it an attractive molecular target for the design of novel anticancer therapeutics. In the present study, we have identified a novel compound MBM-5, which was found to bind to NEK2 with high affinity by docking simulations study. MBM-5 potently inhibited NEK2 kinase activity in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. MBM-5 also suppressed cellular NEK2 kinase activity, as evidenced by the decreased phosphorylation of its substrate Hec1 on S165 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This inhibition impeded mitotic progression by inducing chromosome segregation defects and cytokinesis failure; therefore leading to accumulation of cells with ≥4N DNA content, which finally underwent apoptosis. More importantly, MBM-5 treatment effectively suppressed the tumor growth of human gastric and colorectal cancer cells xenografts. Taken together, we demonstrated that MBM-5 effectively inhibited the kinase activity of NEK2 and showed a potential application in anti-cancer treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Fang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yannan Kong
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianbei Xi
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengli Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongtong Jiang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhao Hu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingliang Ma
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiongwen Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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23
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Makita Y, Teratani M, Murata S, Hoashi Y, Matsumoto S, Kawamata Y. Antitumor activity of kinetochore-associated protein 2 siRNA against lung cancer patient-derived tumor xenografts. Oncol Lett 2018. [PMID: 29541240 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.7890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been widely reported that patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDXs) are more similar to tumor tissues than conventional cancer cell lines. Kinetochore-associated protein 2 (KNTC2) is known to be upregulated specifically in tumor tissues of cancer patients and is recognized as a potential target for cancer therapy. Previously, in vivo antitumor activities of KNTC2 short interfering RNA encapsulated into a lipid nanoparticle (KNTC2-LNP) were reported in orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma mouse models. However, it remains unclear whether KNTC2-LNP exhibits antitumor activities against lung cancer PDXs. In the present study, the antitumor activities of KNTC2-LNP were clarified in a three-dimensional culture system and a subcutaneous tumor model of lung cancer PDX, LC-60, which was resistant to erlotinib. Growth inhibitory activities of KNTC2-LNP were associated with knockdown activities. Furthermore, KNTC2-LNP also exhibited in vivo antitumor activity against another lung cancer PDX, LC-45, which was sensitive to erlotinib. These results suggest that KNTC2 is a promising target for patients with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukimasa Makita
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Mika Teratani
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Shumpei Murata
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Hoashi
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Satoru Matsumoto
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
| | - Yuji Kawamata
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555, Japan
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24
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Zhang Y, Wang W, Wang Y, Huang X, Zhang Z, Chen B, Xie W, Li S, Shen S, Peng B. NEK2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma migration and invasion through modulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oncol Rep 2018; 39:1023-1033. [PMID: 29399700 PMCID: PMC5802024 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Never in mitosis gene-A (NIMA)-related expressed kinase 2 (NEK2) has been recently reported to play a role in tumor progression, drug resistance and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the effects of NEK2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and the underlying mechanism. NEK2 expression levels were examined by immunochemistry, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues. A Transwell assay was used to determine the migration and invasion capacity of NEK2-silenced or NEK2-overexpressing HCC cells. Cell proliferation was investigated by MTT [(3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazolium bromide] assay. The expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in NEK2-silenced or NEK2-overexpressing HCC cells were examined by western blot analyses and qRT-PCR. The correlations between NEK2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics were further analyzed. Gene microarray was further used to analyze the effect of NEK2 expression on downstream cell signals. Our study showed that NEK2 was overexpressed in human HCC (37.84%; 98/259). NEK2 overexpression was significantly associated with liver non-capsulation and predicted poor survival outcomes in HCC patients after hepatectomy. In addition, NEK2 significantly enhanced HCC cell invasive ability. Mechanistically, we found that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a pivotal role in the NEK2-mediated promotion of HCC cell invasion. Furthermore, we provided evidence that signaling through the Wnt, NF-κB, focal adhesion, VEGF, Hippo and p53 pathways may be downstream of NEK2. Our findings highlight the importance of NEK2 in HCC metastasis and suggest that NEK2 is a reliable prognostic marker for HCC patients after hepatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Department of General Surgical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Wenxuan Xie
