1
|
Xin L, Wang C, Cheng Y, Wang H, Guo X, Deng X, Deng X, Xie B, Hu H, Min C, Dong C, Zhou HB. Discovery of Novel ERα and Aromatase Dual-Targeting PROTAC Degraders to Overcome Endocrine-Resistant Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8913-8931. [PMID: 38809993 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a pivotal role in the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of breast cancer (BC) cells, and aromatase (ARO) is a crucial enzyme in estrogen synthesis. Hence, it is necessary to inhibit estrogen production or the activity of ERα for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC. Herein, we present a new category of dual-targeting PROTAC degraders designed to specifically target ERα and ARO. Among them, compound 18c bifunctionally degrades and inhibits ERα/ARO, thus effectively suppressing the proliferation of MCF-7 cells while showing negligible cytotoxicity to normal cells. In vivo, 18c promotes the degradation of ERα and ARO and inhibits the growth of MCF-7 xenograft tumors. Finally, compound 18c demonstrates promising antiproliferative and ERα degradation activity against the ERαMUT cells. These findings suggest that 18c, being the inaugural dual-targeting degrader for ERα and ARO, warrants further advancement for the management of BC and the surmounting of endocrine resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilan Xin
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hongli Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xinyi Guo
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiaofei Deng
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiangping Deng
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Baohua Xie
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hankun Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Chang Min
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Chune Dong
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hai-Bing Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Min CK, Nwachukwu JC, Hou Y, Russo RJ, Papa A, Min J, Peng R, Kim SH, Ziegler Y, Rangarajan ES, Izard T, Katzenellenbogen BS, Katzenellenbogen JA, Nettles KW. Asymmetric allostery in estrogen receptor-α homodimers drives responses to the ensemble of estrogens in the hormonal milieu. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321344121. [PMID: 38830107 PMCID: PMC11181081 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321344121] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor-α (ER) is thought to function only as a homodimer but responds to a variety of environmental, metazoan, and therapeutic estrogens at subsaturating doses, supporting binding mixtures of ligands as well as dimers that are only partially occupied. Here, we present a series of flexible ER ligands that bind to receptor dimers with individual ligand poses favoring distinct receptor conformations-receptor conformational heterodimers-mimicking the binding of two different ligands. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the pairs of different ligand poses changed the correlated motion across the dimer interface to generate asymmetric communication between the dimer interface, the ligands, and the surface binding sites for epigenetic regulatory proteins. By examining the binding of the same ligand in crystal structures of ER in the agonist vs. antagonist conformers, we also showed that these allosteric signals are bidirectional. The receptor conformer can drive different ligand binding modes to support agonist vs. antagonist activity profiles, a revision of ligand binding theory that has focused on unidirectional signaling from the ligand to the coregulator binding site. We also observed differences in the allosteric signals between ligand and coregulator binding sites in the monomeric vs. dimeric receptor, and when bound by two different ligands, states that are physiologically relevant. Thus, ER conformational heterodimers integrate two different ligand-regulated activity profiles, representing different modes for ligand-dependent regulation of ER activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles K. Min
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Jerome C. Nwachukwu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Yingwei Hou
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Robin J. Russo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Alexandra Papa
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
- Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Jian Min
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan430062, China
| | - Rouming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-throughput Drug Screening Technology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan430062, China
| | - Sung Hoon Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Yvonne Ziegler
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Erumbi S. Rangarajan
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
| | - Tina Izard
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA92037
| | - Benita S. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - John A. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Kendall W. Nettles
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Herbert Wertheim University of Florida Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL33458
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fiocchetti M, Raimondi S, Bastari G, Bartoloni S, Marino M, Acconcia F. Characterization of ERα Signaling to Cell Proliferation Induced by Chronic and Pulsatile E2 Stimulation in 2D and 3D Cell Cultures. J Cell Biochem 2024:e30610. [PMID: 38860517 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30610] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
17β-estradiol is a hormone that plays a vital role in human physiology. It acts through estrogen receptors, specifically estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β, and its action is determined by the pulsatile secretion in the bloodstream. 17β-estradiol affects cell proliferation, and dysregulation of 17β-estradiol:estrogen receptor α signaling contribute to the development of breast cancer. Previous research on 17β-estradiol:estrogen receptor α signaling has primarily used two-dimensional cell cultures, which do not fully recapitulate the complexity of tumors that exist in a three-dimensional environment and do not consider the pulsatile nature of this hormone. To address these limitations, we studied 17β-estradiol:estrogen receptor α signaling in cell proliferation using both two-dimensional and three-dimensional breast cancer cell culture models under continuous and pulsatile stimulation conditions. Results revealed that breast cancer cells grown in an alginate-based three-dimensional matrix exhibited similar responsiveness to 17β-estradiol compared with cells grown in conventional two-dimensional culture plates. 17β-estradiol induced the expression of proteins containing estrogen response element in the three-dimensional model. The efficacy of the antiestrogen drugs fulvestrant (ICI182,280) and 4OH-tamoxifen was also demonstrated in the three-dimensional model. These results support the use of the three-dimensional culture model for studying tumor response to drugs and provide a more realistic microenvironment for such studies. Furthermore, the study revealed that a brief 5-min exposure to 17β-estradiol triggered a physiological response comparable with continuous hormone exposure, suggesting that the cellular response to 17β-estradiol is more important than the continuous presence of the hormone. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the alginate-based three-dimensional culture model is suitable for studying the effects of 17β-estradiol and antiestrogen drugs on breast cancer cells, offering a more realistic representation of tumor-microenvironment interactions. The results also highlight the importance of considering the physiological importance of the temporal dynamics in studying 17β-estradiol signaling and cellular responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fiocchetti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Raimondi
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Bastari
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Bartoloni
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Marino
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu Y, Li Z, Lee AV, Oesterreich S, Luo B. Liver tropism of ER mutant breast cancer is characterized by unique molecular changes and immune infiltration. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 205:371-386. [PMID: 38427312 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07255-4] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hotspot estrogen receptor alpha (ER/ESR1) mutations are recognized as the driver for both endocrine resistance and metastasis in advanced ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer, but their contributions to metastatic organ tropism remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we aim to comprehensively profile the organotropic metastatic pattern for ESR1 mutant breast cancer. METHODS The organ-specific metastatic pattern of ESR1 mutant breast cancer was delineated using multi-omics data from multiple publicly available cohorts of ER+ metastatic breast cancer patients. Gene mutation/copy number variation (CNV) and differential gene expression analyses were performed to identify the genomic and transcriptomic alterations uniquely associated with ESR1 mutant liver metastasis. Upstream regulator, downstream pathway, and immune infiltration analysis were conducted for subsequent mechanistic investigations. RESULTS ESR1 mutation-driven liver tropism was revealed by significant differences, encompassing a higher prevalence of liver metastasis in patients with ESR1 mutant breast cancer and an enrichment of mutations in liver metastatic samples. The significant enrichment of AGO2 copy number amplifications (CNAs) and multiple gene expression changes were revealed uniquely in ESR1 mutant liver metastasis. We also unveiled alterations in downstream signaling pathways and immune infiltration, particularly an enrichment of neutrophils, suggesting potential therapeutic vulnerabilities. CONCLUSION Our data provide a comprehensive characterization of the behaviors and mechanisms of ESR1 mutant liver metastasis, paving the way for the development of personalized therapy to target liver metastasis for patients with ESR1 mutant breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zheqi Li
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Adrian V Lee
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Women's Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102218, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Boyer JA, Sharma M, Dorso MA, Mai N, Amor C, Reiter JM, Kannan R, Gadal S, Xu J, Miele M, Li Z, Chen X, Chang Q, Pareja F, Worland S, Warner D, Sperry S, Chiang GG, Thompson PA, Yang G, Ouerfelli O, de Stanchina E, Wendel HG, Rosen EY, Chandarlapaty S, Rosen N. eIF4A controls translation of estrogen receptor alpha and is a therapeutic target in advanced breast cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.08.593195. [PMID: 38766126 PMCID: PMC11100762 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.08.593195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The majority of human breast cancers are dependent on hormone-stimulated estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and are sensitive to its inhibition. Treatment resistance arises in most advanced cancers due to genetic alterations that promote ligand independent activation of ER itself or ER target genes. Whereas re-targeting of the ER ligand binding domain (LBD) with newer ER antagonists can work in some cases, these drugs are largely ineffective in many genetic backgrounds including ER fusions that lose the LBD or in cancers that hyperactivate ER targets. By identifying the mechanism of ER translation, we herein present an alternative strategy to target ER and difficult to treat ER variants. We find that ER translation is cap-independent and mTOR inhibitor insensitive, but dependent on 5' UTR elements and sensitive to pharmacologic inhibition of the translation initiation factor eIF4A, an mRNA helicase. EIF4A inhibition rapidly reduces expression of ER and short-lived targets of ER such as cyclin D1 and other components of the cyclin D-CDK complex in breast cancer cells. These effects translate into suppression of growth of a variety of ligand-independent breast cancer models including those driven by ER fusion proteins that lack the ligand binding site. The efficacy of eIF4A inhibition is enhanced when it is combined with fulvestrant-an ER degrader. Concomitant inhibition of ER synthesis and induction of its degradation causes synergistic and durable inhibition of ER expression and tumor growth. The clinical importance of these findings is confirmed by results of an early clinical trial (NCT04092673) of the selective eIF4A inhibitor zotatifin in patients with estrogen receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. Multiple clinical responses have been observed on combination therapy including durable regressions. These data suggest that eIF4A inhibition could be a useful new strategy for treating advanced ER+ breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A. Boyer
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Malvika Sharma
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Madeline A. Dorso
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nicholas Mai
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corina Amor
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason M. Reiter
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Ram Kannan
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sunyana Gadal
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Jianing Xu
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Miele
- Microchemistry and Proteomics Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhuoning Li
- Microchemistry and Proteomics Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 11065, USA
| | - Qing Chang
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 11065, USA
| | - Fresia Pareja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephan Worland
- Department of Cancer Biology, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Douglas Warner
- Department of Cancer Biology, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Sam Sperry
- Department of Cancer Biology, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gary G. Chiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Peggy A. Thompson
- Department of Cancer Biology, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Guangli Yang
- The Organic Synthesis Core Facility, MSK, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 11065, USA
| | - Hans-Guido Wendel
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ezra Y. Rosen
