1
|
Matossian MD, Hoang VT, Burks HE, La J, Elliott S, Brock C, Rusch DB, Buechlein A, Nephew KP, Bhatt A, Cavanaugh JE, Flaherty PT, Collins-Burow BM, Burow ME. Constitutive activation of MEK5 promotes a mesenchymal and migratory cell phenotype in triple negative breast cancer. Oncoscience 2021; 8:64-71. [PMID: 34026925 PMCID: PMC8131078 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited targeted therapeutic options. A defining feature of TNBC is the propensity to metastasize and acquire resistance to cytotoxic agents. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways have integral roles in cancer development and progression. While MEK5/ERK5 signaling drives mesenchymal and migratory cell phenotypes in breast cancer, the specific mechanisms underlying these actions remain under-characterized. To elucidate the mechanisms through which MEK5 regulates the mesenchymal and migratory phenotype, we generated stably transfected constitutively active MEK5 (MEK5-ca) TNBC cells. Downstream signaling pathways and candidate targets of MEK5-ca cells were based on RNA sequencing and confirmed using qPCR and Western blot analyses. MEK5 activation drove a mesenchymal cell phenotype independent of cell proliferation effects. Transwell migration assays demonstrated MEK5 activation significantly increased breast cancer cell migration. In this study, we provide supporting evidence that MEK5 functions through FRA-1 to regulate the mesenchymal and migratory phenotype in TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarite D. Matossian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Van T. Hoang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Hope E. Burks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Jacqueline La
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and are shared first authors
| | - Steven Elliott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Courtney Brock
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Douglas B. Rusch
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
47405, USA
| | - Aaron Buechlein
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington,
Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Kenneth P. Nephew
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Bloomington,
Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Akshita Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh,
PA 15282, USA
| | - Jane E. Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacology, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh,
PA 15282, USA
| | - Patrick T. Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy,
Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Bridgette M. Collins-Burow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang F, Li D, Zheng Z, Kin Wah To K, Chen Z, Zhong M, Su X, Chen L, Fu L. Reversal of ABCB1-related multidrug resistance by ERK5-IN-1. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:50. [PMID: 32164732 PMCID: PMC7066765 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-1537-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibition of ABC transporters is considered the most effective way to circumvent multidrug resistance (MDR). In the present study, we evaluated the MDR modulatory potential of ERK5-IN-1, a potent extracelluar signal regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) inhibitor. Methods The cytotoxicity and MDR reversal effect of ERK5-IN-1 were assessed by MTT assay. The KBv200-inoculated nude mice xenograft model was used for the in vivo study. Doxorubicin efflux and accumulation were measured by flow cytometry. The modulation of ABCB1 activity was measured by colorimetric ATPase assay and [125I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) photolabeling assay. Effect of ERK5-IN-1 on expression of ABCB1 and its downstream markers was measured by PCR and/or Western blot. Cell surface expression and subcellular localization of ABCB1 were tested by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Results Our results showed that ERK5-IN-1 significantly increased the sensitivity of vincristine, paclitaxel and doxorubicin in KBv200, MCF7/adr and HEK293/ABCB1 cells, respectively. This effect was not found in respective drug sensitive parental cell lines. Moreover, in vivo combination studies showed that ERK5-IN-1 effectively enhanced the antitumor activity of paclitaxel in KBv200 xenografts without causing addition toxicity. Mechanistically, ERK5-IN-1 increased intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin dose dependently by directly inhibiting the efflux function of ABCB1. ERK5-IN-1 stimulated the ABCB1 ATPase activity and inhibited the incorporation of [125I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) into ABCB1 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ERK5-IN-1 treatment neither altered the expression level of ABCB1 nor blocked the phosphorylation of downstream Akt or Erk1/2. No significant reversal effect was observed on ABCG2-, ABCC1-, MRP7- and LRP-mediated drug resistance. Conclusions Collectively, these results indicated that ERK5-IN-1 efficiently reversed ABCB1-mediated MDR by competitively inhibiting the ABCB1 drug efflux function. The use of ERK5-IN-1 to restore sensitivity to chemotherapy or to prevent resistance could be a potential treatment strategy for cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Delan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - ZongHeng Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengjun Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Likun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Targeted Avenues for Cancer Treatment: The MEK5-ERK5 Signaling Pathway. Trends Mol Med 2020; 26:394-407. [PMID: 32277933 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Twenty years have passed since extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) and its upstream activator, mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (MEK5), first emerged onto the cancer research scene. Although we have come a long way in defining the liaison between dysregulated MEK5-ERK5 signaling and the pathogenesis of epithelial and nonepithelial malignancies, selective targeting of this unique pathway remains elusive. Here, we provide an updated review of the existing evidence for a correlation between aberrant MEK5-ERK5 (phospho)proteomic/transcriptomic profiles, aggressive cancer states, and poor patient outcomes. We then focus on emerging insights from preclinical models regarding the relevance of upregulated ERK5 activity in promoting tumor growth, metastasis, therapy resistance, undifferentiated traits, and immunosuppression, highlighting the opportunities, prospects, and challenges of selectively blocking this cascade for antineoplastic treatment and chemosensitization.
Collapse
|
4
|
Impact of ERK5 on the Hallmarks of Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061426. [PMID: 30901834 PMCID: PMC6471124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) belongs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family that consists of highly conserved enzymes expressed in all eukaryotic cells and elicits several biological responses, including cell survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In recent years, accumulating lines of evidence point to a relevant role of ERK5 in the onset and progression of several types of cancer. In particular, it has been reported that ERK5 is a key signaling molecule involved in almost all the biological features of cancer cells so that its targeting is emerging as a promising strategy to suppress tumor growth and spreading. Based on that, in this review, we pinpoint the hallmark-specific role of ERK5 in cancer in order to identify biological features that will potentially benefit from ERK5 targeting.
Collapse
|
5
|
Duan C, Li Y, Dong X, Xu W, Ma Y. Network Pharmacology and Reverse Molecular Docking-Based Prediction of the Molecular Targets and Pathways for Avicularin Against Cancer. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2019; 22:4-12. [PMID: 30727880 DOI: 10.2174/1386207322666190206163409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIM AND OBJECTIVE Avicularin has been found to inhibit the proliferation of HepG-2 cells in vitro in the screening of our laboratory. We intended to explain the molecular mechanism of this effect. Therefore, the combined methods of reverse molecular docking and network pharmacology were used in order to illuminate the molecular mechanisms for Avicularin against cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Potential targets associated with anti-tumor effects of Avicularin were screened by reverse molecular docking, then a protein database was established through constructing the drugprotein network from literature mining data, and the protein-protein network was built through an in-depth exploration of the relationships between the proteins, and then the network topology analysis was performed. Additionally, gene function and signaling pathways were analyzed by Go bio-enrichment and KEGG Pathway. RESULTS The result showed that Avicularin was closely related to 16 targets associated with cancer, and it may significantly influence the pro-survival signals in MAPK signaling pathway that can activate and regulate a series of cellular activities and participate in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, transformation and apoptosis. CONCLUSION The network pharmacology strategy used herein provided a powerful means for the mechanisms of action for bioactive ingredients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaohui Duan
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.,Baotou Food and Drug Inspection and Testing Center, Baotou, China
| | - Yang Li
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | | | - Weibin Xu
- Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Yingli Ma
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kang C, Kim JS, Kim CY, Kim EY, Chung HM. The Pharmacological Inhibition of ERK5 Enhances Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Int J Stem Cells 2018; 11:227-234. [PMID: 30343550 PMCID: PMC6285287 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc18053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal hematological malignancy which is resistant to a variety of chemotherapy drugs. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) plays a novel role in chemoresistance in some cancer cells and this pathway is a central mediator of cell survival and apoptotic regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ERK5 inhibitor, XMD8-92, on proliferation and apoptosis in AML cell lines. Findings showed that XMD8-92 inhibited the activation of ERK5 by G-CSF and decreased the expression of c-Myc and Cyclin D1. The treatment of XMD8-92 reduced the phosphorylation of ERK5 leading to a distinct inhibition of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in Kasumi-1 and HL-60 cells. Taken together, our study suggests that the inhibition of ERK5 by XMD8-92 can trigger apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in AMLs. Therefore, the inhibition of ERK5 may be an effective adjuvant in AML chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changhee Kang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Soo Kim
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - C-Yoon Kim
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Young Kim
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Mirae Cell Bio Co. LTD, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung-Min Chung
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pereira DM, Simões AES, Gomes SE, Castro RE, Carvalho T, Rodrigues CMP, Borralho PM. MEK5/ERK5 signaling inhibition increases colon cancer cell sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil through a p53-dependent mechanism. Oncotarget 2018; 7:34322-40. [PMID: 27144434 PMCID: PMC5085159 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The MEK5/ERK5 signaling pathway is emerging as an important contributor to colon cancer onset, progression and metastasis; however, its relevance to chemotherapy resistance remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the impact of the MEK5/ERK5 cascade in colon cancer cell sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Increased ERK5 expression was correlated with poor overall survival in colon cancer patients. In colon cancer cells, 5-FU exposure impaired endogenous KRAS/MEK5/ERK5 expression and/or activation. In turn, MEK5 constitutive activation reduced 5-FU-induced cytotoxicity. Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we showed that ERK5 inhibition increased caspase-3/7 activity and apoptosis following 5-FU exposure. Mechanistically, this was further associated with increased p53 transcriptional activation of p21 and PUMA. In addition, ERK5 inhibition increased the response of HCT116 p53+/+ cells to 5-FU, but failed to sensitize HCT116 p53−/− cells to the cytotoxic effects of this chemotherapeutic agent, suggesting a p53-dependent axis mediating 5-FU sensitization. Finally, ERK5 inhibition using XMD8-92 was shown to increase the antitumor effects of 5-FU in a murine subcutaneous xenograft model, enhancing apoptosis while markedly reducing tumor growth. Collectively, our results suggest that ERK5-targeted in hibition provides a promising therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to 5-FU-based chemotherapy and improve colon cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diane M Pereira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André E S Simões
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia E Gomes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui E Castro
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tânia Carvalho
