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Banerjee A, Mathew S, Naqvi MM, Yilmaz SZ, Zacharopoulou M, Doruker P, Kumita JR, Yang SH, Gur M, Itzhaki LS, Gordon R, Bahar I. Influence of point mutations on PR65 conformational adaptability: Insights from molecular simulations and nanoaperture optical tweezers. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn2208. [PMID: 38820156 PMCID: PMC11141623 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn2208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
PR65 is the HEAT repeat scaffold subunit of the heterotrimeric protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and an archetypal tandem repeat protein. Its conformational mechanics plays a crucial role in PP2A function by opening/closing substrate binding/catalysis interface. Using in silico saturation mutagenesis, we identified PR65 "hinge" residues whose substitutions could alter its conformational adaptability and thereby PP2A function, and selected six mutations that were verified to be expressed and soluble. Molecular simulations and nanoaperture optical tweezers revealed consistent results on the specific effects of the mutations on the structure and dynamics of PR65. Two mutants observed in simulations to stabilize extended/open conformations exhibited higher corner frequencies and lower translational scattering in experiments, indicating a shift toward extended conformations, whereas another displayed the opposite features, confirmed by both simulations and experiments. The study highlights the power of single-molecule nanoaperture-based tweezers integrated with in silico approaches for exploring the effect of mutations on protein structure and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Banerjee
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Samuel Mathew
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Mohsin M. Naqvi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Sema Z. Yilmaz
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34437 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Maria Zacharopoulou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Pemra Doruker
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Janet R. Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Shang-Hua Yang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Mert Gur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34437 Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Laura S. Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Reuven Gordon
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Ivet Bahar
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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2
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Xiao B, Landesman-Bollag E, Feng H. What value do zebrafish have to anticancer drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:369-375. [PMID: 38327017 PMCID: PMC10950524 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2313454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Esther Landesman-Bollag
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Cancer Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, USA
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3
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Zhan T, Song W, Jing G, Yuan Y, Kang N, Zhang Q. Zebrafish live imaging: a strong weapon in anticancer drug discovery and development. Clin Transl Oncol 2024:10.1007/s12094-024-03406-7. [PMID: 38514602 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03406-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Developing anticancer drugs is a complex and time-consuming process. The inability of current laboratory models to reflect important aspects of the tumor in vivo limits anticancer medication research. Zebrafish is a rapid, semi-automated in vivo screening platform that enables the use of non-invasive imaging methods to monitor morphology, survival, developmental status, response to drugs, locomotion, or other behaviors. Zebrafish models are widely used in drug discovery and development for anticancer drugs, especially in conjunction with live imaging techniques. Herein, we concentrated on the use of zebrafish live imaging in anticancer therapeutic research, including drug screening, efficacy assessment, toxicity assessment, and mechanism studies. Zebrafish live imaging techniques have been used in numerous studies, but this is the first time that these techniques have been comprehensively summarized and compared side by side. Finally, we discuss the hypothesis of Zebrafish Composite Model, which may provide future directions for zebrafish imaging in the field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancheng Zhan
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanqian Song
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo Jing
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongkang Yuan
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Kang
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Rd, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, People's Republic of China.
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Johnson H, Narayan S, Sharma AK. Altering phosphorylation in cancer through PP2A modifiers. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:11. [PMID: 38184584 PMCID: PMC10770906 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03193-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine/threonine phosphatase integral to the regulation of many cellular processes. Due to the deregulation of PP2A in cancer, many of these processes are turned toward promoting tumor progression. Considerable research has been undertaken to discover molecules capable of modulating PP2A activity in cancer. Because PP2A is capable of immense substrate specificity across many cellular processes, the therapeutic targeting of PP2A in cancer can be completed through either enzyme inhibitors or activators. PP2A modulators likewise tend to be effective in drug-resistant cancers and work synergistically with other known cancer therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the patterns of PP2A deregulation in cancer, and its known downstream signaling pathways important for cancer regulation, along with many activators and inhibitors of PP2A known to inhibit cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Satya Narayan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Arun K Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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5
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Bahar I, Banerjee A, Mathew S, Naqvi M, Yilmaz S, Zachoropoulou M, Doruker P, Kumita J, Yang SH, Gur M, Itzhaki L, Gordon R. Influence of Point Mutations on PR65 Conformational Adaptability: Insights from Nanoaperture Optical Tweezer Experiments and Molecular Simulations. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3599809. [PMID: 38014259 PMCID: PMC10680943 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3599809/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PR65 is the HEAT-repeat scaffold subunit of the heterotrimeric protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and an archetypal tandem-repeat protein, forming a spring-like architecture. PR65 conformational mechanics play a crucial role in PP2A function by opening/closing the substrate-binding/catalysis interface. Using in-silico saturation mutagenesis we identified "hinge" residues of PR65, whose substitutions are predicted to restrict its conformational adaptability and thereby disrupt PP2A function. Molecular simulations revealed that a subset of hinge mutations stabilized the extended/open conformation, whereas another had the opposite effect. By trapping in nanoaperture optical tweezer, we characterized PR65 motion and showed that the former mutants exhibited higher corner frequencies and lower translational scattering, indicating a shift towards extended conformations, whereas the latter showed the opposite behavior. Thus, experiments confirm the conformations predicted computationally. The study highlights the utility of nanoaperture-based tweezers for exploring structure and dynamics, and the power of integrating this single-molecule method with in silico approaches.
