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Kim Y, Park WH, Suh DH, Kim K, No JH, Kim YB. Anticancer Effects of BRD4 Inhibitor in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:959. [PMID: 38473320 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050959] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Efforts have been made to develop bromodomain inhibitors as cancer treatments. Sub-pathways, particularly in ovarian cancer, affected by bromodomain-containing protein (BRD) remain unclear. This study verified the antitumor effects of a new drug that can overcome OPT-0139-chemoresistance to treat ovarian cancer. A mouse xenograft model of human ovarian cancer cells, SKOV3 and OVCAR3, was used in this study. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using MTT and ATP assays. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry. BRD4 and c-Myc expression and apoptosis-related molecules were detected using RT-PCR and real-time PCR and Western blot. We confirmed the OPT-0139 effect and mechanism of action in epithelial ovarian cancer. OPT-0139 significantly reduced cell viability and proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In the mouse xenograft model, significant changes in tumor growth, volume, weight, and BRD4-related gene expression were observed, suggesting the antitumor effects of BRD4 inhibitors. Combination therapy with cisplatin promoted apoptosis and suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest OPT-0139, a BRD4 inhibitor, as a promising anticancer drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation, decreasing cell viability, arresting cell cycle, and inducing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeorae Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Wook-Ha Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hoon Suh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kidong Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hong No
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Beom Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82 Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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2
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Pascual‐Reguant L, Serra‐Camprubí Q, Datta D, Cianferoni D, Kourtis S, Gañez‐Zapater A, Cannatá C, Espinar L, Querol J, García‐López L, Musa‐Afaneh S, Guirola M, Gkanogiannis A, Miró Canturri A, Guzman M, Rodríguez O, Herencia‐Ropero A, Arribas J, Serra V, Serrano L, Tian TV, Peiró S, Sdelci S. Interactions between BRD4S, LOXL2, and MED1 drive cell cycle transcription in triple-negative breast cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e18459. [PMID: 37937685 PMCID: PMC10701626 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202318459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) often develops resistance to single-agent treatment, which can be circumvented using targeted combinatorial approaches. Here, we demonstrate that the simultaneous inhibition of LOXL2 and BRD4 synergistically limits TNBC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LOXL2 interacts in the nucleus with the short isoform of BRD4 (BRD4S), MED1, and the cell cycle transcriptional regulator B-MyB. These interactions sustain the formation of BRD4 and MED1 nuclear transcriptional foci and control cell cycle progression at the gene expression level. The pharmacological co-inhibition of LOXL2 and BRD4 reduces BRD4 nuclear foci, BRD4-MED1 colocalization, and the transcription of cell cycle genes, thus suppressing TNBC cell proliferation. Targeting the interaction between BRD4S and LOXL2 could be a starting point for the development of new anticancer strategies for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pascual‐Reguant
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Debayan Datta
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Damiano Cianferoni
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Savvas Kourtis
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Antoni Gañez‐Zapater
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Chiara Cannatá
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Lorena Espinar
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Jessica Querol
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Laura García‐López
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sara Musa‐Afaneh
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Maria Guirola
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Anestis Gkanogiannis
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Andrea Miró Canturri
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Marta Guzman
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Olga Rodríguez
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Joaquin Arribas
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)BarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de CáncerMonforte de LemosMadridSpain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversitat Autónoma de BarcelonaBellaterraSpain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Violeta Serra
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
| | - Tian V Tian
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Sandra Peiró
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Sara Sdelci
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and TechnologyBarcelonaSpain
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3
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Pecharromán I, Solé L, Álvarez‐Villanueva D, Lobo‐Jarne T, Alonso‐Marañón J, Bertran J, Guillén Y, Montoto Á, Martínez‐Iniesta M, García‐Hernández V, Giménez G, Salazar R, Santos C, Garrido M, Borràs E, Sabidó E, Bonfill‐Teixidor E, Iurlaro R, Seoane J, Villanueva A, Iglesias M, Bigas A, Espinosa L. IκB kinase-α coordinates BRD4 and JAK/STAT signaling to subvert DNA damage-based anticancer therapy. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114719. [PMID: 37737566 PMCID: PMC10620764 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114719] [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: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the IκB kinase (IKK) complex has recurrently been linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation and progression. However, identification of downstream effectors other than NF-κB has remained elusive. Here, analysis of IKK-dependent substrates in CRC cells after UV treatment revealed that phosphorylation of BRD4 by IKK-α is required for its chromatin-binding at target genes upon DNA damage. Moreover, IKK-α induces the NF-κB-dependent transcription of the cytokine LIF, leading to STAT3 activation, association with BRD4 and recruitment to specific target genes. IKK-α abrogation results in defective BRD4 and STAT3 functions and consequently irreparable DNA damage and apoptotic cell death upon different stimuli. Simultaneous inhibition of BRAF-dependent IKK-α activity, BRD4, and the JAK/STAT pathway enhanced the therapeutic potential of 5-fluorouracil combined with irinotecan in CRC cells and is curative in a chemotherapy-resistant xenograft model. Finally, coordinated expression of LIF and IKK-α is a poor prognosis marker for CRC patients. Our data uncover a functional link between IKK-α, BRD4, and JAK/STAT signaling with clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Pecharromán
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Laura Solé
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Daniel Álvarez‐Villanueva
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)L'Hospitalet del LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | - Teresa Lobo‐Jarne
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Josune Alonso‐Marañón
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Joan Bertran
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyUniversity of Vic – Central University of CataloniaVicSpain
| | - Yolanda Guillén
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Ángela Montoto
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - María Martínez‐Iniesta
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)L'Hospitalet del LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | - Violeta García‐Hernández
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Gemma Giménez
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Ramon Salazar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)‐CIBERONCL'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | - Cristina Santos
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)‐CIBERONCL'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
| | - Marta Garrido
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Eva Borràs
- Proteomics Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
- Proteomics UnitUniversitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Eduard Sabidó
- Proteomics Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
- Proteomics UnitUniversitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Ester Bonfill‐Teixidor
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), CIBERONCVall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Raffaella Iurlaro
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), CIBERONCVall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Joan Seoane
- Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), CIBERONCVall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Alberto Villanueva
- Chemoresistance and Predictive Factors Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL)L'Hospitalet del LlobregatBarcelonaSpain
- Xenopat S.L., Parc Cientific de Barcelona (PCB)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Mar Iglesias
- Department of Pathology, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Anna Bigas
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
- Josep Carreras Leukemia Research InstituteBadalonaSpain
| | - Lluís Espinosa
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONCHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
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4
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Cameron DP, Grosser J, Ladigan S, Kuzin V, Iliopoulou E, Wiegard A, Benredjem H, Jackson K, Liffers ST, Lueong S, Cheung PF, Vangala D, Pohl M, Viebahn R, Teschendorf C, Wolters H, Usta S, Geng K, Kutter C, Arsenian-Henriksson M, Siveke JT, Tannapfel A, Schmiegel W, Hahn SA, Baranello L. Coinhibition of topoisomerase 1 and BRD4-mediated pause release selectively kills pancreatic cancer via readthrough transcription. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5109. [PMID: 37831776 PMCID: PMC10575591 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic carcinoma lacks effective therapeutic strategies resulting in poor prognosis. Transcriptional dysregulation due to alterations in KRAS and MYC affects initiation, development, and survival of this tumor type. Using patient-derived xenografts of KRAS- and MYC-driven pancreatic carcinoma, we show that coinhibition of topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) synergistically induces tumor regression by targeting promoter pause release. Comparing the nascent transcriptome with the recruitment of elongation and termination factors, we found that coinhibition of TOP1 and BRD4 disrupts recruitment of transcription termination factors. Thus, RNA polymerases transcribe downstream of genes for hundreds of kilobases leading to readthrough transcription. This occurs during replication, perturbing replisome progression and inducing DNA damage. The synergistic effect of TOP1 + BRD4 inhibition is specific to cancer cells leaving normal cells unaffected, highlighting the tumor's vulnerability to transcriptional defects. This preclinical study provides a mechanistic understanding of the benefit of combining TOP1 and BRD4 inhibitors to treat pancreatic carcinomas addicted to oncogenic drivers of transcription and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P. Cameron
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Grosser
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Swetlana Ladigan
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular GI Oncology, Bochum, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Department of Internal Medicine, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vladislav Kuzin
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Evanthia Iliopoulou
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anika Wiegard
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hajar Benredjem
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kathryn Jackson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven T. Liffers
- Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, partner site Essen) and German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Smiths Lueong
- Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, partner site Essen) and German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Phyllis F. Cheung
- Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, partner site Essen) and German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Deepak Vangala
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular GI Oncology, Bochum, Germany
- Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Department of Internal Medicine, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael Pohl
- Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Department of Internal Medicine, Bochum, Germany
| | - Richard Viebahn
- Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Department of Surgery, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Heiner Wolters
- Department of Visceral and General Surgery, St. Josef-Hospital, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Selami Usta
- Department of Visceral and General Surgery, St. Josef-Hospital, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Keyi Geng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claudia Kutter
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Jens T. Siveke
- Division of Solid Tumor Translational Oncology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, partner site Essen) and German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
- Bridge Institute of Experimental Tumor Therapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Wolff Schmiegel
- Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Department of Internal Medicine, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stephan A. Hahn
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular GI Oncology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Laura Baranello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Hamilton EP, Wang JS, Oza AM, Patel MR, Ulahannan SV, Bauer T, Karlix JL, Zeron-Medina J, Fabbri G, Marco-Casanova P, Moorthy G, Hattersley MM, Littlewood GM, Mitchell P, Saeh J, Pouliot GP, Moore KN. First-in-human Study of AZD5153, A Small-molecule Inhibitor of Bromodomain Protein 4, in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Malignant Solid Tumors and Lymphoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1154-1165. [PMID: 37486983 PMCID: PMC10544002 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
AZD5153, a reversible, bivalent inhibitor of the bromodomain and extraterminal family protein BRD4, has preclinical activity in multiple tumors. This first-in-human, phase I study investigated AZD5153 alone or with olaparib in patients with relapsed/refractory solid tumors or lymphoma. Adults with relapsed tumors intolerant of, or refractory to, prior therapies received escalating doses of oral AZD5153 once daily or twice daily continuously (21-day cycles), or AZD5153 once daily/twice daily continuously or intermittently plus olaparib 300 mg twice daily, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Between June 30, 2017 and April 19, 2021, 34 patients received monotherapy and 15 received combination therapy. Dose-limiting toxicities were thrombocytopenia/platelet count decreased (n = 4/n = 2) and diarrhea (n = 1). The recommended phase II doses (RP2D) were AZD5153 30 mg once daily or 15 mg twice daily (monotherapy) and 10 mg once daily (intermittent schedule) with olaparib. With AZD5153 monotherapy, common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) included fatigue (38.2%), thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea (each 32.4%); common grade ≥ 3 TEAEs were thrombocytopenia (14.7%) and anemia (8.8%). With the combination, common TEAEs included nausea (66.7%) and fatigue (53.3%); the most common grade ≥ 3 TEAE was thrombocytopenia (26.7%). AZD5153 had dose-dependent pharmacokinetics, with minimal accumulation, and demonstrated dose-dependent modulation of peripheral biomarkers, including upregulation of HEXIM1. One patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving combination treatment had a partial response lasting 4.2 months. These results show AZD5153 was tolerable as monotherapy and in combination at the RP2Ds; common toxicities were fatigue, hematologic AEs, and gastrointestinal AEs. Strong evidence of peripheral target engagement was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika P. Hamilton
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute/Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Judy S. Wang
- Florida Cancer Specialists/Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Sarasota, Florida
| | - Amit M. Oza
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre/University Health Network/Sinai Health Systems, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manish R. Patel
- Florida Cancer Specialists/Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Sarasota, Florida
| | - Susanna V. Ulahannan
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute/Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, Tennessee
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Todd Bauer
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute/Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | | | | | | | - Ganesh Moorthy
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Jamal Saeh
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | | | - Kathleen N. Moore
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute/Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, Tennessee
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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6
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Kotekar A, Singh AK, Devaiah BN. BRD4 and MYC: power couple in transcription and disease. FEBS J 2023; 290:4820-4842. [PMID: 35866356 PMCID: PMC9867786 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogene and BRD4, a BET family protein, are two cardinal proteins that have a broad influence in cell biology and disease. Both proteins are expressed ubiquitously in mammalian cells and play central roles in controlling growth, development, stress responses and metabolic function. As chromatin and transcriptional regulators, they play a critical role in regulating the expression of a burgeoning array of genes, maintaining chromatin architecture and genome stability. Consequently, impairment of their function or regulation leads to many diseases, with cancer being the most predominant. Interestingly, accumulating evidence indicates that regulation of the expression and functions of MYC are tightly intertwined with BRD4 at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Here, we review the mechanisms by which MYC and BRD4 are regulated, their functions in governing various molecular mechanisms and the consequences of their dysregulation that lead to disease. We present a perspective of how the regulatory mechanisms for the two proteins could be entwined at multiple points in a BRD4-MYC nexus that leads to the modulation of their functions and disease upon dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Kotekar
- Experimental Immunology Branch, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amit Kumar Singh
- Experimental Immunology Branch, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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7
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Kinose Y, Xu H, Kim H, Kumar S, Shan X, George E, Wang X, Medvedev S, Ferman B, Gitto SB, Whicker M, D’Andrea K, Wubbenhorst B, Hallberg D, O’Connor M, Schwartz LE, Hwang WT, Nathanson KL, Mills GB, Velculescu VE, Wang TL, Brown EJ, Drapkin R, Simpkins F. Dual blockade of BRD4 and ATR/WEE1 pathways exploits ARID1A loss in clear cell ovarian cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3314138. [PMID: 37841875 PMCID: PMC10571599 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3314138/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
ARID1A, an epigenetic tumor suppressor, is the most common gene mutation in clear-cell ovarian cancers (CCOCs). CCOCs are often resistant to standard chemotherapy and lack effective therapies. We hypothesized that ARID1A loss would increase CCOC cell dependency on chromatin remodeling and DNA repair pathways for survival. We demonstrate that combining BRD4 inhibitor (BRD4i) with DNA damage response inhibitors (ATR or WEE1 inhibitors; e.g. BRD4i-ATRi) was synergistic at low doses leading to decreased survival, and colony formation in CCOC in an ARID1A dependent manner. BRD4i-ATRi caused significant tumor regression and increased overall survival in ARID1AMUT but not ARID1AWT patient-derived xenografts. Combination BRD4i-ATRi significantly increased γH2AX, and decreased RAD51 foci and BRCA1 expression, suggesting decreased ability to repair DNA double-strand-breaks (DSBs) by homologous-recombination in ARID1AMUT cells, and these effects were greater than monotherapies. These studies demonstrate BRD4i-ATRi is an effective treatment strategy that capitalizes on synthetic lethality with ARID1A loss in CCOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuto Kinose
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Haineng Xu
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hyoung Kim
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Xiaoyin Shan
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Erin George
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sergey Medvedev
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Benjamin Ferman
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sarah B. Gitto
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Margaret Whicker
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kurt D’Andrea
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bradley Wubbenhorst
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dorothy Hallberg
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Mark O’Connor
- AstraZeneca, R&D Oncology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren E. Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Wei-Ting Hwang
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katherine L Nathanson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gordon B. Mills
- Division of Oncological Sciences Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | - Victor E. Velculescu
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Eric J. Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology and the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Fiona Simpkins
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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8
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Drumond-Bock AL, Wang L, Wang L, Cybula M, Rostworowska M, Kinter M, Bieniasz M. Increased expression of BRD4 isoforms long (BRD4-L) and short (BRD4-S) promotes chemotherapy resistance in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Genes Cancer 2023; 14:56-76. [PMID: 37705995 PMCID: PMC10496930 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance in ovarian carcinoma is a puzzling issue that urges understanding of strategies used by cancer cells to survive DNA damage and to escape cell death. Expanding efforts to understand mechanisms driving chemoresistance and to develop alternative therapies targeting chemoresistant tumors are critical. Amplification of BRD4 is frequently associated with chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma, but little is known about the biological effects of the overexpression of BRD4 isoforms in this malignancy. Here, we described the consequences of BRD4-L and BRD4-S overexpression in ovarian carcinoma shedding a light on a complex regulation of BRD4 isoforms. We demonstrated that the BRD4-L transcript expression is required to generate both isoforms, BRD4-L and BRD4-S. We showed that the BRD4-S mRNA expression positively correlated with BRD4-S protein levels, while BRD4-L isoform showed negative correlation between mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, we demonstrated that an overexpression of BRD4 isoforms is associated with chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza Drumond-Bock
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Luyao Wang
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Lin Wang
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | | | - Maria Rostworowska
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Michael Kinter
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Magdalena Bieniasz
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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9
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Wu T, Hou H, Dey A, Bachu M, Chen X, Wisniewski J, Kudoh F, Chen C, Chauhan S, Xiao H, Pan R, Ozato K. BRD4 directs mitotic cell division by inhibiting DNA damage. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.02.547436. [PMID: 37546888 PMCID: PMC10401944 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.02.547436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BRD4 binds to acetylated histones to regulate transcription and drive cancer cell proliferation. However, the role of BRD4 in normal cell growth remains to be elucidated. Here we investigated the question by using mouse embryonic fibroblasts with conditional Brd4 knockout (KO). We found that Brd4KO cells grow more slowly than wild type cells: they do not complete replication, fail to achieve mitosis, and exhibit extensive DNA damage throughout all cell cycle stages. BRD4 was required for expression of more than 450 cell cycle genes including genes encoding core histones and centromere/kinetochore proteins that are critical for genome replication and chromosomal segregation. Moreover, we show that many genes controlling R-loop formation and DNA damage response (DDR) require BRD4 for expression. Finally, BRD4 constitutively occupied genes controlling R-loop, DDR and cell cycle progression. We suggest that BRD4 epigenetically marks those genes and serves as a master regulator of normal cell growth.