- Histology and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Borralho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang X, Maity T, Kashyap MK, Bansal M, Venugopalan A, Singh S, Awasthi S, Marimuthu A, Charles Jacob HK, Belkina N, Pitts S, Cultraro CM, Gao S, Kirkali G, Biswas R, Chaerkady R, Califano A, Pandey A, Guha U. Quantitative Tyrosine Phosphoproteomics of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-treated Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Reveals Potential Novel Biomarkers of Therapeutic Response. Mol Cell Proteomics 2017; 16:891-910. [PMID: 28331001 PMCID: PMC5417828 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m117.067439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase domain, such as the L858R missense mutation and deletions spanning the conserved sequence 747LREA750, are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The gatekeeper site residue mutation, T790M accounts for around 60% of acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs. The first generation EGFR TKIs, erlotinib and gefitinib, and the second generation inhibitor, afatinib are FDA approved for initial treatment of EGFR mutated lung adenocarcinoma. The predominant biomarker of EGFR TKI responsiveness is the presence of EGFR TKI-sensitizing mutations. However, 30-40% of patients with EGFR mutations exhibit primary resistance to these TKIs, underscoring the unmet need of identifying additional biomarkers of treatment response. Here, we sought to characterize the dynamics of tyrosine phosphorylation upon EGFR TKI treatment of mutant EGFR-driven human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with varying sensitivity to EGFR TKIs, erlotinib and afatinib. We employed stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative mass spectrometry to identify and quantify tyrosine phosphorylated peptides. The proportion of tyrosine phosphorylated sites that had reduced phosphorylation upon erlotinib or afatinib treatment correlated with the degree of TKI-sensitivity. Afatinib, an irreversible EGFR TKI, more effectively inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of a majority of the substrates. The phosphosites with phosphorylation SILAC ratios that correlated with the TKI-sensitivity of the cell lines include sites on kinases, such as EGFR-Y1197 and MAPK7-Y221, and adaptor proteins, such as SHC1-Y349/350, ERRFI1-Y394, GAB1-Y689, STAT5A-Y694, DLG3-Y705, and DAPP1-Y139, suggesting these are potential biomarkers of TKI sensitivity. DAPP1, is a novel target of mutant EGFR signaling and Y-139 is the major site of DAPP1 tyrosine phosphorylation. We also uncovered several off-target effects of these TKIs, such as MST1R-Y1238/Y1239 and MET-Y1252/1253. This study provides unique insight into the TKI-mediated modulation of mutant EGFR signaling, which can be applied to the development of biomarkers of EGFR TKI response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Tapan Maity
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Manoj K Kashyap
- §Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
| | - Mukesh Bansal
- ¶Department of System Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032
- ‖PsychoGenics Inc., Tarrytown, New York, 10591
| | - Abhilash Venugopalan
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Sahib Singh
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Shivangi Awasthi
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | | | | | - Natalya Belkina
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Stephanie Pitts
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Constance M Cultraro
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Shaojian Gao
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Guldal Kirkali
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Romi Biswas
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Raghothama Chaerkady
- §Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
- **Medimmune LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20878
| | - Andrea Califano
- ¶Department of System Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, 10032
| | - Akhilesh Pandey
- §Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205
| | - Udayan Guha
- From the ‡Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hoang VT, Yan TJ, Cavanaugh JE, Flaherty PT, Beckman BS, Burow ME. Oncogenic signaling of MEK5-ERK5. Cancer Lett 2017; 392:51-59. [PMID: 28153789 PMCID: PMC5901897 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate diverse cellular processes including proliferation, cell survival, differentiation, and apoptosis. While conventional MAPK constituents have well-defined roles in oncogenesis, the MEK5 pathway has only recently emerged in cancer research. In this review, we consider the MEK5 signaling cascade, focusing specifically on its involvement in drug resistance and regulation of aggressive cancer phenotypes. Moreover, we explore the role of MEK5/ERK5 in tumorigenesis and metastatic progression, discussing the discrepancies in preclinical studies and assessing its viability as a therapeutic target for anti-cancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Van T Hoang
- Department of Medicine-Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Thomas J Yan
- Department of Medicine-Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jane E Cavanaugh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Patrick T Flaherty
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine-Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Targeting BMK1 Impairs the Drug Resistance to Combined Inhibition of BRAF and MEK1/2 in Melanoma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46244. [PMID: 28387310 PMCID: PMC5384194 DOI: 10.1038/srep46244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined inhibition of BRAF and MEK1/2 (CIBM) improves therapeutic efficacy of BRAF-mutant melanoma. However, drug resistance to CIBM is inevitable and the drug resistance mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that BMK1 pathway contributes to the drug resistance to CIBM. Considering that ERK1/2 pathway regulates cellular processes by phosphorylating, we first performed a SILAC phosphoproteomic profiling of CIBM. Phosphorylation of 239 proteins was identified to be downregulated, while phosphorylation of 47 proteins was upregulated. Following siRNA screening of 47 upregulated proteins indicated that the knockdown of BMK1 showed the most significant ability to inhibit the proliferation of CIBM resistant cells. It was found that phosphorylation of BMK1 was enhanced in resistant cells, which suggested an association of BMK1 with drug resistance. Further study indicated that phospho-activation of BMK1 by MEK5D enhanced the resistance to CIBM. Conversely, inhibition of BMK1 by shRNAi or BMK1 inhibitor (XMD8-92) impaired not only the acquirement of resistance to CIBM, but also the proliferation of CIBM resistant cells. Further kinome-scale siRNA screening demonstrated that SRC\MEK5 cascade promotes the phospho-activation of BMK1 in response to CIBM. Our study not only provides a global phosphoproteomic view of CIBM in melanoma, but also demonstrates that inhibition of BMK1 has therapeutic potential for the treatment of melanoma.
Collapse
|
11
|
Simstein R, Burow M, Parker A, Weldon C, Beckman B. Apoptosis, Chemoresistance, and Breast Cancer: Insights From the MCF-7 Cell Model System. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 228:995-1003. [PMID: 14530507 DOI: 10.1177/153537020322800903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The MCF-7 cell line was derived from a patient with metastatic breast cancer in 1970. Since then it has become a prominent model system for the study of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. With this model as a focus, this review summarizes important studies addressing tumor necrosis factor-α as a prototypical apoptosis-inducing cytokine in MCF-7 cells. Both survival and death receptor signaling pathways are discussed in terms of their role in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis as well as in chemoresistance. Novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of breast cancer are proposed utilizing knowledge of these signaling pathways as targets. Specifically, ceramide metabolism is proposed as a novel target for chemosensitivity, perhaps combined with selective inhibitors of Bcl-2 or PI3K/Akt/nuclear factor-κB. Suggested areas of future research include translational studies manipulating candidate survival and death signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Simstein
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Song C, Xu Q, Jiang K, Zhou G, Yu X, Wang L, Zhu Y, Fang L, Yu Z, Lee JD, Yu SC, Yang Q. Inhibition of BMK1 pathway suppresses cancer stem cells through BNIP3 and BNIP3L. Oncotarget 2016; 6:33279-89. [PMID: 26432836 PMCID: PMC4741765 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess many characteristics associated with stem cells and are believed to drive tumor initiation. Although targeting of CSCs offers great promise for the new generation of therapeutics, lack of the effective drugable target and appropriate pharmacological reagents significantly impedes the development of chemotherapies. Here, we show that the phosphorylation of BMK1 was significantly correlated with not only embryonic and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, but also the CSCs. It was showed that activation of BMK1 by the expression of MEK5D enhanced the self-renew (sphere formation), proliferation (clone formation) and tumorigenic capacity of CSCs. While BMK1 inhibitor, XMD8-92, suppressed these capacities. RNA-seq and microarray analysis revealed that inhibition of BMK1 significantly enhanced the expression of BNIP3 and BNIP3L, which play important roles in cell death. Further study indicated that shRNA-mediated knock down of BNIP3 and BNIP3L impairs the BMK1 inhibitor, XMD8-92-induced suppression of sphere formation and clone formation of CSC. Collectively, these results not only indicate that BMK1 plays an important role in maintaining "stemness" of CSCs, but also implicate that BMK1 might be a potential drug target for CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengli Song
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Kui Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Guangyu Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Xuebin Yu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Yuting Zhu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Liping Fang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Zhe Yu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Jiing-Dwan Lee
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Shi-Cang Yu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qingkai Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of DaLian Medical University, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, DaLian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Simões AES, Rodrigues CMP, Borralho PM. The MEK5/ERK5 signalling pathway in cancer: a promising novel therapeutic target. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1654-1663. [PMID: 27320690 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Conventional mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members are among the most sought-after oncogenic effectors for the development of novel human cancer treatment strategies. MEK5/ERK5 has been the less-studied MAPK subfamily, despite its increasingly demonstrated relevance in the growth, survival, and differentiation of normal cells. MEK5/ERK5 signalling has already been proposed to have pivotal roles in several cancer hallmarks, and to mediate the effects of a range of oncogenes. Accumulating evidence indicates the contribution of MEK5/ERK5 signalling to therapy resistance and the benefits of using MEK5/ERK5 inhibitory strategies in the treatment of human cancer. Here, we explore the major known contributions of MEK5/ERK5 signalling to the onset and progression of several types of cancer, and highlight the potential clinical relevance of targeting MEK5/ERK5 pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André E S Simões
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cecília M P Rodrigues
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Pedro M Borralho
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
ERK5 signalling rescues intestinal epithelial turnover and tumour cell proliferation upon ERK1/2 abrogation. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11551. [PMID: 27187615 PMCID: PMC4873670 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The ERK1/2 MAPK signalling module integrates extracellular cues that induce proliferation and differentiation of epithelial lineages, and is an established oncogenic driver, particularly in the intestine. However, the interrelation of the ERK1/2 module relative to other signalling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells and colorectal cancer (CRC) is unclear. Here we show that loss of Erk1/2 in intestinal epithelial cells results in defects in nutrient absorption, epithelial cell migration and secretory cell differentiation. However, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation is not impeded, implying compensatory mechanisms. Genetic deletion of Erk1/2 or pharmacological targeting of MEK1/2 results in supraphysiological activity of the ERK5 pathway. Furthermore, targeting both pathways causes a more effective suppression of cell proliferation in murine intestinal organoids and human CRC lines. These results suggest that ERK5 provides a common bypass route in intestinal epithelial cells, which rescues cell proliferation upon abrogation of ERK1/2 signalling, with therapeutic implications in CRC. It is unclear how the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathways interact with other signals in intestinal epithelial cells. Here, the authors show that upon loss of Erk1/2, or pharmacological inhibition of MEK1/2, the ERK5 pathway is upregulated to maintain epithelial cell proliferation.