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Chong SJF, Zhu F, Dashevsky O, Mizuno R, Lai JX, Hackett L, Ryan CE, Collins MC, Iorgulescu JB, Guièze R, Penailillo J, Carrasco R, Hwang YC, Muñoz DP, Bouhaddou M, Lim YC, Wu CJ, Allan JN, Furman RR, Goh BC, Pervaiz S, Coppé JP, Mitsiades CS, Davids MS. Hyperphosphorylation of BCL-2 family proteins underlies functional resistance to venetoclax in lymphoid malignancies. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e170169. [PMID: 37751299 PMCID: PMC10645378 DOI: 10.1172/jci170169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor venetoclax is effective in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); however, resistance may develop over time. Other lymphoid malignancies such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are frequently intrinsically resistant to venetoclax. Although genomic resistance mechanisms such as BCL2 mutations have been described, this probably only explains a subset of resistant cases. Using 2 complementary functional precision medicine techniques - BH3 profiling and high-throughput kinase activity mapping - we found that hyperphosphorylation of BCL-2 family proteins, including antiapoptotic myeloid leukemia 1 (MCL-1) and BCL-2 and proapoptotic BCL-2 agonist of cell death (BAD) and BCL-2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX), underlies functional mechanisms of both intrinsic and acquired resistance to venetoclax in CLL and DLBCL. Additionally, we provide evidence that antiapoptotic BCL-2 family protein phosphorylation altered the apoptotic protein interactome, thereby changing the profile of functional dependence on these prosurvival proteins. Targeting BCL-2 family protein phosphorylation with phosphatase-activating drugs rewired these dependencies, thus restoring sensitivity to venetoclax in a panel of venetoclax-resistant lymphoid cell lines, a resistant mouse model, and in paired patient samples before venetoclax treatment and at the time of progression.
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MESH Headings
- Mice
- Animals
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology
- bcl-X Protein/genetics
- Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/genetics
- Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Jun Fei Chong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fen Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olga Dashevsky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rin Mizuno
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jolin X.H. Lai
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Liam Hackett
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christine E. Ryan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary C. Collins
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J. Bryan Iorgulescu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Romain Guièze
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Johany Penailillo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ruben Carrasco
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yeonjoo C. Hwang
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Denise P. Muñoz
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mehdi Bouhaddou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yaw Chyn Lim
- Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John N. Allan
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard R. Furman
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Boon Cher Goh
- Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shazib Pervaiz
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jean-Philippe Coppé
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Constantine S. Mitsiades
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew S. Davids
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Soto B, Ahmed H, Pillai M, Park SS, Ploszaj M, Reece J, Taluru H, Bobrow D, Yu H, Lafortune P, Jundi B, Costanzo L, Dabo AJ, Foronjy RF, Mueller C, Ohlmeyer M, Geraghty P. Evaluating Novel Protein Phosphatase 2A Activators as Therapeutics for Emphysema. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:533-544. [PMID: 37526463 PMCID: PMC10633843 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0105oc] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The activity of PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A), a serine-threonine phosphatase, is reduced by chronic cigarette smoke (SM) exposure and α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, and chemical activation of PP2A reduces the loss of lung function in SM-exposed mice. However, the previously studied PP2A-activator tricyclic sulfonamide compound DBK-1154 has low stability to oxidative metabolism, resulting in fast clearance and low systemic exposure. Here we compare the utility of a new more stable PP2A activator, ATUX-792, versus DBK-1154 for the treatment of SM-induced emphysema. ATUX-792 was also tested in human bronchial epithelial cells and a mouse model of AAT deficiency, Serpina1a-e-knockout mice. Human bronchial epithelial cells were treated with ATUX-792 or DBK-1154, and cell viability, PP2A activity, and MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase phosphorylation status were examined. Wild-type mice received vehicle, DBK-1154, or ATUX-792 orally in the last 2 months of 4 months of SM exposure, and 8-month-old Serpina1a-e-knockout mice received ATUX-792 daily for 4 months. Forced oscillation and expiratory measurements and histology analysis were performed. Treatment with ATUX-792 or DBK-1154 resulted in PP2A activation, reduced MAP kinase phosphorylation, immune cell infiltration, reduced airspace enlargements, and preserved lung function. Using protein arrays and multiplex assays, PP2A activation was observed to reduce AAT-deficient and SM-induced release of CXCL5, CCL17, and CXCL16 into the airways, which coincided with reduced neutrophil lung infiltration. Our study indicates that suppression of the PP2A activity in two models of emphysema could be restored by next-generation PP2A activators to impact lung function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sangmi S. Park
