1
|
Kopparapu P, Löhr CV, Pearce MC, Tyavanagimatt S, Nakshatri H, Kolluri SK. Small Molecule Functional Converter of B-Cell Lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) Suppresses Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1302-1309. [PMID: 38751629 PMCID: PMC11091964 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins plays a vital role in tumorigenesis. Cancer cells utilize the expression of Bcl-2 to evade therapy and develop resistance. Bcl-2 overexpression also causes cancer cells to be more invasive and metastatic. About 80% of cancer deaths are due to metastases, and yet targeted therapies for metastatic cancers are scarce. We discovered a small molecule, BFC1103, which changes the conformation of Bcl-2 to convert the antiapoptotic protein to a proapoptotic protein. BFC1103-induced apoptosis is dependent on the expression levels of Bcl-2, with higher levels causing more apoptosis. BFC1103 suppressed the growth of breast cancer lung metastasis. BFC1103 has the potential for further optimization and development for clinical testing in metastatic cancers that express Bcl-2. This study demonstrates a new approach to target Bcl-2 using a small molecule, BFC1103, to suppress metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prasad
R. Kopparapu
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-8580, United States
| | - Christiane V. Löhr
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4801, United States
| | - Martin C. Pearce
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-8580, United States
| | - Shanthakumar Tyavanagimatt
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-8580, United States
| | - Harikrishna Nakshatri
- Department
of Surgery, Indiana University School of
Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3082, United States
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-8580, United States
- Linus
Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kopparapu PR, Pearce MC, Löhr CV, Duong C, Jang HS, Tyavanagimatt S, O'Donnell EF, Nakshatri H, Kolluri SK. Identification and Characterization of a Small Molecule Bcl-2 Functional Converter. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:634-644. [PMID: 38329389 PMCID: PMC10911799 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells exploit the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 to evade apoptosis and develop resistance to therapeutics. High levels of Bcl-2 leads to sequestration of pro-apoptotic proteins causing the apoptotic machinery to halt. In this study, we report discovery of a small molecule, BFC1108 (5-chloro-N-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-2-[(4-methoxybenzyol)amino]benzamide), which targets Bcl-2 and converts it into a pro-apoptotic protein. The apoptotic effect of BFC1108 is not inhibited, but rather potentiated, by Bcl-2 overexpression. BFC1108 induces a conformational change in Bcl-2, resulting in the exposure of its BH3 domain both in vitro and in vivo. BFC1108 suppresses the growth of triple-negative breast cancer xenografts with high Bcl-2 expression and inhibits breast cancer lung metastasis. This study demonstrates a novel approach to targeting Bcl-2 using BFC1108, a small molecule Bcl-2 functional converter that effectively induces apoptosis in Bcl-2-expressing cancers. SIGNIFICANCE We report the identification of a small molecule that exposes the Bcl-2 killer conformation and induces death in Bcl-2-expressing cancer cells. Selective targeting of Bcl-2 and elimination of cancer cells expressing Bcl-2 opens up new therapeutic avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prasad R. Kopparapu
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Martin C. Pearce
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Christiane V. Löhr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Cathy Duong
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Hyo Sang Jang
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Shanthakumar Tyavanagimatt
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Edmond F. O'Donnell
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | | | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang T, Zhou C, Lv M, Yu J, Cheng S, Cui X, Wan X, Ahmad M, Xu B, Qin J, Meng X, Luo H. Trifluoromethyl quinoline derivative targets inhibiting HDAC1 for promoting the acetylation of histone in cervical cancer cells. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 194:106706. [PMID: 38244809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106706] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological malignant tumors, especially due to the poor prognosis of patients with advanced tumors due to recurrence, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, exploring new antineoplastic drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity may bring new expectations in patients with cervical cancer. Natural products and their derivatives exert an antitumor activity. Therefore, in this work, combined with network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation, we investigated the anti-cervical cancer activity and molecular mechanism of a new trifluoromethyl quinoline (FKL) derivative in vivo and in vitro. FKL117 inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells in a dose and time-dependent manner, induced apoptosis in HeLa cells, arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, and regulated the expression of the apoptotic and cell cycle-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, cyclin B1, and CDC2. We used online databases to obtain HDAC1 as one of the possible targets of FKL117 and the target binding and binding affinity were modeled by molecular docking. The results showed that FKL117 formed a hydrogen bond with HDAC1 and had good binding ability. We found that FKL117 targeted to inhibit the expression and function of HDAC1 and increased the acetylation of histone H3 and H4, which was also confirmed in vivo. The migration of HMGB1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm further verified the above results. In conclusion, our study suggested that FKL117 might be used as a novel candidate for targeting the inhibition of HDAC1 against cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Changhua Zhou
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Mengfan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Jia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Sha Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Xudong Cui
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Xinwei Wan
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Mashaal Ahmad
- Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Bixue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Juan Qin
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Xueling Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China.