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu R, Yang X, Tang B, Mao Y, Jiang F. Combined treatment of All-trans retinoic acid with Tamoxifen suppresses ovarian cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2024:10.1007/s00280-024-04671-7. [PMID: 38714534 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-024-04671-7] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor of the female reproductive system, and its mortality rate is as high as 70%. Estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive ovarian cancer accounted for most of all ovarian cancer patients. ERα can promote the growth and proliferation of tumors. METHODS The combined effect of All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and tamoxifen was obtained by the combination screening of tamoxifen and compound library by MTS. In addition, colony formation assay, flow cytometry analysis, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and tumor xenotransplantation models were used to further evaluate the efficacy of tamoxifen and ATRA in vitro and in vivo for ER-α-positive ovarian cancer. RESULTS In our study, we found that All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can cooperate with tamoxifen to cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibit ERα-positive ovarian cancer in vivo and in vitro. Further exploration of the mechanism found that ATRA can Inhibit genes related to the ERα signaling pathway, enhance the sensitivity of ERα-positive ovarian cancer cells to tamoxifen, and ascertain the effectiveness of tamoxifen and ATRA as treatments for ovarian cancer with an ERα-positive status. CONCLUSION Combination of ATRA and tamoxifen is a new way for the treatment of ERα-positive ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City, No.259, Middle Jiuhua Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Xiaowen Yang
- Department of Electrocardiogram, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City, No.259, Middle Jiuhua Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City, No.259, Middle Jiuhua Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Yifan Mao
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City, No.259, Middle Jiuhua Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Feiyun Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, East China Normal University Wuhu Affiliated Hospital, The Second People's Hospital of Wuhu City, No.259, Middle Jiuhua Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu, 241000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Toska E. Epigenetic mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy resistance in estrogen-receptor (ER+) breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189097. [PMID: 38518961 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189097] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most frequent breast cancer subtype. Agents targeting the ER signaling pathway have been successful in reducing mortality from breast cancer for decades. However, mechanisms of resistance to these treatments arise, especially in the metastatic setting. Recently, it has been recognized that epigenetic dysregulation is a common feature that facilitates the acquisition of cancer hallmarks across cancer types, including ER+ breast cancer. Alterations in epigenetic regulators and transcription factors (TF) coupled with changes to the chromatin landscape have been found to orchestrate breast oncogenesis, metastasis, and the development of a resistant phenotype. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how the epigenome dictates breast cancer tumorigenesis and resistance to targeted therapies and discuss novel therapeutic interventions for overcoming resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eneda Toska
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hancock GR, Gertz J, Jeselsohn R, Fanning SW. Estrogen Receptor Alpha Mutations, Truncations, Heterodimers, and Therapies. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae051. [PMID: 38643482 PMCID: PMC11075793 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Annual breast cancer (BCa) deaths have declined since its apex in 1989 concomitant with widespread adoption of hormone therapies that target estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), the prominent nuclear receptor expressed in ∼80% of BCa. However, up to ∼50% of patients who are ER+ with high-risk disease experience post endocrine therapy relapse and metastasis to distant organs. The vast majority of BCa mortality occurs in this setting, highlighting the inadequacy of current therapies. Genomic abnormalities to ESR1, the gene encoding ERα, emerge under prolonged selective pressure to enable endocrine therapy resistance. These genetic lesions include focal gene amplifications, hotspot missense mutations in the ligand binding domain, truncations, fusions, and complex interactions with other nuclear receptors. Tumor cells utilize aberrant ERα activity to proliferate, spread, and evade therapy in BCa as well as other cancers. Cutting edge studies on ERα structural and transcriptional relationships are being harnessed to produce new therapies that have shown benefits in patients with ESR1 hotspot mutations. In this review we discuss the history of ERα, current research unlocking unknown aspects of ERα signaling including the structural basis for receptor antagonism, and future directions of ESR1 investigation. In addition, we discuss the development of endocrine therapies from their inception to present day and survey new avenues of drug development to improve pharmaceutical profiles, targeting, and efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Govinda R Hancock
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60513, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60513, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lafront C, Germain L, Campolina-Silva GH, Weidmann C, Berthiaume L, Hovington H, Brisson H, Jobin C, Frégeau-Proulx L, Cotau R, Gonthier K, Lacouture A, Caron P, Ménard C, Atallah C, Riopel J, Latulippe É, Bergeron A, Toren P, Guillemette C, Pelletier M, Fradet Y, Belleannée C, Pouliot F, Lacombe L, Lévesque É, Audet-Walsh É. The estrogen signaling pathway reprograms prostate cancer cell metabolism and supports proliferation and disease progression. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e170809. [PMID: 38625747 PMCID: PMC11142735 DOI: 10.1172/jci170809] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Just like the androgen receptor (AR), the estrogen receptor α (ERα) is expressed in the prostate and is thought to influence prostate cancer (PCa) biology. Yet the incomplete understanding of ERα functions in PCa hinders our ability to fully comprehend its clinical relevance and restricts the repurposing of estrogen-targeted therapies for the treatment of this disease. Using 2 human PCa tissue microarray cohorts, we first demonstrate that nuclear ERα expression was heterogeneous among patients, being detected in only half of the tumors. Positive nuclear ERα levels were correlated with disease recurrence, progression to metastatic PCa, and patient survival. Using in vitro and in vivo models of the normal prostate and PCa, bulk and single-cell RNA-Seq analyses revealed that estrogens partially mimicked the androgen transcriptional response and activated specific biological pathways linked to proliferation and metabolism. Bioenergetic flux assays and metabolomics confirmed the regulation of cancer metabolism by estrogens, supporting proliferation. Using cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids, selective estrogen receptor modulators, a pure anti-estrogen, and genetic approaches impaired cancer cell proliferation and growth in an ERα-dependent manner. Overall, our study revealed that, when expressed, ERα functionally reprogrammed PCa metabolism, was associated with disease progression, and could be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lafront
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Lucas Germain
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Gabriel H. Campolina-Silva
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Cindy Weidmann
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Line Berthiaume
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Hélène Hovington
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Hervé Brisson
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Cynthia Jobin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Lilianne Frégeau-Proulx
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Raul Cotau
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Kevin Gonthier
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Aurélie Lacouture
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick Caron
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Claire Ménard
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Chantal Atallah
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pathology, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Riopel
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pathology, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Éva Latulippe
- Department of Pathology, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Alain Bergeron
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Paul Toren
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Chantal Guillemette
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, and
| | - Martin Pelletier
- Department of Microbiology-Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Infectious and Immune Diseases Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- ARThrite Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Yves Fradet
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Clémence Belleannée
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Pouliot
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Louis Lacombe
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Oncology Research Division, CRCHUQ-UL, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Surgery
| | - Éric Lévesque
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Étienne Audet-Walsh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Endocrinology and Nephrology Division, CHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center (CRCHUQ-UL), Quebec City, Québec, Canada
- Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cipolletti M, Acconcia F. PMM2 controls ERα levels and cell proliferation in ESR1 Y537S variant expressing breast cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 584:112160. [PMID: 38266771 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer (BC) subtypes offers potential personalized treatment targets. Estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive BC patients undergoing endocrine therapy (ET) can develop ET-resistant metastatic disease. Specific mutations, like Y537S in ERα, drive uncontrolled cell proliferation. Targeting mutant receptor levels shows promise for inhibiting growth in metastatic BC expressing ERα variants. Additionally, metabolic reprogramming occurs in ERα Y537S mutant cells. Consequently, we conducted a screen to identify metabolic proteins reducing intracellular levels of ERα Y537S and inhibiting cell proliferation. METHODS Nine metabolic proteins were identified in a siRNA-based screen, with phosphomannose mutase 2 (PMM2) showing the most promise. We measured the impact of PMM2 depletion on ERα stability and cell proliferation in ERα Y537S mutant cells. Additionally, we tested the effect of PMM2 reduction on the hyperactive phenotype of the mutant and its proliferation when combined with metastatic BC treatment drugs. RESULTS PMM2 emerged as a significant target due to its correlation with better relapse-free survival, overexpression in ERα-positive tumors, and its elevation in ERα Y537S-expressing cells. Depletion of PMM2 induces degradation of ERα Y537S, inhibits cell proliferation, and reduces ERα signaling. Notably, reducing PMM2 levels re-sensitizes ERα Y537S-expressing cells to certain ET drugs and CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors. Mechanistically, depletion of PMM2 leads to a reduction in ESR1 mRNA levels, resulting in decreased ERα receptor protein expression. Furthermore, the reduction of PMM2 decreases FOXA1 levels, which plays a crucial role in ERα regulation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings establish PMM2 as an innovative therapeutic target for metastatic BC expressing the ERα Y537S variant, offering alternative strategies for managing and treating this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Cipolletti
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Acconcia
- Department of Sciences, Section Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Min CK, Nwachukwu JC, Hou Y, Russo RJ, Papa A, Min J, Peng R, Kim SH, Ziegler Y, Rangarajan ES, Izard T, Katzenellenbogen BS, Katzenellenbogen JA, Nettles KW. Asymmetric Allostery in Estrogen Receptor-α Homodimers Drives Responses to the Ensemble of Estrogens in the Hormonal Milieu. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588871. [PMID: 38645081 PMCID: PMC11030373 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor-α (ER) is thought to function only as a homodimer, but responds to a variety of environmental, metazoan, and therapeutic estrogens at sub-saturating doses, supporting binding mixtures of ligands as well as dimers that are only partially occupied. Here, we present a series of flexible ER ligands that bind to receptor dimers with individual ligand poses favoring distinct receptor conformations -receptor conformational heterodimers-mimicking the binding of two different ligands. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the pairs of different ligand poses changed the correlated motion across the dimer interface to generate asymmetric communication between the dimer interface, the ligands, and the surface binding sites for epigenetic regulatory proteins. By examining binding of the same ligand in crystal structures of ER in the agonist versus antagonist conformers, we also showed that these allosteric signals are bidirectional. The receptor conformer can drive different ligand binding modes to support agonist versus antagonist activity profiles, a revision of ligand binding theory that has focused on unidirectional signaling from ligand to the coregulator binding site. We also observed differences in the allosteric signals between ligand and coregulator binding sites in the monomeric versus dimeric receptor, and when bound by two different ligands, states that are physiologically relevant. Thus, ER conformational heterodimers integrate two different ligand-regulated activity profiles, representing new modes for ligand-dependent regulation of ER activity. Significance The estrogen receptor-α (ER) regulates transcription in response to a hormonal milieu that includes low levels of estradiol, a variety of environmental estrogens, as well as ER antagonists such as breast cancer anti-hormonal therapies. While ER has been studied as a homodimer, the variety of ligand and receptor concentrations in different tissues means that the receptor can be occupied with two different ligands, with only one ligand in the dimer, or as a monomer. Here, we use X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulations to reveal a new mode for ligand regulation of ER activity whereby sequence-identical homodimers can act as functional or conformational heterodimers having unique signaling characteristics, with ligand-selective allostery operating across the dimer interface integrating two different signaling outcomes.
