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Xue W, Yang L, Chen C, Ashrafizadeh M, Tian Y, Sun R. Wnt/β-catenin-driven EMT regulation in human cancers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:79. [PMID: 38334836 PMCID: PMC10857981 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05099-7] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis accounts for 90% of cancer-related deaths among the patients. The transformation of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells with molecular alterations can occur during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The EMT mechanism accelerates the cancer metastasis and drug resistance ability in human cancers. Among the different regulators of EMT, Wnt/β-catenin axis has been emerged as a versatile modulator. Wnt is in active form in physiological condition due to the function of GSK-3β that destructs β-catenin, while ligand-receptor interaction impairs GSK-3β function to increase β-catenin stability and promote its nuclear transfer. Regarding the oncogenic function of Wnt/β-catenin, its upregulation occurs in human cancers and it can accelerate EMT-mediated metastasis and drug resistance. The stimulation of Wnt by binding Wnt ligands into Frizzled receptors can enhance β-catenin accumulation in cytoplasm that stimulates EMT and related genes upon nuclear translocation. Wnt/β-catenin/EMT axis has been implicated in augmenting metastasis of both solid and hematological tumors. The Wnt/EMT-mediated cancer metastasis promotes the malignant behavior of tumor cells, causing therapy resistance. The Wnt/β-catenin/EMT axis can be modulated by upstream mediators in which non-coding RNAs are main regulators. Moreover, pharmacological intervention, mainly using phytochemicals, suppresses Wnt/EMT axis in metastasis suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang, 712000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chengxin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yu Tian
- School of Public Health, Benedictine University, Lisle, USA.
| | - Ranran Sun
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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2
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Mehta NV, Degani MS. The expanding repertoire of covalent warheads for drug discovery. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103799. [PMID: 37839776 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The reactive functionalities of drugs that engage in covalent interactions with the enzyme/receptor residue in either a reversible or an irreversible manner are called 'warheads'. Covalent warheads that were previously neglected because of safety concerns have recently gained center stage as a result of their various advantages over noncovalent drugs, including increased selectivity, increased residence time, and higher potency. With the approval of several covalent inhibitors over the past decade, research in this area has accelerated. Various strategies are being continuously developed to tune the characteristics of warheads to improve their potency and mitigate toxicity. Here, we review research progress in warhead discovery over the past 5 years to provide valuable insights for future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrashee V Mehta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Mariam S Degani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Matunga, Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India.
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3
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Yan Z, Du Y, Zhang H, Zheng Y, Lv H, Dong N, He F. Research progress of anticancer drugs targeting CDK12. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1629-1644. [PMID: 37731700 PMCID: PMC10507796 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00004d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) is a transcription-associated CDK that plays key roles in transcription, translation, mRNA splicing, the cell cycle, and DNA damage repair. Research has identified that high expression of CDK12 in organs such as the breast, stomach, and uterus can lead to HER2-positive breast cancer, gastric cancer and cervical cancer. Inhibiting high expression of CDK12 suppresses tumor growth and proliferation, suggesting that it is both a biomarker for cancer and a potential target for cancer therapy. CDK12 inhibitors can competitively bind the CDK12 hydrophobic pocket with ATP to avoid CDK12 phosphorylation, blocking subsequent signaling pathways. The development of CDK12 inhibitors is challenging due to the high homology of CDK12 with other CDKs. This review summarizes the research progress of CDK12 inhibitors, their mechanism of action and the structure-activity relationship, providing new insights into the design of CDK12 selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijia Yan
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) 3501 Da Xue Road Jinan 250353 China
| | - Yongli Du
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) 3501 Da Xue Road Jinan 250353 China
| | - Haibin Zhang
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) 3501 Da Xue Road Jinan 250353 China
| | - Yong Zheng
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) 3501 Da Xue Road Jinan 250353 China
| | - Huiting Lv
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) 3501 Da Xue Road Jinan 250353 China
| | - Ning Dong
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) 3501 Da Xue Road Jinan 250353 China
| | - Fang He
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan 336 Nanxinzhuang West Road Jinan 250022 China
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4