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10
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Duan W, Yu M, Chen J. BRD4: New Hope in the Battle Against Glioblastoma. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106767. [PMID: 37061146 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The BET family proteins, comprising BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4, represent epigenetic readers of acetylated histone marks that play pleiotropic roles in the tumorigenesis and growth of multiple human malignancies, including glioblastoma (GBM). A growing body of investigation has proven BET proteins as valuable therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Recently, several BRD4 inhibitors and degraders have been reported to successfully suppress GBM in preclinical and clinical studies. However, the precise role and mechanism of BRD4 in the pathogenesis of GBM have not been fully elucidated or summarized. This review focuses on summarizing the roles and mechanisms of BRD4 in the context of the initiation and development of GBM. In addition, several BRD4 inhibitors have been evaluated for therapeutic purposes as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune therapies. Here, we provide a critical appraisal of studies evaluating various BRD4 inhibitors and degraders as novel treatment strategies against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichen Duan
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Jiajia Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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11
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Guo J, Zheng Q, Peng Y. BET proteins: Biological functions and therapeutic interventions. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 243:108354. [PMID: 36739915 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family member proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT) play a pivotal role in interpreting the epigenetic information of histone Kac modification, thus controlling gene expression, remodeling chromatin structures and avoid replicative stress-induced DNA damages. Abnormal activation of BET proteins is tightly correlated to various human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, BET bromodomain inhibitors (BBIs) were considered as promising therapeutics to treat BET-related diseases, raising >70 clinical trials in the past decades. Despite preliminary effects achieved, drug resistance and adverse events represent two major challenges for current BBIs development. In this review, we will introduce the biological functions of BET proteins in both physiological and pathological conditions; and summarize the progress in current BBI drug development. Moreover, we will also discuss the major challenges in the front of BET inhibitor development and provide rational strategies to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Guo
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qingquan Zheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yong Peng
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China.
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12
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Huang Y, Liu C, You L, Li X, Chen G, Fan J. Synergistic effect of PARP inhibitor and BRD4 inhibitor in multiple models of ovarian cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:634-649. [PMID: 36753396 PMCID: PMC9983312 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has the highest facility rate among gynaecological tumours. Current therapies including PARP inhibitors have a defect that ovarian tumour is easy to recurrent and become resistant to therapy. To solve this problem, we found that BRD4 inhibitor AZD5153 and PARP inhibitor olaparib had a widespread synergistic effect in multiple models with different gene backgrounds. AZD5153 sensitizes cells to olaparib and reverses the acquired resistance by down-regulating PTEN expression levels to destabilize hereditary materials. In this study, we used the following multiple ovarian cancer models PDX, PDO and 3D/2D cell lines to elucidate the co-effect of AZD5153 and olaparib in vivo and in vitro. The similar results of these models further proved that the mechanism identified was consistent with the biological process occurring in ovarian cancer patients after drug treatment. This consistency between the results of different models suggests the possibility of translating these laboratory research findings into clinical studies towards developing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and GynecologyCancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and GynecologyCancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Lixin You
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and GynecologyCancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and GynecologyCancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Junpeng Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and GynecologyCancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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13
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Hossain ME, Cevallos RR, Zhang R, Hu K. Attenuating iPSC reprogramming stress with dominant-negative BET peptides. iScience 2023; 26:105889. [PMID: 36691621 PMCID: PMC9860338 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is inefficient and stochastic. The underlying causes for these deficiencies are elusive. Here, we showed that the reprogramming factors (OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4, collectively OSK) elicit dramatic reprogramming stress even without the pro-oncogene MYC including massive transcriptional turbulence, massive and random deregulation of stress-response genes, cell cycle impairment, downregulation of mitotic genes, illegitimate reprogramming, and cytotoxicity. The conserved dominant-negative (DN) peptides of the three ubiquitous human bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins enhanced iPSC reprogramming and mitigated all the reprogramming stresses mentioned above. The concept of reprogramming stress developed here affords an alternative avenue to understanding and improving iPSC reprogramming. These DN BET fragments target a similar set of the genes as the BET chemical inhibitors do, indicating a distinct approach to targeting BET proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Emon Hossain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ricardo Raul Cevallos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ruowen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kejin Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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14
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da Costa AABA, Chowdhury D, Shapiro GI, D'Andrea AD, Konstantinopoulos PA. Targeting replication stress in cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:38-58. [PMID: 36202931 PMCID: PMC11132912 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00558-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Replication stress is a major cause of genomic instability and a crucial vulnerability of cancer cells. This vulnerability can be therapeutically targeted by inhibiting kinases that coordinate the DNA damage response with cell cycle control, including ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 checkpoint kinases. In addition, inhibiting the DNA damage response releases DNA fragments into the cytoplasm, eliciting an innate immune response. Therefore, several ATR, CHK1, WEE1 and MYT1 inhibitors are undergoing clinical evaluation as monotherapies or in combination with chemotherapy, poly[ADP-ribose]polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, or immune checkpoint inhibitors to capitalize on high replication stress, overcome therapeutic resistance and promote effective antitumour immunity. Here, we review current and emerging approaches for targeting replication stress in cancer, from preclinical and biomarker development to clinical trial evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dipanjan Chowdhury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Geoffrey I Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alan D D'Andrea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Center for DNA Damage and Repair, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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15
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Pandya PH, Jannu AJ, Bijangi-Vishehsaraei K, Dobrota E, Bailey BJ, Barghi F, Shannon HE, Riyahi N, Damayanti NP, Young C, Malko R, Justice R, Albright E, Sandusky GE, Wurtz LD, Collier CD, Marshall MS, Gallagher RI, Wulfkuhle JD, Petricoin EF, Coy K, Trowbridge M, Sinn AL, Renbarger JL, Ferguson MJ, Huang K, Zhang J, Saadatzadeh MR, Pollok KE. Integrative Multi-OMICs Identifies Therapeutic Response Biomarkers and Confirms Fidelity of Clinically Annotated, Serially Passaged Patient-Derived Xenografts Established from Primary and Metastatic Pediatric and AYA Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:259. [PMID: 36612255 PMCID: PMC9818438 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishment of clinically annotated, molecularly characterized, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from treatment-naïve and pretreated patients provides a platform to test precision genomics-guided therapies. An integrated multi-OMICS pipeline was developed to identify cancer-associated pathways and evaluate stability of molecular signatures in a panel of pediatric and AYA PDXs following serial passaging in mice. Original solid tumor samples and their corresponding PDXs were evaluated by whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq, immunoblotting, pathway enrichment analyses, and the drug−gene interaction database to identify as well as cross-validate actionable targets in patients with sarcomas or Wilms tumors. While some divergence between original tumor and the respective PDX was evident, majority of alterations were not functionally impactful, and oncogenic pathway activation was maintained following serial passaging. CDK4/6 and BETs were prioritized as biomarkers of therapeutic response in osteosarcoma PDXs with pertinent molecular signatures. Inhibition of CDK4/6 or BETs decreased osteosarcoma PDX growth (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05) confirming mechanistic involvement in growth. Linking patient treatment history with molecular and efficacy data in PDX will provide a strong rationale for targeted therapy and improve our understanding of which therapy is most beneficial in patients at diagnosis and in those already exposed to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankita H. Pandya
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Asha Jacob Jannu
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Data Science Indiana, University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Khadijeh Bijangi-Vishehsaraei
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Erika Dobrota
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Barbara J. Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Farinaz Barghi
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Harlan E. Shannon
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Niknam Riyahi
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nur P. Damayanti
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Courtney Young
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rada Malko
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Ryli Justice
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Eric Albright
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - George E. Sandusky
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - L. Daniel Wurtz
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Christopher D. Collier
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Mark S. Marshall
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rosa I. Gallagher
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Innovation, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Julia D. Wulfkuhle
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Innovation, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Emanuel F. Petricoin
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Innovation, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Kathy Coy
- Preclinical Modeling and Therapeutics Core, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Melissa Trowbridge
- Preclinical Modeling and Therapeutics Core, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Anthony L. Sinn
- Preclinical Modeling and Therapeutics Core, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jamie L. Renbarger
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael J. Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Data Science Indiana, University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - M. Reza Saadatzadeh
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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16
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Ma L, Li G, Yang T, Zhang L, Wang X, Xu X, Ni H. An inhibitor of BRD4, GNE987, inhibits the growth of glioblastoma cells by targeting C-Myc and S100A16. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 90:431-444. [PMID: 36224471 PMCID: PMC9637061 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-022-04483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Among children, glioblastomas (GBMs) are a relatively common type of brain tumor. BRD4 expression was elevated in GBM and negatively correlated with the prognosis of glioma. We investigated the anti-GBM effects of a novel BRD4 inhibitor GNE987. METHODS We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of GNE987 in vitro and in vivo by Western blot, CCK8, flow cytometry detection, clone formation, the size of xenografts, and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining, and combined ChIP-seq with RNA-seq techniques to find its anti-tumor mechanism. RESULTS In vitro experiments showed that GNE987 significantly degraded BRD4, inhibited the proliferation of GBM cells, blocked the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis. Similarly, in vivo experiments, GNE987 also inhibited GBM growth as seen from the size of xenografts and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining. Based on Western blotting, GNE987 can significantly reduce the protein level of C-Myc; meanwhile, we combined ChIP-seq with RNA-seq techniques to confirm that GNE987 downregulated the transcription of S100A16 by disturbing H3K27Ac. Furthermore, we validated that S100A16 is indispensable in GBM growth. CONCLUSION GNE987 may be effective against GBM that targets C-Myc expression and influences S100A16 transcription through downregulation of BRD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Ma