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Abdoulaye J. Dabo
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Robert F. Foronjy
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Christian Mueller
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, Massachusetts; and
| | | | - Patrick Geraghty
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
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Yu H, Zaveri S, Sattar Z, Schaible M, Perez Gandara B, Uddin A, McGarvey LR, Ohlmeyer M, Geraghty P. Protein Phosphatase 2A as a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Diseases. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1552. [PMID: 37763671 PMCID: PMC10535831 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
New disease targets and medicinal chemistry approaches are urgently needed to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that reduced activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a complex heterotrimeric enzyme that regulates dephosphorylation of serine and threonine residues from many proteins, is observed in multiple pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer, smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Loss of PP2A responses is linked to many mechanisms associated with disease progressions, such as senescence, proliferation, inflammation, corticosteroid resistance, enhanced protease responses, and mRNA stability. Therefore, chemical restoration of PP2A may represent a novel treatment for these diseases. This review outlines the potential impact of reduced PP2A activity in pulmonary diseases, endogenous and exogenous inhibitors of PP2A, details the possible PP2A-dependent mechanisms observed in these conditions, and outlines potential therapeutic strategies for treatment. Substantial medicinal chemistry efforts are underway to develop therapeutics targeting PP2A activity. The development of specific activators of PP2A that selectively target PP2A holoenzymes could improve our understanding of the function of PP2A in pulmonary diseases. This may lead to the development of therapeutics for restoring normal PP2A responses within the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Yu
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Sahil Zaveri
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Zeeshan Sattar
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Michael Schaible
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Brais Perez Gandara
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Anwar Uddin
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | - Lucas R. McGarvey
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
| | | | - Patrick Geraghty
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; (H.Y.); (S.Z.); (Z.S.); (M.S.); (B.P.G.); (A.U.); (L.R.M.)
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9
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Dash SN, Patnaik L. Flight for fish in drug discovery: a review of zebrafish-based screening of molecules. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20220541. [PMID: 37528729 PMCID: PMC10394424 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human disease and biological practices are modelled in zebrafish (Danio rerio) at various phases of drug development as well as toxicity evaluation. The zebrafish is ideal for in vivo pathological research and high-resolution investigation of disease progress. Zebrafish has an advantage over other mammalian models, it is cost-effective, it has external development and embryo transparency, easy to apply genetic manipulations, and open to both forward and reverse genetic techniques. Drug screening in zebrafish is suitable for target identification, illness modelling, high-throughput screening of compounds for inhibition or prevention of disease phenotypes and developing new drugs. Several drugs that have recently entered the clinic or clinical trials have their origins in zebrafish. The sophisticated screening methods used in zebrafish models are expected to play a significant role in advancing drug development programmes. This review highlights the current developments in drug discovery processes, including understanding the action of drugs in the context of disease and screening novel candidates in neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, glomerulopathies and cancer. Additionally, it summarizes the current techniques and approaches for the selection of small molecules and current technical limitations on the execution of zebrafish drug screening tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surjya Narayan Dash
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biocenter 2. Viikinkaari, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5D, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lipika Patnaik
- Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Zoology, COE in Environment and Public Health, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack 751003, Odisha, India