Collapse
|
15
|
Diao D, Wang L, Wan J, Chen Z, Peng J, Liu H, Chen X, Wang W, Zou L. MEK5 overexpression is associated with the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:302. [PMID: 27160304 PMCID: PMC4862041 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2327-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitogen/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase-5 (MEK5) has been confirmed to play a pivotal role in tumor carcinogenesis and progression. However, few studies have investigated the role of MEK5 in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS MEK5 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue microarrays (TMAs) containing 2 groups of tissues, and western blotting was used to confirm MEK5 expression in 8 cases of primary CRC tissues and paired normal mucosa. RNA interference was used to verify the biological function of MEK5 gene in the development of CRC. RESULTS IHC revealed the expression of MEK5 was higher in tumor tissues (38.1 %), compared with adjacent normal tissue (8.3 %). Western blot showed that, MEK5 expression was upregulated in CRC tumor tissues compared with normal tissue. Analysis of clinical pathology parameters indicated MEK5 overexpression was significantly correlated with the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and histological grade. Survival analysis revealed that MEK5 overexpression negatively correlated with cancer-free survival (hazard ratio 1.64, P = 0.017). RNA interference-mediated knockdown of MEK5 in SW480 colon cancer cells decreased their proliferation, division, migration and invasiveness in vitro and slowed down tumors growth in mice engrafted with the cells. CONCLUSION MEK5 plays an important role in CRC progression and may be a potential molecular target for the treatment of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dechang Diao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong Provincal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, 510120, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China
| | - Jin Wan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong Provincal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong Provincal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Junsheng Peng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510655, China
| | - Huanliang Liu
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Xinlin Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, College of Fundamental Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong Provincal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Liaonan Zou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guangdong Provincal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, 510120, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Chen H, Tucker J, Wang X, Gavine PR, Phillips C, Augustin MA, Schreiner P, Steinbacher S, Preston M, Ogg D. Discovery of a novel allosteric inhibitor-binding site in ERK5: comparison with the canonical kinase hinge ATP-binding site. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2016; 72:682-93. [PMID: 27139631 PMCID: PMC4854315 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798316004502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
MAP kinases act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, regulation of transcription and development. As a member of the MAP kinase family, ERK5 (MAPK7) is involved in the downstream signalling pathways of various cell-surface receptors, including receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors. In the current study, five structures of the ERK5 kinase domain co-crystallized with ERK5 inhibitors are reported. Interestingly, three of the compounds bind at a novel allosteric binding site in ERK5, while the other two bind at the typical ATP-binding site. Binding of inhibitors at the allosteric site is accompanied by displacement of the P-loop into the ATP-binding site and is shown to be ATP-competitive in an enzymatic assay of ERK5 kinase activity. Kinase selectivity data show that the most potent allosteric inhibitor exhibits superior kinase selectivity compared with the two inhibitors that bind at the canonical ATP-binding site. An analysis of these structures and comparison with both a previously published ERK5-inhibitor complex structure (PDB entry 4b99) and the structures of three other kinases (CDK2, ITK and MEK) in complex with allosteric inhibitors are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongming Chen
- Chemistry Innovation Centre, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, 431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Julie Tucker
- Structure and Biophysics, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, England
| | - Xiaotao Wang
- Innovation Centre China, AstraZeneca Asia and Emerging Markets iMed, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Paul R. Gavine
- Innovation Centre China, AstraZeneca Asia and Emerging Markets iMed, Shanghai 201203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chris Phillips
- Structure and Biophysics, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, England
| | - Martin A. Augustin
- Proteros biostructures GmbH, Bunsenstrasse 7a, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Patrick Schreiner
- Proteros biostructures GmbH, Bunsenstrasse 7a, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Stefan Steinbacher
- Proteros biostructures GmbH, Bunsenstrasse 7a, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Marian Preston
- Screening Sciences, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, England
| | - Derek Ogg
- Structure and Biophysics, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, England
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Herrera Estrada L, Padmore TJ, Champion JA. Bacterial Effector Nanoparticles as Breast Cancer Therapeutics. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:710-9. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Herrera Estrada
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Trudy J. Padmore
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Julie A. Champion
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Xiong Y, Zhang L, Wang T. Phosphorylation of BMK1 induces prostatic carcinoma cell proliferation by promoting entry into the S phase of the cell cycle. Oncol Lett 2015; 11:99-104. [PMID: 26870175 PMCID: PMC4727042 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Big mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (BMK1) is activated by mitogens and oncogenic signals, and is strongly implicated in tumorigenesis. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the activation of BMK1, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, can induce proliferation in prostate cancer cells. It was found that the proliferation of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-treated cells was accelerated by 40% compared with non-treated cells using a CCK8 assay. In addition, cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed that the proportion of cells in the S phase increased significantly in the BMK1-activated PC-3 cells, suggesting that the activation of BMK1 promotes entry into the S phase of the cell cycle in prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated that EGF-mediated activation of BMK1, but not ERK1/2, participates in the proliferation and cell cycle regulation in prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, the effects of cell cycle regulation by the activation of BMK1 were associated with the increased expression levels of cyclin A and cyclin E, whereas the expression of cyclin B and cyclin D1 was unchanged in this process. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that the activation of BMK1 can induce proliferation by promoting entry into the S phase through the upregulation of cyclin A and cyclin E expression levels in prostate cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xiong
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434000, P.R. China
| | - Luying Zhang
- Division of Anatomy, Hubei College of Chinese Medicine, Jingzhou, Hubei 434100, P.R. China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tesser-Gamba F, Lopes LJDS, Petrilli AS, Toledo SRC. MAPK7 gene controls proliferation, migration and cell invasion in osteosarcoma. Mol Carcinog 2015; 55:1700-1713. [PMID: 26460937 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcomas (OS) are the most common malignant bone tumors, and the identification of useful tumor biomarkers and target proteins is required to predict the clinical outcome of patients and therapeutic response as well as to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In our previous study, MAPK7 has been identified as a candidate oncogene, and a promising prognostic marker for OS. Sequential activation of protein kinases within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades is a common mechanism of signal transduction in many cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the behavior of MAPK7 gene in OS cell lines. Technical viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were used to evaluate the function of the MAPK7 gene. We evaluated the behavior of the OS cells with MAPK7 gene silenced, not silenced, and exposed to the main chemotherapy drugs used in OS treatment. We found that silenced MAPK7 gene is effective at suppressing cell proliferation, inhibiting cell migration, and invasion. Furthermore, MAPK7 is an important activator of transcription factors and is the main expression modulator of other key genes in the MAPK pathway. In summary, our study suggests that MAPK7 might be a promising therapeutic target for OS. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francine Tesser-Gamba
- Department of Pediatrics, Genetics Laboratory, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.,Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Laboratory, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Luana Joyce da Silva Lopes
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Genetics Laboratory, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Sergio Petrilli
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Silvia Regina Caminada Toledo
- Department of Pediatrics, Genetics Laboratory, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. .,Department of Morphology and Genetics, Genetics Laboratory, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. .,Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Genetics Laboratory, Pediatric Oncology Institute (IOP/GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wilhelmsen K, Xu F, Farrar K, Tran A, Khakpour S, Sundar S, Prakash A, Wang J, Gray NS, Hellman J. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 promotes acute cellular and systemic inflammation. Sci Signal 2015; 8:ra86. [PMID: 26307013 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaa3206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory critical illness is a syndrome that is characterized by acute inflammation and organ injury, and it is triggered by infections and noninfectious tissue injury, both of which activate innate immune receptors and pathways. Although reports suggest an anti-inflammatory role for the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), we previously found that ERK5 mediates proinflammatory responses in primary human cells in response to stimulation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). We inhibited the kinase activities and reduced the abundances of ERK5 and MEK5, a MAPK kinase directly upstream of ERK5, in primary human vascular endothelial cells and monocytes, and found that ERK5 promoted inflammation induced by a broad range of microbial TLR agonists and by the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, we found that inhibitors of MEK5 or ERK5 reduced the plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in mice challenged with TLR ligands or heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus, as well as in mice that underwent sterile lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. Finally, we found that inhibition of ERK5 protected endotoxemic mice from death. Together, our studies support a proinflammatory role for ERK5 in primary human endothelial cells and monocytes, and suggest that ERK5 is a potential therapeutic target in diverse disorders that cause inflammatory critical illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Wilhelmsen
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Fengyun Xu
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Katherine Farrar
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alphonso Tran