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China
| | - Gen Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianquan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Xu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Ni
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Nantajit D, Presta L, Sauter T, Tavassoli M. EGFR-induced suppression of HPV E6/E7 is mediated by microRNA-9-5p silencing of BRD4 protein in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:921. [PMID: 36333293 PMCID: PMC9636399 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
EGFR upregulation is an established biomarker of treatment resistance and aggressiveness in head and neck cancers (HNSCC). EGFR-targeted therapies have shown benefits for HPV-negative HNSCC; surprisingly, inhibiting EGFR in HPV-associated HNSCC led to inferior therapeutic outcomes suggesting opposing roles for EGFR in the two HNSCC subtypes. The current study aimed to understand the link between EGFR and HPV-infected HNSCC particularly the regulation of HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7. We demonstrate that EGFR overexpression suppresses cellular proliferation and increases radiosensitivity of HPV-positive HNSCC cell lines. EGFR overexpression inhibited protein expression of BRD4, a known cellular transcriptional regulator of HPV E6/E7 expression and DNA damage repair facilitator. Inhibition of EGFR by cetuximab restored the expression of BRD4 leading to increased HPV E6 and E7 transcription. Concordantly, pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 led to suppression of HPV E6 and E7 transcription, delayed cellular proliferation and sensitised HPV-positive HNSCC cells to ionising radiation. This effect was shown to be mediated through EGFR-induced upregulation of microRNA-9-5p and consequent silencing of its target BRD4 at protein translational level, repressing HPV E6 and E7 transcription and restoring p53 tumour suppressor functions. These results suggest a novel mechanism for EGFR inhibition of HPV E6/E7 oncoprotein expression through an epigenetic pathway, independent of MAPK, but mediated through microRNA-9-5p/BRD4 regulation. Therefore, targeting EGFR may not be the best course of therapy for certain cancer types including HPV-positive HNSCC, while targeting specific signalling pathways such as BRD4 could provide a better and potentially new treatment to improve HNSCC therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danupon Nantajit
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom ,grid.512982.50000 0004 7598 2416Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Luana Presta
- grid.16008.3f0000 0001 2295 9843Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Thomas Sauter
- grid.16008.3f0000 0001 2295 9843Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Yan G, Luna A, Wang H, Bozorgui B, Li X, Sanchez M, Dereli Z, Kahraman N, Kara G, Chen X, Zheng C, McGrail D, Sahni N, Lu Y, Babur O, Cokol M, Lim B, Ozpolat B, Sander C, Mills GB, Korkut A. BET inhibition induces vulnerability to MCL1 targeting through upregulation of fatty acid synthesis pathway in breast cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111304. [PMID: 36103824 PMCID: PMC9523722 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic options for treatment of basal-like breast cancers remain limited. Here, we demonstrate that bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibition induces an adaptive response leading to MCL1 protein-driven evasion of apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Consequently, co-targeting MCL1 and BET is highly synergistic in breast cancer models. The mechanism of adaptive response to BET inhibition involves the upregulation of lipid synthesis enzymes including the rate-limiting stearoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase. Changes in lipid synthesis pathway are associated with increases in cell motility and membrane fluidity as well as re-localization and activation of HER2/EGFR. In turn, the HER2/EGFR signaling results in the accumulation of and vulnerability to the inhibition of MCL1. Drug response and genomics analyses reveal that MCL1 copy-number alterations are associated with effective BET and MCL1 co-targeting. The high frequency of MCL1 chromosomal amplifications (>30%) in basal-like breast cancers suggests that BET and MCL1 co-targeting may have therapeutic utility in this aggressive subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonghong Yan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Augustin Luna
- cBio Center, Department of Data Sciences, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Heping Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Behnaz Bozorgui
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xubin Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Maga Sanchez
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep Dereli
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nermin Kahraman
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Goknur Kara
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Caishang Zheng
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daniel McGrail
- Department of Systems Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Systems Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yiling Lu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ozgun Babur
- Computer Science, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Murat Cokol
- Axcella Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bora Lim
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bulent Ozpolat
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chris Sander
- cBio Center, Department of Data Sciences, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Cell, Development and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Anil Korkut
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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19
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van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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20
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Liu Y, Wang W, Zhang D, Sun Y, Li F, Zheng M, Lovejoy DB, Zou Y, Shi B. Brain co‐delivery of first‐line chemotherapy drug and epigenetic bromodomain inhibitor for multidimensional enhanced synergistic glioblastoma therapy. EXPLORATION 2022; 2:20210274. [PMCID: PMC10190947 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20210274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Liu
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
| | - Wendie Wang
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
| | - Dongya Zhang
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
| | - Yajing Sun
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
| | - Fangzhou Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China Beijing China
| | - Meng Zheng
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
| | - David B. Lovejoy
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research Macquarie Medical School Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Yan Zou
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research Macquarie Medical School Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Bingyang Shi
- Henan–Macquarie University Joint Centre for Biomedical Innovation Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Henan Key Laboratory of Brain Targeted Bio‐nanomedicine School of Life Sciences Henan University Kaifeng Henan China
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research Macquarie Medical School Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
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21
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BET and CDK Inhibition Reveal Differences in the Proliferation Control of Sympathetic Ganglion Neuroblasts and Adrenal Chromaffin Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112755. [PMID: 35681734 PMCID: PMC9179499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma arising from the adrenal differ from ganglionic neuroblastoma both genetically and clinically, with adrenal tumors being associated with a more severe prognosis. The different tumor properties may be linked to specific tumor founder cells in adrenal and sympathetic ganglia. To address this question, we first set up cultures of mouse sympathetic neuroblasts and adrenal chromaffin cells. These cultures were then treated with various proliferation inhibitors to identify lineage-specific responses. We show that neuroblast and chromaffin cell proliferation was affected by WNT, ALK, IGF1, and PRC2/EZH2 signaling inhibitors to a similar extent. However, differential effects were observed in response to bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein inhibitors (JQ1, GSK1324726A) and to the CDK-7 inhibitor THZ1, with BET inhibitors preferentially affecting chromaffin cells, and THZ1 preferentially affecting neuroblasts. The differential dependence of chromaffin cells and neuroblasts on BET and CDK signaling may indicate different mechanisms during tumor initiation in sympathetic ganglia and adrenal.
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22
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Bowers RR, Jones CM, Paz EA, Barrows JK, Armeson K, Long D, Delaney J. SWAN pathway-network identification of common aneuploidy-based oncogenic drivers. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3673-3692. [PMID: 35380699 PMCID: PMC9023287 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency drives Darwinian evolution. Siblings, while alike in many aspects, differ due to monoallelic differences inherited from each parent. In cancer, solid tumors exhibit aneuploid genetics resulting in hundreds to thousands of monoallelic gene-level copy-number alterations (CNAs) in each tumor. Aneuploidy patterns are heterogeneous, posing a challenge to identify drivers in this high-noise genetic environment. Here, we developed Shifted Weighted Annotation Network (SWAN) analysis to assess biology impacted by cumulative monoallelic changes. SWAN enables an integrated pathway-network analysis of CNAs, RNA expression, and mutations via a simple web platform. SWAN is optimized to best prioritize known and novel tumor suppressors and oncogenes, thereby identifying drivers and potential druggable vulnerabilities within cancer CNAs. Protein homeostasis, phospholipid dephosphorylation, and ion transport pathways are commonly suppressed. An atlas of CNA pathways altered in each cancer type is released. These CNA network shifts highlight new, attractive targets to exploit in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert R Bowers
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christian M Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Edwin A Paz
- Departments of Neurology, Neurobiology, and Cell Biology, and the Duke Center for Neurodegeneration & Neurotherapeutics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John K Barrows
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kent E Armeson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - David T Long
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Joe R Delaney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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23
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Wang LW, Jiang S, Yuan YH, Duan J, Mao ND, Hui Z, Bai R, Xie T, Ye XY. Recent Advances in Synergistic Antitumor Effects Exploited from the Inhibition of Ataxia Telangiectasia and RAD3-Related Protein Kinase (ATR). Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27082491. [PMID: 35458687 PMCID: PMC9029554 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the key phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases (PIKKs) family members, ataxia telangiectasia and RAD3-related protein kinase (ATR) is crucial in maintaining mammalian cell genomic integrity in DNA damage response (DDR) and repair pathways. Dysregulation of ATR has been found across different cancer types. In recent years, the inhibition of ATR has been proven to be effective in cancer therapy in preclinical and clinical studies. Importantly, tumor-specific alterations such as ATM loss and Cyclin E1 (CCNE1) amplification are more sensitive to ATR inhibition and are being exploited in synthetic lethality (SL) strategy. Besides SL, synergistic anticancer effects involving ATRi have been reported in an increasing number in recent years. This review focuses on the recent advances in different forms of synergistic antitumor effects, summarizes the pharmacological benefits and ongoing clinical trials behind the biological mechanism, and provides perspectives for future challenges and opportunities. The hope is to draw awareness to the community that targeting ATR should have great potential in developing effective anticancer medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Wei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Songwei Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ying-Hui Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Jilong Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Nian-Dong Mao
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zi Hui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Renren Bai
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (T.X.); (X.-Y.Y.); Tel.: +86-571-28860236 (X.-Y.Y.)
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (T.X.); (X.-Y.Y.); Tel.: +86-571-28860236 (X.-Y.Y.)
| | - Xiang-Yang Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (L.-W.W.); (S.J.); (Y.-H.Y.); (J.D.); (N.-D.M.); (Z.H.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Correspondence: (R.B.); (T.X.); (X.-Y.Y.); Tel.: +86-571-28860236 (X.-Y.Y.)
