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Chen Z, Wang Q, Yan YY, Jin D, Wang Y, Zhang XX, Liu XH. Discovery of novel and potent CDK8 inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2305852. [PMID: 38258519 PMCID: PMC10810651 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2024.2305852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that CDK8 plays a key role in acute myeloid leukaemia. Here, a total of 40 compounds were rational designed and synthesised based on the previous SAR. Among them, compound 12 (3-(3-(furan-3-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)benzamide) showed the most potent inhibiting activity against CDK8 with an IC50 value of 39.2 ± 6.3 nM and anti AML cell proliferation activity (molm-13 GC50 = 0.02 ± 0.01 μM, MV4-11 GC50 = 0.03 ± 0.01 μM). Mechanistic studies revealed that this compound 12 could inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT-1 and STAT-5. Importantly, compound 12 showed relative good bioavailability (F = 38.80%) and low toxicity in vivo. This study has great significance for the discovery of more efficient CDK8 inhibitors and the development of drugs for treating AML in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoying Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Quan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Yao Yao Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Dalong Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Yumeng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Xing Xing Zhang
- School of Biology, Food and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, China
| | - Xin Hua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, P. R. China
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2
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Voutsadakis IA. Mediator kinase module proteins, genetic alterations and expression of super-enhancer regulated genes in colorectal cancer. Pharmacol Rep 2024; 76:535-556. [PMID: 38602606 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-024-00589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic alterations are well characterized as contributors to the pathogenesis of cancers. Epigenetic abnormalities can lead to perturbations of the expression of genes in cancer cells without structural defects. Deregulation of proteins of the transcription machinery may result in perturbations of target genes. Mediator, a multiprotein component of the transcription machinery facilitates the function of RNA polymerase II, which transcribes most human genes. A part of the mediator with kinase activity, called the Mediator kinase module shows genetic alterations in a sub-set of colorectal cancers. METHODS Data from publicly available genomic series of colorectal cancer patients were examined to determine alterations of Mediator kinase module component genes, including MED12, MED12L, MED13, MED13L, CDK8, CDK19, and CCNC. The prevalence of alterations in genomically defined colorectal cancer sub-sets was also interrogated. The effect of Mediator kinase module member gene expression on colorectal cancer relapse-free survival was investigated. RESULTS Mutations in genes of the Mediator kinase module were present in a small percentage of colorectal cancers, ranging between 2 to 10% for MED12 and MED13 and alternative units MED12L and MED13L and below 2% for kinases CDK8 and CDK19 and cyclin C. Amplifications of the CDK8 gene were observed in 3% to 5% of colorectal cancers. The highest prevalence of mutations was observed in MSI cancers and the equivalent CMS1 group, with other genomic groups showing much lower frequency. An association of higher expression of MED12 with inferior relapse-free survival was observed. In contrast, higher expression of cyclin C was associated with improved survival. Colorectal cancer cell lines with CDK8 amplifications displayed sensitivity to several small molecule inhibitors of the KRAS/PI3K pathway but not to BET inhibitors. CONCLUSION The Mediator kinase module is deregulated in a sub-set of colorectal cancers with differences observed in genomically defined groups. These variations may result in differences in sensitivity to targeted therapies and may have to be taken into consideration as such therapies are developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Voutsadakis
- Algoma District Cancer Program, Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste Marie, ON, P6B 0A8, Canada.
- Division of Clinical Sciences, Section of Internal Medicine, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 750 Great Northern Road, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
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3
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Cozzolino K, Sanford L, Hunter S, Molison K, Erickson B, Jones T, Courvan MCS, Ajit D, Galbraith MD, Espinosa JM, Bentley DL, Allen MA, Dowell RDA, Taatjes DJ. Mediator kinase inhibition suppresses hyperactive interferon signaling in Down syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.05.547813. [PMID: 37461585 PMCID: PMC10349994 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.05.547813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactive interferon (IFN) signaling is a hallmark of Down syndrome (DS), a condition caused by trisomy 21 (T21); strategies that normalize IFN signaling could benefit this population. Mediator-associated kinases CDK8 and CDK19 drive inflammatory responses through incompletely understood mechanisms. Using sibling-matched cell lines with/without T21, we investigated Mediator kinase function in the context of hyperactive IFNg in DS over a 45min - 24h timeframe. Activation of IFN-response genes was suppressed in cells treated with the CDK8/CDK19 inhibitor cortistatin A (CA), and this occurred through rapid suppression of IFN-responsive transcription factor activity. Moreover, we discovered that CDK8/CDK19 affect splicing, a novel means by which Mediator kinases control gene expression. To further probe Mediator kinase function, we completed cytokine screens and untargeted metabolomics experiments. Cytokines are master regulators of inflammatory responses; by screening 105 different cytokine proteins, we show that Mediator kinases help drive IFN-dependent cytokine responses at least in part through transcriptional regulation of cytokine genes and receptors. Metabolomics revealed that Mediator kinase inhibition altered core metabolic pathways, including broad up-regulation of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators, whose levels were elevated during hyperactive IFN signaling. A subset of these lipid mediators (e.g. oleamide, desmosterol) serve as ligands for nuclear receptors PPAR and LXR, and activation of these receptors occurred specifically during hyperactive IFN signaling in CA-treated cells, revealing a mechanistic link between Mediator kinase activity and nuclear receptor function. Collectively, our results identify new mechanisms by which CDK8/CDK19 regulate gene expression, and establish that Mediator kinase inhibition antagonizes IFNg signaling through transcriptional, metabolic, and cytokine responses, with implications for DS and other chronic inflammatory conditions.