| | - Heng Luo
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China; State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China; Guizhou Provincial Engineering Research Center for Natural Drugs, Guiyang 550014, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Elson D, Nguyen BD, Bernales S, Chakravarty S, Jang HS, Korjeff NA, Zhang Y, Wilferd SF, Castro DJ, Plaisier CL, Finlay D, Oshima RG, Kolluri SK. Induction of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Cancer Cell-Selective Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by a High-Affinity Benzimidazoisoquinoline. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1028-1042. [PMID: 37470014 PMCID: PMC10353065 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a disease with a paucity of targeted treatment opportunities. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including the sensing of xenobiotics, immune function, development, and differentiation. Different small-molecule AhR ligands drive strikingly varied cellular and organismal responses. In certain cancers, AhR activation by select small molecules induces cell cycle arrest or apoptosis via activation of tumor-suppressive transcriptional programs. AhR is expressed in triple-negative breast cancers, presenting a tractable therapeutic opportunity. Here, we identify a novel ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor that potently and selectively induces cell death in triple-negative breast cancer cells and TNBC stem cells via the AhR. Importantly, we found that this compound, Analog 523, exhibits minimal cytotoxicity against multiple normal human primary cells. Analog 523 represents a high-affinity AhR ligand with potential for future clinical translation as an anticancer agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel
J. Elson
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Bach D. Nguyen
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Sebastian Bernales
- Praxis
Biotech, San Francisco, California, 94158, United States
- Centro Ciencia
& Vida, Avda. Del
Valle Norte 725, Santiago, 8580702, Chile
| | | | - Hyo Sang Jang
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Nicholas A. Korjeff
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Yi Zhang
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Sierra F. Wilferd
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - David J. Castro
- Sanford
Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI Designated Cancer
Center, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
- Oregon Health
& Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
| | - Christopher L. Plaisier
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Darren Finlay
- Sanford
Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI Designated Cancer
Center, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
| | - Robert G. Oshima
- Sanford
Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, NCI Designated Cancer
Center, La Jolla, California, 92037, United States
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer
Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
- Linus
Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United
States
- The
Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hanieh H, Bani Ismail M, Alfwuaires MA, Ibrahim HIM, Farhan M. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as an Anticancer Target: An Overview of Ten Years Odyssey. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28103978. [PMID: 37241719 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28103978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/per-Arnt-sim (PAS) superfamily, is traditionally known to mediate xenobiotic metabolism. It is activated by structurally diverse agonistic ligands and regulates complicated transcriptional processes through its canonical and non-canonical pathways in normal and malignant cells. Different classes of AhR ligands have been evaluated as anticancer agents in different cancer cells and exhibit efficiency, which has thrust AhR into the limelight as a promising molecular target. There is strong evidence demonstrating the anticancer potential of exogenous AhR agonists including synthetic, pharmaceutical, and natural compounds. In contrast, several reports have indicated inhibition of AhR activity by antagonistic ligands as a potential therapeutic strategy. Interestingly, similar AhR ligands exert variable anticancer or cancer-promoting potential in a cell- and tissue-specific mode of action. Recently, ligand-mediated modulation of AhR signaling pathways and the associated tumor microenvironment is emerging as a potential approach for developing cancer immunotherapeutic drugs. This article reviews advances of AhR in cancer research covering publication from 2012 to early 2023. It summarizes the therapeutic potential of various AhR ligands with an emphasis on exogenous ligands. It also sheds light on recent immunotherapeutic strategies involving AhR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Hanieh
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Bani Ismail
- Basic Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
| | - Manal A Alfwuaires
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hairul-Islam M Ibrahim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahdi Farhan
- International Medical Research Center (iMReC), Aqaba 77110, Jordan
- Department of Drug Development, UniTechPharma, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Elson DJ, Kolluri SK. Tumor-Suppressive Functions of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and AhR as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12040526. [PMID: 37106727 PMCID: PMC10135996 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in regulating a wide range of biological responses. A diverse array of xenobiotics and endogenous small molecules bind to the receptor and drive unique phenotypic responses. Due in part to its role in mediating toxic responses to environmental pollutants, AhR activation has not been traditionally viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, the expression and activation of AhR can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, and many clinically approved drugs transcriptionally activate AhR. Identification of novel select modulators of AhR-regulated transcription that promote tumor suppression is an active area of investigation. The development of AhR-targeted anticancer agents requires a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor suppression. Here, we summarized the tumor-suppressive mechanisms regulated by AhR with an emphasis on the endogenous functions of the receptor in opposing carcinogenesis. In multiple different cancer models, the deletion of AhR promotes increased tumorigenesis, but a precise understanding of the molecular cues and the genetic targets of AhR involved in this process is lacking. The intent of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting AhR-dependent tumor suppression and distill insights for development of AhR-targeted cancer therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| |
Collapse
|