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24
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Ali HA, Li Y, Bilal AHM, Qin T, Yuan Z, Zhao W. A Comprehensive Review of BET Protein Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathological Roles. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:818891. [PMID: 35401196 PMCID: PMC8990909 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.818891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, specifically acetylation of histone plays a decisive role in gene regulation and transcription of normal cellular mechanisms and pathological conditions. The bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRDT), being epigenetic readers, ligate to acetylated regions of histone and synchronize gene transcription. BET proteins are crucial for normal cellular processing as they control cell cycle progression, neurogenesis, differentiation, and maturation of erythroids and spermatogenesis, etc. Research-based evidence indicated that BET proteins (mainly BRD4) are associated with numeral pathological ailments, including cancer, inflammation, infections, renal diseases, and cardiac diseases. To counter the BET protein-related pathological conditions, there are some BET inhibitors developed and also under development. BET proteins are a topic of most research nowadays. This review, provides an ephemeral but comprehensive knowledge about BET proteins’ basic structure, biochemistry, physiological roles, and pathological conditions in which the role of BETs have been proven. This review also highlights the current and future approaches to pledge BET protein-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Akbar Ali
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yalan Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Akram Hafiz Muhammad Bilal
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tingting Qin
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ziqiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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25
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Commentary on: Xbp1s-Ddit3, DNA damage and pulmonary hypertension. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:163-166. [PMID: 35005770 DOI: 10.1042/cs20211095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this commentary, we discuss new observations stating that spliced X-box-binding protein 1 (Xbp1s)-DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (Ddit3) promotes monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension (Jiang et al., Clinical Science (2021) 135(21), https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20210612). Xbp1s-Ddit3 is involved in the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress but is also associated with DNA damage repair machinery. Pathologic DNA damage repair mechanisms have emerged as critical determinants of pulmonary hypertension development. We discuss the potential relationship among Xbp1s-Ddit3, DNA damage, and pulmonary hypertension. Although Xbp1s-Ddit3 contributes to the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis and the development of vascular lesions, whether Xbp1s is a friend or foe remains controversial.
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26
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Ho L, Hossen N, Nguyen T, Vo A, Ahsan F. Epigenetic Mechanisms as Emerging Therapeutic Targets and Microfluidic Chips Application in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010170. [PMID: 35052850 PMCID: PMC8773438 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease that progress over time and is defined as an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance that frequently leads to right-ventricular (RV) failure and death. Epigenetic modifications comprising DNA methylation, histone remodeling, and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been established to govern chromatin structure and transcriptional responses in various cell types during disease development. However, dysregulation of these epigenetic mechanisms has not yet been explored in detail in the pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension and its progression with vascular remodeling and right-heart failure (RHF). Targeting epigenetic regulators including histone methylation, acetylation, or miRNAs offers many possible candidates for drug discovery and will no doubt be a tempting area to explore for PAH therapies. This review focuses on studies in epigenetic mechanisms including the writers, the readers, and the erasers of epigenetic marks and targeting epigenetic regulators or modifiers for treatment of PAH and its complications described as RHF. Data analyses from experimental cell models and animal induced PAH models have demonstrated that significant changes in the expression levels of multiple epigenetics modifiers such as HDMs, HDACs, sirtuins (Sirt1 and Sirt3), and BRD4 correlate strongly with proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis linked to the pathological vascular remodeling during PAH development. The reversible characteristics of protein methylation and acetylation can be applied for exploring small-molecule modulators such as valproic acid (HDAC inhibitor) or resveratrol (Sirt1 activator) in different preclinical models for treatment of diseases including PAH and RHF. This review also presents to the readers the application of microfluidic devices to study sex differences in PAH pathophysiology, as well as for epigenetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Ho
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (N.H.); (T.N.)
- Correspondence: (L.H.); (F.A.); Tel.: +1-916-686-7370 (L.H.); +1-916-686-3529 (F.A.)
| | - Nazir Hossen
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (N.H.); (T.N.)
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (N.H.); (T.N.)
- East Bay Institute for Research & Education (EBIRE), Mather, CA 95655, USA
| | - Au Vo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Fakhrul Ahsan
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; (N.H.); (T.N.)
- Correspondence: (L.H.); (F.A.); Tel.: +1-916-686-7370 (L.H.); +1-916-686-3529 (F.A.)
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Hu S, Hui Z, Duan J, Garrido C, Xie T, Ye XY. Discovery of small-molecule ATR inhibitors for potential cancer treatment: a patent review from 2014 to present. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:401-421. [PMID: 35001778 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2027911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ataxia telangiectasia and RAD3-related kinase (ATR) is one of the key PIKKs family members important for DNA damage response and repair pathways. Targeting ATR kinase for potential cancer therapy has attracted a great deal of attention to both pharmaceutical industries and academic community. AREA COVERED This article surveys the patents published since 2014 aiming to analyze the structural features of scaffolds and the patent space. It also discusses the recent clinical developments and provides perspectives on the challenges and the future directions. EXPERT OPINION ATR kinase appears to be a viable drug target for anticancer therapy. Similar to DNA-PK inhibitors, the clinical investigation of an ATRi employs both monotherapy and combination strategy. In the combination strategy, an ATRi is typically combined with a radiation or a targeted drug such as chemotherapy agent poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, etc. Diverse structures comprising different scaffolds from mono-heteroaryl to bicyclic heteroaryl to tricyclic heteroaryl to macrocycle are capable to achieve good ATR inhibitory activity and good ATR selectivity over other closely related enzymes. There are eight ATR inhibitors currently being evaluated in clinics, with the hope to get approval in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwen Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicines from Zhejiang Province.,Hangzhou Huadong Medicine Group Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co. Ltd., Hanzhou City, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, 607 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Zi Hui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicines from Zhejiang Province
| | - Jilong Duan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicines from Zhejiang Province
| | - Carmen Garrido
- INSERM Unit U1231, Label LIPSTIC, University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, I-SITE, 7, Bvd Jeanne d'Arc, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicines from Zhejiang Province
| | - Xiang-Yang Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicine of Zhejiang Province.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicines from Zhejiang Province
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Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens identify mechanisms of BET bromodomain inhibitor sensitivity. iScience 2021; 24:103323. [PMID: 34805786 PMCID: PMC8581576 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BET bromodomain inhibitors hold promise as therapeutic agents in diverse indications, but their clinical progression has been challenging and none have received regulatory approval. Early clinical trials in cancer have shown heterogeneous clinical responses, development of resistance, and adverse events. Increased understanding of their mechanism(s) of action and identification of biomarkers are needed to identify appropriate indication(s) and achieve efficacious dosing. Using genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens at different concentrations, we report molecular mechanisms defining cellular responses to BET inhibitors, some of which appear specific to a single compound concentration. We identify multiple transcriptional regulators and mTOR pathway members as key determinants of JQ1 sensitivity and two Ca2+/Mn2+ transporters, ATP2C1 and TMEM165, as key determinants of JQ1 resistance. Our study reveals new molecular mediators of BET bromodomain inhibitor effects, suggests the involvement of manganese, and provides a rich resource for discovery of biomarkers and targets for combination therapies. CRISPR screens identify genes regulating sensitivity to BET bromodomain inhibitors Sensitivity and resistance hit lists are concentration-dependent mTOR pathway mediates sensitivity to BET bromodomain inhibitors Manganese regulates sensitivity to BET bromodomain inhibitors
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29
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Drumond-Bock AL, Bieniasz M. The role of distinct BRD4 isoforms and their contribution to high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma pathogenesis. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:145. [PMID: 34758842 PMCID: PMC8579545 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most aggressive type of ovarian cancer, often diagnosed at advanced stages. Molecularly, HGSOC shows high degree of genomic instability associated with large number of genetic alterations. BRD4 is the 4th most amplified gene in HGSOC, which correlates with poor patients' prognosis. BRD4 is constitutively expressed and generates two proteins, BRD4 long (BRD4-L) and BRD4 short (BRD4-S). Both isoforms contain bromodomains that bind to lysine-acetylated histones. Amongst other functions, BRD4 participates in chromatin organization, acetylation of histones, transcriptional control and DNA damage repair. In cancer patients with amplified BRD4, the increased activity of BRD4 is associated with higher expression of oncogenes, such as MYC, NOTCH3 and NRG1. BRD4-driven oncogenes promote increased tumor cells proliferation, genetic instability, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis and chemoresistance. Ablation of BRD4 activity can be successfully achieved with bromodomain inhibitors (BETi) and degraders, and it has been applied in pre-clinical and clinical settings. Inhibition of BRD4 function has an effective anti-cancer effect, reducing tumor growth whether ablated by single agents or in combination with other drugs. When combined with standard chemotherapy, BETi are capable of sensitizing highly resistant ovarian cancer cell lines to platinum drugs. Despite the evidence that BRD4 amplification in ovarian cancer contributes to poor patient prognosis, little is known about the specific mechanisms by which BRD4 drives tumor progression. In addition, newly emerging data revealed that BRD4 isoforms exhibit contradicting functions in cancer. Therefore, it is paramount to expand studies elucidating distinct roles of BRD4-L and BRD4-S in HGSOC, which has important implications on development of therapeutic approaches targeting BRD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luiza Drumond-Bock
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| | - Magdalena Bieniasz
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
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30
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Malvezzi F, Stubbs CJ, Jowitt TA, Dale IL, Guo X, DeGnore JP, Degliesposti G, Skehel JM, Bannister AJ, McAlister MS. Phosphorylation-dependent BRD4 dimerization and implications for therapeutic inhibition of BET family proteins. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1273. [PMID: 34754068 PMCID: PMC8578508 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an epigenetic reader and oncology drug target that regulates gene transcription through binding to acetylated chromatin via bromodomains. Phosphorylation by casein kinase II (CK2) regulates BRD4 function, is necessary for active transcription and is involved in resistance to BRD4 drug inhibition in triple-negative breast cancer. Here, we provide the first biophysical analysis of BRD4 phospho-regulation. Using integrative structural biology, we show that phosphorylation by CK2 modulates the dimerization of human BRD4. We identify two conserved regions, a coiled-coil motif and the Basic-residue enriched Interaction Domain (BID), essential for the BRD4 structural rearrangement, which we term the phosphorylation-dependent dimerization domain (PDD). Finally, we demonstrate that bivalent inhibitors induce a conformational change within BRD4 dimers in vitro and in cancer cells. Our results enable the proposal of a model for BRD4 activation critical for the characterization of its protein-protein interaction network and for the development of more specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Malvezzi