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Preethi V, Vijukumar V, AnilaRaj S, Vidya V. Synthesis, characterization, DFT studies and evaluation of the potential anti-tumour activity of nicotinic hydrazide based Schiff base using in vitro and molecular docking techniques. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29689. [PMID: 38720735 PMCID: PMC11076660 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, one of the most serious issues worldwide, has been raising day by day. It has now become a necessary to develop a suitable drug to combat this terrible illness. Schiff bases are increasingly being used as powerful medications for a number of illnesses. BNH has now synthesized from Benzil and Nicotinic hydrazide and characterized experimentally by FT-IR, UV, 1H NMR,13CNMR and Mass analysis. DFT calculations were done using Gaussian 16 W with B3LYP/6-311 + G (d,p) and geometry of the compound is optimized. Frontier Molecular orbit (FMO), Mullikan atomic charges and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) were studied. Invitro antimicrobial studies were done using various bacteria and fungi. The synthesized compound is appropriate against bacterial and fungal actions. Invitro study were done using MCF-7 cell lines to analyze the anticancer property of the ligand. The outcome suggests that BNH may be employed in the future as a novel anticancer medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Preethi
- Department of Chemistry, University College, Paalayam, Thiruvananthapuram, 695034, Kerala, India
| | - V.G. Vijukumar
- Department of Chemistry, University College, Paalayam, Thiruvananthapuram, 695034, Kerala, India
| | - S. AnilaRaj
- Department of Chemistry, University College, Paalayam, Thiruvananthapuram, 695034, Kerala, India
| | - V.G. Vidya
- Department of Chemistry, University College, Paalayam, Thiruvananthapuram, 695034, Kerala, India
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5
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Yan YY, Wang YM, Shen JH, Jian YJ, Lei CC, Wang Q, Liu C, Zhang XX, Liu XH. The discovery of a novel pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine as a selective CDK8 inhibitor offers a new approach against psoriasis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116705. [PMID: 38713949 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116705] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, the drugs used in clinical to treat psoriasis mainly broadly suppress cellular immunity. However, these drugs can only provide temporary and partial symptom relief, they do not cure the condition and may lead to recurrence or even serious toxic side effects. In this study, we describe the discovery of a novel potent CDK8 inhibitor as a treatment for psoriasis. Through structure-based design, compound 46 was identified as the most promising candidate, exhibiting a strong inhibitory effect on CDK8 (IC50 value of 57 nM) along with favourable inhibition against NF-κB. Additionally, it demonstrated a positive effect in an in vitro psoriasis model induced by TNF-α. Furthermore, this compound enhanced the thermal stability of CDK8 and exerted evident effects on the biological function of CDK8, and it had favourable selectivity across the CDK family and tyrosine kinase. This compound showed no obvious inhibitory effect on CYP450 enzyme. Further studies confirmed that compound 46 exhibited therapeutic effect on IMQ-induced psoriasis, alleviated the inflammatory response in mice, and enhanced the expression of Foxp3 and IL-10 in the dorsal skin in vivo. This discovery provides a new strategy for developing selective CDK8 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity for the treatment of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Yu Meng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Jun Hao Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Yu Jie Jian
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Cen Cen Lei
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Quan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Biological and Food Engineering, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, PR China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Spin Electron and Nanomaterials, Suzhou 234000, PR China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, PR China.
| | - Xing Xing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China.
| | - Xin Hua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, PR China; School of Biological and Food Engineering, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, PR China.
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6
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Dai D, Yu J, Gou W, Yang S, Li Y, Wang Z, Yang Z, Huang T, Li P, Zhu T, Hou W, Zhao Y, Xu W, Li Y. Novel CDK19-Targeted Radiotracers: A Potential Design Strategy to Improve the Pharmacokinetics and Tumor Uptake. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6726-6737. [PMID: 38570733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 19 (CDK19) is overexpressed in prostate cancer, making it an attractive target for both imaging and therapy. Since little is known about the optimized approach for radioligands of nuclear proteins, linker optimization strategies were used to improve pharmacokinetics and tumor absorption, including the adjustment of the length, flexibility/rigidity, and hydrophilicity/lipophilicity of linkers. Molecular docking was conducted for virtual screening and followed by IC50 determination. Both BALB/c mice and P-16 xenografts were used for tissue distribution and PET/CT imaging. The ligand 68Ga-10c demonstrated high absorption in tumor 5 min after injection and sustains long-term imaging within 3 h. Furthermore, 68Ga-10c exhibited slow clearance within the tumor and was predominantly metabolized in both the liver and kidneys, showing the potential to alleviate metabolic pressure and enhance tissue safety. Therefore, the linker optimization strategy is well suited for CDK19 and provides a reference for the radioactive ligands of other nuclear targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Dai
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for China, Tianjin 300060, China
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Jiang Yu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Wenfeng Gou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Shuangmeng Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yanli Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Ziyang Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for China, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Panfeng Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Tong Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Wenbin Hou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Wengui Xu
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for China, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Yiliang Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
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7
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Li J, Hilimire TA, Liu Y, Wang L, Liang J, Gyorffy B, Sikirzhytski V, Ji H, Zhang L, Cheng C, Ding X, Kerr KR, Dowling CE, Chumanevich AA, Mack ZT, Schools GP, Lim CU, Ellis L, Zi X, Porter DC, Broude EV, McInnes C, Wilding G, Lilly MB, Roninson IB, Chen M. Mediator kinase inhibition reverses castration resistance of advanced prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e176709. [PMID: 38546787 DOI: 10.1172/jci176709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mediator kinases CDK19 and CDK8, pleiotropic regulators of transcriptional reprogramming, are differentially regulated by androgen signaling, but both kinases are upregulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of CDK8 and CDK19 reverses the castration-resistant phenotype and restores the sensitivity of CRPC xenografts to androgen deprivation in vivo. Prolonged CDK8/19 inhibitor treatment combined with castration not only suppressed the growth of CRPC xenografts but also induced tumor regression and cures. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that Mediator kinase inhibition amplified and modulated the effects of castration on gene expression, disrupting CRPC adaptation to androgen deprivation. Mediator kinase inactivation in tumor cells also affected stromal gene expression, indicating that Mediator kinase activity in CRPC molded the tumor microenvironment. The combination of castration and Mediator kinase inhibition downregulated the MYC pathway, and Mediator kinase inhibition suppressed a MYC-driven CRPC tumor model even without castration. CDK8/19 inhibitors showed efficacy in patient-derived xenograft models of CRPC, and a gene signature of Mediator kinase activity correlated with tumor progression and overall survival in clinical samples of metastatic CRPC. These results indicate that Mediator kinases mediated androgen-independent in vivo growth of CRPC, supporting the development of CDK8/19 inhibitors for the treatment of this presently incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas A Hilimire
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Senex Biotechnology Inc., Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Yueying Liu
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jiaxin Liang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Balazs Gyorffy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Vitali Sikirzhytski
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Hao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Xiaokai Ding