Collapse
|
12
|
Li H, Zhang W, Liu Y, Cai Z, Lan A, Shu D, Shen M, Li K, Pu D, Tan W, Liu S, Peng Y. UTRN as a potential biomarker in breast cancer: a comprehensive bioinformatics and in vitro study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7702. [PMID: 38565593 PMCID: PMC10987506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58124-5] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Utrophin (UTRN), known as a tumor suppressor, potentially regulates tumor development and the immune microenvironment. However, its impact on breast cancer's development and treatment remains unstudied. We conducted a thorough examination of UTRN using both bioinformatic and in vitro experiments in this study. We discovered UTRN expression decreased in breast cancer compared to standard samples. High UTRN expression correlated with better prognosis. Drug sensitivity tests and RT-qPCR assays revealed UTRN's pivotal role in tamoxifen resistance. Furthermore, the Kruskal-Wallis rank test indicated UTRN's potential as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer and its utility in detecting T stage of breast cancer. Additionally, our results demonstrated UTRN's close association with immune cells, inhibitors, stimulators, receptors, and chemokines in breast cancer (BRCA). This research provides a novel perspective on UTRN's role in breast cancer's prognostic and therapeutic value. Low UTRN expression may contribute to tamoxifen resistance and a poor prognosis. Specifically, UTRN can improve clinical decision-making and raise the diagnosis accuracy of breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Zehao Cai
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Ailin Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Shu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiying Shen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Dongyao Pu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenhao Tan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Shengchun Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Peng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Eerlings R, Gupta P, Lee XY, Nguyen T, El Kharraz S, Handle F, Smeets E, Moris L, Devlies W, Vandewinkel B, Thiry I, Ta DT, Gorkovskiy A, Voordeckers K, Henckaerts E, Pinheiro VB, Claessens F, Verstrepen KJ, Voet A, Helsen C. Rational evolution for altering the ligand preference of estrogen receptor alpha. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4940. [PMID: 38511482 PMCID: PMC10955623 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4940] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α is commonly used in synthetic biology to control the activity of genome editing tools. The activating ligands, estrogens, however, interfere with various cellular processes, thereby limiting the applicability of this receptor. Altering its ligand preference to chemicals of choice solves this hurdle but requires adaptation of unspecified ligand-interacting residues. Here, we provide a solution by combining rational protein design with multi-site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution of stably integrated variants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method yielded an estrogen receptor variant, named TERRA, that lost its estrogen responsiveness and became activated by tamoxifen, an anti-estrogenic drug used for breast cancer treatment. This tamoxifen preference of TERRA was maintained in mammalian cells and mice, even when fused to Cre recombinase, expanding the mammalian synthetic biology toolbox. Not only is our platform transferable to engineer ligand preference of any steroid receptor, it can also profile drug-resistance landscapes for steroid receptor-targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roy Eerlings
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Purvi Gupta
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Xiao Yin Lee
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Tien Nguyen
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Sarah El Kharraz
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Florian Handle
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Elien Smeets
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Lisa Moris
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of UrologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Wout Devlies
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Department of UrologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Bram Vandewinkel
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Irina Thiry
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Duy Tien Ta
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Anton Gorkovskiy
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Karin Voordeckers
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Els Henckaerts
- Laboratory of Viral Cell Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and TransplantationKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Vitor B. Pinheiro
- KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological SciencesRega Institute for Medical ResearchLeuvenBelgium
| | - Frank Claessens
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Kevin J. Verstrepen
- Laboratory of Systems BiologyVIB‐KU Leuven Center for MicrobiologyLeuvenBelgium
- Laboratory for Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2SKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Arnout Voet
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Christine Helsen
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Goldberg J, Qiao N, Guerriero JL, Gross B, Meneksedag Y, Lu YF, Philips AV, Rahman T, Meric-Bernstam F, Roszik J, Chen K, Jeselsohn R, Tolaney SM, Peoples GE, Alatrash G, Mittendorf EA. Estrogen Receptor Mutations as Novel Targets for Immunotherapy in Metastatic Estrogen Receptor-positive Breast Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:496-504. [PMID: 38335301 PMCID: PMC10883292 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is not considered immunogenic and, to date, has been proven resistant to immunotherapy. Endocrine therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment for ER+ breast cancers. However, constitutively activating mutations in the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene can emerge during treatment, rendering tumors resistant to endocrine therapy. Although these mutations represent a pathway of resistance, they also represent a potential source of neoepitopes that can be targeted by immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated ESR1 mutations as novel targets for breast cancer immunotherapy. Using machine learning algorithms, we identified ESR1-derived peptides predicted to form stable complexes with HLA-A*0201. We then validated the binding affinity and stability of the top predicted peptides through in vitro binding and dissociation assays and showed that these peptides bind HLA-A*0201 with high affinity and stability. Using tetramer assays, we confirmed the presence and expansion potential of antigen-specific CTLs from healthy female donors. Finally, using in vitro cytotoxicity assays, we showed the lysis of peptide-pulsed targets and breast cancer cells expressing common ESR1 mutations by expanded antigen-specific CTLs. Ultimately, we identified five peptides derived from the three most common ESR1 mutations (D538G, Y537S, and E380Q) and their associated wild-type peptides, which were the most immunogenic. Overall, these data confirm the immunogenicity of epitopes derived from ESR1 and highlight the potential of these peptides to be targeted by novel immunotherapy strategies. SIGNIFICANCE Estrogen receptor (ESR1) mutations have emerged as a key factor in endocrine therapy resistance. We identified and validated five novel, immunogenic ESR1-derived peptides that could be targeted through vaccine-based immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Goldberg
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Na Qiao
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jennifer L Guerriero
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brett Gross
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Yoshimi F Lu
- McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Anne V Philips
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Tasnim Rahman
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Genomic Medicine, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ken Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sara M Tolaney
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Gheath Alatrash
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elizabeth A Mittendorf
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kingston B, Pearson A, Herrera-Abreu MT, Sim LX, Cutts RJ, Shah H, Moretti L, Kilburn LS, Johnson H, Macpherson IR, Ring A, Bliss JM, Hou Y, Toy W, Katzenellenbogen JA, Chandarlapaty S, Turner NC. ESR1 F404 Mutations and Acquired Resistance to Fulvestrant in ESR1-Mutant Breast Cancer. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:274-289. [PMID: 37982575 PMCID: PMC10850945 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-1387] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Fulvestrant is used to treat patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer, but acquired resistance is poorly understood. PlasmaMATCH Cohort A (NCT03182634) investigated the activity of fulvestrant in patients with activating ESR1 mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Baseline ESR1 mutations Y537S are associated with poor outcomes and Y537C with good outcomes. Sequencing of baseline and EOT ctDNA samples (n = 69) revealed 3/69 (4%) patients acquired novel ESR1 F404 mutations (F404L, F404I, and F404V), in cis with activating mutations. In silico modeling revealed that ESR1 F404 contributes to fulvestrant binding to estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) through a pi-stacking bond, with mutations disrupting this bond. In vitro analysis demonstrated that single F404L, E380Q, and D538G models were less sensitive to fulvestrant, whereas compound mutations D538G + F404L and E380Q + F404L were resistant. Several oral ERα degraders were active against compound mutant models. We have identified a resistance mechanism specific to fulvestrant that can be targeted by treatments in clinical development. SIGNIFICANCE Novel F404 ESR1 mutations may be acquired to cause overt resistance to fulvestrant when combined with preexisting activating ESR1 mutations. Novel combinations of mutations in the ER ligand binding domain may cause drug-specific resistance, emphasizing the potential of similar drug-specific mutations to impact the efficacy of oral ER degraders in development. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 201.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Kingston
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Pearson
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Teresa Herrera-Abreu
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Li-Xuan Sim
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalind J. Cutts
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heena Shah
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Moretti
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy S. Kilburn
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Johnson
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Iain R. Macpherson
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair Ring
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Judith M. Bliss
- Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yingwei Hou
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Weiyi Toy
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York
| | - John A. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York
| | - Nicholas C. Turner
- The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Breast Unit, The Royal Marsden Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gautam N, Ramamoorthi G, Champion N, Han HS, Czerniecki BJ. Reviewing the significance of dendritic cell vaccines in interrupting breast cancer development. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 95:101239. [PMID: 38150884 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101239] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and is the most prevalent cancer in women. According to the U.S breast cancer statistics, about 1 in every 8 women develop an invasive form of breast cancer during their lifetime. Immunotherapy has been a significant advancement in the treatment of cancer with multiple studies reporting favourable patient outcomes by modulating the immune response to cancer cells. Here, we review the significance of dendritic cell vaccines in treating breast cancer patients. We discuss the involvement of dendritic cells and oncodrivers in breast tumorigenesis, highlighting the rationale for targeting oncodrivers and neoantigens using dendritic cell vaccine therapy. We review different dendritic cell subsets and maturation states previously used to develop vaccines and suggest the use of DC vaccines for breast cancer prevention. Further, we highlight that the intratumoral delivery of type 1 dendritic cell vaccines in breast cancer patients activates tumor antigen-specific CD4+ T helper cell type 1 (Th1) cells, promoting an anti-tumorigenic immune response while concurrently blocking pro-tumorigenic responses. In summary, this review provides an overview of the current state of dendritic cell vaccines in breast cancer highlighting the challenges and considerations necessary for an efficient dendritic cell vaccine design in interrupting breast cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Gautam
- Clinical Science & Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ganesan Ramamoorthi
- Clinical Science & Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nicholas Champion
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Hyo S Han
- Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Brian J Czerniecki
- Clinical Science & Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dziubańska-Kusibab PJ, Nevedomskaya E, Haendler B. Preclinical Anticipation of On- and Off-Target Resistance Mechanisms to Anti-Cancer Drugs: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:705. [PMID: 38255778 PMCID: PMC10815614 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020705] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The advent of targeted therapies has led to tremendous improvements in treatment options and their outcomes in the field of oncology. Yet, many cancers outsmart precision drugs by developing on-target or off-target resistance mechanisms. Gaining the ability to resist treatment is the rule rather than the exception in tumors, and it remains a major healthcare challenge to achieve long-lasting remission in most cancer patients. Here, we discuss emerging strategies that take advantage of innovative high-throughput screening technologies to anticipate on- and off-target resistance mechanisms before they occur in treated cancer patients. We divide the methods into non-systematic approaches, such as random mutagenesis or long-term drug treatment, and systematic approaches, relying on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system, saturated mutagenesis, or computational methods. All these new developments, especially genome-wide CRISPR-based screening platforms, have significantly accelerated the processes for identification of the mechanisms responsible for cancer drug resistance and opened up new avenues for future treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernard Haendler