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Samira Khakpour
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shirin Sundar
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Arun Prakash
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Judith Hellman
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Division of Critical Care Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gavine PR, Wang M, Yu D, Hu E, Huang C, Xia J, Su X, Fan J, Zhang T, Ye Q, Zheng L, Zhu G, Qian Z, Luo Q, Hou YY, Ji Q. Identification and validation of dysregulated MAPK7 (ERK5) as a novel oncogenic target in squamous cell lung and esophageal carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:454. [PMID: 26040563 PMCID: PMC4453990 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1455-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MAPK7/ERK5 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5) functions within a canonical three-tiered MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) signaling cascade comprising MEK (MAPK/ERK kinase) 5, MEKK(MEK kinase) 2/3 and ERK5 itself. Despite being the least well studied of the MAPK-modules, evidence supports a role for MAPK7-signaling in the pathology of several cancer types. Methods and results Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis identified MAPK7 gene amplification in 4 % (3/74) of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) (enriched to 6 % (3/49) in squamous cell carcinoma) and 2 % (2/95) of squamous esophageal cancers (sqEC). Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis revealed a good correlation between MAPK7 gene amplification and protein expression. MAPK7 was validated as a proliferative oncogenic driver by performing in vitro siRNA knockdown of MAPK7 in tumor cell lines. Finally, a novel MEK5/MAPK7 co-transfected HEK293 cell line was developed and used for routine cell-based pharmacodynamic screening. Phosphorylation antibody microarray analysis also identified novel downstream pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers of MAPK7 kinase inhibition in tumor cells (pMEF2A and pMEF2D). Conclusions Together, these data highlight a broader role for dysregulated MAPK7 in driving tumorigenesis within niche populations of highly prevalent tumor types, and describe current efforts in establishing a robust drug discovery screening cascade. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1455-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Gavine
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Mei Wang
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dehua Yu
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Eva Hu
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunlei Huang
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jenny Xia
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinying Su
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Joan Fan
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tianwei Zhang
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qingqing Ye
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li Zheng
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guanshan Zhu
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ziliang Qian
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qingquan Luo
- Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Yong Hou
- Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qunsheng Ji
- Innovation Center China, AstraZeneca Global R&D, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Aberrant MEK5/ERK5 signalling contributes to human colon cancer progression via NF-κB activation. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1718. [PMID: 25855966 PMCID: PMC4650550 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate MEK5 and ERK5 expression in colon cancer progression and to ascertain the relevance of MEK5/ERK5 signalling in colon cancer. Expression of MEK5 and ERK5 was evaluated in 323 human colon cancer samples. To evaluate the role of MEK5/ERK5 signalling in colon cancer, we developed a stable cell line model with differential MEK5/ERK5 activation. Impact of differential MEK5/ERK5 signalling was evaluated on cell cycle progression by flow cytometry and cell migration was evaluated by wound healing and transwell migration assays. Finally, we used an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of colon cancer to assess tumour growth and progression. Our results demonstrated that MEK5 and ERK5 are overexpressed in human adenomas (P<0.01) and adenocarcinomas (P<0.05), where increased ERK5 expression correlated with the acquisition of more invasive and metastatic potential (P<0.05). Interestingly, we observed a significant correlation between ERK5 expression and NF-κB activation in human adenocarcinomas (P<0.001). We also showed that ERK5 overactivation significantly accelerated cell cycle progression (P<0.05) and increased cell migration (P<0.01). Furthermore, cells with overactivated ERK5 displayed increased NF-κB nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity (P<0.05), together with increased expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin (P<0.05). We further demonstrated that increased NF-κB activation was associated with increased IκB phosphorylation and degradation (P<0.05). Finally, in the mouse model, lymph node metastasis was exclusively seen in orthotopically implanted tumours with overactivated MEK5/ERK5, and not in tumours with inhibited MEK5/ERK5. Our results suggested that MEK5/ERK5/NF-κB signalling pathway is important for tumour onset, progression and metastasis, possibly representing a novel relevant therapeutic target in colon cancer treatment.
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhuang Y, Nguyen HT, Burow ME, Zhuo Y, El-Dahr SS, Yao X, Cao S, Flemington EK, Nephew KP, Fang F, Collins-Burow B, Rhodes LV, Yu Q, Jayawickramarajah J, Shan B. Elevated expression of long intergenic non-coding RNA HOTAIR in a basal-like variant of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2014; 54:1656-67. [PMID: 25328122 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical to phenotypic maintenance and transition of human breast cancer cells. HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a long intergenic non-coding RNA that epigenetically represses gene expression via recruitment of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase. Elevated expression of HOTAIR promotes progression of breast cancer. In the current study we examined the expression and function of HOTAIR in MCF-7-TNR cells, a derivative of the luminal-like breast cancer cell line MCF-7 that acquired resistance to TNF-α-induced cell death. The expression of HOTAIR, markers of the luminal-like and basal-like subtypes, and growth were compared between MCF-7 and MCF-7-TNR cells. These variables were further assessed upon inhibition of HOTAIR, EZH2, p38 MAPK, and SRC kinase in MCF-7-TNR cells. When compared with MCF-7 cells, MCF-7-TNR cells exhibited an increase in the expression of HOTAIR, which correlated with characteristics of a luminal-like to basal-like transition as evidenced by dysregulated gene expression and accelerated growth. MCF-7-TNR cells exhibited reduced suppressive histone H3 lysine27 trimethylation on the HOTAIR promoter. Inhibition of HOTAIR and EZH2 attenuated the luminal-like to basal-like transition in terms of gene expression and growth in MCF-7-TNR cells. Inhibition of p38 and SRC diminished HOTAIR expression and the basal-like phenotype in MCF-7-TNR cells. HOTAIR was robustly expressed in the native basal-like breast cancer cells and inhibition of HOTAIR reduced the basal-like gene expression and growth. Our findings suggest HOTAIR-mediated regulation of gene expression and growth associated with the basal-like phenotype of breast cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhuang
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Hong T Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Matthew E Burow
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Ying Zhuo
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Richland, Washington
| | - Samir S El-Dahr
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Xiao Yao
- Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Richland, Washington
| | - Subing Cao
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Erik K Flemington
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kenneth P Nephew
- Department of Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | - Lyndsay V Rhodes
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Qiang Yu
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Bin Shan
- Washington State University at Spokane, Spokane, Washington
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Antoon JW, Martin EC, Lai R, Salvo VA, Tang Y, Nitzchke AM, Elliott S, Nam SY, Xiong W, Rhodes LV, Collins-Burow B, David O, Wang G, Shan B, Beckman BS, Nephew KP, Burow ME. MEK5/ERK5 signaling suppresses estrogen receptor expression and promotes hormone-independent tumorigenesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69291. [PMID: 23950888 PMCID: PMC3739787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine resistance and metastatic progression are primary causes of treatment failure in breast cancer. While mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are known to promote ligand-independent cell growth, the role of the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in the progression of clinical breast carcinoma remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated increased ERK5 activation in 30 of 39 (76.9%) clinical tumor samples, as well as across breast cancer cell systems. Overexpression of MEK5 in MCF-7 cells promoted both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo and conferred endocrine therapy resistance to previously sensitive breast cancer cells. Expression of MEK5 suppressed estrogen receptor (ER)α, but not ER-β protein levels, and abrogated downstream estrogen response element (ERE) transcriptional activity and ER-mediated gene transcription. Global gene expression changes associated with upregulation of MEK5 included increased activation of ER-α independent growth signaling pathways and promotion of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Taken together, our findings show that the MEK5-ERK5 pathway mediates progression to an ER(-), mesenchymal and endocrine therapy resistant phenotype. Given the need for new clinical therapeutic targets, our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting the MEK5-ERK5 pathway in breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W. Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth C. Martin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Rongye Lai
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Virgilo A. Salvo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Yan Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Ashley M. Nitzchke
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Steven Elliott
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Seung Yoon Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Lyndsay V. Rhodes
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Bridgette Collins-Burow
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Odile David
- Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Guandi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Bin Shan
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care, and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Barbara S. Beckman
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Kenneth P. Nephew
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
High glucose inhibits mitochondrial respiration, known as the 'Crabtree effect', in cancer cells and possibly other cell types. The upstream pathways regulating this phenomenon are poorly understood. In diabetes, where glucose levels are elevated, the p90(RSK) (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase) has received much attention as a potential upstream mediator of the effects of high glucose. Evidence is also emerging that p90(RSK) may play a role in cancer cell signalling, although the role of p90(RSK) in regulating cancer cell metabolism is unclear. In the present paper, we provide an overview of the Crabtree effect and its relationship to mitochondrial metabolism. Furthermore, preliminary data are presented suggesting a role for p90(RSK) and its upstream components, the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) family of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases), in the Crabtree effect.