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kendall R Kerr
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Charles E Dowling
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander A Chumanevich
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary T Mack
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gary P Schools
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Chang-Uk Lim
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Leigh Ellis
- Center for Prostate Disease Research, Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc.; Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xiaolin Zi
- Departments of Urology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | | | - Eugenia V Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Michael B Lilly
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Senex Biotechnology Inc., Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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8
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Yin X, He Z, Chen K, Ouyang K, Yang C, Li J, Tang H, Cai M. Unveiling the impact of CDK8 on tumor progression: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1386929. [PMID: 38606172 PMCID: PMC11006979 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1386929] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
CDK8 is an important member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family associated with transcription and acts as a key "molecular switch" in the Mediator complex. CDK8 regulates gene expression by phosphorylating transcription factors and can control the transcription process through Mediator complex. Previous studies confirmed that CDK8 is an important oncogenic factor, making it a potential tumor biomarker and a promising target for tumor therapy. However, CDK8 has also been confirmed to be a tumor suppressor, indicating that it not only promotes the development of tumors but may also be involved in tumor suppression. Therefore, the dual role of CDK8 in the process of tumor development is worth further exploration and summary. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate involvement of CDK8 in transcription-related processes, as well as its role in signaling pathways related to tumorigenesis, with a focus on its critical part in driving cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Yin
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhilong He
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Kai Ouyang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Changxuan Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of Urological Surgical, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manbo Cai
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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9
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Frett B, Stephens KE, Koss B, Melnyk S, Farrar J, Saha D, Roy Choudhury S. Enhancer-activated RET confers protection against oxidative stress to KMT2A-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:963-973. [PMID: 38226414 PMCID: PMC10920984 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Ectopic activation of rearranged during transfection (RET) has been reported to facilitate lineage differentiation and cell proliferation in different cytogenetic subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Herein, we demonstrate that RET is significantly (p < 0.01) upregulated in AML subtypes containing rearrangements of the lysine methyltransferase 2A gene (KMT2A), commonly referred to as KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) AML. Integrating multi-epigenomics data, we show that the KMT2A-MLLT3 fusion induces the development of CCCTC-binding (CTCF)-guided de novo extrusion enhancer loop to upregulate RET expression in KMT2A-r AML. Based on the finding that RET expression is tightly correlated with the selective chromatin remodeler and mediator (MED) proteins, we used a small-molecule inhibitor having dual inhibition against RET and MED12-associated cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) in KMT2A-r AML cells. Dual inhibition of RET and CDK8 restricted cell proliferation by producing multimodal oxidative stress responses in treated cells. Our data suggest that epigenetically enhanced RET protects KMT2A-r AML cells from oxidative stresses, which could be exploited as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Kimberly E. Stephens
- Arkansas Children's Research InstituteLittle RockArkansasUSA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of PediatricsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Brian Koss
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Stepan Melnyk
- Arkansas Children's Research InstituteLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Jason Farrar
- Arkansas Children's Research InstituteLittle RockArkansasUSA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of PediatricsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Debasmita Saha
- Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical Discovery InstituteLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Samrat Roy Choudhury
- Arkansas Children's Research InstituteLittle RockArkansasUSA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of PediatricsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
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10
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Kim Y, Lee HM. CRISPR-Cas System Is an Effective Tool for Identifying Drug Combinations That Provide Synergistic Therapeutic Potential in Cancers. Cells 2023; 12:2593. [PMID: 37998328 PMCID: PMC10670858 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222593] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite numerous efforts, the therapeutic advancement for neuroblastoma and other cancer treatments is still ongoing due to multiple challenges, such as the increasing prevalence of cancers and therapy resistance development in tumors. To overcome such obstacles, drug combinations are one of the promising applications. However, identifying and implementing effective drug combinations are critical for achieving favorable treatment outcomes. Given the enormous possibilities of combinations, a rational approach is required to predict the impact of drug combinations. Thus, CRISPR-Cas-based and other approaches, such as high-throughput pharmacological and genetic screening approaches, have been used to identify possible drug combinations. In particular, the CRISPR-Cas system (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a powerful tool that enables us to efficiently identify possible drug combinations that can improve treatment outcomes by reducing the total search space. In this review, we discuss the rational approaches to identifying, examining, and predicting drug combinations and their impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyeong-Min Lee
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA;
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11
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Chen M, Li J, Zhang L, Wang L, Cheng C, Ji H, Altilia S, Ding X, Cai G, Altomare D, Shtutman M, Byrum SD, Mackintosh SG, Feoktistov A, Soshnikova N, Mogila VA, Tatarskiy V, Erokhin M, Chetverina D, Prawira A, Ni Y, Urban S, McInnes C, Broude EV, Roninson IB. CDK8 and CDK19: positive regulators of signal-induced transcription and negative regulators of Mediator complex proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7288-7313. [PMID: 37378433 PMCID: PMC10415139 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We have conducted a detailed transcriptomic, proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis of CDK8 and its paralog CDK19, alternative enzymatic components of the kinase module associated with transcriptional Mediator complex and implicated in development and diseases. This analysis was performed using genetic modifications of CDK8 and CDK19, selective CDK8/19 small molecule kinase inhibitors and a potent CDK8/19 PROTAC degrader. CDK8/19 inhibition in cells exposed to serum or to agonists of NFκB or protein kinase C (PKC) reduced the induction of signal-responsive genes, indicating a pleiotropic role of Mediator kinases in signal-induced transcriptional reprogramming. CDK8/19 inhibition under basal conditions initially downregulated a small group of genes, most of which were inducible by serum or PKC stimulation. Prolonged CDK8/19 inhibition or mutagenesis upregulated a larger gene set, along with a post-transcriptional increase in the proteins comprising the core Mediator complex and its kinase module. Regulation of both RNA and protein expression required CDK8/19 kinase activities but both enzymes protected their binding partner cyclin C from proteolytic degradation in a kinase-independent manner. Analysis of isogenic cell populations expressing CDK8, CDK19 or their kinase-inactive mutants revealed that CDK8 and CDK19 have the same qualitative effects on protein phosphorylation and gene expression at the RNA and protein levels, whereas differential effects of CDK8 versus CDK19 knockouts were attributable to quantitative differences in their expression and activity rather than different functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Senex Biotechnology, Inc. Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Hao Ji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Serena Altilia
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Xiaokai Ding
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Guoshuai Cai