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Molecular Partners AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christopher J Stubbs
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas A Jowitt
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ian L Dale
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xieyang Guo
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jon P DeGnore
- Mechanistic Biology & Profiling, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, USA
| | - Gianluca Degliesposti
- Biological Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Mark Skehel
- Biological Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew J Bannister
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark S McAlister
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
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31
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Liang Y, Tian J, Wu T. BRD4 in physiology and pathology: ''BET'' on its partners. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100180. [PMID: 34697817 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing 4 (BRD4), a member of Bromo and Extra-Terminal (BET) family, recognizes acetylated histones and is of importance in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. It also binds non-histone proteins, DNA and RNA, contributing to development, tissue growth, and various physiological processes. Additionally, BRD4 has been implicated in driving diverse diseases, ranging from cancer, viral infection, inflammation to neurological disorders. Inhibiting its functions with BET inhibitors (BETis) suppresses the progression of several types of cancer, creating an impetus for translating these chemicals to the clinic. The diverse roles of BRD4 are largely dependent on its interaction partners in different contexts. In this review we discuss the molecular mechanisms of BRD4 with its interacting partners in physiology and pathology. Current development of BETis is also summarized. Further understanding the functions of BRD4 and its partners will facilitate resolving the liabilities of present BETis and accelerate their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jieyi Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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32
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Lee SY, Kim JJ, Miller KM. Bromodomain proteins: protectors against endogenous DNA damage and facilitators of genome integrity. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1268-1277. [PMID: 34548613 PMCID: PMC8492697 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00673-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous DNA damage is a major contributor to mutations, which are drivers of cancer development. Bromodomain (BRD) proteins are well-established participants in chromatin-based DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, which maintain genome integrity from cell-intrinsic and extrinsic DNA-damaging sources. BRD proteins are most well-studied as regulators of transcription, but emerging evidence has revealed their importance in other DNA-templated processes, including DNA repair and replication. How BRD proteins mechanistically protect cells from endogenous DNA damage through their participation in these pathways remains an active area of investigation. Here, we review several recent studies establishing BRD proteins as key influencers of endogenous DNA damage, including DNA–RNA hybrid (R-loops) formation during transcription and participation in replication stress responses. As endogenous DNA damage is known to contribute to several human diseases, including neurodegeneration, immunodeficiencies, cancer, and aging, the ability of BRD proteins to suppress DNA damage and mutations is likely to provide new insights into the involvement of BRD proteins in these diseases. Although many studies have focused on BRD proteins in transcription, evidence indicates that BRD proteins have emergent functions in DNA repair and genome stability and are participants in the etiology and treatment of diseases involving endogenous DNA damage. Bromodomain (BRD) proteins, known to regulate gene expression, switching particular genes on and off, also play key roles in repairing DNA damage, and studying them may help identify treatments for various diseases, including cancer. DNA damage can occur during normal cellular metabolism, for example, during copying DNA and gene expression. DNA damage is implicated in tumor formation as well as in neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, and aging. Seo Yun Lee and colleagues at The University of Texas at Austin, USA, have reviewed new results showing how BRD proteins function in repairing DNA damage. They report that when DNA is damaged during copying in BRD-deficient cells, tumors can result. They also report that defects in BRD proteins are often present in cancers. Studying how BRD proteins function in both healthy and diseased cells could help to identify new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo Yun Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jae Jin Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. .,Department of Life Science and Multidisciplinary Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
| | - Kyle M Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA. .,Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Cheung KL, Kim C, Zhou MM. The Functions of BET Proteins in Gene Transcription of Biology and Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:728777. [PMID: 34540900 PMCID: PMC8446420 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.728777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal domain) family proteins, consisting of BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and testis-specific BRDT, are widely acknowledged as major transcriptional regulators in biology. They are characterized by two tandem bromodomains (BDs) that bind to lysine-acetylated histones and transcription factors, recruit transcription factors and coactivators to target gene sites, and activate RNA polymerase II machinery for transcriptional elongation. Pharmacological inhibition of BET proteins with BD inhibitors has been shown as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of many human diseases including cancer and inflammatory disorders. The recent advances in bromodomain protein biology have further uncovered the complex and versatile functions of BET proteins in the regulation of gene expression in chromatin. In this review article, we highlight our current understanding of BET proteins' functions in mediating protein-protein interactions required for chromatin-templated gene transcription and splicing, chromatin remodeling, DNA replication, and DNA damage repair. We further discuss context-dependent activator vs. repressor functions of individual BET proteins, isoforms, and bromodomains that may be harnessed for future development of BET bromodomain inhibitors as emerging epigenetic therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders.
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34
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Bowry A, Kelly RDW, Petermann E. Hypertranscription and replication stress in cancer. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:863-877. [PMID: 34052137 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Replication stress results from obstacles to replication fork progression, including ongoing transcription, which can cause transcription-replication conflicts. Oncogenic signaling can promote global increases in transcription activity, also termed hypertranscription. Despite the widely accepted importance of oncogene-induced hypertranscription, its study remains neglected compared with other causes of replication stress and genomic instability in cancer. A growing number of recent studies are reporting that oncogenes, such as RAS, and targeted cancer treatments, such as bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) bromodomain inhibitors, increase global transcription, leading to R-loop accumulation, transcription-replication conflicts, and the activation of replication stress responses. Here we discuss our mechanistic understanding of hypertranscription-induced replication stress and the resulting cellular responses, in the context of oncogenes and targeted cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Bowry
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Richard D W Kelly
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Eva Petermann
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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35
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McBride AA, Warburton A, Khurana S. Multiple Roles of Brd4 in the Infectious Cycle of Human Papillomaviruses. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:725794. [PMID: 34386523 PMCID: PMC8353396 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.725794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) reproduce in stratified epithelia by establishing a reservoir of low- level infection in the dividing basal cells and restricting the production of viral particles to terminally differentiated cells. These small DNA viruses hijack pivotal cellular processes and pathways to support the persistent infectious cycle. One cellular factor that is key to multiple stages of viral replication and transcription is the BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal domain) protein, Brd4 (Bromodomain containing protein 4). Here we provide an overview of the multiple interactions of Brd4 that occur throughout the HPV infectious cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. McBride
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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36
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Zhang Y, Yuan L. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplications epigenetically activates checkpoint kinase 1 in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13236. [PMID: 34168220 PMCID: PMC8225911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92566-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It is not clear how Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD) regulates checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of FLT3-ITD on CHK1. Our results showed that CHK1 was highly expressed in FLT3-ITD positive AML. The overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate of AML patients with high CHK1 level were lower than those of patients with low CHK1 level. Mechanistically, FLT3-ITD recruited p300 to the CHK1 promoter and subsequently acetylated H3K27, thereby enhancing the transcription of CHK1. Interfering with the expression of CHK1 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in FLT3-ITD positive MV4-11 cells. In addition, CHK1 knockdown promoted the sensitivity of MV4-11 cells to the epigenetic inhibitors JQ1 and C646. This study discovers a new therapeutic target for FLT3-ITD + AML and provided evidence for the combination of epigenetic inhibitors for AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Lingli Yuan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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37
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Mäkelä R, Härmä V, Badra Fajardo N, Wells G, Lygerou Z, Sangfelt O, Kononen J, Rantala JK. Ex vivo analysis of DNA repair targeting in extreme rare cutaneous apocrine sweat gland carcinoma. Oncotarget 2021; 12:1100-1109. [PMID: 34084283 PMCID: PMC8169071 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous apocrine carcinoma is an extreme rare malignancy derived from a sweat gland. Histologically sweat gland cancers resemble metastatic mammary apocrine carcinomas, but the genetic landscape remains poorly understood. Here, we report a rare metastatic case with a PALB2 aberration identified previously as a familial susceptibility gene for breast cancer in the Finnish population. As PALB2 exhibits functions in the BRCA1/2-RAD51-dependent homologous DNA recombination repair pathway, we sought to use ex vivo functional screening to explore sensitivity of the tumor cells to therapeutic targeting of DNA repair. Drug screening suggested sensitivity of the PALB2 deficient cells to BET-bromodomain inhibition, and modest sensitivity to DNA-PKi, ATRi, WEE1i and PARPi. A phenotypic RNAi screen of 300 DNA repair genes was undertaken to assess DNA repair targeting in more detail. Core members of the HR and MMEJ pathways were identified to be essential for viability of the cells. RNAi inhibition of RAD52-dependent HR on the other hand potentiated the efficacy of a novel BETi ODM-207. Together these results describe the first ever CAC case with a BRCAness genetic background, evaluate combinatorial DNA repair targeting, and provide a data resource for further analyses of DNA repair targeting in PALB2 deficient cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ville Härmä
- Misvik Biology Oy, Turku, Finland.,University of Sheffield, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Greg Wells
- University of Sheffield, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Sheffield, UK
| | - Zoi Lygerou
- University of Patras, Laboratory of General Biology, Patras, Greece
| | - Olle Sangfelt
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Juha K Rantala
- Misvik Biology Oy, Turku, Finland.,University of Sheffield, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Sheffield, UK
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38