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Cesari E, Ciucci A, Pieraccioli M, Caggiano C, Nero C, Bonvissuto D, Sillano F, Buttarelli M, Piermattei A, Loverro M, Camarda F, Greco V, De Bonis M, Minucci A, Gallo D, Urbani A, Vizzielli G, Scambia G, Sette C. Dual inhibition of CDK12 and CDK13 uncovers actionable vulnerabilities in patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:126. [PMID: 37202753 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02682-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is highly lethal, partly due to chemotherapy resistance and limited availability of targeted approaches. Cyclin dependent kinases 12 and 13 (CDK12/13) are promising therapeutic targets in human cancers, including HGSOC. Nevertheless, the effects of their inhibition in HGSOC and the potential synergy with other drugs are poorly known. METHODS We analyzed the effects of the CDK12/13 inhibitor THZ531 in HGSOC cells and patient-derived organoids (PDOs). RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR analyses were performed to identify the genome-wide effects of short-term CDK12/13 inhibition on the transcriptome of HGSOC cells. Viability assays with HGSOC cells and PDOs were performed to assess the efficacy of THZ531 as single agent or in combination with clinically relevant drugs. RESULTS The CDK12 and CDK13 genes are deregulated in HGSOC and their concomitant up-regulation with the oncogene MYC predicts poor prognosis. HGSOC cells and PDOs display high sensitivity to CDK12/13 inhibition, which synergizes with drugs in clinical use for HGSOC. Transcriptome analyses revealed cancer-relevant genes whose expression is repressed by dual CDK12/13 inhibition through impaired splicing. Combined treatment with THZ531 and inhibitors of pathways regulated by these cancer relevant genes (EGFR, RPTOR, ATRIP) exerted synergic effects on HGSOC PDO viability. CONCLUSIONS CDK12 and CDK13 represent valuable therapeutic targets for HGSOC. We uncovered a wide spectrum of CDK12/13 targets as potential therapeutic vulnerabilities for HGSOC. Moreover, our study indicates that CDK12/13 inhibition enhances the efficacy of approved drugs that are already in use for HGSOC or other human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cesari
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP Organoids Research Core Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ciucci
- GSTeP Organoids Research Core Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Pieraccioli
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP Organoids Research Core Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Caggiano
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP Organoids Research Core Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Nero
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Bonvissuto
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sillano
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Buttarelli
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Unit of Translational Medicine for Woman and Child Health, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Piermattei
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Loverro
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Camarda
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Greco
- Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics Research, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria De Bonis
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics Research, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Minucci
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics Research, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Gallo
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Unit of Translational Medicine for Woman and Child Health, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Department of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, Unity of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics Research, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vizzielli
- Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Santa Maria Della Misericordia" University Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- GSTeP Organoids Research Core Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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5
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Nameki RA, Chang H, Yu P, Abbasi F, Lin X, Reddy J, Haro M, Fonseca MAS, Freedman ML, Drapkin R, Corona RI, Lawrenson K. Rewiring of master transcription factor cistromes during high-grade serous ovarian cancer development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.11.536378. [PMID: 37090516 PMCID: PMC10120620 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.11.536378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factors MECOM, PAX8, SOX17 and WT1 are candidate master regulators of high-grade serous 'ovarian' cancer (HGSC), yet their cooperative role in the hypothesized tissue of origin, the fallopian tube secretory epithelium (FTSEC) is unknown. We generated 26 epigenome (CUT&TAG, CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq and HiC) data sets and 24 profiles of RNA-seq transcription factor knock-down followed by RNA sequencing in FTSEC and HGSC models to define binding sites and gene sets regulated by these factors in cis and trans. This revealed that MECOM, PAX8, SOX17 and WT1 are lineage-enriched, super-enhancer associated master regulators whose cooperative DNA-binding patterns and target genes are re-wired during tumor development. All four TFs were indispensable for HGSC clonogenicity and survival but only depletion of PAX8 and WT1 impaired FTSEC cell survival. These four TFs were pharmacologically inhibited by transcriptional inhibitors only in HGSCs but not in FTSECs. Collectively, our data highlights that tumor-specific epigenetic remodeling is tightly related to MECOM, PAX8, SOX17 and WT1 activity and these transcription factors are targetable in a tumor-specific manner through transcriptional inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbin A. Nameki
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heidi Chang
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pak Yu
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Forough Abbasi