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Shaoqiang Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Shunli Shen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Baogang Peng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
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25
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Lee M, Rivera-Rivera Y, Moreno CS, Saavedra HI. The E2F activators control multiple mitotic regulators and maintain genomic integrity through Sgo1 and BubR1. Oncotarget 2017; 8:77649-77672. [PMID: 29100415 PMCID: PMC5652806 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The E2F1, E2F2, and E2F3a transcriptional activators control proliferation. However, how the E2F activators regulate mitosis to maintain genomic integrity is unclear. Centrosome amplification (CA) and unregulated spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) are major generators of aneuploidy and chromosome instability (CIN) in cancer. Previously, we showed that overexpression of single E2F activators induced CA and CIN in mammary epithelial cells, and here we show that combined overexpression of E2F activators did not enhance CA. Instead, the E2F activators elevated expression of multiple mitotic regulators, including Sgo1, Nek2, Hec1, BubR1, and Mps1/TTK. cBioPortal analyses of the TCGA database showed that E2F overexpression in lobular invasive breast tumors correlates with overexpression of multiple regulators of chromosome segregation, centrosome homeostasis, and the SAC. Kaplan-Meier plots identified correlations between individual or combined overexpression of E2F1, E2F3a, Mps1/TTK, Nek2, BubR1, or Hec1 and poor overall and relapse-free survival of breast cancer patients. In MCF10A normal mammary epithelial cells co-overexpressing E2Fs, transient Sgo1 knockdown induced CA, high percentages of premature sister chromatid separation, chromosome losses, increased apoptosis, and decreased cell clonogenicity. BubR1 silencing resulted in chromosome losses without CA, demonstrating that Sgo1 and BubR1 maintain genomic integrity through two distinct mechanisms. Our results suggest that deregulated activation of the E2Fs in mammary epithelial cells is counteracted by activation of a Sgo1-dependent mitotic checkpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyoung Lee
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Yainyrette Rivera-Rivera
- Department of Basic Sciences, Program of Pharmacology, Ponce Health Sciences University-School of Medicine/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, 00716-2348 Puerto Rico
| | - Carlos S Moreno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Harold I Saavedra
- Department of Basic Sciences, Program of Pharmacology, Ponce Health Sciences University-School of Medicine/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, 00716-2348 Puerto Rico
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26
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Overexpression of NIMA-related kinase 2 is associated with poor prognoses in malignant glioma. J Neurooncol 2017; 132:409-417. [PMID: 28321704 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-017-2401-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Eleated expression of NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) was frequently observed in a variety of malignant cancers, and it appears to be involved in the initiation, maintenance, progression, metastasis of cancer and is positively associated with poor prognosis. We sought to investigate NEK2 expression and its predictive roles in malignant gliomas, and study the correlation of NEK2 protein expression with proliferation, clinical parameters, overall survival and some other parameters. We investigate NEK2 protein expression in 99 samples of malignant gliomas, including 35 WHO grade II, 22 grade III, and 42 grade IV gliomas, by immunohistochemistry and western blot (n = 50). We then made correlative analysis of protein overexpression using the Kaplan-Meier method, Log rank test, and Cox proportional-hazards model analysis. NEK2 protein was overexpressed in malignant gliomas, but not in normal brain tissues. Overexpression of NEK2 correlated with malignancy, proliferation and adverse overall survival in gliomas. Moreover, chemotherapy, resection extent and WHO grade also correlate with overall survival in gliomas. However, within WHO grade II glioma subgroup, NEK2 overexpression showed no impact on overall survival. The present study firstly reveals that NEK2 protein is widely overexpressed in gliomas. NEK2 overexpression correlates significantly with malignancy (WHO grades), proliferation (Ki-67) and prognosis in malignant gliomas. NEK2 is a potential gene therapy target and prognostic indicator.