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BRD4S interacts with viral E2 protein to limit human papillomavirus late transcription. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.02032-20. [PMID: 33731454 PMCID: PMC8139696 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02032-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The E2 protein encoded by human papillomaviruses (HPV) is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that recruits viral and cellular proteins. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a highly conserved interactor for E2 proteins that has been linked to E2's functions as transcription modulator, activator of viral replication and segregation factor for viral genomes. In addition to BRD4, a short form of BRD4 (BRD4S) is expressed from the BRD4 gene which lacks the C-terminal domain of BRD4. E2 proteins interact with the C-terminal motif (CTM) of BRD4, but a recent study suggested that the phospho-dependent interaction domain (PDID) and the basic interaction domain (BID) in BRD4 also bind to E2. These domains are also present in BRD4S. We now find that HPV31 E2 interacts with the isolated PDID domain in living cells and also with BRD4S which is present in detectable amounts in HPV-positive cell lines and is recruited into HPV31 E1 and E2 induced replication foci. Overexpression and knockdown experiments surprisingly indicate that BRD4S inhibits activities of E2. In line with that, the specific knockdown of BRD4S in the HPV31-positive CIN612-9E cell line induces mainly late viral transcripts. This occurs only in undifferentiated but not differentiated cells in which the productive viral replication cycle is induced. These data suggest that the BRD4S-E2 interaction is important to prevent HPV late gene expression in undifferentiated keratinocytes which may contribute to immune evasion and HPV persistence.ImportanceHuman papillomaviruses (HPV) have coevolved with their host by using cellular factors like bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) to control viral processes such as genome maintenance, gene expression and replication. We here show that, in addition to the C-terminal motif in BRD4, the phospho-dependent interaction domain in BRD4 interacts with E2 proteins which enable the recruitment of BRD4S, the short isoform of BRD4, to E2. Knock-down and overexpression of BRD4S reveals that BRD4S is a negative regulator of E2 activities. Importantly, the knockdown of BRD4S induces mainly L1 transcripts in undifferentiated CIN612-9E cells, which maintain replicating HPV31 genomes. Our study reveals an inhibitory role of BRD4S on HPV transcription, which may serve as an immune escape mechanism by the suppression of L1 transcripts and thus contribute to the establishment of persistent HPV infections.
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39
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Edwards DS, Maganti R, Tanksley JP, Luo J, Park JJH, Balkanska-Sinclair E, Ling J, Floyd SR. BRD4 Prevents R-Loop Formation and Transcription-Replication Conflicts by Ensuring Efficient Transcription Elongation. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108166. [PMID: 32966794 PMCID: PMC7507985 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective spatio-temporal control of transcription and replication during S-phase is paramount to maintaining genomic integrity and cell survival. Dysregulation of these systems can lead to conflicts between the transcription and replication machinery, causing DNA damage and cell death. BRD4 allows efficient transcriptional elongation by stimulating phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). We report that bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein loss of function (LOF) causes RNAPII pausing on the chromatin and DNA damage affecting cells in S-phase. This persistent RNAPII-dependent pausing leads to an accumulation of RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) at sites of BRD4 occupancy, leading to transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs), DNA damage, and cell death. Finally, our data show that the BRD4 C-terminal domain, which interacts with P-TEFb, is required to prevent R-loop formation and DNA damage caused by BET protein LOF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drake S Edwards
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Jarred P Tanksley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James J H Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | | | - Scott R Floyd
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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40
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Li L, Xie W, Gui Y, Zheng XL. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 and its role in cardiovascular diseases. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:4829-4840. [PMID: 33345363 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a chromatin-binding protein, is involved in the development of various tumors. Recent evidence suggests that BRD4 also plays a significant role in cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy. This review summarizes the roles of BRD4 as a potential regulator of various pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular diseases, implicating that BRD4 may be a new therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, Medical Research Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wei Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Anatomy, Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Gui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xi-Long Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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41
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Burdak-Rothkamm S, Mansour WY, Rothkamm K. DNA Damage Repair Deficiency in Prostate Cancer. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:974-984. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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42
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Wessel SR, Mohni KN, Luzwick JW, Dungrawala H, Cortez D. Functional Analysis of the Replication Fork Proteome Identifies BET Proteins as PCNA Regulators. Cell Rep 2020; 28:3497-3509.e4. [PMID: 31553917 PMCID: PMC6878991 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying proteins that function at replication forks is essential to understanding DNA replication, chromatin assembly, and replication-coupled DNA repair mechanisms. Combining quantitative mass spectrometry in multiple cell types with stringent statistical cutoffs, we generated a high-confidence catalog of 593 proteins that are enriched at replication forks and nascent chromatin. Loss-of-function genetic analyses indicate that 85% yield phenotypes that are consistent with activities in DNA and chromatin replication or already have described functions in these processes. We illustrate the value of this resource by identifying activities of the BET family proteins BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4 in controlling DNA replication. These proteins use their extra-terminal domains to bind and inhibit the ATAD5 complex and thereby control the amount of PCNA on chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Wessel
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kareem N Mohni
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jessica W Luzwick
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Huzefa Dungrawala
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - David Cortez
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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43
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Bian X, Wang X, Zhang Q, Ma L, Cao G, Xu A, Han J, Huang J, Lin W. The MYC Paralog-PARP1 Axis as a Potential Therapeutic Target in MYC Paralog-Activated Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:565820. [PMID: 33134168 PMCID: PMC7578565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.565820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is highly expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and has emerged as an attractive target for treatment of SCLC. However, the clinical significance of PARP1 expression in SCLC remains elusive. In this study, we showed that high PARP1 expression was associated with better overall survival (OS), and was positively correlated with the expression of MYC paralogs in patients with SCLC. We demonstrated that PARP1 was transcriptionally regulated by MYC paralogs. Integrative analysis of multiple RNA-seq data sets indicated that DNA damage response (DDR) genes involved in the replication stress response (RSR) and homologous recombination (HR) repair pathways were highly enriched in MYC paralog-addicted SCLC cell models and in human SCLC specimens. Targeting the MYC paralog-PARP1 axis with concomitant BET and PARP inhibition resulted in synergistic effects in MYC paralog-activated SCLC. Our study identified a critical PARP1 regulatory pathway, and provided evidence for a rational combination treatment strategy for MYC paralog-activated SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Bian
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Qiuyan Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Liying Ma
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Guozhen Cao
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Ao Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Department of Pathology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Jinhua Han
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenchu Lin
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, China.,High Magnetic Field Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
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44
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Tao Z, Li X, Wang H, Chen G, Feng Z, Wu Y, Yin H, Zhao G, Deng Z, Zhao C, Li Y, Sun T, Zhou Y. BRD4 regulates self-renewal ability and tumorigenicity of glioma-initiating cells by enrichment in the Notch1 promoter region. Clin Transl Med 2020; 10:e181. [PMID: 33135348 PMCID: PMC7533052 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family proteins are considered to be epigenetic readers that regulate gene expression by recognizing acetyl lysine residues on histones and nonhistone chromatin factors and have been classified as curative targets for a variety of cancers. Glioma-initiating cells (GICs), which commit self-renewal, perpetual proliferation, multidirectional differentiation, and vigorous tumorigenicity, sustain the peculiar genetic and epigenetic diversification in the GBM patients, thus, GICs result in tumor recurrence. Abundant evidence demonstrates that BET proteins regulate differentiation of stem cells. However, it endures ambiguous how individual BET proteins take part in GIC advancement, and how do small molecule inhibitors like I-BET151 target functional autonomous BET proteins. Here, we validated that BRD4, not BRD2 or BRD3, has value in targeted glioma therapy. We announce a signaling pathway concerning BRD4 and Notch1 that sustains the self-renewal of GICs. Moreover, in-depth mechanistic research showed that BRD4 was concentrated at the promoter region of Notch1 and may be involved in the process of tumor metabolism. Furthermore, in intracranial models, I-BET151 eliminated U87 GICs' tumorigenicity. The outcomes of this research could be conducive to design clinical trials for treatment of glioma based on BRD4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhennan Tao
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xuetao Li
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Hao Wang
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Guangliang Chen
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zibin Feng
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yue Wu
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Haoran Yin
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Guozheng Zhao
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Zhitong Deng
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Chaohui Zhao
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Ting Sun
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Youxin Zhou
- Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
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45
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The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitor JQ1 synergistically sensitizes human colorectal cancer cells to topoisomerase I inhibitors through repression of Mre11-mediated DNA repair pathway. Invest New Drugs 2020; 39:362-376. [PMID: 32981006 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01014-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives, irinotecan and topotecan are specific topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors and potent anticancer drugs. Mechanistically, they induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Although CPT is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the management of advanced colorectal cancer, there exist associated side effects. Herein, we aimed to establish novel drug combinations that can effectively aid in managing the CPT-related side effects. Besides, bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitors have proved as promising drugs that target epigenetic mechanisms in various cancers, they alter DNA repair processes, hence are a potential candidate for CPT synthetic lethality. A novel BET inhibitor JQ1 synergized with CPT, exerted antiproliferative effects. Through cell cycle analyses and apoptosis assays, we revealed that a combination of CPT and JQ1 induces subG1-phase arrest and enhances cell apoptosis. This combination increased the intensity of γ-H2AX staining, a specific marker of DSBs. Moreover, colorectal cancer cells highly expressing Top1 showed greater sensitivity to JQ1, which was lowered through the lentiviral shRNA-mediated knockdown of Top1. JQ1, combined with CPT, impeded the recruitment of the Mre11-mediated MRN complex. Finally, JQ1 enhanced the in vivo sensitivity of tumors to CPT without inducing toxicity. These results demonstrate that a combination of BET inhibitor with Top1 inhibitor is safe and exerts positive chemotherapeutic effects in colorectal cancer.