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Diego Altomare
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Michael Shtutman
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Samuel G Mackintosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Alexey Feoktistov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nataliya Soshnikova
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladislav A Mogila
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Victor Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Maksim Erokhin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Darya Chetverina
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Angga Prawira
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Eugenia V Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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12
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Ocker M, Neureiter D. Gene expression inhibitors for the treatment of liver fibrosis: drugs under preclinical and early clinical investigation. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:1133-1141. [PMID: 37997755 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2288075] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liver fibrosis represents an unmet medical condition with growing incidence and only limited therapeutic options. Interfering with dysregulated gene expression was considered a specific treatment approach, and we are here reviewing the current options to modulate transcription and translation with small molecule inhibitors of involved enzymes, transcription factors or by using non-coding RNA molecules (RNA interference) or DNA antisense oligonucleotides. Despite promising results in preclinical models, only limited data are available from studies in humans. AREAS COVERED This expert opinion provides a general overview of how to interfere with gene expression (transcription and translation) and highlighting recent achievements in liver fibrosis. EXPERT OPINION Many compounds that were explored to modulate gene expression in liver fibrosis (models) were developed as anti-cancer agents. Their use in humans with impaired liver function is often impaired by the lack of specificity to inhibit only fibrosis-related genes in the liver and by associated general toxicity and narrow therapeutic windows. RNAi approaches show a higher degree of specificity and potentially less systemic toxicity. Clinical development in liver fibrosis requires close interaction between pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities to address topics like relevant (surrogate) endpoints to achieve meaningful readouts faster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Ocker
- Medical Department, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- EO Translational Insights Consulting GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Tacalyx GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Neureiter
- Institute of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University/University Hospital Salzburg (SALK), Salzburg, Austria
- Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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13
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Kokinos EK, Tsymbal SA, Galochkina AV, Bezlepkina SA, Nikolaeva JV, Vershinina SO, Shtro AA, Tatarskiy VV, Shtil AA, Broude EV, Roninson IB, Dukhinova M. Inhibition of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 8/19 Restricts Bacterial and Virus-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Monocytes. Viruses 2023; 15:1292. [PMID: 37376593 PMCID: PMC10305654 DOI: 10.3390/v15061292] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the immune system remains a dramatic, life-threatening complication of viral and bacterial infections, particularly during pneumonia. Therapeutic approaches to counteract local and systemic outbreaks of cytokine storm and to prevent tissue damage remain limited. Cyclin-dependent kinases 8 and 19 (CDK8/19) potentiate transcriptional responses to the altered microenvironment, but CDK8/19 potential in immunoregulation is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated how a selective CDK8/19 inhibitor, Senexin B, impacts the immunogenic profiles of monocytic cells stimulated using influenza virus H1N1 or bacterial lipopolysaccharides. Senexin B was able to prevent the induction of gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in THP1 and U937 cell lines and in human peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells. Moreover, Senexin B substantially reduced functional manifestations of inflammation, including clustering and chemokine-dependent migration of THP1 monocytes and human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena K Kokinos
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sergey A Tsymbal
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia V Galochkina
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 15/17 Prof. Popov Street, 197376 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Svetlana A Bezlepkina
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V Nikolaeva
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 15/17 Prof. Popov Street, 197376 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sofia O Vershinina
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna A Shtro
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, 15/17 Prof. Popov Street, 197376 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Victor V Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Shtil
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Kashirskoe Highway 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugenia V Broude
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Sumter Street 715, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Sumter Street 715, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Marina Dukhinova
- SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Street, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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14
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Wang M, Lin R, Li J, Suo Y, Gao J, Liu L, Zhou L, Ni Y, Yang Z, Zheng J, Lin J, Zhou H, Luo C, Lin H. Discovery of LL-K8-22: A Selective, Durable, and Small-Molecule Degrader of the CDK8-Cyclin C Complex. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4932-4951. [PMID: 36930701 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The CDK8-cyclin C complex is an important anti-tumor target, but unlike CDK8, cyclin C remains undruggable. Modulators regulating cyclin C activity directly are still under development. Here, a series of hydrophobic tagging-based degraders of the CDK8-cyclin C complex were designed, synthesized, and evaluated to identify the first dual degrader, LL-K8-22, which induced selective and synchronous degradation of CDK8 and cyclin C. Proteomic and immunoblot studies exhibited that LL-K8-22 significantly degraded CDK8 without reducing CDK19 and did not degrade other cyclin proteins except cyclin C. Moreover, LL-K8-22 showed enhanced anti-proliferative effects over its parental molecule, BI-1347, with potency increased by 5-fold in MDA-MB-468 cells. LL-K8-22 exhibited more pronounced effects on CDK8-cyclin C downstream signaling than BI-1347, suppressing STAT1 phosphorylation more persistently. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that LL-K8-22 inhibited E2F- and MYC-driven carcinogenic transcriptional programs. Overall, LL-K8-22 is the first-in-class degrader of cyclin C and would be useful for studying the unknown functions of cyclin C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rongkun Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuying Suo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Liping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyuan Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Ziqun Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jin Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Hua Lin
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
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15
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Safaroghli-Azar A, Emadi F, Lenjisa J, Mekonnen L, Wang S. Kinase inhibitors: Opportunities for small molecule anticancer immunotherapies. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103525. [PMID: 36907320 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103525] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
As the fifth pillar of cancer treatment, immunotherapy has dramatically changed the paradigm of therapeutic strategies by focusing on the host's immune system. In the long road of immunotherapy development, the identification of immune-modulatory effects for kinase inhibitors opened a new chapter in this therapeutic approach. These small molecule inhibitors not only directly eradicate tumors by targeting essential proteins of cell survival and proliferation but can also drive immune responses against malignant cells. This review summarizes the current standings and challenges of kinase inhibitors in immunotherapy, either as a single agent or in a combined modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Safaroghli-Azar
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Emadi
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jimma Lenjisa
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Laychiluh Mekonnen
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Shudong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, SA 5000, Australia.