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xianzhi Lin
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Reddy
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marcela Haro
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marcos AS Fonseca
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew L. Freedman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, PA, USA
| | - Rosario I. Corona
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kate Lawrenson
- Women’s Cancer Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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6
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Wang J, Zhou S, Cheng Y, Cheng L, Qin Y, Zhang Z, Bi A, Xiang H, He X, Tian X, Liu W, Zhang J, Peng C, Zhu Z, Huang M, Li Y, Zhuang G, Tan L. Selective Covalent Targeting of Pyruvate Kinase M2 Using Arsenous Warheads. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2608-2621. [PMID: 36723914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
There is growing interest in covalent targeted inhibitors in drug discovery against previously "undruggable" sites and targets. These molecules typically feature an electrophilic warhead that reacts with nucleophilic groups of protein residues, most notably the thiol group of cysteines. One main challenge in the field is to develop versatile utilizable warheads. Here, we characterize the unique features of novel arsenous warheads for reaction with thiol species in a reversible manner and further demonstrate that organoarsenic probes can be chemically tuned toward specific molecular targets by developing selective and potent inhibitors of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2). We show that compound 24 is a covalent and allosteric inhibitor of PKM2 and its orally bioavailable prodrug 25 exerts efficacious inhibition of PKM2-dependent tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our results introduce 25 and its derivatives as useful pharmacological tools and provide a general road map for targeting the protein cysteinome using arsenous warheads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyao Wang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shaoqing Zhou
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ying Qin
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Aiwei Bi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huaijiang Xiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinheng He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoxu Tian
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chao Peng
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Zhangjiang Lab, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhengjiang Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ying Li
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Guanglei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Li Tan
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
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7
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Salvi A, Hardy LR, Heath KN, Watry S, Pergande MR, Cologna SM, Burdette JE. PAX8 modulates the tumor microenvironment of high grade serous ovarian cancer through changes in the secretome. Neoplasia 2022; 36:100866. [PMID: 36586182 PMCID: PMC9816987 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100866] [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: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) arises from the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE), and in some cases, the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). PAX8 is a commonly used biomarker for HGSC and is expressed in ∼90% of HGSC. Although the OSE does not express PAX8, murine models of HGSC derived from the OSE acquire PAX8, suggesting that it is not only a marker of Müllerian origin, but also an essential part of cancer progression, potentially from both the OSE and FTE. Previously, we have shown that PAX8 loss in HGSC cells causes tumor cell death and reduces cell migration and invasion. Herein, secretome analysis was performed in PAX8 deleted cells and we identified a reduction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, collagen and fibronectin. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence in PAX8 deleted HGSC cells further validated the results from the secretome analysis. PAX8 loss reduced the amount of secreted TGFbeta, a cytokine that plays a crucial role in remodelling the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, PAX8 loss reduced the integrity of 3D spheroids and caused a reduction of ECM proteins fibronectin and collagen in 3D cultures. Due to the ubiquitous nature of PAX8 in HGSC, regardless of cell origin, and the association of its reduced expression with decreasing tumor burden, a PAX8 inhibitor could be a promising drug target against various types of HGSC. To accomplish this, we generated a murine oviductal epithelial (MOE) cell line stably expressing PAX8 promoter-luciferase. Using this cell line, we performed a screening assay with a library of FDA-approved drugs (Prestwick Library) and quantitatively assessed these compounds for their inhibition of PAX8. We identified two hits: losartan and captropril, both inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin pathway that inhibit PAX8 expression and function. Overall, this study validates PAX8 as a regulator of ECM deposition in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Salvi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Laura R. Hardy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Kimberly N. Heath
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Samantha Watry
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Melissa R. Pergande
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Cologna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Joanna E. Burdette
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA,Corresponding author.