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27
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Abstract
Never in Mitosis (NIMA) Related Kinase 2 (NEK2) plays a key role in regulating mitotic processes, including centrosome duplication and separation, microtubule stabilization, kinetochore attachment and spindle assembly checkpoint. NEK2 is aberrantly overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers and has been implicated in various aspects of malignant transformation, including tumorigenesis, drug resistance and tumor progression. The close relationship between NEK2 and cancer has made it an attractive target for anticancer therapeutic development; however, the mechanisms of how NEK2 coordinates altered signaling to malignant transformation remains unclear. In this paper, we discuss the functional roles of NEK2 in cancer development; highlight some of the significant NEK2 signaling in cancer, and summarize recent advances in the development of NEK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Fang
- a Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
| | - Xiongwen Zhang
- a Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University , Shanghai , China
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28
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Zhou F, Huang D, Li Y, Hu G, Rao H, Lu Q, Luo S, Wang Y. Nek2A/SuFu feedback loop regulates Gli-mediated Hedgehog signaling pathway. Int J Oncol 2016; 50:373-380. [PMID: 28035348 PMCID: PMC5238777 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppressor of Fused (SuFu), one of the most conserved components of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, binds Gli transcription factors and impedes activation of target gene expression in mammalian cells. Despite the central importance of SuFu in the Hh pathway, little is known about SuFu regulation. In a previous study, we identified NIMA-related expressed kinase 2A (Nek2A) as a SuFu-interacting protein. Here, we show that Nek2A stabilizes SuFu through impairing ubiquitin/proteasome degradation of SuFu. In addition, Nek2A negatively regulates target genes of Hh signaling as well as Gli2 transcriptional activity. In turn, inhibition of Hh signaling by GANT61 diminishes mRNA and protein levels of Nek2A, and Hh agonist promotes transcription of NEK2A gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Gli1 and Gli2 directly bind to the promoter regions of NEK2A gene and induced its transcription. Thus, we uncovered one of the mechanisms by which Nek2A acts as a modulator of the Hh signaling pathway in the context of a novel negative-feedback loop, which may offer new insights into Gli-mediated Hh signaling regulation in development and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Zhou
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Dengliang Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yong Li
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Guanghui Hu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Hai Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Quqin Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yao Wang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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29
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Wang Y, Li Y, Hu G, Huang X, Rao H, Xiong X, Luo Z, Lu Q, Luo S. Nek2A phosphorylates and stabilizes SuFu: A new strategy of Gli2/Hedgehog signaling regulatory mechanism. Cell Signal 2016; 28:1304-1313. [PMID: 27297360 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Suppressor of Fused (SuFu) plays a conservative role in the regulation of the Gli transcription factors within the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Despite the central importance of SuFu in the Hh pathway, little is known about its regulation. Here, we performed a GAL4-based yeast two-hybrid screen using human SuFu as bait, and identified NIMA-related expressed kinase 2A (Nek2A) as a new SuFu-interacting protein, which was also confirmed by glutathione-S-transferase pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Intriguingly, Nek2A is found to stabilize SuFu at least partly depending on its kinase activity, thereby triggering phosphorylation of the SuFu protein. Moreover, the phosphorylated SuFu inhibits the nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of Gli2/Hh signaling. These findings reveal a new mechanism of mammalian SuFu regulation, and offers novel insights into Hh signaling regulation in development and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine, China
| | - Yong Li
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Guanghui Hu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Hai Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Xiangyang Xiong
- School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Quqin Lu
- Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine, China.