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16
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Prieto S, Dubra G, Camasses A, Aznar AB, Begon‐Pescia C, Simboeck E, Pirot N, Gerbe F, Angevin L, Jay P, Krasinska L, Fisher D. CDK8 and CDK19 act redundantly to control the CFTR pathway in the intestinal epithelium. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e54261. [PMID: 36545778 PMCID: PMC10549226 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202154261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CDK8 and CDK19 form a conserved cyclin-dependent kinase subfamily that interacts with the essential transcription complex, Mediator, and also phosphorylates the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. Cells lacking either CDK8 or CDK19 are viable and have limited transcriptional alterations, but whether the two kinases redundantly control cell proliferation and differentiation is unknown. Here, we find in mice that CDK8 is dispensable for regulation of gene expression, normal intestinal homeostasis, and efficient tumourigenesis, and is largely redundant with CDK19 in the control of gene expression. Their combined deletion in intestinal organoids reduces long-term proliferative capacity but is not lethal and allows differentiation. However, double-mutant organoids show mucus accumulation and increased secretion by goblet cells, as well as downregulation of expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and functionality of the CFTR pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK8/19 kinase activity in organoids and in mice recapitulates several of these phenotypes. Thus, the Mediator kinases are not essential for cell proliferation and differentiation in an adult tissue, but they cooperate to regulate specific transcriptional programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Prieto
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Geronimo Dubra
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Alain Camasses
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Ana Bella Aznar
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Christina Begon‐Pescia
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Present address:
LPHIUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Elisabeth Simboeck
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
- Present address:
UAS Technikum WienViennaAustria
| | - Nelly Pirot
- IRCM, University of Montpellier, ICM, INSERMMontpellierFrance
- BioCampus, RHEMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - François Gerbe
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
- IGFUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
| | - Lucie Angevin
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Philippe Jay
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
- IGFUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
| | - Liliana Krasinska
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
| | - Daniel Fisher
- IGMMUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, InsermMontpellierFrance
- Equipe Labellisée LIGUE 2018, Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerParisFrance
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17
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Malone CF, Kim M, Alexe G, Engel K, Forman AB, Robichaud A, Conway AS, Goodale A, Meyer A, Khalid D, Thayakumar A, Hatcher JM, Gray NS, Piccioni F, Stegmaier K. Transcriptional Antagonism by CDK8 Inhibition Improves Therapeutic Efficacy of MEK Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:285-300. [PMID: 36398965 PMCID: PMC9938728 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4309] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant RAS/MAPK signaling is a common driver of oncogenesis that can be therapeutically targeted with clinically approved MEK inhibitors. Disease progression on single-agent MEK inhibitors is common, however, and combination therapies are typically required to achieve significant clinical benefit in advanced cancers. Here we focused on identifying MEK inhibitor-based combination therapies in neuroblastoma with mutations that activate the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, which are rare at diagnosis but frequent in relapsed neuroblastoma. A genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 functional genomic screen was deployed to identify genes that when knocked out sensitize RAS-mutant neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Loss of either CCNC or CDK8, two members of the mediator kinase module, sensitized neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Furthermore, small-molecule kinase inhibitors of CDK8 improved response to MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and other adult solid tumors. Transcriptional profiling revealed that loss of CDK8 or CCNC antagonized the transcriptional signature induced by MEK inhibition. When combined, loss of CDK8 or CCNC prevented the compensatory upregulation of progrowth gene expression induced by MEK inhibition. These findings propose a new therapeutic combination for RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and may have clinical relevance for other RAS-driven malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE Transcriptional adaptation to MEK inhibition is mediated by CDK8 and can be blocked by the addition of CDK8 inhibitors to improve response to MEK inhibitors in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma, a clinically challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare F. Malone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Minjee Kim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Engel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra B. Forman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Saur Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashleigh Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Delan Khalid
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allen Thayakumar
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Corresponding author. Mailing address: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Ave, LC6102, Boston, MA, 02215. Phone: (617) 632-4438
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18
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Clopper KC, Taatjes DJ. Chemical inhibitors of transcription-associated kinases. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 70:102186. [PMID: 35926294 PMCID: PMC10676000 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II (pol II) is regulated by kinases. In recent years, many selective and potent inhibitors of pol II transcription-associated kinases have been developed, and these molecules have advanced understanding of kinase function in mammalian cells. Here, we focus on chemical inhibitors of the transcription-associated kinases CDK7, CDK8, CDK9, CDK12, CDK13, and CDK19. We provide a brief overview of the function of these kinases and common activation mechanisms. We then highlight the advantages of kinase inhibitors compared with other basic research methods, and describe the caveats associated with non-selective compounds (e.g. flavopiridol). We conclude with strategies and recommendations for implementation of chemical inhibitors for experimental analysis of transcription-associated kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Clopper
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Dylan J Taatjes
- Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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19
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van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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20
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Xie Z, Hou S, Yang X, Duan Y, Han J, Wang Q, Liao C. Lessons Learned from Past Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Drug Discovery Efforts. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6356-6389. [PMID: 35235745 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) has become an effective therapeutic strategy for treating various diseases, especially cancer. Over almost three decades, although great efforts have been made to discover CDK inhibitors, many of which have entered clinical trials, only four CDK inhibitors have been approved. In the process of CDK inhibitor development, many difficulties and misunderstandings have hampered their discovery and clinical applications, which mainly include inadequate understanding of the biological functions of CDKs, less attention paid to pan- and multi-CDK inhibitors, nonideal isoform selectivity of developed selective CDK inhibitors, overlooking the metabolic stability of early discovered CDK inhibitors, no effective resistance solutions, and a lack of available combination therapy and effective biomarkers for CDK therapies. After reviewing the mechanisms of CDKs and the research progress of CDK inhibitors, this perspective summarizes and discusses these difficulties or lessons, hoping to facilitate the successful discovery of more useful CDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouling Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Shuzeng Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Yajun Duan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Jihong Han
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology─Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, P. R. China
| | - Chenzhong Liao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
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21
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Zhang L, Cheng C, Li J, Wang L, Chumanevich AA, Porter DC, Mindich A, Gorbunova S, Roninson IB, Chen M, McInnes C. A Selective and Orally Bioavailable Quinoline-6-Carbonitrile-Based Inhibitor of CDK8/19 Mediator Kinase with Tumor-Enriched Pharmacokinetics. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3420-3433. [PMID: 35114084 PMCID: PMC10042267 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Senexins are potent and selective quinazoline inhibitors of CDK8/19 Mediator kinases. To improve their potency and metabolic stability, quinoline-based derivatives were designed through a structure-guided strategy based on the simulated drug-target docking model of Senexin A and Senexin B. A library of quinoline-Senexin derivatives was synthesized to explore the structure-activity relationship (SAR). An optimized compound 20a (Senexin C) exhibits potent CDK8/19 inhibitory activity with high selectivity. Senexin C is more metabolically stable and provides a more sustained inhibition of CDK8/19-dependent cellular gene expression when compared with the prototype inhibitor Senexin B. In vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluation using a novel tumor-based PD assay showed good oral bioavailability of Senexin C with a strong tumor-enrichment PK profile and tumor-PD marker responses. Senexin C inhibits MV4-11 leukemia growth in a systemic in vivo model with good tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Alexander A Chumanevich
