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Wright EB, Lannigan DA. Therapeutic targeting of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1297292. [PMID: 38169775 PMCID: PMC10758423 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1297292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Serine/Threonine protein kinase family, p90 ribosomal S6 kinases (RSK) are downstream effectors of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and are activated in response to tyrosine kinase receptor or G-protein coupled receptor signaling. RSK contains two distinct kinase domains, an N-terminal kinase (NTKD) and a C-terminal kinase (CTKD). The sole function of the CTKD is to aid in the activation of the NTKD, which is responsible for substrate phosphorylation. RSK regulates various homeostatic processes including those involved in transcription, translation and ribosome biogenesis, proliferation and survival, cytoskeleton, nutrient sensing, excitation and inflammation. RSK also acts as a major negative regulator of ERK1/2 signaling. RSK is associated with numerous cancers and has been primarily studied in the context of transformation and metastasis. The development of specific RSK inhibitors as cancer therapeutics has lagged behind that of other members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Importantly, a pan-RSK inhibitor, PMD-026, is currently in phase I/1b clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer. However, there are four members of the RSK family, which have overlapping and distinct functions that can vary in a tissue specific manner. Thus, a problem for transitioning a RSK inhibitor to the clinic may be the necessity to develop isoform specific inhibitors, which will be challenging as the NTKDs are very similar to each other. CTKD inhibitors have limited use as therapeutics as they are not able to inhibit the activity of the NTKD but could be used in the development of proteolysis-targeting chimeras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B. Wright
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Deborah A. Lannigan
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Koutsougianni F, Alexopoulou D, Uvez A, Lamprianidou A, Sereti E, Tsimplouli C, Ilkay Armutak E, Dimas K. P90 ribosomal S6 kinases: A bona fide target for novel targeted anticancer therapies? Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 210:115488. [PMID: 36889445 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family of proteins is a group of highly conserved Ser/Thr kinases. They are downstream effectors of the Ras/ERK/MAPK signaling cascade. ERK1/2 activation directly results in the phosphorylation of RSKs, which further, through interaction with a variety of different downstream substrates, activate various signaling events. In this context, they have been shown to mediate diverse cellular processes like cell survival, growth, proliferation, EMT, invasion, and metastasis. Interestingly, increased expression of RSKs has also been demonstrated in various cancers, such as breast, prostate, and lung cancer. This review aims to present the most recent advances in the field of RSK signaling that have occurred, such as biological insights, function, and mechanisms associated with carcinogenesis. We additionally present and discuss the recent advances but also the limitations in the development of pharmacological inhibitors of RSKs, in the context of the use of these kinases as putative, more efficient targets for novel anticancer therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fani Koutsougianni
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitra Alexopoulou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ayca Uvez
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34500 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Andromachi Lamprianidou
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Evangelia Sereti
- Dept of Translational Medicine, Medical Faculty, Lund University and Center for Molecular Pathology, Skäne University Hospital, Jan Waldenströms gata 59, SE 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Chrisiida Tsimplouli
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Elif Ilkay Armutak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34500 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Konstantinos Dimas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
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Sun Y, Tang L, Wu C, Wang J, Wang C. RSK inhibitors as potential anticancer agents: Discovery, optimization, and challenges. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 251:115229. [PMID: 36898330 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) family is a group of serine/threonine kinases, including four isoforms (RSK1/2/3/4). As a downstream effector of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras-MAPK) pathway, RSK participates in many physiological activities such as cell growth, proliferation, and migration, and is intimately involved in tumor occurrence and development. As a result, it is recognized as a potential target for anti-cancer and anti-resistance therapies. There have been several RSK inhibitors discovered or designed in recent decades, but only two have entered clinical trials. Low specificity, low selectivity, and poor pharmacokinetic properties in vivo limit their clinical translation. Published studies performed structure optimization by increasing interaction with RSK, avoiding hydrolysis of pharmacophores, eliminating chirality, adapting to binding site shape, and becoming prodrugs. Besides enhancing efficacy, the focus of further design will move towards selectivity since there are functional differences among RSK isoforms. This review summarized the types of cancers associated with RSK, along with the structural characteristics and optimization process of the reported RSK inhibitors. Furthermore, we addressed the importance of RSK inhibitors' selectivity and discussed future drug development directions. This review is expected to shed light on the emergence of RSK inhibitors with high potency, specificity, and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lichao Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, 60208, IL, United States
| | - Chengyong Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Chengdi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Abstract
Signaling via extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), a downstream effector, mediates numerous processes. For example, ERK1/2-RSK signaling is essential for estrogen homeostasis in the mammary gland and uterus to maintain physiological responsiveness. This review will focus on the coordination of ERK1/2-RSK2 and estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). The interrelationship and the feedback mechanisms between these pathways occurs at the level of transcription, translation, and posttranslational modification. Identifying how ERK1/2-RSK2 and estrogen signaling cooperate in homeostasis and disease may lead to novel therapeutic approaches in estrogen-dependent disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Lannigan
- Correspondence: Deborah A. Lannigan, PhD, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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