- Research and Early Development Oncology, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer AG, Müllerstr. 178, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (P.J.D.-K.); (E.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Irani S, Tan W, Li Q, Toy W, Jones C, Gadiya M, Marra A, Katzenellenbogen JA, Carlson KE, Katzenellenbogen BS, Karimi M, Segu Rajappachetty R, Del Priore IS, Reis-Filho JS, Shen Y, Chandarlapaty S. Somatic estrogen receptor α mutations that induce dimerization promote receptor activity and breast cancer proliferation. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e163242. [PMID: 37883178 PMCID: PMC10760953 DOI: 10.1172/jci163242] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Physiologic activation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) is mediated by estradiol (E2) binding in the ligand-binding pocket of the receptor, repositioning helix 12 (H12) to facilitate binding of coactivator proteins in the unoccupied coactivator binding groove. In breast cancer, activation of ERα is often observed through point mutations that lead to the same H12 repositioning in the absence of E2. Through expanded genetic sequencing of breast cancer patients, we identified a collection of mutations located far from H12 but nonetheless capable of promoting E2-independent transcription and breast cancer cell growth. Using machine learning and computational structure analyses, this set of mutants was inferred to act distinctly from the H12-repositioning mutants and instead was associated with conformational changes across the ERα dimer interface. Through both in vitro and in-cell assays of full-length ERα protein and isolated ligand-binding domain, we found that these mutants promoted ERα dimerization, stability, and nuclear localization. Point mutations that selectively disrupted dimerization abrogated E2-independent transcriptional activity of these dimer-promoting mutants. The results reveal a distinct mechanism for activation of ERα function through enforced receptor dimerization and suggest dimer disruption as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat ER-dependent cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seema Irani
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wuwei Tan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Qing Li
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Weiyi Toy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Catherine Jones
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mayur Gadiya
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Antonio Marra
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - John A. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and the Cancer Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Kathryn E. Carlson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and the Cancer Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Benita S. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and the Cancer Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Mostafa Karimi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Ramya Segu Rajappachetty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Isabella S. Del Priore
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jorge S. Reis-Filho
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology and Department of Translational Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang P, Yang X, Wang D, Yang H, Li Z, Zhang C, Zhang S, Zhu J, Li X, Su P, Zhuang T. PSMD14 stabilizes estrogen signaling and facilitates breast cancer progression via deubiquitinating ERα. Oncogene 2024; 43:248-264. [PMID: 38017133 PMCID: PMC10798890 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02905-1] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The over-activation of ERα signaling is regarded as the major driver for luminal breast cancers, which could be effective controlled via selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM), such as tamoxifen. The endocrine resistance is still a challenge for breast cancer treatment, while recently studies implicate the post-translational modification on ERα play important roles in endocrine resistance. The stability of ERα protein and ERα transcriptome are subject to a balance between E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Through deubiquitinases siRNA library screening, we discover PSMD14 as a critical deubiquitinase for ERα signaling and breast cancer progression. PSMD14 could facilitate breast cancer progression through ERα signaling in vitro and in vivo, while pharmaceutical inhibition of PSMD14 via Thiolutin could block the tumorigenesis in breast cancer. In endocrine resistant models, PSMD14 inhibition could de-stabilize the resistant form of ERα (Y537S) and restore tamoxifen sensitivity. Molecular studies reveal that PSMD14 could inhibition K48-linked poly-ubiquitination on ERα, facilitate ERα transcriptome. Interestingly, ChIP assay shows that ERα could bind to the promoter region of PSMD14 and facilitate its gene transcription, which indicates PSMD14 is both the upstream modulator and downstream target for ERα signaling in breast cancer. In general, we identified a novel positive feedback loop between PSMD14 and ERα signaling in breast cancer progression, while blockade of PSMD14 could be a plausible strategy for luminal breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Penghe Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Central Hospital, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Dehai Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Huijie Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Zhongbo Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Chenmiao Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Shuqing Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, PR China.
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, Liaoning Province, PR China.
| | - Peng Su
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Ting Zhuang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China.
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Perugino F, Pedroni L, Galaverna G, Dall'Asta C, Dellafiora L. A mechanistic toxicology study to grasp the mechanics of zearalenone estrogenicity: Spotlighting aromatase and the effects of its genetic variability. Toxicology 2024; 501:153686. [PMID: 38036094 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153686] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycoestrogen produced by Fusarium fungi contaminating cereals and in grain-based products threatening human and animal health due to its endocrine disrupting effects. Germane to the mechanisms of action, ZEN may activate the estrogen receptors and inhibit the estrogens-producing enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1). Both show single nucleotide variants (SNVs) among humans associated with a diverse susceptibility of being activated or inhibited. These variations might modify the endocrine disrupting action of ZEN, requiring dedicated studies to improve its toxicological understanding. This work focused on human aromatase investigating via 3D molecular modelling whether some of the SNVs reported so far (n = 434) may affect the inhibitory potential of ZEN. It has been also calculated the inhibition capability of α-zearalenol, the most prominent and estrogenically potent phase I metabolite of ZEN, toward those aromatase variants with an expected diverse sensitivity of being inhibited by ZEN. The study: i) described SNVs likely associated with a different susceptibility to ZEN and α-zearalenol inhibition - like T310S that is likely more susceptible to inhibition, or D309G and S478F that are possibly inactive variants; ii) proofed the possible existence of inter-individual susceptibility to ZEN; iii) prioritized aromatase variants for future investigations toward a better comprehension of ZEN xenoestrogenicity at an individual level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florinda Perugino
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pedroni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zekri A, Harkati D, Kenouche S, Saleh BA, Alnajjar R. A computational study of potent series of selective estrogen receptor degraders for breast cancer therapy. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:11078-11100. [PMID: 36537313 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2159877] [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: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A detailed multistep framework combining quantitative structure-activity relationship, global reactivity, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination properties, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MD) on a series of Selective Estrogen Receptor Down-Regulators (SERDs) interacting with Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) has been performed. The partial least squares regression method derived an empirical model with better predictive capability. The results of global reactivity descriptors revealed that all the compounds are considered strong electrophiles, allowing them to participate in polar reactions more easily. The Brain Or IntestinaL EstimateD permeation diagram revealed that compounds 49 and 31 were predicted to be well absorbed by the human gastrointestinal tract and would not enter the brain. The elucidation of the binding mode between the most active compounds that comply with Lipinski's and Veber's rules from the dataset and ERα targets was explored by molecular docking. The MD simulations were performed for 100 ns on the best compounds, which indicated their stability state under dynamics simulations. These findings are expected to help predict the anticancer activities of the studied SERD compounds and better understand their binding mechanism with ERα targets.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afaf Zekri
- Group of Computational and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, LMCE Laboratory, University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Dalal Harkati
- Group of Computational and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, LMCE Laboratory, University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Samir Kenouche
- Group of Modeling of Chemical Systems Using Quantum Calculations, Applied Chemistry Laboratory, University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Basil A Saleh
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
| | - Radwan Alnajjar
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Betz M, Massard V, Gilson P, Witz A, Dardare J, Harlé A, Merlin JL. ESR1 Gene Mutations and Liquid Biopsy in ER-Positive Breast Cancers: A Small Step Forward, a Giant Leap for Personalization of Endocrine Therapy? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5169. [PMID: 37958343 PMCID: PMC10649433 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215169] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The predominant forms of breast cancer (BC) are hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumors characterized by the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) and/or progesterone receptors (PRs). Patients with HR+ tumors can benefit from endocrine therapy (ET). Three types of ET are approved for the treatment of HR+ BCs and include selective ER modulators, aromatase inhibitors, and selective ER downregulators. ET is the mainstay of adjuvant treatment in the early setting and the backbone of the first-line treatment in an advanced setting; however, the emergence of acquired resistance can lead to cancer recurrence or progression. The mechanisms of ET resistance are often related to the occurrence of mutations in the ESR1 gene, which encodes the ER-alpha protein. As ESR1 mutations are hardly detectable at diagnosis but are present in 30% to 40% of advanced BC (ABC) after treatment, the timeline of testing is crucial. To manage this resistance, ESR1 testing has recently been recommended; in ER+ HER2- ABC and circulating cell-free DNA, so-called liquid biopsy appears to be the most convenient way to detect the emergence of ESR1 mutations. Technically, several options exist, including Next Generation Sequencing and ultra-sensitive PCR-based techniques. In this context, personalization of ET through the surveillance of ESR1 mutations in the plasma of HR+ BC patients throughout the disease course represents an innovative way to improve the standard of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Betz
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN, Université de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Vincent Massard
- Département d’Oncologie Médicale, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France;
| | - Pauline Gilson
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN, Université de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Andréa Witz
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN, Université de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Julie Dardare
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN, Université de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Alexandre Harlé
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN, Université de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Louis Merlin
- Département de Biopathologie, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, CNRS UMR 7039 CRAN, Université de Lorraine, 54519 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Will M, Liang J, Metcalfe C, Chandarlapaty S. Therapeutic resistance to anti-oestrogen therapy in breast cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:673-685. [PMID: 37500767 PMCID: PMC10529099 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00604-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The hormone receptor oestrogen receptor-α (ER) orchestrates physiological mammary gland development, breast carcinogenesis and the progression of breast tumours into lethal, treatment-refractory systemic disease. Selective antagonism of ER signalling has been one of the most successful therapeutic approaches in oncology, benefiting patients as both a cancer preventative measure and a cancer treatment strategy. However, resistance to anti-oestrogen therapy is a major clinical challenge. Over the past decade, we have gained an understanding of how breast cancers evolve under the pressure of anti-oestrogen therapy. This is best depicted by the case of oestrogen-independent mutations in the gene encoding ER (ESR1), which are virtually absent in primary breast cancer but highly prevalent (20-40%) in anti-oestrogen-treated metastatic disease. These and other findings highlight the 'evolvability' of ER+ breast cancer and the need to understand molecular processes by which this evolution occurs. Recent development and approval of next-generation ER antagonists to target ESR1-mutant breast cancer underscores the clinical importance of this evolvability and sets a new paradigm for the treatment of ER+ breast cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Will