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van Pelt J, Meeusen B, Derua R, Guffens L, Van Cutsem E, Janssens V, Verslype C. Human pancreatic cancer patients with Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and an aggressive phenotype show a disturbed balance in Protein Phosphatase Type 2A expression and functionality. J Transl Med 2023; 21:317. [PMID: 37170215 PMCID: PMC10176933 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04145-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a low survival, its incidence is rising and little therapeutic improvements are expected in the near future. It has been observed that Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes (including in PDAC) to a more aggressive cancer phenotype. Additionally, largely unexplored, studies indicate a mechanistic interplay between Protein Phosphatase Type 2A (PP2A) enzymes and EMT that could offer treatment opportunities. The aim was to investigate the relation of a PP2A expression signature (encompassing all PP2A subunits, endogenous inhibitors and activators) with EMT and aggressive pancreatic cancer, and to discuss possible implications. METHODS We retrieved different PDAC expression datasets from NCBI to capture the variation in patients, and analyzed these using datamining, survival analysis, differential gene and protein expression. We determined genes highly associated with aggressive PDAC. For in vitro evaluation, Panc-1 cells were treated with the pharmacologic PP2A inhibitor Okadaic Acid (OA). Additionally, two OA-resistant Panc-1 clones were developed and characterized. RESULTS In patients, there is a strong correlation between EMT and aggressive PDAC, and between aggressive PDAC and PP2A, with a significant upregulation of PP2A inhibitor genes. Several PP2A genes significantly correlated with decreased survival. In vitro, short-term exposure to OA induced EMT in Panc-1 cells. This shift towards EMT was further pronounced in the OA-resistant Panc-1 clones, morphologically and by pathway analysis. Proteomic analysis and gene sequencing showed that the advanced OA-resistant model most resembles the clinical PDAC presentation (with EMT signature, and with several specific PP2A genes upregulated, and others downregulated). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a strong association between EMT, altered PP2A expression and aggressive PDAC in patients. Also, in vitro, PP2A inhibition induces EMT. Overall, statistics suggests the mechanistic importance of PP2A dysregulation for PDAC progression. Translationally, our observations indicate that pharmacologic restoration of PP2A activity could be an attractive therapeutic strategy to block or reverse progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos van Pelt
- Laboratory of Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven & University Hospitals Leuven, Geb. Onderwijs & Navorsing 4, Room 07.465, Herestraat 49, Bus 603, B3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Bob Meeusen
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Dept. of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, O&N1, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Bus 901, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rita Derua
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Dept. of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, O&N1, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Bus 901, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
- SyBioMa (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Guffens
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Dept. of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, O&N1, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Bus 901, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eric Van Cutsem
- Laboratory of Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven & University Hospitals Leuven, Geb. Onderwijs & Navorsing 4, Room 07.465, Herestraat 49, Bus 603, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Janssens
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Dept. of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, O&N1, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49, Bus 901, B3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Chris Verslype
- Laboratory of Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven & University Hospitals Leuven, Geb. Onderwijs & Navorsing 4, Room 07.465, Herestraat 49, Bus 603, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Cibotaru S, Sandu AI, Nicolescu A, Marin L. Antitumor Activity of PEGylated and TEGylated Phenothiazine Derivatives: Structure–Activity Relationship. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065449. [PMID: 36982524 PMCID: PMC10049495 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper aims to investigate the antitumor activity of a series of phenothiazine derivatives in order to establish a structure–antitumor activity relationship. To this end, PEGylated and TEGylated phenothiazine have been functionalized with formyl units and further with sulfonamide units via dynamic imine bonds. Their antitumor activity was monitored in vitro against seven human tumors cell lines and a mouse one compared to a human normal cell line by MTS assay. In order to find the potential influence of different building blocks on antitumor activity, the antioxidant activity, the ability to inhibit farnesyltransferase and the capacity to bind amino acids relevant for tumor cell growth were investigated as well. It was established that different building blocks conferred different functionalities, inducing specific antitumor activity against the tumor cells.