Collapse
|
26
|
Antoon JW, Nitzchke AM, Martin EC, Rhodes LV, Nam S, Wadsworth S, Salvo VA, Elliott S, Collins-Burow B, Nephew KP, Burow ME. Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase alters microRNA expression and reverses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Int J Oncol 2013; 42:1139-50. [PMID: 23403951 PMCID: PMC3622654 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired chemoresistance and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are hallmarks of cancer progression and of increasing clinical relevance. We investigated the role of miRNA and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in the progression of breast cancer to a drug-resistant and mesenchymal phenotype. We demonstrate that acquired death receptor resistance results in increased hormone-independent tumorigenesis compared to hormone-sensitive parental cells. Utilizing global miRNA gene expression profiling, we identified miRNA alterations associated with the development of death receptor resistance and EMT progression. We further investigated the role of p38 MAPK in this process, showing dose-dependent inactivation of p38 by its inhibitor RWJ67657 and decreased downstream ATF and NF-κB signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 also decreased chemoresistant cancer tumor growth in xenograft animal models. Interestingly, inhibition of p38 partially reversed the EMT changes found in this cell system, as illustrated by decreased gene expression of the EMT markers Twist, Snail, Slug and ZEB and protein and mRNA levels of Twist, a known EMT promoter, concomitant with decreased N-cadherin protein. RWJ67657 treatment also altered the expression of several miRNAs known to promote therapeutic resistance, including miR-200, miR-303, miR-302, miR-199 and miR-328. Taken together, our results demonstrate the roles of multiple microRNAs and p38 signaling in the progression of cancer and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting the p38 MAPK pathway for reversing EMT in an advanced tumor phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) modulates the p53 tumor suppressor through its interaction with p53 and MDM2. We found that activated BMK1 preferentially associates with PML isoform IV and disrupts PML-MDM2 interaction. Doxorubicin, a common chemotherapeutic agent, is known to promote PML-mediated p53 activation in part by promoting PML-dependent MDM2 nucleolar sequestration. We discovered that BMK1 deactivation coupled with doxorubicin synergistically enhanced MDM2 nucleolar sequestration and, consequently, promoted PML-mediated p53 up-regulation leading to tumor cell apoptosis in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. Collectively, these results not only suggest that BMK1 activity plays a role in suppressing p53 by blocking the interaction between PML and MDM2 but also implicate that pharmacological BMK1 inhibitor should significantly enhance the anti-cancer capacity of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.
Collapse
|
28
|
Antoon JW, White MD, Driver JL, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Sphingosine kinase isoforms as a therapeutic target in endocrine therapy resistant luminal and basal-A breast cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2012; 237:832-44. [PMID: 22859737 DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2012.012028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase signaling has become of increasing interest as a cancer target in recent years. Two sphingosine kinase inhibitors, sphingosine kinase inhibitor (SKI)-II and ABC294640, are promising as potential breast cancer therapies. However, evidence for their therapeutic properties in specific breast cancer subtypes is currently lacking. In this study, we characterize these drugs in luminal, endocrine-resistant (MDA-MB-361) and basal-A, triple-negative (MDA-MB-468) breast cancer cells and compare them with previously published data in other breast cancer cell models. Both SKI-II and ABC294640 demonstrated greater efficacy in basal-A compared with luminal breast cancer. ABC294640, in particular, induced apoptosis and blocked proliferation both in vitro and in vivo in this triple-negative breast cancer system. Furthermore, Sphk expression promotes survival and endocrine therapy resistance in previously sensitive breast cancer cells. Taken together, these results characterize sphingosine kinase inhibitors across breast cancer cell systems and demonstrate their therapeutic potential as anti-cancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Tulane Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Nithianandarajah-Jones GN, Wilm B, Goldring CEP, Müller J, Cross MJ. ERK5: structure, regulation and function. Cell Signal 2012; 24:2187-96. [PMID: 22800864 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), also termed big mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (BMK1), is the most recently identified member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family and consists of an amino-terminal kinase domain, with a relatively large carboxy-terminal of unique structure and function that makes it distinct from other MAPK members. It is ubiquitously expressed in numerous tissues and is activated by a variety of extracellular stimuli, such as cellular stresses and growth factors, to regulate processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Targeted deletion of Erk5 in mice has revealed that the ERK5 signalling cascade plays a critical role in cardiovascular development and vascular integrity. Recent data points to a potential role in pathological conditions such as cancer and tumour angiogenesis. This review focuses on the physiological and pathological role of ERK5, the regulation of this kinase and the recent development of small molecule inhibitors of the ERK5 signalling cascade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gopika N Nithianandarajah-Jones
- MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
The MEK5 [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase 5]/ERK5 pathway is the least well studied MAPK signalling module. It has been proposed to play a role in the pathology of cancer. In the present paper, we review the role of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway using the 'hallmarks of cancer' as a framework and consider how this pathway is deregulated. As well as playing a key role in endothelial cell survival and tubular morphogenesis during tumour neovascularization, ERK5 is also emerging as a regulator of tumour cell invasion and migration. Several oncogenes can stimulate ERK5 activity, and protein levels are increased by a novel amplification at chromosome locus 17p11 and by down-regulation of the microRNAs miR-143 and miR-145. Together, these finding underscore the case for further investigation into understanding the role of ERK5 in cancer.
Collapse
|
31
|
Hu B, Ren D, Su D, Lin H, Xian Z, Wan X, Zhang J, Fu X, Jiang L, Diao D, Fan X, Wang L, Wang J. Expression of the phosphorylated MEK5 protein is associated with TNM staging of colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:127. [PMID: 22458985 PMCID: PMC3337320 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of MEK5 in many cancers is associated with carcinogenesis through aberrant cell proliferation. In this study, we determined the level of phosphorylated MEK5 (pMEK5) expression in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and correlated it with clinicopathologic data. METHODS pMEK5 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 335 clinicopathologic characterized CRC cases and 80 cases of nontumor colorectal tissues. pMEK5 expression of 19 cases of primary CRC lesions and paired with normal mucosa was examined by Western blotting. The relationship between pMEK5 expression in CRC and clinicopathologic parameters, and the association of pMEK5 expression with CRC survival were analyzed respectively. RESULTS pMEK5 expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues (185 out of 335, 55.2%) than in normal tissues (6 out of 80, 7.5%; P < 0.001). Western blotting demonstrated that pMEK5 expression was upregulated in 12 of 19 CRC tissues (62.1%) compared to the corresponding adjacent nontumor colorectal tissues. Overexpression of pMEK5 in CRC tissues was significantly correlated to the depth of invasion (P = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P < 0.001) and high preoperative CEA level (P < 0.001). Consistently, the pMEK5 level in CRC tissues was increased following stage progression of the disease (P < 0.001). Analysis of the survival curves showed a significantly worse 5-year disease-free (P = 0.002) and 5-year overall survival rate (P < 0.001) for patients whose tumors overexpressed pMEK5. However, in multivariate analysis, pMEK5 was not an independent prognostic factor for CRC (DFS: P = 0.139; OS: P = 0.071). CONCLUSIONS pMEK5 expression is correlated with the staging of CRC and its expression might be helpful to the TNM staging system of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bang Hu