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jackson Liang
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ciara Metcalfe
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rej RK, Thomas JE, Acharyya RK, Rae JM, Wang S. Targeting the Estrogen Receptor for the Treatment of Breast Cancer: Recent Advances and Challenges. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37377342 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a well-established therapeutic target for the treatment of ER-positive (ER+) breast cancers. Despite the tremendous successes achieved with tamoxifen, a selective ER modulator, and aromatase inhibitors (AIs), resistance to these therapies is a major clinical problem. Therefore, induced protein degradation and covalent inhibition have been pursued as new therapeutic approaches to target ERα. This Perspective summarizes recent progress in the discovery and development of oral selective ER degraders (SERDs), complete estrogen receptor antagonists (CERANs), selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs), and proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) ER degraders. We focus on those compounds which have been advanced into clinical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Kalyan Rej
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Junius Eugene Thomas
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ranjan Kumar Acharyya
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - James Michael Rae
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Wu Y, Li Z, Wedn AM, Casey AN, Brown D, Rao SV, Omarjee S, Hooda J, Carroll JS, Gertz J, Atkinson JM, Lee AV, Oesterreich S. FOXA1 Reprogramming Dictates Retinoid X Receptor Response in ESR1-Mutant Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:591-604. [PMID: 36930833 PMCID: PMC10239325 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0516] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ER/ESR1) mutations occur in 30% to 40% of endocrine resistant ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) is a key pioneer factor mediating ER-chromatin interactions and endocrine response in ER+ breast cancer, but its role in ESR1-mutant breast cancer remains unclear. Our previous FOXA1 chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) identified a large portion of redistributed binding sites in T47D genome-edited Y537S and D538G ESR1-mutant cells. Here, we further integrated FOXA1 genomic binding profile with the isogenic ER cistrome, accessible genome, and transcriptome data of T47D cell model. FOXA1 redistribution was significantly associated with transcriptomic alterations caused by ESR1 mutations. Furthermore, in ESR1-mutant cells, FOXA1-binding sites less frequently overlapped with ER, and differential gene expression was less associated with the canonical FOXA1-ER axis. Motif analysis revealed a unique enrichment of retinoid X receptor (RXR) motifs in FOXA1-binding sites of ESR1-mutant cells. Consistently, ESR1-mutant cells were more sensitive to growth stimulation with the RXR agonist LG268. The mutant-specific response was dependent on two RXR isoforms, RXR-α and RXR-β, with a stronger dependency on the latter. In addition, T3, the agonist of thyroid receptor (TR) also showed a similar growth-promoting effect in ESR1-mutant cells. Importantly, RXR antagonist HX531 blocked growth of ESR1-mutant cells and a patient-derived xenograft (PDX)-derived organoid with an ESR1 D538G mutation. Collectively, our data support the evidence for a stronger RXR response associated with FOXA1 reprograming in ESR1-mutant cells, suggesting development of therapeutic strategies targeting RXR pathways in breast tumors with ESR1 mutation. IMPLICATIONS It provides comprehensive characterization of the role of FOXA1 in ESR1-mutant breast cancer and potential therapeutic strategy through blocking RXR activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Zheqi Li
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Abdalla M. Wedn
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Allison N. Casey
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Daniel Brown
- Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Shalini V. Rao
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Soleilmane Omarjee
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jagmohan Hooda
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Jason S. Carroll
- Cancer Research UK, Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jason Gertz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Atkinson
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Adrian V. Lee
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Women’s Cancer Research Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Arnesen S, Polaski J, Blanchard Z, Osborne K, Welm A, O’Connell R, Gertz J. Estrogen receptor alpha mutations regulate gene expression and cell growth in breast cancer through microRNAs. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad027. [PMID: 37275275 PMCID: PMC10233889 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ER) mutations occur in up to 30% of metastatic ER-positive breast cancers. Recent data has shown that ER mutations impact the expression of thousands of genes not typically regulated by wildtype ER. While the majority of these altered genes can be explained by constant activity of mutant ER or genomic changes such as altered ER binding and chromatin accessibility, as much as 33% remain unexplained, indicating the potential for post-transcriptional effects. Here, we explored the role of microRNAs in mutant ER-driven gene regulation and identified several microRNAs that are dysregulated in ER mutant cells. These differentially regulated microRNAs target a significant portion of mutant-specific genes involved in key cellular processes. When the activity of microRNAs is altered using mimics or inhibitors, significant changes are observed in gene expression and cellular proliferation related to mutant ER. An in-depth evaluation of miR-301b led us to discover an important role for PRKD3 in the proliferation of ER mutant cells. Our findings show that microRNAs contribute to mutant ER gene regulation and cellular effects in breast cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Arnesen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jacob T Polaski
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Zannel Blanchard
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kyle S Osborne
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alana L Welm
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ryan M O’Connell
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Henry Z, Meadows V, Guo GL. FXR and NASH: an avenue for tissue-specific regulation. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0127. [PMID: 37058105 PMCID: PMC10109454 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
NASH is within the spectrum of NAFLD, a liver condition encompassing liver steatosis, inflammation, hepatocyte injury, and fibrosis. The prevalence of NASH-induced cirrhosis is rapidly rising and has become the leading indicator for liver transplantation in the US. There is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacological intervention for NASH. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is essential in regulating bile acid homeostasis, and dysregulation of bile acids has been implicated in the pathogenesis of NASH. As a result, modulators of FXR that show desirable effects in mitigating key characteristics of NASH have been developed as promising therapeutic approaches. However, global FXR activation causes adverse effects such as cholesterol homeostasis imbalance and pruritus. The development of targeted FXR modulation is necessary for ideal NASH therapeutics, but information regarding tissue-specific and cell-specific FXR functionality is limited. In this review, we highlight FXR activation in the regulation of bile acid homeostasis and NASH development, examine the current literature on tissue-specific regulation of nuclear receptors, and speculate on how FXR regulation will be beneficial in the treatment of NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zakiyah Henry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Vik Meadows
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Grace L. Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Xin L, Min J, Hu H, Li Y, Du C, Xie B, Cheng Y, Deng X, Deng X, Shen K, Huang J, Chen CC, Guo RT, Dong C, Zhou HB. Structure-guided identification of novel dual-targeting estrogen receptor α degraders with aromatase inhibitory activity for the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 253:115328. [PMID: 37037140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major challenge in conventional endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer (BC). BC is a multifactorial disease, in which simultaneous aromatase (ARO) inhibition and ERα degradation may effectively inhibit the signal transduction of both proteins, thus potentially overcoming drug resistance caused by overexpression or mutation of target proteins. In this study, guided by the X-ray structure of a hit compound 30a in complex with ER-Y537S, a structure-based optimization was performed to get a series of multiacting inhibitors targeting both ERα and ARO, and finally a novel class of potent selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) based on a three-dimensional oxabicycloheptene sulfonamide (OBHSA) scaffold equipped with aromatase inhibitor (AI) activity were identified. Of these dual-targeting SERD-AI hybrids, compound 31q incorporating a 1H-1,2,4-triazole moiety showed excellent ERα degradation activity, ARO inhibitory activity and remarkable antiproliferative activity against BC resistant cells. Furthermore, 31q manifested efficient tumor suppression in MCF-7 tumor xenograft models. Taken together, our study reported for the first time the highly efficient dual-targeting SERD-AI hybrid compounds, which may lay the foundation of translational research for improved treatment of endocrine-resistant BC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilan Xin
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jian Min
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Hebing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Chuanqian Du
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Baohua Xie
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaofei Deng
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiangping Deng
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Kang Shen
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Chun-Chi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Rey-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
| | - Chune Dong
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hai-Bing Zhou
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (MOE) and Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Katzenellenbogen JA. Stringing along the estrogen receptor to engage with DNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300608120. [PMID: 36877834 PMCID: PMC10242708 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300608120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John A. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Liang Z, Liu L, Zhou Y, Liu W, Lu Y. Research Progress on Bioactive Metal Complexes against ER-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2235-2256. [PMID: 36780448 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and represents a serious disease that is harmful to life and health. In 1977, with the approval of tamoxifen, endocrine therapy has become the main clinical treatment for ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Although patients initially respond well to endocrine therapies, drug resistance often emerges and side effects can be challenging. To overcome drug resistance, the exploration for new drugs is a priority. Metal complexes have demonstrated significant antitumor activities, and platinum complexes are widely used in the clinic against various cancers, including breast cancer. In this Perspective, the first section describes the classification and mechanism of endocrine therapy drugs for ER+ breast cancer, and the second section summarizes research since 2000 into metal complexes with activity toward ER+ breast cancer. Finally, we discuss the opportunities, challenges, and future directions for metal complexes in the treatment of ER+ breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlin Liang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yanyu Zhou
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Wukun Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.,State key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yunlong Lu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Anticancer or carcinogenic? The role of estrogen receptor β in breast cancer progression. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 242:108350. [PMID: 36690079 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is closely related to breast cancer (BC) progression. Traditional concepts regard ERβ as a tumor suppressor. As studies show the carcinogenic effect of ERβ, some people have come to a new conclusion that ERβ serves as a tumor suppressor in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer, while it is a carcinogen in ERα-negative breast cancer. However, we re-examine the role of ERβ and find this conclusion to be misleading based on the last decade's research. A large number of studies have shown that ERβ plays an anticancer role in both ERα-positive and ERα-negative breast cancers, and its carcinogenicity does not depend solely on the presence of ERα. Herein, we review the anticancer and oncogenic effects of ERβ on breast cancer progression in the past ten years, discuss the mechanism respectively, analyze the main reasons for the inconsistency and update ERβ selective ligand library. We believe a detailed and continuously updated review will help correct the one-sided understanding of ERβ, promoting ERβ-targeted breast cancer therapy.