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Donald C Porter
- Senex Biotechnology, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Aleksei Mindich
- CSC BIOCAD, Strelna, Saint-Petersburg 198515, Russia.,Biotechnology Department, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
| | | | - Igor B Roninson
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.,Senex Biotechnology, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Mengqian Chen
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States.,Senex Biotechnology, Inc., Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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22
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Knab VM, Gotthardt D, Klein K, Grausenburger R, Heller G, Menzl I, Prinz D, Trifinopoulos J, List J, Fux D, Witalisz-Siepracka A, Sexl V. Triple-negative breast cancer cells rely on kinase-independent functions of CDK8 to evade NK-cell-mediated tumor surveillance. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:991. [PMID: 34689158 PMCID: PMC8542046 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignant disease that is responsible for approximately 15% of breast cancers. The standard of care relies on surgery and chemotherapy but the prognosis is poor and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Recent in silico studies have revealed an inverse correlation between recurrence-free survival and the level of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) in breast cancer patients. CDK8 is known to have a role in natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, but its function in TNBC progression and immune cell recognition or escape has not been investigated. We have used a murine model of orthotopic breast cancer to study the tumor-intrinsic role of CDK8 in TNBC. Knockdown of CDK8 in TNBC cells impairs tumor regrowth upon surgical removal and prevents metastasis. In the absence of CDK8, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is impaired and immune-mediated tumor-cell clearance is facilitated. CDK8 drives EMT in TNBC cells in a kinase-independent manner. In vivo experiments have confirmed that CDK8 is a crucial regulator of NK-cell-mediated immune evasion in TNBC. The studies also show that CDK8 is involved in regulating the checkpoint inhibitor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). The CDK8-PD-L1 axis is found in mouse and human TNBC cells, underlining the importance of CDK8-driven immune cell evasion in these highly aggressive breast cancer cells. Our data link CDK8 to PD-L1 expression and provide a rationale for investigating the possibility of CDK8-directed therapy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Maria Knab
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Gotthardt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Grausenburger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingeborg Menzl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Prinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Trifinopoulos
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia List
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Fux
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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23
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Cai X, Deng J, Zhou J, Cai H, Chen Z. Cyclin-dependent kinase 19 upregulation correlates with an unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2021; 21:377. [PMID: 34649520 PMCID: PMC8518165 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01962-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Cyclin-dependent kinase 19 (CDK19) is a component of the mediator coactivator complex, which is required for transcriptional activation. In this study, we utilized public databases and wet-bench hepatic cell line experiments to elucidate the potential roles of CDK19 in hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Materials and methods We studied the relationships between CDK19 expression and several clinical features related to HCC via the Oncomine and UALCAN databases. The prognostic value of CDK19 was tested using the Kaplan–Meier Plotter database. We presented the mutations of CDK19 and addressed the relation of CDK19 expression with immune cell infiltration by means of the cBioPortal, Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) and Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases. Hub genes were obtained and further analyzed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database. To test the in silico findings, we knocked down CDK19 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology in two hepatic cell lines and conducted several functional characterization experiments. Results Marked CDK19 upregulation was found in HCC tissues versus normal liver tissues, and CDK19 mRNA expression had high diagnostic value in HCC patients. Subgroup analysis showed that CDK19 overexpression was associated with sex, tumor stage and TP53 mutation status. The prognostic value of CDK19 upregulation for overall survival (OS) was significant in patients with stage 2–3, stage 3–4, and grade 2 disease. One percent of the patients had CDK19 mutations, but no relationship between CDK19 mutation and prognosis was observed. CDK19 was positively correlated with the abundances of CD4 + T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. We identified 10 genes correlated with CDK19, 8 of which presented excellent prognostic value in HCC. These hub genes were directly involved in cell division and regulation of the G2/M cell cycle transition. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) and pathway predictions indicated that CDK19 is highly likely to be involved in several cellular functions, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. These functions were strongly interfered from two independent hepatic cell lines after CDK19 knockdown. Conclusions CDK19 could be a prognostic marker in HCC, and its therapeutic potential in HCC needs further study. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01962-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jingwen Deng
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jiaming Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Huiqiang Cai
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - Zhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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24
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Moratin J, Mock A, Obradovic S, Metzger K, Flechtenmacher C, Zaoui K, Fröhling S, Jäger D, Krauss J, Hoffmann J, Freier K, Horn D, Hess J, Freudlsperger C. Digital Pathology Scoring of Immunohistochemical Staining Reliably Identifies Prognostic Markers and Anatomical Associations in a Large Cohort of Oral Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:712944. [PMID: 34395287 PMCID: PMC8359738 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.712944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Utilizing digital pathology algorithms for the objective quantification of immunohistochemical staining, this study aimed to identify robust prognostic biomarkers for oral cancer. Tissue microarrays with specimens of a large cohort of oral squamous cell carcinoma (n=222) were immunohistochemically stained to determine the expression of PD-L1, EGFR, and COX-2 and the amount of infiltrating NK cells and CD8-positive T cells. Immunoreactivity scores were assessed using both a classical manual scoring procedure and a digital semi-automatic approach using QuPath. Digital scoring was successful in quantifying the expression levels of different prognostic biomarkers (CD8: p<0.001; NK cells: p=0.002, PD-L1: p=0.026) and high levels of concordance with manual scoring results were observed. A combined score integrating EGFR expression, neck node status and immune cell signatures with a significant impact on overall and progression-free survival was identified (p<0.001). These data may contribute to the ongoing research on the identification of reliable and clinically relevant biomarkers for the individualization of primary and adjuvant treatment in oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Moratin
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Mock
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Obradovic
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karl Metzger
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Karim Zaoui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Fröhling
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krauss
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hoffmann
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kolja Freier
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Horn
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Freudlsperger
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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25
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Discovery of a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of CDK8 through a structure-based optimisation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 218:113391. [PMID: 33823391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CDK8 is deregulated in multiple types of human cancer and is viewed as a therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease. Accordingly, the search for small-molecule inhibitors of CDK8 is being intensified. Capitalising on our initial discovery of AU1-100, a potent CDK8 inhibitor yet with a limited degree of kinase selectivity, a structure-based optimisation was carried out, with a series of new multi-substituted pyridines rationally designed, chemically prepared and biologically evaluated. Such endeavour has culminated in the identification of 42, a more potent CDK8 inhibitor with superior kinomic selectivity and oral bioavailability. The mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of 42 on MV4-11 cells was studied, revealing that the compound arrested the G1 cell cycle and triggered apoptosis. The low risk of hepato- and cardio-toxicity of 42 was estimated. These findings merit further investigation of 42 as a targeted cancer therapeutic.