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Antoon JW, White MD, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Dual inhibition of sphingosine kinase isoforms ablates TNF-induced drug resistance. Oncol Rep 2012; 27:1779-86. [PMID: 22469881 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that aberrant sphingolipid signaling is an important mechanism of chemoresistance in solid tumors. Sphingosine kinase (Sphk), the primary enzyme metabolizing the sphingolipid ceramide into sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is a primary mediator of breast cancer promotion, survival and chemoresistance. However, to date the mechanism of Sphk-mediated drug resistance is poorly understood. Using the dual sphingosine kinase isozyme inhibitor, SKI-II (4-[4-(4-chloro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-phenol), we explored the effects of sphingosine kinase inhibition on multi-drug-resistant breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that SKI-II alters endogenous sphingolipid signaling and decreases cancer proliferation, survival and viability. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Sphk1/2 induced intrinsic apoptosis in these cells through modulation of the NF-κB pathway. SKI-II decreases NF-κB transcriptional activity through altered phosphorylation of the p65 subunit. Taken together, these results suggest that Sphk may be a promising therapeutic target in chemoresistant cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sprowl JA, Reed K, Armstrong SR, Lanner C, Guo B, Kalatskaya I, Stein L, Hembruff SL, Tam A, Parissenti AM. Alterations in tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways are associated with cytotoxicity and resistance to taxanes: a study in isogenic resistant tumor cells. Breast Cancer Res 2012; 14:R2. [PMID: 22225778 PMCID: PMC3496117 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2011] [Revised: 05/31/2011] [Accepted: 01/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The taxanes paclitaxel and docetaxel are widely used in the treatment of breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Although their cytotoxicity has been attributed to cell-cycle arrest through stabilization of microtubules, the mechanisms by which tumor cells die remains unclear. Paclitaxel has been shown to induce soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha (sTNF-α) production in macrophages, but the involvement of TNF production in taxane cytotoxicity or resistance in tumor cells has not been established. Our study aimed to correlate alterations in the TNF pathway with taxane cytotoxicity and the acquisition of taxane resistance. METHODS MCF-7 cells or isogenic drug-resistant variants (developed by selection for surviving cells in increasing concentrations of paclitaxel or docetaxel) were assessed for sTNF-α production in the absence or presence of taxanes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for sensitivity to docetaxel or sTNF-α by using a clonogenic assay (in the absence or presence of TNFR1 or TNFR2 neutralizing antibodies). Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity was also measured with ELISA, whereas gene-expression changes associated with docetaxel resistance in MCF-7 and A2780 cells were determined with microarray analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR). RESULTS MCF-7 and A2780 cells increased production of sTNF-α in the presence of taxanes, whereas docetaxel-resistant variants of MCF-7 produced high levels of sTNF-α, although only within a particular drug-concentration threshold (between 3 and 45 nM). Increased production of sTNF-α was NF-κB dependent and correlated with decreased sensitivity to sTNF-α, decreased levels of TNFR1, and increased survival through TNFR2 and NF-κB activation. The NF-κB inhibitor SN-50 reestablished sensitivity to docetaxel in docetaxel-resistant MCF-7 cells. Gene-expression analysis of wild-type and docetaxel-resistant MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and A2780 cells identified changes in the expression of TNF-α-related genes consistent with reduced TNF-induced cytotoxicity and activation of NF-κB survival pathways. CONCLUSIONS We report for the first time that taxanes can promote dose-dependent sTNF-α production in tumor cells at clinically relevant concentrations, which can contribute to their cytotoxicity. Defects in the TNF cytotoxicity pathway or activation of TNF-dependent NF-κB survival genes may, in contrast, contribute to taxane resistance in tumor cells. These findings may be of strong clinical significance.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Breast Neoplasms
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cycloheximide/pharmacology
- Docetaxel
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- Humans
- MCF-7 Cells
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms
- Paclitaxel/pharmacology
- Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Proteolysis
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/genetics
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/metabolism
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II/genetics
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Taxoids/pharmacology
- Transcriptional Activation/drug effects
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Sprowl
- Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, L-314, R.D. Parker Building, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
| | - Kerry Reed
- Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Stephen R Armstrong
- Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Carita Lanner
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, L-314, R.D. Parker Building, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - Baoqing Guo
- Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Irina Kalatskaya
- Informatics and Bio-computing Platform, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Lincoln Stein
- Informatics and Bio-computing Platform, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Stacey L Hembruff
- Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Adam Tam
- Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1, Canada
| | - Amadeo M Parissenti
- Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury ON P3E 5J1, Canada
- Biomolecular Sciences Program, Laurentian University, L-314, R.D. Parker Building, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6 Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Drew BA, Burow ME, Beckman BS. MEK5/ERK5 pathway: the first fifteen years. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2011; 1825:37-48. [PMID: 22020294 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2011.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
While conventional MAP kinase pathways are one of the most highly studied signal transduction molecules, less is known about the MEK5 signaling pathway. This pathway has been shown to play a role in normal cell growth cycles, survival and differentiation. The MEK5 pathway is also believed to mediate the effects of a number of oncogenes. MEK5 is the upstream activator of ERK5 in many epithelial cells. Activation of the MEK-MAPK pathway is a frequent event in malignant tumor formation and contributes to chemoresistance and anti-apoptotic signaling. This pathway may be involved in a number of more aggressive, metastatic varieties of cancer due to its role in cell survival, proliferation and EMT transitioning. Further study of this pathway may lead to new prognostic factors and new drug targets to combat more aggressive forms of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Drew
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Antoon JW, Meacham WD, Bratton MR, Slaughter EM, Rhodes LV, Ashe HB, Wiese TE, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Pharmacological inhibition of sphingosine kinase isoforms alters estrogen receptor signaling in human breast cancer. J Mol Endocrinol 2011; 46:205-16. [PMID: 21321095 PMCID: PMC4007162 DOI: 10.1530/jme-10-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, crosstalk between sphingolipid signaling pathways and steroid hormones has been illuminated as a possible therapeutic target. Sphingosine kinase (SK), the key enzyme metabolizing pro-apoptotic ceramide to pro-survival sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is a promising therapeutic target for solid tumor cancers. In this study, we examined the ability of pharmacological inhibition of S1P formation to block estrogen signaling as a targeted breast cancer therapy. We found that the Sphk1/2 selective inhibitor (SK inhibitor (SKI))-II, blocked breast cancer viability, clonogenic survival and proliferation. Furthermore, SKI-II dose-dependently decreased estrogen-stimulated estrogen response element transcriptional activity and diminished mRNA levels of the estrogen receptor (ER)-regulated genes progesterone receptor and steroid derived factor-1. This inhibitor binds the ER directly in the antagonist ligand-binding domain. Taken together, our results suggest that SKIs have the ability to act as novel ER signaling inhibitors in breast carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Tulane Department of Pharmacology Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tulane Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-83, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Deng X, Yang Q, Kwiatkowski N, Sim T, McDermott U, Settleman JE, Lee JD, Gray NS. Discovery of a benzo[e]pyrimido-[5,4-b][1,4]diazepin-6(11H)-one as a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Big MAP Kinase 1. ACS Med Chem Lett 2011; 2:195-200. [PMID: 21412406 PMCID: PMC3055678 DOI: 10.1021/ml100304b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Accepted: 12/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
![]()
Kinome-wide selectivity profiling of a collection of 2-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines followed by cellular structure−activity relationship-guided optimization resulted in the identification of moderately potent and selective inhibitors of BMK1/ERK5 exemplified by 11, 18, and 21. For example, 11 possesses a dissociation constant (Kd) for BMK1 of 19 nM, a cellular IC50 for inhibiting epidermal growth factor induced BMK1 autophosphorylation of 0.19 ± 0.04 μM, and an Ambit KINOMEscan selectivity score (S5) of 0.035. Inhibitors 18 and 21 are also potent BMK1 inhibitors and possess favorable pharmacokinetic properties which enable their use as pharmacological probes of BMK1-dependent phenomena as well as starting points for further optimization efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianming Deng
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 250 Longwood Ave, SGM 628, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Qingkai Yang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Nicholas Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 250 Longwood Ave, SGM 628, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Taebo Sim
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 250 Longwood Ave, SGM 628, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ultan McDermott
- Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Jeffrey E. Settleman
- Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, United States
| | - Jiing-Dwan Lee
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 250 Longwood Ave, SGM 628, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