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46
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Systems Biology Approach Identifies Prognostic Signatures of Poor Overall Survival and Guides the Prioritization of Novel BET-CHK1 Combination Therapy for Osteosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092426. [PMID: 32859084 PMCID: PMC7564419 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) patients exhibit poor overall survival, partly due to copy number variations (CNVs) resulting in dysregulated gene expression and therapeutic resistance. To identify actionable prognostic signatures of poor overall survival, we employed a systems biology approach using public databases to integrate CNVs, gene expression, and survival outcomes in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult OS patients. Chromosome 8 was a hotspot for poor prognostic signatures. The MYC-RAD21 copy number gain (8q24) correlated with increased gene expression and poor overall survival in 90% of the patients (n = 85). MYC and RAD21 play a role in replication-stress, which is a therapeutically actionable network. We prioritized replication-stress regulators, bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins (BETs), and CHK1, in order to test the hypothesis that the inhibition of BET + CHK1 in MYC-RAD21+ pediatric OS models would be efficacious and safe. We demonstrate that MYC-RAD21+ pediatric OS cell lines were sensitive to the inhibition of BET (BETi) and CHK1 (CHK1i) at clinically achievable concentrations. While the potentiation of CHK1i-mediated effects by BETi was BET-BRD4-dependent, MYC expression was BET-BRD4-independent. In MYC-RAD21+ pediatric OS xenografts, BETi + CHK1i significantly decreased tumor growth, increased survival, and was well tolerated. Therefore, targeting replication stress is a promising strategy to pursue as a therapeutic option for this devastating disease.
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47
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Lam FC, Kong YW, Huang Q, Vu Han TL, Maffa AD, Kasper EM, Yaffe MB. BRD4 prevents the accumulation of R-loops and protects against transcription-replication collision events and DNA damage. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4083. [PMID: 32796829 PMCID: PMC7428008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17503-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper chromatin function and maintenance of genomic stability depends on spatiotemporal coordination between the transcription and replication machinery. Loss of this coordination can lead to DNA damage from increased transcription-replication collision events. We report that deregulated transcription following BRD4 loss in cancer cells leads to the accumulation of RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) and collisions with the replication machinery causing replication stress and DNA damage. Whole genome BRD4 and γH2AX ChIP-Seq with R-loop IP qPCR reveals that BRD4 inhibition leads to accumulation of R-loops and DNA damage at a subset of known BDR4, JMJD6, and CHD4 co-regulated genes. Interference with BRD4 function causes transcriptional downregulation of the DNA damage response protein TopBP1, resulting in failure to activate the ATR-Chk1 pathway despite increased replication stress, leading to apoptotic cell death in S-phase and mitotic catastrophe. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of BRD4 induces transcription-replication conflicts, DNA damage, and cell death in oncogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred C Lam
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X2, Canada.
| | - Yi Wen Kong
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Qiuying Huang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Tu-Lan Vu Han
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Amanda D Maffa
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ekkehard M Kasper
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, 237 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X2, Canada
| | - Michael B Yaffe
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Departments of Biology and Bioengineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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48
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Spriano F, Stathis A, Bertoni F. Targeting BET bromodomain proteins in cancer: The example of lymphomas. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107631. [PMID: 32693114 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Bromo- and Extra-Terminal domain (BET) family proteins act as "readers" of acetylated histones and they are important transcription regulators. BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT, part of the BET family, are important in different tumors, where upregulation or translocation often occurs. The potential of targeting BET proteins as anti-cancer treatment originated with data obtained with a first series of compounds, and there are now several data supporting BET inhibition in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Despite very positive preclinical data in different tumor types, the clinical results have been so far moderate. Using lymphoma as an example to review the data produced in the laboratory and in the context of the early clinical trials, we discuss the modalities to make BET targeting more efficient both generating novel generation of compounds and by exploring the combination with small molecules affecting various signaling pathways, BCL2, or DNA damage response signaling, but also with additional epigenetic agents and with immunotherapy. We also discuss the mechanisms of resistance and the toxicity profiles so far reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Spriano
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Anastasios Stathis
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Bertoni
- Institute of Oncology Research, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, USI, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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49
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Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms involve the placing (writing) or removal (erasing) of histone modifications that allow heterochromatin to transition to the open, activated euchromatin state necessary for transcription. A third, less studied epigenetic pathway involves the reading of these specific histone marks once placed. The BETs (bromodomain and extraterminal-containing protein family), which includes BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4 and the testis-restricted BRDT, are epigenetic reader proteins that bind to specific acetylated lysine residues on histone tails where they facilitate the assembly of transcription complexes including transcription factors and transcriptional machinery like RNA Polymerase II. As reviewed here, considerable recent data establishes BETs as novel determinants of induced transcriptional programs in vascular cells, like endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiac myocytes and inflammatory cells, like monocyte/macrophages, cellular settings where these epigenetic reader proteins couple proximal stimuli to chromatin, acting at super-enhancer regulatory regions to direct gene expression. BET inhibition, including the use of specific chemical BET inhibitors like JQ-1, has many reported effects in vivo in the cardiovascular setting, like decreasing atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, intimal hyperplasia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy. At the same time, data in endothelial cells, adipocytes, and elsewhere suggest BETs also help regulate gene expression under basal conditions. Studies in the cardiovascular setting have highlighted BET action as a means of controlling gene expression in differentiation, cell identity, and cell state transitions, whether physiological or pathological, adaptive, or maladaptive. While distinct BET inhibitors are being pursued as therapies in oncology, a large prospective clinical cardiovascular outcome study investigating the BET inhibitor RVX-208 (now called apabetalone) has already been completed. Independent of this specific agent and this one trial or the numerous unanswered questions that remain, BETs have emerged as novel epigenetic players involved in the execution of coordinated transcriptional programs in cardiovascular health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cristine Borck
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (P.C.B., J.P.)
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Davis Heart and Lung Institute, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus (L.-W.G.)
| | - Jorge Plutzky
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (P.C.B., J.P.)
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50
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Piha-Paul SA, Hann CL, French CA, Cousin S, Braña I, Cassier PA, Moreno V, de Bono JS, Harward SD, Ferron-Brady G, Barbash O, Wyce A, Wu Y, Horner T, Annan M, Parr NJ, Prinjha RK, Carpenter CL, Hilton J, Hong DS, Haas NB, Markowski MC, Dhar A, O’Dwyer PJ, Shapiro GI. Phase 1 Study of Molibresib (GSK525762), a Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain Protein Inhibitor, in NUT Carcinoma and Other Solid Tumors. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2020; 4:pkz093. [PMID: 32328561 PMCID: PMC7165800 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkz093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain proteins are promising epigenetic anticancer drug targets. This first-in-human study evaluated the safety, recommended phase II dose, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antitumor activity of the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain inhibitor molibresib (GSK525762) in patients with nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma (NC) and other solid tumors. METHODS This was a phase I and II, open-label, dose-escalation study. Molibresib was administered orally once daily. Single-patient dose escalation (from 2 mg/d) was conducted until the first instance of grade 2 or higher drug-related toxicity, followed by a 3 + 3 design. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained during weeks 1 and 3. Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels were measured as a pharmacodynamic biomarker. RESULTS Sixty-five patients received molibresib. During dose escalation, 11% experienced dose-limiting toxicities, including six instances of grade 4 thrombocytopenia, all with molibresib 60-100 mg. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events of any grade were thrombocytopenia (51%) and gastrointestinal events, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and dysgeusia (22%-42%), anemia (22%), and fatigue (20%). Molibresib demonstrated an acceptable safety profile up to 100 mg; 80 mg once daily was selected as the recommended phase II dose. Following single and repeat dosing, molibresib showed rapid absorption and elimination (maximum plasma concentration: 2 hours; t1/2: 3-7 hours). Dose-dependent reductions in circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels were observed. Among 19 patients with NC, four achieved either confirmed or unconfirmed partial response, eight had stable disease as best response, and four were progression-free for more than 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Once-daily molibresib was tolerated at doses demonstrating target engagement. Preliminary data indicate proof-of-concept in NC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christopher A French
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sophie Cousin
- Medical Oncology, Institute Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - Irene Braña
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Victor Moreno
- Medical Oncology, START Madrid-FJD, Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Johann S de Bono
- The Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rabinder K Prinjha
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - John Hilton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Naomi B Haas
- Abramson Cancer Center at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | | | - Geoffrey I Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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