Collapse
|
32
|
Michael P, Roversi G, Brown K, Sharifi N. Adrenal Steroids and Resistance to Hormonal Blockade of Prostate and Breast Cancer. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqac218. [PMID: 36580423 PMCID: PMC10091490 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer and breast cancer are sex-steroid-dependent diseases that are driven in major part by gonadal sex steroids. Testosterone (T) is converted to 5α-dihydrotestosterone, both of which stimulate the androgen receptor (AR) and prostate cancer progression. Estradiol is the major stimulus for estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and proliferation of ERα-expressing breast cancer. However, the human adrenal provides an alternative source for sex steroids. A number of different androgens are produced by the adrenals, the most abundant of which is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate. These precursor steroids are subject to metabolism by peripherally expressed enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis of potent androgens and estrogens. In the case of prostate cancer, the regulation of one of these enzymatic steps occurs at least in part by way of a germline-encoded missense in 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (3βHSD1), which regulates potent androgen biosynthesis and clinical outcomes in men with advanced prostate cancer treated with gonadal T deprivation. The sex steroids that drive prostate cancer and breast cancer require a common set of enzymes for their generation. However, the pathways diverge once 3-keto, Δ4-androgens are generated and these steroids are either turned into potent androgens by steroid-5α-reductase, or into estrogens by aromatase. Alternative steroid receptors have also emerged as disease- and treatment-resistance modifiers, including a role for AR in breast cancer and glucocorticoid receptor both in breast and prostate cancer. In this review, we integrate the commonalities of adrenal steroid physiology that regulate both prostate and breast cancer while recognizing the clear distinctions between these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Michael
- Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Gustavo Roversi
- Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Kristy Brown
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Nima Sharifi
- Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rocha-Roa C, Cortes E, Cuesta SA, Mora JR, Paz JL, Flores-Sumoza M, Márquez EA. Study of potential inhibition of the estrogen receptor α by cannabinoids using an in silico approach: Agonist vs antagonist mechanism. Comput Biol Med 2023; 152:106403. [PMID: 36543006 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106403] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the main cancer type with more than 2.2 million cases in 2020, and is the principal cause of death in women; with 685000 deaths in 2020 worldwide. The estrogen receptor is involved at least in 70% of breast cancer diagnoses, and the agonist and antagonist properties of the drug in this receptor play a pivotal role in the control of this illness. This work evaluated the agonist and antagonist mechanisms of 30 cannabinoids by employing molecular docking and dynamic simulations. Compounds with docking scores < -8 kcal/mol were analyzed by molecular dynamic simulation at 300 ns, and relevant insights are given about the protein's structural changes, centered on the helicity in alpha-helices H3, H8, H11, and H12. Cannabicitran was the cannabinoid that presented the best relative binding-free energy (-34.96 kcal/mol), and based on rational modification, we found a new natural-based compound with relative binding-free energy (-44.83 kcal/mol) better than the controls hydroxytamoxifen and acolbifen. Structure modifications that could increase biological activity are suggested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Rocha-Roa
- Biophysics of Tropical Diseases, Max Planck Tandem Group, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo GEPAMOL, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, 630004, Colombia.
| | - Eliceo Cortes
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolivar, Barranquilla, 080002, Colombia.
| | - Sebastián A Cuesta
- Instituto de Simulación Computacional (ISC), Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Quito, 170901, Ecuador.
| | - José R Mora
- Instituto de Simulación Computacional (ISC), Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Quito, 170901, Ecuador
| | - José L Paz
- Departamento Académico de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química e Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, 15081, Peru
| | - Máryury Flores-Sumoza
- Grupo de Investigación en Química y Biología, Departamento de Química y Biología, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia 1569, Barranquilla, Atlántico, 081007, Colombia
| | - Edgar A Márquez
- Grupo de Investigación en Química y Biología, Departamento de Química y Biología, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia 1569, Barranquilla, Atlántico, 081007, Colombia.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Grinshpun A, Chen V, Sandusky ZM, Fanning SW, Jeselsohn R. ESR1 activating mutations: From structure to clinical application. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188830. [PMID: 36336145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer is the most common type of both early and advanced breast cancer. Estrogen receptor alpha (ER) is a nuclear hormone receptor and a key driver of tumorigenesis and tumor progression in these breast cancers. As such, it is a key treatment target and a biomarker predictive of response to endocrine therapy. Activating ESR1 ligand binding domain mutations engender constitutive/ligand independent transcriptional activities and emerge following prolonged first-line hormone therapy regimens, mainly from aromatase inhibitors. The full scale of the biological and clinical significance of these mutations continue to evolve and additional studies are required to further discern the multimodal effects of these mutations on ER transcription, metastatic propensity, and the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, recent and ongoing studies highlight the potential clinical utility of these mutations as therapeutic targets and dynamic biomarkers. Herein, we review the structure, functional consequences, and clinical implications of the activating ESR1 mutations in advanced estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert Grinshpun
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Vincent Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Zachary M Sandusky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber-Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America; Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States of America; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber-Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Cipolletti M, Leone S, Bartoloni S, Acconcia F. A functional genetic screen for metabolic proteins unveils GART and the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway as novel targets for the treatment of luminal A ERα expressing primary and metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1129162. [PMID: 37143728 PMCID: PMC10151738 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1129162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor cell metabolism is a new frontier in cancer management. Thus, metabolic pathway inhibitors could be used as anti-estrogen receptor α (ERα) breast cancer (BC) drugs. Here, the interplay among metabolic enzyme(s), the ERα levels and cell proliferation was studied. siRNA-based screen directed against different metabolic proteins in MCF10a, MCF-7 and MCF-7 cells genetically resistant to endocrine therapy (ET) drugs and metabolomic analyses in numerous BC cell lines unveil that the inhibition of GART, a key enzyme in the purine de novo biosynthetic pathway, induces ERα degradation and prevent BC cell proliferation. We report here that a reduced GART expression correlates with a longer relapse-free-survival (RFS) in women with ERα-positive BCs. ERα-expressing luminal A invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) are sensitive to GART inhibition and GART expression is increased in receptor-positive IDCs of high grade and stage and plays a role in the development of ET resistance. Accordingly, GART inhibition reduces ERα stability and cell proliferation in IDC luminal A cells where it deregulates 17β-estradiol (E2):ERα signaling to cell proliferation. Moreover, the GART inhibitor lometrexol (LMX) and drugs approved for clinical treatment of primary and metastatic BC (4OH-tamoxifen and the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors) exert synergic antiproliferative effects in BC cells. In conclusion, GART inhibition by LMX or other inhibitors of the de novo purine biosynthetic pathway could be a novel effective strategy for the treatment of primary and metastatic BCs.
Collapse
|
36
|
Donahue K, Xie H, Li M, Gao A, Ma M, Wang Y, Tipton R, Semanik N, Primeau T, Li S, Li L, Tang W, Xu W. Diptoindonesin G is a middle domain HSP90 modulator for cancer treatment. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102700. [PMID: 36395883 PMCID: PMC9771721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HSP90 inhibitors can target many oncoproteins simultaneously, but none have made it through clinical trials due to dose-limiting toxicity and induction of heat shock response, leading to clinical resistance. We identified diptoindonesin G (dip G) as an HSP90 modulator that can promote degradation of HSP90 clients by binding to the middle domain of HSP90 (Kd = 0.13 ± 0.02 μM) without inducing heat shock response. This is likely because dip G does not interfere with the HSP90-HSF1 interaction like N-terminal inhibitors, maintaining HSF1 in a transcriptionally silent state. We found that binding of dip G to HSP90 promotes degradation of HSP90 client protein estrogen receptor α (ER), a major oncogenic driver protein in most breast cancers. Mutations in the ER ligand-binding domain (LBD) are an established mechanism of endocrine resistance and decrease the binding affinity of mainstay endocrine therapies targeting ER, reducing their ability to promote ER degradation or transcriptionally silence ER. Because dip G binds to HSP90 and does not bind to the LBD of ER, unlike endocrine therapies, it is insensitive to ER LBD mutations that drive endocrine resistance. Additionally, we determined that dip G promoted degradation of WT and mutant ER with similar efficacy, downregulated ER- and mutant ER-regulated gene expression, and inhibited WT and mutant cell proliferation. Our data suggest that dip G is not only a molecular probe to study HSP90 biology and the HSP90 conformation cycle, but also a new therapeutic avenue for various cancers, particularly endocrine-resistant breast cancer harboring ER LBD mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Donahue
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Haibo Xie
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Miyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ang Gao
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Min Ma
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Yidan Wang
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rose Tipton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicole Semanik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tina Primeau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shunqiang Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lingjun Li
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Weiping Tang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,For correspondence: Wei Xu; Weiping Tang
| | - Wei Xu
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA,For correspondence: Wei Xu; Weiping Tang
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Khan MZI, Uzair M, Nazli A, Chen JZ. An overview on Estrogen receptors signaling and its ligands in breast cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 241:114658. [PMID: 35964426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen governs the regulations of various pathological and physiological actions throughout the body in both males and females. Generally, 17β-estradiol an endogenous estrogen is responsible for different health problems in pre and postmenopausal women. The major activities of endogenous estrogen are executed by nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα and ERβ while non-genomic cytoplasmic pathways also govern cell growth and apoptosis. Estrogen accomplished a fundamental role in the formation and progression of breast cancer. In this review, we have hyphenated different studies regarding ERs and a thorough and detailed study of estrogen receptors is presented. This review highlights different aspects of estrogens ranging from receptor types, their isoforms, structures, signaling pathways of ERα, ERβ and GPER along with their crystal structures, pathological roles of ER, ER ligands, and therapeutic strategies to overcome the resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Uzair
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Adila Nazli
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Jian-Zhong Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Discovery of Highly Functionalized 5-hydroxy-2H-pyrrol-2-ones That Exhibit Antiestrogenic Effects in Breast and Endometrial Cancer Cells and Potentiate the Antitumoral Effect of Tamoxifen. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215174. [DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen improves the overall survival rate in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. However, despite the fact that it exerts antagonistic effects on the ERα, it can act as a partial agonist, resulting in tumor growth in estrogen-sensitive tissues. In this study, highly functionalized 5-hydroxy-2H-pyrrol-2-ones were synthesized and evaluated by using ERα- and phenotype-based screening assays. Compounds 32 and 35 inhibited 17β-estradiol (E2)-stimulated ERα-mediated transcription of the luciferase reporter gene in breast cancer cells without inhibition of the transcriptional activity mediated by androgen or glucocorticoid receptors. Compound 32 regulated E2-stimulated ERα-mediated transcription by partial antagonism, whereas compound 35 caused rapid and non-competitive inhibition. Monitoring of 2D and 3D cell growth confirmed potent antitumoral effects of both compounds on ER-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, compounds 32 and 35 caused apoptosis and blocked the cell cycle of ER-positive breast cancer cells in the sub-G1 and G0/G1 phases. Interestingly, compound 35 suppressed the functional activity of ERα in the uterus, as demonstrated by the inhibition of E2-stimulated transcription of estrogen and progesterone receptors and alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity. Compound 35 showed a relatively low binding affinity with ERα. However, its antiestrogenic effect was associated with an increased polyubiquitination and a reduced protein expression of ERα. Clinically relevant, a possible combinatory therapy with compound 35 may enhance the antitumoral efficacy of 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen in ER-positive breast cancer cells. In silico ADME predictions indicated that these compounds exhibit good drug-likeness, which, together with their potential antitumoral effects and their lack of estrogenic activity, offers a pharmacological opportunity to deepen the study of ER-positive breast cancer treatment.