The big mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (BMK1) pathway is the most recently discovered and least-studied mammalian mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade, ubiquitously expressed in all types of cancer cells tested so far. Mitogens and oncogenic signals strongly activate this cellular MAP kinase pathway, thereby passing down proliferative, survival, chemoresistance, invasive, and angiogenic signals in tumor cells. Recently, several pharmacologic small molecule inhibitors of this pathway have been developed. Among them, the BMK1 inhibitor XMD8-92 blocks cellular BMK1 activation and significantly suppresses tumor growth in lung and cervical tumor models and is well tolerated in animals. On the other hand, MEK5 inhibitors, BIX02188, BIX02189, and compound 6, suppress cellular MEK5 activity, but no data exist to date on their effectiveness in animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingkai Yang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shukla A, Hillegass JM, MacPherson MB, Beuschel SL, Vacek PM, Pass HI, Carbone M, Testa JR, Mossman BT. Blocking of ERK1 and ERK2 sensitizes human mesothelioma cells to doxorubicin. Mol Cancer 2010; 9:314. [PMID: 21159167 PMCID: PMC3016286 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-9-314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 12/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant mesotheliomas (MM) have a poor prognosis, largely because of their chemoresistance to anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin (Dox). Here we show using human MM lines that Dox activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1 and 2), causally linked to increased expression of ABC transporter genes, decreased accumulation of Dox, and enhanced MM growth. Using the MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126 and stably transfected shERK1 and shERK2 MM cell lines, we show that inhibition of both ERK1 and 2 sensitizes MM cells to Dox. RESULTS U0126 significantly modulated endogenous expression of several important drug resistance (BCL2, ABCB1, ABCC3), prosurvival (BCL2), DNA repair (BRCA1, BRCA2), hormone receptor (AR, ESR2, PPARγ) and drug metabolism (CYP3A4) genes newly identified in MM cells. In comparison to shControl lines, MM cell lines stably transfected with shERK1 or shERK2 exhibited significant increases in intracellular accumulation of Dox and decreases in cell viability. Affymetrix microarray analysis on stable shERK1 and shERK2 MM lines showed more than 2-fold inhibition (p ≤ 0.05) of expression of ATP binding cassette genes (ABCG1, ABCA5, ABCA2, MDR/TAP, ABCA1, ABCA8, ABCC2) in comparison to shControl lines. Moreover, injection of human MM lines into SCID mice showed that stable shERK1 or shERK2 lines had significantly slower tumor growth rates in comparison to shControl lines after Dox treatment. CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that blocking ERK1 and 2, which play critical roles in multi-drug resistance and survival, may be beneficial in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of MMs and other tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arti Shukla
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Antoon JW, White MD, Meacham WD, Slaughter EM, Muir SE, Elliott S, Rhodes LV, Ashe HB, Wiese TE, Smith CD, Burow ME, Beckman BS. Antiestrogenic effects of the novel sphingosine kinase-2 inhibitor ABC294640. Endocrinology 2010; 151:5124-35. [PMID: 20861237 PMCID: PMC2954724 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in sphingolipid metabolism have been shown to contribute to the development of endocrine resistance and breast cancer tumor survival. Sphingosine kinase (SK), in particular, is overexpressed in breast cancer and is a promising target for breast cancer drug development. In this study, we used the novel SK inhibitor ABC294640 as a tool to explore the relationship between SK and estrogen (E2) receptor (ER) signaling in breast cancer cells. Treatment with ABC294640 decreased E2-stimulated ERE-luciferase activity in both MCF-7 and ER-transfected HEK293 cells. Furthermore, the inhibitor reduced E2-mediated transcription of the ER-regulated genes progesterone receptor and SDF-1. Competitive receptor-binding assays revealed that ABC294640 binds in the antagonist ligand-binding domain of the ER, acting as a partial antagonist similar to tamoxifen. Finally, treatment with ABC294640 inhibited ER-positive breast cancer tumor formation in vivo. After 15 d of treatment with ABC294640, tumor volume was reduced by 68.4% (P < 0.05; n = 5) compared with control tumors, with no marked weight loss or illness. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that this novel SK inhibitor, which had not previously been known to interact with E2 signaling pathways, has therapeutic potential in treating ER-positive breast cancer via inhibition of both SK and ER signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James W Antoon
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Yang Q, Deng X, Lu B, Cameron M, Fearns C, Patricelli MP, Yates JR, Gray NS, Lee JD. Pharmacological inhibition of BMK1 suppresses tumor growth through promyelocytic leukemia protein. Cancer Cell 2010; 18:258-67. [PMID: 20832753 PMCID: PMC2939729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2010.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Revised: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BMK1 is activated by mitogens and oncogenic signals and, thus, is strongly implicated in tumorigenesis. We found that BMK1 interacted with promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), and inhibited its tumor-suppressor function through phosphorylation. Furthermore, activated BMK1 notably inhibited PML-dependent activation of p21. To further investigate the BMK-mediated inhibition of the tumor suppressor activity of PML in tumor cells, we developed a small-molecule inhibitor of the kinase activity of BMK1, XMD8-92. Inhibition of BMK1 by XMD8-92 blocked tumor cell proliferation in vitro and significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo by 95%, demonstrating the efficacy and tolerability of BMK1-targeted cancer treatment in animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingkai Yang
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sawhney RS, Liu W, Brattain MG. A novel role of ERK5 in integrin-mediated cell adhesion and motility in cancer cells via Fak signaling. J Cell Physiol 2009; 219:152-61. [PMID: 19089993 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In metastatic cancer, high expression levels of vitronectin (VN) receptors (integrins), FAK, and ERK5 are reported. We hypothesized that integrin-mediated ERK5 activation via FAK may play a pivotal role in cell adhesion, motility, and metastasis. ERK5 and FAK phosphorylation when metastatic MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cells were plated on VN was enhanced. Further experiments showed co-immunoprecipitation of integrins beta1, alpha V beta 3, or alpha V beta 5 with ERK5 and FAK. To gain better insight into the mechanism of ERK5, FAK, and VN receptors in cell adhesion and motility, we performed loss-of-function experiments using integrin blocking antibodies, and specific mutants of FAK and ERK5. Ectopic expression of dominant negative ERK5/AEF decreased ERK5 and FAK (Y397) phosphorylation, cell adhesion, and haptotactic motility (micromotion) on VN. Additionally, DN FAK expression attenuated ERK5 phosphorylation, cell adhesion, and motility. This study documents the novel finding that in breast and prostate cancer cells, ERK5 is a critical target of FAK in cell adhesion signaling. Using different cancer cells, our experiments unveil a novel mechanism by which VN receptors and FAK could promote cancer metastasis via ERK5 activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajinder S Sawhney
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zen K, Yasui K, Nakajima T, Zen Y, Zen K, Gen Y, Mitsuyoshi H, Minami M, Mitsufuji S, Tanaka S, Itoh Y, Nakanuma Y, Taniwaki M, Arii S, Okanoue T, Yoshikawa T. ERK5 is a target for gene amplification at 17p11 and promotes cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating mitotic entry. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2009; 48:109-20. [DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
|
43
|
Proteomic analysis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha resistant human breast cancer cells reveals a MEK5/Erk5-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Breast Cancer Res 2008; 10:R105. [PMID: 19087274 PMCID: PMC2656902 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2008] [Revised: 10/29/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite intensive study of the mechanisms of chemotherapeutic drug resistance in human breast cancer, few reports have systematically investigated the mechanisms that underlie resistance to the chemotherapy-sensitizing agent tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Additionally, the relationship between TNF-α resistance mediated by MEK5/Erk5 signaling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process associated with promotion of invasion, metastasis, and recurrence in breast cancer, has not previously been investigated. Methods To compare differences in the proteome of the TNF-α resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cell line MCF-7-MEK5 (in which TNF-α resistance is mediated by MEK5/Erk5 signaling) and its parental TNF-a sensitive MCF-7 cell line MCF-7-VEC, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and high performance capillary liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry approaches were used. Differential protein expression was verified at the transcriptional level using RT-PCR assays. An EMT phenotype was confirmed using immunofluorescence staining and gene expression analyses. A short hairpin RNA strategy targeting Erk5 was utilized to investigate the requirement for the MEK/Erk5 pathway in EMT. Results Proteomic analyses and PCR assays were used to identify and confirm differential expression of proteins. In MCF-7-MEK5 versus MCF-7-VEC cells, vimentin (VIM), glutathione-S-transferase P (GSTP1), and creatine kinase B-type (CKB) were upregulated, and keratin 8 (KRT8), keratin 19 (KRT19) and glutathione-S-transferase Mu 3 (GSTM3) were downregulated. Morphology and immunofluorescence staining for E-cadherin and vimentin revealed an EMT phenotype in the MCF-7-MEK5 cells. Furthermore, EMT regulatory genes SNAI2 (slug), ZEB1 (δ-EF1), and N-cadherin (CDH2) were upregulated, whereas E-cadherin (CDH1) was downregulated in MCF-7-MEK5 cells versus MCF-7-VEC cells. RNA interference targeting of Erk5 reversed MEK5-mediated EMT gene expression. Conclusions This study demonstrates that MEK5 over-expression promotes a TNF-α resistance phenotype associated with distinct proteomic changes (upregulation of VIM/vim, GSTP1/gstp1, and CKB/ckb; and downregulation of KRT8/krt8, KRT19/krt19, and GSTM3/gstm3). We further demonstrate that MEK5-mediated progression to an EMT phenotype is dependent upon intact Erk5 and associated with upregulation of SNAI2 and ZEB1 expression.