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Ramachandran B, Kesavan S, Rajkumar T. Molecular modeling and docking of small molecule inhibitors against NEK2. Bioinformation 2016; 12:62-68. [PMID: 28104962 PMCID: PMC5237649 DOI: 10.6026/97320630012062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of NEK2 (NIMA-related kinase 2) is indicated in a wide variety of human cancers. NEK2 is highly correlated to multi drug resistance by activating drug efflux activity. Identification of new small molecule inhibitors targeted against NEK2 therefore, facilitates to increase drug sensitivity of cancer cells, by stabilizing drug influx and minimizes the dose of therapeutic drug. Our work investigates to screen for optimal small molecule inhibitors against NEK2. In this study, we used a computational approach by modeling NEK2 protein using I-TASSER (Iterative Threading ASSEmbly Refinement) software. The modeled structure was subjected to protein preparation wizard; to add hydrogens and to optimize the protonation states of His, Gln and Asn residues. Active site of the modeled protein was identified using SiteMap tool of Schrodinger package. We further carried out docking studies by means of Glide, with various ligands downloaded from EDULISS database. Based on glide score, potential ligands were screened and their interaction with NEK2 was identified. The best hits were further screened for Lipinski's rule for drug-likeliness, bioactivity scoring and ADME properties. Thus, we report two (didemethylchlorpromazine and 2-[5-fluoro-1Hindol- 3-yl] propan-1-amine) compounds that have successfully satisfied all in silico parameters, necessitating further in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Ramachandran
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A), No.38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 036
| | - Sabitha Kesavan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A), No.38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 036
| | - Thangarajan Rajkumar
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A), No.38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai - 600 036
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31
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Gu C, Yang Y, Sompallae R, Xu H, Tompkins VS, Holman C, Hose D, Goldschmidt H, Tricot G, Zhan F, Janz S. FOXM1 is a therapeutic target for high-risk multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2016; 30:873-82. [PMID: 26648534 PMCID: PMC4826574 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2015.334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a validated oncoprotein in solid cancers, but its role in malignant plasma cell tumors such as multiple myeloma (MM) is unknown. We analyzed publicly available MM data sets and found that overexpression of FOXM1 prognosticates inferior outcome in a subset (~15%) of newly diagnosed cases, particularly patients with high-risk disease based on global gene expression changes. Follow-up studies using human myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) as the principal experimental model system demonstrated that enforced expression of FOXM1 increased growth, survival and clonogenicity of myeloma cells, whereas knockdown of FOXM1 abolished these features. In agreement with that, constitutive upregulation of FOXM1 promoted HMCL xenografts in laboratory mice, whereas inducible knockdown of FOXM1 led to growth inhibition. Expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) and NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) was coregulated with FOXM1 in both HMCLs and myeloma patient samples, suggesting interaction of these three genes in a genetic network that may lend itself to targeting with small-drug inhibitors for new approaches to myeloma therapy and prevention. These results establish FOXM1 as high-risk myeloma gene and provide support for the design and testing of FOXM1-targeted therapies specifically for the FOXM1(High) subset of myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Gu
- Basic Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210046 Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Ye Yang
- Basic Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210046 Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Sompallae
- Basic Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210046 Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Bioinformatics Core Facility, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Van S. Tompkins
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Carol Holman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Dirk Hose
- Medizinische Klinik V, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
- Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hartmut Goldschmidt
- Medizinische Klinik V, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
- Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guido Tricot
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Fenghuang Zhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
| | - Siegfried Janz
- Department of Pathology, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, 52242 Iowa, USA
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The mitotic regulator Hec1 is a critical modulator of prostate cancer through the long non-coding RNA BX647187 in vitro. Biosci Rep 2015; 35:BSR20150003. [PMID: 26612002 PMCID: PMC4660581 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20150003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitotic regulator Hec1 (highly expressed in cancer), is a member of a conserved Ndc80 (nuclear division cycle 80) complex that regulates mitotic processes. We find that Hec1 is consistently overexpressed in human prostate cancer and Hec1 is closely linked with human prostate cancer progression through the meditator LncRNA BX647187. Our studies may contribute to understand the molecular mechanism of PCa pathogenesis and clinical therapy. Hec1 (highly expressed in cancer) is a member of a conserved Ndc80 (nuclear division cycle 80) complex that regulates mitotic processes. Its overexpression is seen in various tumours and is associated with cancer progression. However, its expression pattern and role inhuman prostate cancer (PCa) still not clear. The aim of our study is to investigate the expression and functional role of Hec1 in human PCa. Hec1 expression was measured in 10 pairs of PCa cancerous and non-cancerous tissue samples by quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR. The effects of Hec1 on PCa cells were studied by RNAi approach. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analysed by flow cytometry. Cells viability was evaluated using cell counting Kit-8. Cyclin B1–Cdc2 (cell division cycle 2) activity was measured by ELISA assay. Long non-coding (Lnc)RNAs regulated by Hec1 were gained from bioinformatics analysis. The role of LncRNA BX647187, regulated by Hec1, was finally characterized in PCa cells by siRNA. Our results showed that Hec1 mRNA and protein were significantly overexpressed in Human PCa tissues and several PCa cell lines. Silencing Hec1 markedly suppressed proliferation, promoted apoptosis and induced cell-cycle arrest in G2/M-phase in PCa cells. Through bioinformatics analysis and knockdown Hec1 in PCa cells, we found LncRNA BX647187 was positively regulated by Hec1. We further demonstrated that suppression of BX647187 in PCa cells significantly reduced cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Thus, we conclude that Hec1 is consistently overexpressed in human PCa and Hec1 is closely linked with human PCa progression through the meditator LncRNA BX647187. Our studies may contribute to understand the molecular mechanism of PCa pathogenesis and clinical therapy.