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26
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Mills RJ, Humphrey SJ, Fortuna PRJ, Lor M, Foster SR, Quaife-Ryan GA, Johnston RL, Dumenil T, Bishop C, Rudraraju R, Rawle DJ, Le T, Zhao W, Lee L, Mackenzie-Kludas C, Mehdiabadi NR, Halliday C, Gilham D, Fu L, Nicholls SJ, Johansson J, Sweeney M, Wong NCW, Kulikowski E, Sokolowski KA, Tse BWC, Devilée L, Voges HK, Reynolds LT, Krumeich S, Mathieson E, Abu-Bonsrah D, Karavendzas K, Griffen B, Titmarsh D, Elliott DA, McMahon J, Suhrbier A, Subbarao K, Porrello ER, Smyth MJ, Engwerda CR, MacDonald KPA, Bald T, James DE, Hudson JE. BET inhibition blocks inflammation-induced cardiac dysfunction and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell 2021; 184:2167-2182.e22. [PMID: 33811809 PMCID: PMC7962543 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac injury and dysfunction occur in COVID-19 patients and increase the risk of mortality. Causes are ill defined but could be through direct cardiac infection and/or inflammation-induced dysfunction. To identify mechanisms and cardio-protective drugs, we use a state-of-the-art pipeline combining human cardiac organoids with phosphoproteomics and single nuclei RNA sequencing. We identify an inflammatory “cytokine-storm”, a cocktail of interferon gamma, interleukin 1β, and poly(I:C), induced diastolic dysfunction. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 is activated along with a viral response that is consistent in both human cardiac organoids (hCOs) and hearts of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice. Bromodomain and extraterminal family inhibitors (BETi) recover dysfunction in hCOs and completely prevent cardiac dysfunction and death in a mouse cytokine-storm model. Additionally, BETi decreases transcription of genes in the viral response, decreases ACE2 expression, and reduces SARS-CoV-2 infection of cardiomyocytes. Together, BETi, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough designated drug, apabetalone, are promising candidates to prevent COVID-19 mediated cardiac damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Mills
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Sean J Humphrey
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Mary Lor
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon R Foster
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca L Johnston
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Troy Dumenil
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Cameron Bishop
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Rajeev Rudraraju
- The WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel J Rawle
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Thuy Le
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Wei Zhao
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Leo Lee
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Neda R Mehdiabadi
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Dean Gilham
- Resverlogix Corp., Calgary T3E 6L1, AB, Canada
| | - Li Fu
- Resverlogix Corp., Calgary T3E 6L1, AB, Canada
| | - Stephen J Nicholls
- Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash University, Clayton 3168, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Kamil A Sokolowski
- Preclinical Imaging Facility, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brian W C Tse
- Preclinical Imaging Facility, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lynn Devilée
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Holly K Voges
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Liam T Reynolds
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Sophie Krumeich
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Ellen Mathieson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Dad Abu-Bonsrah
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathy Karavendzas
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Brendan Griffen
- Dynomics Inc., San Mateo, CA 94401, USA; Dynomics Pty Ltd, Brisbane 4000, QLD, Australia
| | - Drew Titmarsh
- Dynomics Inc., San Mateo, CA 94401, USA; Dynomics Pty Ltd, Brisbane 4000, QLD, Australia
| | - David A Elliott
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - James McMahon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne 3004, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton 3168, VIC, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia; GVN Center of Excellence, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- The WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3000, VIC, Australia
| | - Enzo R Porrello
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia; Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark J Smyth
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Tobias Bald
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia; Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - David E James
- Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, NSW, Australia
| | - James E Hudson
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia.
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27
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Yu M, Teo T, Yang Y, Li M, Long Y, Philip S, Noll B, Heinemann GK, Diab S, Eldi P, Mekonnen L, Anshabo AT, Rahaman MH, Milne R, Hayball JD, Wang S. Potent and orally bioavailable CDK8 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, structure-activity relationship analysis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113248. [PMID: 33571827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CDK8 regulates transcription either by phosphorylation of transcription factors or, as part of a four-subunit kinase module, through a reversible association of the kinase module with the Mediator complex, a highly conserved transcriptional coactivator. Deregulation of CDK8 has been found in various types of human cancer, while the role of CDK8 in supressing anti-cancer response of natural killer cells is being understood. Currently, CDK8-targeting cancer drugs are highly sought-after. Herein we detail the discovery of a series of novel pyridine-derived CDK8 inhibitors. Medicinal chemistry optimisation gave rise to 38 (AU1-100), a potent CDK8 inhibitor with oral bioavailability. The compound inhibited the proliferation of MV4-11 acute myeloid leukaemia cells with the kinase activity of cellular CDK8 dampened. No systemic toxicology was observed in the mice treated with 38. These results warrant further pre-clinical studies of 38 as an anti-cancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Yu
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Theodosia Teo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Yuchao Yang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Manjun Li
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Yi Long
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Stephen Philip
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Benjamin Noll
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Gary K Heinemann
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Sarah Diab
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Preethi Eldi
- Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Laychiluh Mekonnen
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Abel T Anshabo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Muhammed H Rahaman
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Robert Milne
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - John D Hayball
- Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Shudong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
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28
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Martinez-Fabregas J, Wang L, Pohler E, Cozzani A, Wilmes S, Kazemian M, Mitra S, Moraga I. CDK8 Fine-Tunes IL-6 Transcriptional Activities by Limiting STAT3 Resident Time at the Gene Loci. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108545. [PMID: 33357429 PMCID: PMC7773550 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are highly pleiotropic ligands that regulate the immune response. Here, using interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a model system, we perform detailed phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic studies in human CD4+ T helper 1 (Th-1) cells to address the molecular bases defining cytokine functional pleiotropy. We identify CDK8 as a negative regulator of STAT3 transcriptional activities, which interacts with STAT3 upon IL-6 stimulation. Inhibition of CDK8 activity, using specific small molecule inhibitors, reduces the IL-6-induced phosphoproteome by 23% in Th-1 cells, including STAT3 S727 phosphorylation. STAT3 binding to target DNA sites in the genome is increased upon CDK8 inhibition, which results in a concomitant increase in STAT3-mediated transcriptional activity. Importantly, inhibition of CDK8 activity under Th-17 polarizing conditions results in an enhancement of Th-17 differentiation. Our results support a model where CDK8 regulates STAT3 transcriptional processivity by modulation of its gene loci resident time, critically contributing to diversification of IL-6 responses. CDK8 regulates IL-6-mediated STAT3 S727 phosphorylation in primary human T cells CDK8 controls STAT3 activity by limiting its resident time at gene loci CDK8 inhibition increases IL-6-mediated Th17 differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luopin Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Elizabeth Pohler
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Adeline Cozzani
- Université de Lille, INSERM UMR1277 CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER and Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
| | - Stephan Wilmes
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Suman Mitra
- Université de Lille, INSERM UMR1277 CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER and Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France.