Collapse
|
39
|
Ren P, Tiede C, Fanning SW, Adams T, Speirs V, Nelson ER, Cheng C, Moore TW, Greene GL, Tomlinson D, Selvin PR. Labeling of a mutant estrogen receptor with an Affimer in a breast cancer cell line. Biophys J 2022; 121:3651-3662. [PMID: 35778844 PMCID: PMC9617163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.06.028] [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: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the intracellular estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is implicated in 70% of breast cancers. Therefore, it is of considerable interest to image various mutants (L536S, Y537S, D538G) in living cancer cell lines, particularly as a function of various anticancer drugs. We therefore developed a small (13 kDa) Affimer, which, after fluorescent labeling, is able to efficiently label ERα by traveling through temporary pores in the cell membrane, created by the toxin streptolysin O. The Affimer, selected by a phage display, predominantly labels the Y537S mutant and can tell the difference between L536S and D538G mutants. The vast majority of Affimer-ERαY537S is in the nucleus and is capable of an efficient, unrestricted navigation to its target DNA sequence, as visualized by single-molecule fluorescence. The Affimer can also differentiate the effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators. More generally, this is an example of a small binding reagent-an Affimer protein-that can be inserted into living cells with minimal perturbation and high efficiency, to image an endogenous protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pin Ren
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Center for Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Christian Tiede
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Sean W Fanning
- Department of Cancer Research, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Thomas Adams
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Valerie Speirs
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Erik R Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Changfeng Cheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois
| | - Terry W Moore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois; UI Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois
| | - Geoffrey L Greene
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Darren Tomlinson
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Paul R Selvin
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Center for Physics of Living Cells, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Harrod A, Lai CF, Goldsbrough I, Simmons GM, Oppermans N, Santos DB, Győrffy B, Allsopp RC, Toghill BJ, Balachandran K, Lawson M, Morrow CJ, Surakala M, Carnevalli LS, Zhang P, Guttery DS, Shaw JA, Coombes RC, Buluwela L, Ali S. Genome engineering for estrogen receptor mutations reveals differential responses to anti-estrogens and new prognostic gene signatures for breast cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:4905-4915. [PMID: 36198774 PMCID: PMC7613769 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the estrogen receptor (ESR1) gene are common in ER-positive breast cancer patients who progress on endocrine therapies. Most mutations localise to just three residues at, or near, the C-terminal helix 12 of the hormone binding domain, at leucine-536, tyrosine-537 and aspartate-538. To investigate these mutations, we have used CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome engineering to generate a comprehensive set of isogenic mutant breast cancer cell lines. Our results confirm that L536R, Y537C, Y537N, Y537S and D538G mutations confer estrogen-independent growth in breast cancer cells. Growth assays show mutation-specific reductions in sensitivities to drugs representing three classes of clinical anti-estrogens. These differential mutation- and drug-selectivity profiles have implications for treatment choices following clinical emergence of ER mutations. Our results further suggest that mutant expression levels may be determinants of the degree of resistance to some anti-estrogens. Differential gene expression analysis demonstrates up-regulation of estrogen-responsive genes, as expected, but also reveals that enrichment for interferon-regulated gene expression is a common feature of all mutations. Finally, a new gene signature developed from the gene expression profiles in ER mutant cells predicts clinical response in breast cancer patients with ER mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Harrod
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Institute of Cancer Research, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Chun-Fui Lai
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Georgia M Simmons
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Natasha Oppermans
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Daniela B Santos
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Balazs Győrffy
- Semmelweis University Department of Bioinformatics, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary and TTK Cancer Biomarker Research Group, H-1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rebecca C Allsopp
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Bradley J Toghill
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Kirsty Balachandran
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mandy Lawson
- Early Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Biomedical Campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Christopher J Morrow
- Early Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Biomedical Campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Manasa Surakala
- Early Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Biomedical Campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Larissa S Carnevalli
- Early Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Biomedical Campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, UK
| | - Pei Zhang
- Early Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Biomedical Campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, UK
| | - David S Guttery
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Jacqueline A Shaw
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
| | - R Charles Coombes
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Lakjaya Buluwela
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Simak Ali
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Liang J, Ingalla ER, Yao X, Wang BE, Tai L, Giltnane J, Liang Y, Daemen A, Moore HM, Aimi J, Chang CW, Gates MR, Eng-Wong J, Tam L, Bacarro N, Roose-Girma M, Bellet M, Hafner M, Metcalfe C. Giredestrant reverses progesterone hypersensitivity driven by estrogen receptor mutations in breast cancer. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabo5959. [PMID: 36130016 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo5959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1) hotspot mutations are major contributors to therapeutic resistance in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Such mutations confer estrogen independence to ERα, providing a selective advantage in the presence of estrogen-depleting aromatase inhibitors. In addition, ESR1 mutations reduce the potency of tamoxifen and fulvestrant, therapies that bind ERα directly. These limitations, together with additional liabilities, inspired the development of the next generation of ERα-targeted therapeutics, of which giredestrant is a high-potential candidate. Here, we generated Esr1 mutant-expressing mammary gland models and leveraged patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) to investigate the biological properties of the ESR1 mutations and their sensitivity to giredestrant in vivo. In the mouse mammary gland, Esr1 mutations promote hypersensitivity to progesterone, triggering pregnancy-like tissue remodeling and profoundly elevated proliferation. These effects were driven by an altered progesterone transcriptional response and underpinned by gained sites of ERα-PR (progesterone receptor) cobinding at the promoter regions of pro-proliferation genes. PDX experiments showed that the mutant ERα-PR proliferative program is also relevant in human cancer cells. Giredestrant suppressed the mutant ERα-PR proliferation in the mammary gland more so than the standard-of-care agents, tamoxifen and fulvestrant. Giredestrant was also efficacious against the progesterone-stimulated growth of ESR1 mutant PDX models. In addition, giredestrant demonstrated activity against a molecularly characterized ESR1 mutant tumor from a patient enrolled in a phase 1 clinical trial. Together, these data suggest that mutant ERα can collaborate with PR to drive protumorigenic proliferation but remain sensitive to inhibition by giredestrant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Liang
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ellen Rei Ingalla
- Translational Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Xiaosai Yao
- Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Bu-Er Wang
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Lisa Tai
- Research Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Yuxin Liang
- Microchemistry, Proteomics, Lipidomics and Next Generation Sequencing, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Anneleen Daemen
- Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Heather M Moore
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Junko Aimi
- Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ching-Wei Chang
- Biostatistics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Mary R Gates
- Early Clinical Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jennifer Eng-Wong
- Early Clinical Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Lucinda Tam
- Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Natasha Bacarro
- Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Meritxell Bellet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Marc Hafner
- Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ciara Metcalfe
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wang L, Sharma A. SERDs: a case study in targeted protein degradation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:8149-8159. [PMID: 36073297 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00117a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine therapies for breast cancer target ERα which is found in more than 70% of breast cancers. Unfortunately, endocrine resistance typically occurs, in which case Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs) represent the last line of treatment for metastatic breast cancer patients. Fulvestrant, the only currently approved SERD and one of the first targeted protein degradation therapies, presents poor drug-like properties which has led to the development of a new generation of oral SERDs. This review summarizes recent progress in the evolution of SERDs, focusing on clinical candidates and their degradation motifs within the broader context of targeted protein degradation therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, USA.
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Das S, Kulkarni S, Singh Y, Kumar P, Thareja S. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) for the Treatment of ER+ Breast Cancer: An Overview. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
|
44
|
Buschhaus JM, Rajendran S, Humphries BA, Cutter AC, Muñiz AJ, Ciavattone NG, Buschhaus AM, Cañeque T, Nwosu ZC, Sahoo D, Bevoor AS, Shah YM, Lyssiotis CA, Ghosh P, Wicha MS, Rodriguez R, Luker GD. Effects of iron modulation on mesenchymal stem cell-induced drug resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Oncogene 2022; 41:3705-3718. [PMID: 35732800 PMCID: PMC9288981 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02385-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the most common subtype, remain at risk for lethal metastatic disease years after diagnosis. Recurrence arises partly because tumor cells in bone marrow become resistant to estrogen-targeted therapy. Here, we utilized a co-culture model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and ER+ breast cancer cells to recapitulate interactions of cancer cells in bone marrow niches. ER+ breast cancer cells in direct contact with MSCs acquire cancer stem-like (CSC) phenotypes with increased resistance to standard antiestrogenic drugs. We confirmed that co-culture with MSCs increased labile iron in breast cancer cells, a phenotype associated with CSCs and disease progression. Clinically approved iron chelators and in-house lysosomal iron-targeting compounds restored sensitivity to antiestrogenic therapy. These findings establish iron modulation as a mechanism to reverse MSC-induced drug resistance and suggest iron modulation in combination with estrogen-targeted therapy as a promising, translatable strategy to treat ER+ breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Buschhaus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Shrila Rajendran
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Brock A Humphries
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Alyssa C Cutter
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Ayşe J Muñiz
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering and Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Nicholas G Ciavattone
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Alexander M Buschhaus
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Tatiana Cañeque
- Institut Curie, Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, CNRS UMR 3666, INSERM U1143, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Zeribe C Nwosu
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Debashis Sahoo
- Pediatrics, and Computer Science and Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Avinash S Bevoor
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Pradipta Ghosh
- Departments of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Max S Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Raphaël Rodriguez
- Institut Curie, Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, CNRS UMR 3666, INSERM U1143, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2099, USA.