Collapse
|
44
|
Marchetti A, Colletti M, Cozzolino AM, Steindler C, Lunadei M, Mancone C, Tripodi M. ERK5/MAPK is activated by TGFbeta in hepatocytes and required for the GSK-3beta-mediated Snail protein stabilization. Cell Signal 2008; 20:2113-8. [PMID: 18760348 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2008.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2008] [Accepted: 08/04/2008] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 5 (ERK5) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase, specifically activated by MEK5, and involved in the regulation of many cellular functions including proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. MEK5/ERK5 module is an important element of different signal transduction pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ERK5 participates to the signalling of the multifunctional cytokine TGFbeta, known to play an important role in the regulation of hepatic growth. Here, we reported that ERK5 is phosphorylated and activated by TGFbeta in hepatocytes, with a rapid and sustained kinetic, through a Src-dependent pathway. Moreover, we demonstrated that ERK5 participates to the TGFbeta-induced Snail protein regulation being required for its stabilization. We also found that the functional inactivation of ERK5 impedes the TGFbeta-mediated glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inactivation suggesting this as mechanism responsible for ERK5-mediated Snail stabilization. Thus, results presented in this study uncovered for the first time a role for ERK5 in the TGFbeta-induced cellular responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Marchetti
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Cellulari ed Ematologia, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ostrander JH, Daniel AR, Lofgren K, Kleer CG, Lange CA. Breast tumor kinase (protein tyrosine kinase 6) regulates heregulin-induced activation of ERK5 and p38 MAP kinases in breast cancer cells. Cancer Res 2007; 67:4199-209. [PMID: 17483331 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-3409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Total tyrosine kinase activity is often elevated in both cytosolic and membrane fractions of malignant breast tissue and correlates with a decrease in disease-free survival. Breast tumor kinase (Brk; protein tyrosine kinase 6) is a soluble tyrosine kinase that was cloned from a metastatic breast tumor and found to be overexpressed in a majority of breast tumors. Herein, we show that Brk is overexpressed in 86% of invasive ductal breast tumors and coexpressed with ErbB family members in breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, the ErbB ligand, heregulin, activates Brk kinase activity. Knockdown of Brk by stable expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in T47D breast cancer cells decreases proliferation and blocks epidermal growth factor (EGF)- and heregulin-induced activation of Rac GTPase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 5, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but not Akt, ERK1/2, or c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase. Furthermore, EGF- and heregulin-induced cyclin D1 expression is dependent on p38 signaling and inhibited by Brk shRNA knockdown. The myocyte enhancer factor 2 transcription factor target of p38 MAPK and ERK5 signaling is also sensitive to altered Brk expression. Finally, heregulin-induced migration of T47D cells requires p38 MAPK activity and is blocked by Brk knockdown. These results place Brk in a novel signaling pathway downstream of ErbB receptors and upstream of Rac, p38 MAPK, and ERK5 and establish the ErbB-Brk-Rac-p38 MAPK pathway as a critical mediator of breast cancer cell migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Hanson Ostrander
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Stander BA, Marais S, Steynberg TJ, Theron D, Joubert F, Albrecht C, Joubert AM. Influence of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts on cell numbers, morphology and gene expression in MCF-7 cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2007; 112:312-8. [PMID: 17433588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2006] [Revised: 01/12/2007] [Accepted: 03/09/2007] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sutherlandia frutescens is a well-known South African herbal remedy traditionally used for stomach problems, internal cancers, diabetes, various inflammatory conditions and recently to improve the overall health in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. The influence of crude Sutherlandia frutescens extracts (prepared with 70% ethanol) was investigated on cell numbers, morphology, and gene expression profiles in a MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. Time-dependent (24, 34, 48 and 72 h) and dose-dependent (0.5-2.5 mg/ml) studies were conducted utilizing spectrophotometrical analysis with crystal violet as DNA stain. A statistically significant decrease to 50% of malignant cell numbers was observed after 24 h of exposure to 1.5 mg/ml Sutherlandia frutescens extract when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Morphological characteristics of apoptosis including cytoplasmic shrinking, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies were observed after 24h of exposure. A preliminary global gene expression profile was obtained by means of microarray analysis and revealed valuable information about the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction associated with 70% ethanolic Sutherlandia frutescens extracts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B A Stander
- Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box 2034, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Fields AP, Regala RP. Protein kinase C iota: human oncogene, prognostic marker and therapeutic target. Pharmacol Res 2007; 55:487-97. [PMID: 17570678 PMCID: PMC2705893 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2007.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2006] [Revised: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 04/16/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases has been the subject of intensive study in the field of cancer since their initial discovery as major cellular receptors for the tumor promoting phorbol esters nearly 30 years ago. However, despite these efforts, the search for a direct genetic link between members of the PKC family and human cancer has yielded only circumstantial evidence that any PKC isozyme is a true cancer gene. This situation changed in the past year with the discovery that atypical protein kinase C iota (PKC iota) is a bonafide human oncogene. PKC iota is required for the transformed growth of human cancer cells and the PKC iota gene is the target of tumor-specific gene amplification in multiple forms of human cancer. PKC iota participates in multiple aspects of the transformed phenotype of human cancer cells including transformed growth, invasion and survival. Herein, we review pertinent aspects of atypical PKC structure, function and regulation that relate to the role of these enzymes in oncogenesis. We discuss the evidence that PKC iota is a human oncogene, review mechanisms controlling PKC iota expression in human cancers, and describe the molecular details of PKC iota-mediated oncogenic signaling. We conclude with a discussion of how oncogenic PKC iota signaling has been successfully targeted to identify a novel, mechanism-based therapeutic drug currently entering clinical trials for treatment of human lung cancer. Throughout, we identify key unanswered questions and exciting future avenues of investigation regarding this important oncogenic molecule.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers, Tumor/biosynthesis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/physiology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology
- Female
- Gene Amplification
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate/pharmacology
- Gold Sodium Thiomalate/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Isoenzymes/biosynthesis
- Isoenzymes/genetics
- Isoenzymes/physiology
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/enzymology
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Oncogenes
- Ovarian Neoplasms/enzymology
- Protein Kinase C/biosynthesis
- Protein Kinase C/genetics
- Protein Kinase C/physiology
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan P Fields
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Carie AE, Sebti SM. A chemical biology approach identifies a beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that causes human tumor regression by blocking the Raf-1/Mek-1/Erk1/2 pathway. Oncogene 2007; 26:3777-88. [PMID: 17260025 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A chemical biology approach identifies a beta 2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) agonist ARA-211 (Pirbuterol), which causes apoptosis and human tumor regression in animal models. beta2AR stimulation of cAMP formation and protein kinase A (PKA) activation leads to Raf-1 (but not B-Raf) kinase inactivation, inhibition of Mek-1 kinase and decreased phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 levels. ARA-211 inhibition of the Raf/Mek/Erk1/2 pathway is mediated by PKA and not exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC). ARA-211 is selective and suppresses P-Erk1/2 but not P-JNK, P-p38, P-Akt or P-STAT3 levels. beta2AR stimulation results in inhibition of anchorage-dependent and -independent growth, induction of apoptosis in vitro and tumor regression in vivo. beta2AR antagonists and constitutively active Mek-1 rescue from the effects of ARA-211, demonstrating that beta2AR stimulation and Mek kinase inhibition are required for ARA-211 antitumor activity. Furthermore, suppression of growth occurs only in human tumors where ARA-211 induces cAMP formation and decreases P-Erk1/2 levels. Thus, beta2AR stimulation results in significant suppression of malignant transformation in cancers where it blocks the Raf-1/Mek-1/Erk1/2 pathway by a cAMP-dependent activation of PKA but not EPAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A E Carie
- Drug Discovery Program, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Garaude J, Cherni S, Kaminski S, Delepine E, Chable-Bessia C, Benkirane M, Borges J, Pandiella A, Iñiguez MA, Fresno M, Hipskind RA, Villalba M. ERK5 Activates NF-κB in Leukemic T Cells and Is Essential for Their Growth In Vivo. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 177:7607-17. [PMID: 17114430 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.11.7607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
MAPK cascades play a central role in the cellular response to the environment. The pathway involving the MAPK ERK5 mediates growth factor- and stress-induced intracellular signaling that controls proliferation or survival depending upon the cell context. In this study, we show that reducing ERK5 levels with a specific small hairpin RNA 5 (shERK5) reduced cell viability, sensitized cells to death receptor-induced apoptosis, and blocked the palliative effects of phorbol ester in anti-Fas Ab-treated cells. shERK5 decreased nuclear accumulation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit, and conversely, ectopic activation of ERK5 led to constitutive nuclear localization of p65 and increased its ability to trans activate specific reporter genes. Finally, the T lymphoma cell line EL-4, upon expression of shERK5, proliferated in vitro, but failed to induce s.c. tumors in mice. Our results suggest that ERK5 is essential for survival of leukemic T cells in vivo, and thus represents a promising target for therapeutic intervention in this type of malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johan Garaude
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Unité Mixte de Recherche 5535, IFR 122, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Okamoto A, Nikaido T, Ochiai K, Takakura S, Saito M, Aoki Y, Ishii N, Yanaihara N, Yamada K, Takikawa O, Kawaguchi R, Isonishi S, Tanaka T, Urashima M. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase serves as a marker of poor prognosis in gene expression profiles of serous ovarian cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11:6030-9. [PMID: 16115948 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-2671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to find key molecules associated with chemoresistance in ovarian cancer using gene expression profiling as a screening tool. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Using two newly established paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines from an original paclitaxel-sensitive cell line and four supersensitive and four refractory surgical ovarian cancer specimens from paclitaxel-based chemotherapy, molecules associated with chemoresistance were screened with gene expression profiling arrays containing 39,000 genes. We further analyzed 44 genes that showed significantly different expressions between paclitaxel-sensitive samples and paclitaxel-resistant samples with permutation tests, which were common in cell lines and patients' tumors. RESULTS Eight of these genes showed reproducible results with real-time reverse transcription-PCR, of which indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase gene expression was the most prominent and consistent. Moreover, by immunohistochemical analysis using a total of 24 serous-type ovarian cancer surgical specimens (stage III, n = 21; stage IV, n = 7), excluding samples used for GeneChip analysis, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a clear relationship between indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase staining patterns and overall survival (log-rank test, P = 0.0001). All patients classified as negative survived without relapse. The 50% survival of patients classified as sporadic, focal, and diffuse was 41, 17, and 11 months, respectively. CONCLUSION The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase screened with the GeneChip was positively associated with paclitaxel resistance and with impaired survival in patients with serous-type ovarian cancer.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cisplatin/pharmacology
- Cluster Analysis
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/enzymology
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/genetics
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/pathology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Humans
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/genetics
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism
- Inhibitory Concentration 50
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neoplasms, Experimental/enzymology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods
- Ovarian Neoplasms/enzymology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Paclitaxel/pharmacology
- Prognosis
- Survival Analysis
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aikou Okamoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|