| | - Ignacio Moraga
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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Wu D, Zhang Z, Chen X, Yan Y, Liu X. Angel or Devil ? - CDK8 as the new drug target. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 213:113043. [PMID: 33257171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) plays an momentous role in transcription regulation by forming kinase module or transcription factor phosphorylation. A large number of evidences have identified CDK8 as an important factor in cancer occurrence and development. In addition, CDK8 also participates in the regulation of cancer cell stress response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, assists tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, CDK8 is regarded as a promising target for cancer therapy. Most studies in recent years supported the role of CDK8 as a carcinogen, however, under certain conditions, CDK8 exists as a tumor suppressor. The functional diversity of CDK8 and its exceptional role in different types of cancer have aroused great interest from scientists but even more controversy during the discovery of CDK8 inhibitors. In addition, CDK8 appears to be an effective target for inflammation diseases and immune system disorders. Therefore, we summarized the research results of CDK8, involving physiological/pathogenic mechanisms and the development status of compounds targeting CDK8, provide a reference for the feasibility evaluation of CDK8 as a therapeutic target, and guidance for researchers who are involved in this field for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- School of Biological Engineering, Hefei Technology College, Hefei, 238000, PR China
| | - Zhaoyan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Xing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Yaoyao Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China.
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Bachiller M, Battram AM, Perez-Amill L, Martín-Antonio B. Natural Killer Cells in Immunotherapy: Are We Nearly There? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3139. [PMID: 33120910 PMCID: PMC7694052 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent anti-tumor and anti-microbial cells of our innate immune system. They are equipped with a vast array of receptors that recognize tumor cells and other pathogens. The innate immune activity of NK cells develops faster than the adaptive one performed by T cells, and studies suggest an important immunoregulatory role for each population against the other. The association, observed in acute myeloid leukemia patients receiving haploidentical killer-immunoglobulin-like-receptor-mismatched NK cells, with induction of complete remission was the determinant to begin an increasing number of clinical studies administering NK cells for the treatment of cancer patients. Unfortunately, even though transfused NK cells demonstrated safety, their observed efficacy was poor. In recent years, novel studies have emerged, combining NK cells with other immunotherapeutic agents, such as monoclonal antibodies, which might improve clinical efficacy. Moreover, genetically-modified NK cells aimed at arming NK cells with better efficacy and persistence have appeared as another option. Here, we review novel pre-clinical and clinical studies published in the last five years administering NK cells as a monotherapy and combined with other agents, and we also review chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK cells for the treatment of cancer patients. We then describe studies regarding the role of NK cells as anti-microbial effectors, as lessons that we could learn and apply in immunotherapy applications of NK cells; these studies highlight an important immunoregulatory role performed between T cells and NK cells that should be considered when designing immunotherapeutic strategies. Lastly, we highlight novel strategies that could be combined with NK cell immunotherapy to improve their targeting, activity, and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Beatriz Martín-Antonio
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (A.M.B.); (L.P.-A.)
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Schneider WM, Luna JM, Hoffmann HH, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Leal AA, Ashbrook AW, Le Pen J, Michailidis E, Ricardo-Lax I, Peace A, Stenzel AF, Lowe SW, MacDonald MR, Rice CM, Poirier JT. Genome-scale identification of SARS-CoV-2 and pan-coronavirus host factor networks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 33052332 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.07.326462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of more than one million people worldwide. The causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, is a member of the Coronaviridae family, which are viruses that cause respiratory infections of varying severity. The cellular host factors and pathways co-opted by SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses in the execution of their life cycles remain ill-defined. To develop an extensive compendium of host factors required for infection by SARS-CoV-2 and three seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-229E), we performed parallel genome-scale CRISPR knockout screens. These screens uncovered multiple host factors and pathways with pan-coronavirus and virus-specific functional roles, including major dependency on glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis, SREBP signaling, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis, as well as an unexpected requirement for several poorly characterized proteins. We identified an absolute requirement for the VTT-domain containing protein TMEM41B for infection by SARS-CoV-2 and all other coronaviruses. This human Coronaviridae host factor compendium represents a rich resource to develop new therapeutic strategies for acute COVID-19 and potential future coronavirus spillover events. HIGHLIGHTS Genome-wide CRISPR screens for SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and HCoV-229E coronavirus host factors.Parallel genome-wide CRISPR screening uncovered host factors and pathways with pan-coronavirus and virus-specific functional roles.Coronaviruses co-opt multiple biological pathways, including glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis, SREBP signaling, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis and anchoring, among others.TMEM41B - a poorly understood factor with roles in autophagy and lipid mobilization - is a critical pan-coronavirus host factor.
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CDK19 as a Potential HPV-Independent Biomarker for Recurrent Disease in HNSCC. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155508. [PMID: 32752128 PMCID: PMC7432755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mediator complex is a central integrator of transcription and a hub for the regulation of gene expression. Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 19 and its paralog CDK8 are part of its kinase domain and contribute to cancer progression in different cancer entities. STAT1 is an important immune modulator and a downstream substrate of CDK8/CDK19 mediated phosphorylation. So far, little is known about CDK19’s role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression, its link to STAT1 activity, and related immune modulation. Immunohistochemistry for CDK19, activated pSTAT1, and PD-L1, known to be affected by STAT1, was conducted on samples of 130 primary tumors, 71 local recurrences, 32 lymph node metastases, and 25 distant metastases of HNSCC. Compared to primary tumors, CDK19 is overexpressed in local recurrences and distant metastases as well as in primary tumors that developed local recurrence after initial therapy. Patients with high-CDK19-expressing primary tumors have a significantly shorter disease-free survival. CDK19 expression correlates with pSTAT1 expression in primary tumors associated with recurrent disease, local recurrent tumors, lymph node metastases, and distant metastases. pSTAT1 expression correlates with PD-L1 expression in recurrent tumors. Our findings identify CDK19 as a potential biomarker in HNSCC to predict recurrent disease and support recent developments to target CDK19 and its paralog CDK8 in advanced cancer.
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