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Role of NEK2A in human cancer and its therapeutic potentials. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:862461. [PMID: 25705694 PMCID: PMC4330945 DOI: 10.1155/2015/862461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chromosome instability (CIN) has been identified as a common feature of most human cancers. A number of centrosomal kinases are thought to cause CIN in cancer cells. Part of those centrosomal kinases exhibit elevated expression in a wide variety of tumours and cancer cell lines. Additionally, critical roles in many aspects of cancer cell growth, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance have been assigned to some of these centrosomal kinases, such as polo-like kinase 1 (PLk1) and Aurora-A kinase. Recent studies from our group and others revealed that a centrosomal kinase, Never in Mitosis (NIMA) Related Kinase 2A (NEK2A), is frequently upregulated in multiple types of human cancers. Uncontrolled activity of NEK2A activates several oncogenic pathways and ABC transporters, thereby leading to CIN, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and enhanced drug resistance. In this paper, we highlight recent findings on the aberrant expression and functional significance of NEK2A in human cancers and emphasize their significance for therapeutic potentials.
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Tang NH, Toda T. MAPping the Ndc80 loop in cancer: A possible link between Ndc80/Hec1 overproduction and cancer formation. Bioessays 2015; 37:248-56. [PMID: 25557589 PMCID: PMC4359004 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201400175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mis-regulation (e.g. overproduction) of the human Ndc80/Hec1 outer kinetochore protein has been associated with aneuploidy and tumourigenesis, but the genetic basis and underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon remain poorly understood. Recent studies have identified the ubiquitous Ndc80 internal loop as a protein-protein interaction platform. Binding partners include the Ska complex, the replication licensing factor Cdt1, the Dam1 complex, TACC-TOG microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and kinesin motors. We review the field and propose that the overproduction of Ndc80 may unfavourably absorb these interactors through the internal loop domain and lead to a change in the equilibrium of MAPs and motors in the cells. This sequestration will disrupt microtubule dynamics and the proper segregation of chromosomes in mitosis, leading to aneuploid formation. Further investigation of Ndc80 internal loop-MAPs interactions will bring new insights into their roles in kinetochore-microtubule attachment and tumourigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngang Heok Tang
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London, UK
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Methamphetamine alters the normal progression by inducing cell cycle arrest in astrocytes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109603. [PMID: 25290377 PMCID: PMC4188627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (MA) is a potent psychostimulant with a high addictive capacity, which induces many deleterious effects on the brain. Chronic MA abuse leads to cognitive dysfunction and motor impairment. MA affects many cells in the brain, but the effects on astrocytes of repeated MA exposure is not well understood. In this report, we used Gene chip array to analyze the changes in the gene expression profile of primary human astrocytes treated with MA for 3 days. Range of genes were found to be differentially regulated, with a large number of genes significantly downregulated, including NEK2, TTK, TOP2A, and CCNE2. Gene ontology and pathway analysis showed a highly significant clustering of genes involved in cell cycle progression and DNA replication. Further pathway analysis showed that the genes downregulated by multiple MA treatment were critical for G2/M phase progression and G1/S transition. Cell cycle analysis of SVG astrocytes showed a significant reduction in the percentage of cell in the G2/M phase with a concomitant increase in G1 percentage. This was consistent with the gene array and validation data, which showed that repeated MA treatment downregulated the genes associated with cell cycle regulation. This is a novel finding, which explains the effect of MA treatment on astrocytes and has clear implication in neuroinflammation among the drug abusers.
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