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
He M, Cao C, Ni Z, Liu Y, Song P, Hao S, He Y, Sun X, Rao Y. PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry (an update from 2020 to 2021). Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:181. [PMID: 35680848 PMCID: PMC9178337 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) technology is a new protein-degradation strategy that has emerged in recent years. It uses bifunctional small molecules to induce the ubiquitination and degradation of target proteins through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. PROTACs can not only be used as potential clinical treatments for diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases, but also provide unique chemical knockdown tools for biological research in a catalytic, reversible, and rapid manner. In 2019, our group published a review article “PROTACs: great opportunities for academia and industry” in the journal, summarizing the representative compounds of PROTACs reported before the end of 2019. In the past 2 years, the entire field of protein degradation has experienced rapid development, including not only a large increase in the number of research papers on protein-degradation technology but also a rapid increase in the number of small-molecule degraders that have entered the clinical and will enter the clinical stage. In addition to PROTAC and molecular glue technology, other new degradation technologies are also developing rapidly. In this article, we mainly summarize and review the representative PROTACs of related targets published in 2020–2021 to present to researchers the exciting developments in the field of protein degradation. The problems that need to be solved in this field will also be briefly introduced.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Chaoguo Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China.,Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Ni
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yongbo Liu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Peilu Song
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shuang Hao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuna He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiuyun Sun
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu Rao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China. .,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Chimento A, D’Amico M, Pezzi V, De Amicis F. Notch Signaling in Breast Tumor Microenvironment as Mediator of Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116296. [PMID: 35682974 PMCID: PMC9181656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling dysregulation encourages breast cancer progression through different mechanisms such as stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation and migration/invasion. Furthermore, Notch is a crucial driver regulating juxtracrine and paracrine communications between tumor and stroma. The complex interplay between the abnormal Notch pathway orchestrating the activation of other signals and cellular heterogeneity contribute towards remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. These changes, together with tumor evolution and treatment pressure, drive breast cancer drug resistance. Preclinical studies have shown that targeting the Notch pathway can prevent or reverse resistance, reducing or eliminating breast cancer stem cells. In the present review, we will summarize the current scientific evidence that highlights the involvement of Notch activation within the breast tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tumor/stroma/immune system interplay and its involvement in mechanisms of therapy resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adele Chimento
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
| | - Maria D’Amico
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
- Health Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pezzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0984-493148
| | - Francesca De Amicis
- Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy; (A.C.); (M.D.); (F.D.A.)
- Health Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
YAP inhibits ERα and ER + breast cancer growth by disrupting a TEAD-ERα signaling axis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3075. [PMID: 35654829 PMCID: PMC9163075 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30831-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippo signaling restricts tissue growth by inhibiting the transcriptional effector YAP. Here we uncover a role of Hippo signaling and a tumor suppressor function of YAP in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. We find that inhibition of Hippo/MST1/2 or activation of YAP blocks the ERα transcriptional program and ER+ breast cancer growth. Mechanistically, the Hippo pathway transcription factor TEAD physically interacts with ERα to increase its promoter/enhancer occupancy whereas YAP inhibits ERα/TEAD interaction, decreases ERα occupancy on its target promoters/enhancers, and promotes ERα degradation by the proteasome. Furthermore, YAP inhibits hormone-independent transcription of ERα gene (ESR1). Consistently, high levels of YAP correlate with good prognosis of ER+ breast cancer patients. Finally, we find that pharmacological inhibition of Hippo/MST1/2 impeded tumor growth driven by hormone therapy resistant ERα mutants, suggesting that targeting the Hippo-YAP-TEAD signaling axis could be a potential therapeutical strategy to overcome endocrine therapy resistance conferred by ERα mutants.
Collapse
|
48
|
Delcour C, Khawaja N, Gonzalez-Duque S, Lebon S, Talbi A, Drira L, Chevenne D, Ajlouni K, de Roux N. Estrogen Receptor α Inactivation in 2 Sisters: Different Phenotypic Severities for the Same Pathogenic Variant. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e2553-e2562. [PMID: 35134944 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Estrogens play an essential role in reproduction. Their action is mediated by nuclear α and β receptors (ER) and by membrane receptors. Only 3 females and 2 males, from 3 families, with a loss of ERα function have been reported to date. OBJECTIVE We describe here a new family, in which 2 sisters display endocrine and ovarian defects of different severities despite carrying the same homozygous rare variant of ESR1. METHODS A 36-year-old woman from a consanguineous Jordanian family presented with primary amenorrhea and no breast development, with high plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and enlarged multifollicular ovaries, strongly suggesting estrogen resistance. Her 18-year-old sister did not enter puberty and had moderately high levels of E2, high plasma gonadotropin levels, and normal ovaries. RESULTS Genetic analysis identified a homozygous variant of ESR1 leading to the replacement of a highly conserved glutamic acid with a valine (ERα-E385V). The transient expression of ERα-E385V in HEK293A and MDA-MB231 cells revealed highly impaired ERE-dependent transcriptional activation by E2. The analysis of the KISS1 promoter activity revealed that the E385V substitution induced a ligand independent activation of ERα. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that less ERα-E385V than ERα-WT was translocated into the nucleus in the presence of E2. CONCLUSION These 2 new cases are remarkable given the difference in the severity of their ovarian and hormonal phenotypes. This phenotypic discrepancy may be due to a mechanism partially compensating for the ERα loss of function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Delcour
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1141 NeuroDiderot, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Nahla Khawaja
- National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Sergio Gonzalez-Duque
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Sophie Lebon
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1141 NeuroDiderot, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Abir Talbi
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Leila Drira
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Didier Chevenne
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Kamel Ajlouni
- National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Nicolas de Roux
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1141 NeuroDiderot, 75019 Paris, France
- Biochemistry-Hormonology Laboratory, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 75019 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Endocrine Therapy-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells Are More Sensitive to Ceramide Kinase Inhibition and Elevated Ceramide Levels Than Therapy-Sensitive Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102380. [PMID: 35625985 PMCID: PMC9140186 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Endocrine therapy (ET) resistance is a major problem in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients. Since there have been few lipidomic studies in ET resistance and sphingolipids are heavily implicated in multidrug-resistant and chemotherapy-resistant cancers, we aimed to investigate the sphingolipidome of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells in search of a unique sphingolipid profile that can potentially be exploited therapeutically. We found that ET-resistant breast cancer cells maintain a lower level of ceramides for their survival. In order to achieve this, they are dependent on ceramide kinase (CERK), the activity of which helps maintain low endogenous ceramide levels, therefore promoting tamoxifen-resistant cell survival. Targeting CERK can therefore represent an opportunity to target therapy-resistant breast tumors and improve the patient outcome for women with ET-resistant disease. Abstract ET resistance is a critical problem for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. In this study, we have investigated how alterations in sphingolipids promote cell survival in ET-resistant breast cancer. We have performed LC-MS-based targeted sphingolipidomics of tamoxifen-sensitive and -resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Follow-up studies included treatments of cell lines and patient-derived xenograft organoids (PDxO) with small molecule inhibitors; cytometric analyses to measure cell death, proliferation, and apoptosis; siRNA-mediated knockdown; RT-qPCR and Western blot for gene and protein expression; targeted lipid analysis; and lipid addback experiments. We found that tamoxifen-resistant cells have lower levels of ceramides and hexosylceramides compared to their tamoxifen-sensitive counterpart. Upon perturbing the sphingolipid pathway with small molecule inhibitors of key enzymes, we identified that CERK is essential for tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell survival, as well as a fulvestrant-resistant PDxO. CERK inhibition induces ceramide-mediated cell death in tamoxifen-resistant cells. Ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) partially reverses CERK inhibition-induced cell death in tamoxifen-resistant cells, likely through lowering endogenous ceramide levels. Our findings suggest that ET-resistant breast cancer cells maintain lower ceramide levels as an essential pro-survival mechanism. Consequently, ET-resistant breast cancer models have a unique dependence on CERK as its activity can inhibit de novo ceramide production.
Collapse
|
50
|
Tsai HW, Lin VY, Shupnik MA. Forskolin Stimulates Estrogen Receptor (ER) α Transcriptional Activity and Protects ER from Degradation by Distinct Mechanisms. Int J Endocrinol 2022; 2022:7690166. [PMID: 35586275 PMCID: PMC9110234 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7690166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Estradiol action is mediated by estrogen receptors (ERs), a and ß. Estradiol binding initiates ER-mediated transcription and ER degradation, the latter of which occurs via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Inhibition of proteasome activity prevents estradiol-induced ERα degradation and transactivation. In ER-positive GH3 cells (a rat pituitary prolactinoma cell line), forskolin, acting via protein kinase A (PKA), stimulates ERα transcriptional activity without causing degradation, and proteasome inhibition does not block forskolin-stimulated transcription. Forskolin also protects liganded ERα from degradation. In the current study, we first examined ERα and ERβ transcriptional activity in ER-negative HT22 cells and found that forskolin stimulated ERα-, but not ERβ-dependent transcription, through the ligand-binding domain (LBD). We also identified four mutations (L396R, D431Y, Y542F, and K534E/M548V) on the ERα LBD that selectively obliterated the response to forskolin. In GH3 cells, transfected ERα mutants and ERβ were protected from degradation by forskolin. Ubiquitination of ERα and ERβ was increased by forskolin or estradiol. ERα ubiquitination was diminished by a mutated ubiquitin (K48R) that prevents elongation of polyubiquitin chains for targeting the proteasome. Increased ERα ubiquitination was not affected by the deletion of the A/B domain but significantly diminished in the F domain deletion mutant. Our results indicate distinct and novel mechanisms for forskolin stimulation of ERα transcriptional activity and protection from ligand-induced degradation. It also suggests a unique mechanism by which forskolin increases unliganded and liganded ERα and ERβ ubiquitination but uncouples them from proteasome-mediated degradation regardless of their transcriptional responses to forskolin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Houng-Wei Tsai
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Vicky Y. Lin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Margaret A. Shupnik
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| |
Collapse
|