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8
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Di Palma T, Zannini M. PAX8 as a Potential Target for Ovarian Cancer: What We Know so Far. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:1273-1280. [PMID: 36275185 PMCID: PMC9584354 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s361511] [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: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Fallopian tube epithelium harbors the origin cells for the majority of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSCs), the most lethal form of gynecologic malignancies. PAX8 belongs to the paired-box gene family of transcription factors and it is a marker of the FTE secretory cell lineage. Its role has been investigated in migration, invasion, proliferation, cell survival, stem cell maintenance, angiogenesis and tumor growth. In this review, we focus on the pro-tumorigenic role of PAX8 in ovarian cancer; in this context, PAX8 possibly continues to exert its transcriptional activity on its physiological targets but may also function on newly available targets after the tumorigenic hits. Acquiring new insights into the different PAX8 mechanism(s) of action in the tumor microenvironment could uncover new viable therapeutic targets and thus improve the current treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Di Palma
- IEOS - Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology ‘G. Salvatore’, National Research Council, Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Mariastella Zannini
- IEOS - Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology ‘G. Salvatore’, National Research Council, Napoli, 80131, Italy,Correspondence: Mariastella Zannini, IEOS - Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology ‘G. Salvatore’, National Research Council, via S. Pansini 5, Napoli, 80131, Italy, Tel +39-081-5465530, Fax +39-081-2296674, Email
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9
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Yu H, Li T, Mao X. Expression and Significance of Sex-Determining Region Y (SRY)–Box 12 (SOX12) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J BIOMATER TISS ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbt.2022.3147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a ubiquitous malignancy and is associated with high mortality. Accumulating evidence indicates that transcription factors play a pivotal role in the progression of OSCC. This study was aimed to investigate the expression of SOX12 in OSCC and its
significance. SOX12 expression in OSCC tissues was analyzed through TCGA databases and then tested by Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis. Moreover, SOX12 was silenced by RNA interference in OSCC cells (SCC-25 and SCC-4), and the growth ability of OSCC cells was examined using MTT assay. The
level of SOX12 was upregulated in OSCC according to the TCGA results, which was further confirmed in the OSCC cell lines. Patients with high SOX12 expression had shorter overall survival (OS) than those with low SOX12 expression. High expression of SOX12 is positively correlated with T stage
of OSCC. In addition, MTT analysis indicated that silencing of SOX12 resulted in reduced OSCC cell proliferation. Taken together, the high expression of SOX12 in OSCC indicates that SOX12 gene may play an essential role in OSCC. Our research indicates that SOX12 expression could be a predictive
biomarker and is a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijie Yu
- Department of Stomatology, The People’s Hospital of Dongying, Shandong, 257000, China
| | - Tianhua Li
- Department of Stomatology, The People’s Hospital of Dongying, Shandong, 257000, China
| | - Xuemei Mao
- Department of Stomatology, The People’s Hospital of Dongying, Shandong, 257000, China
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Kakun RR, Melamed Z, Perets R. PAX8 in the Junction between Development and Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137410. [PMID: 35806410 PMCID: PMC9266416 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal processes of embryonic development and abnormal transformation to cancer have many parallels, and in fact many aberrant cancer cell capabilities are embryonic traits restored in a distorted, unorganized way. Some of these capabilities are cell autonomous, such as proliferation and resisting apoptosis, while others involve a complex interplay with other cells that drives significant changes in neighboring cells. The correlation between embryonic development and cancer is driven by shared proteins. Some embryonic proteins disappear after embryogenesis in adult differentiated cells and are restored in cancer, while others are retained in adult cells, acquiring new functions upon transformation to cancer. Many embryonic factors embraced by cancer cells are transcription factors; some are master regulators that play a major role in determining cell fate. The paired box (PAX) domain family of developmental transcription factors includes nine members involved in differentiation of various organs. All paired box domain proteins are involved in different cancer types carrying pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic roles. This review focuses on PAX8, a master regulator of transcription in embryonic development of the thyroid, kidney, and male and female genital tracts. We detail the role of PAX8 in each of these organ systems, describe its role during development and in the adult if known, and highlight its pro-tumorigenic role in cancers that emerge from PAX8 expressing organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reli Rachel Kakun
- Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
| | - Zohar Melamed
- Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
| | - Ruth Perets
- Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Clinical Research Institute at Rambam, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel
- Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa 3109601, Israel;
- Correspondence:
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