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12
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Finicle B, Eckenstein K, Revenko A, Anderson B, Wan W, McCracken A, Gil D, Fruman D, Hanessian S, Seth P, Edinger A. Simultaneous inhibition of endocytic recycling and lysosomal fusion sensitizes cells and tissues to oligonucleotide therapeutics. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1583-1599. [PMID: 36727438 PMCID: PMC9976930 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Inefficient endosomal escape remains the primary barrier to the broad application of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Liver uptake after systemic administration is sufficiently robust that a therapeutic effect can be achieved but targeting extrahepatic tissues remains challenging. Prior attempts to improve oligonucleotide activity using small molecules that increase the leakiness of endosomes have failed due to unacceptable toxicity. Here, we show that the well-tolerated and orally bioavailable synthetic sphingolipid analog, SH-BC-893, increases the activity of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) up to 200-fold in vitro without permeabilizing endosomes. SH-BC-893 treatment trapped endocytosed oligonucleotides within extra-lysosomal compartments thought to be more permeable due to frequent membrane fission and fusion events. Simultaneous disruption of ARF6-dependent endocytic recycling and PIKfyve-dependent lysosomal fusion was necessary and sufficient for SH-BC-893 to increase non-lysosomal oligonucleotide levels and enhance their activity. In mice, oral administration of SH-BC-893 increased ASO potency in the liver by 15-fold without toxicity. More importantly, SH-BC-893 enabled target RNA knockdown in the CNS and lungs of mice treated subcutaneously with cholesterol-functionalized duplexed oligonucleotides or unmodified ASOs, respectively. Together, these results establish the feasibility of using a small molecule that disrupts endolysosomal trafficking to improve the activity of oligonucleotides in extrahepatic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kazumi H Eckenstein
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | | | - W Brad Wan
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David A Fruman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Hanessian
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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13
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Targeting protein phosphatases in cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune disorders. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:273-294. [PMID: 36693907 PMCID: PMC9872771 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00618-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphatases act as key regulators of multiple important cellular processes and are attractive therapeutic targets for various diseases. Although extensive effort has been dedicated to phosphatase-targeted drug discovery, early expeditions for competitive phosphatase inhibitors were plagued by druggability issues, leading to the stigmatization of phosphatases as difficult targets. Despite challenges, persistent efforts have led to the identification of several drug-like, non-competitive modulators of some of these enzymes - including SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase and protein phosphatase 1 - reigniting interest in therapeutic targeting of phosphatases. Here, we discuss recent progress in phosphatase drug discovery, with emphasis on the development of selective modulators that exhibit biological activity. The roles and regulation of protein phosphatases in immune cells and their potential as powerful targets for immuno-oncology and autoimmunity indications are assessed.
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14
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de los Ríos C, Viejo L, Carretero VJ, Juárez NH, Cruz-Martins N, Hernández-Guijo JM. Promising Molecular Targets in Pharmacological Therapy for Neuronal Damage in Brain Injury. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:118. [PMID: 36670980 PMCID: PMC9854812 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010118] [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: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex etiopathogenesis of brain injury associated with neurodegeneration has sparked a lot of studies in the last century. These clinical situations are incurable, and the currently available therapies merely act on symptoms or slow down the course of the diseases. Effective methods are being sought with an intent to modify the disease, directly acting on the properly studied targets, as well as to contribute to the development of effective therapeutic strategies, opening the possibility of refocusing on drug development for disease management. In this sense, this review discusses the available evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction induced by Ca2+ miscommunication in neurons, as well as how targeting phosphorylation events may be used to modulate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity in the treatment of neuronal damage. Ca2+ tends to be the catalyst for mitochondrial dysfunction, contributing to the synaptic deficiency seen in brain injury. Additionally, emerging data have shown that PP2A-activating drugs (PADs) suppress inflammatory responses by inhibiting different signaling pathways, indicating that PADs may be beneficial for the management of neuronal damage. In addition, a few bioactive compounds have also triggered the activation of PP2A-targeted drugs for this treatment, and clinical studies will help in the authentication of these compounds. If the safety profiles of PADs are proven to be satisfactory, there is a case to be made for starting clinical studies in the setting of neurological diseases as quickly as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal de los Ríos
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, University Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Lucía Viejo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Jiménez Carretero
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalia Hernández Juárez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Natália Cruz-Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Jesús M. Hernández-Guijo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic and Teófilo Hernando Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University Autónoma de Madrid, C/. Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. de Colmenar Viejo, Km. 9,100, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Wu M, Xu J, Zhang Y, Wen Z. Learning from Zebrafish Hematopoiesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1442:137-157. [PMID: 38228963 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-7471-9_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a complex process that tightly regulates the generation, proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of hematopoietic cells. Disruptions in hematopoiesis can lead to various diseases affecting both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic systems, such as leukemia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic granuloma. The zebrafish serves as a powerful vertebrate model for studying hematopoiesis, offering valuable insights into both hematopoietic regulation and hematopoietic diseases. In this chapter, we present a comprehensive overview of zebrafish hematopoiesis, highlighting its distinctive characteristics in hematopoietic processes. We discuss the ontogeny and modulation of both primitive and definitive hematopoiesis, as well as the microenvironment that supports hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Additionally, we explore the utility of zebrafish as a disease model and its potential in drug discovery, which not only advances our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying hematopoiesis but also facilitates the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies for hematopoietic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wu
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin Xu
- South China University of Technology, School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yiyue Zhang
- South China University of Technology, School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zilong Wen
- Southern University of Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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16
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Yi ZN, Chen XK, Ma ACH. Modeling leukemia with zebrafish (Danio rerio): Towards precision medicine. Exp Cell Res 2022; 421:113401. [PMID: 36306826 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113401] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer characterized by high genetic heterogeneity and fatality. While chemotherapy remains the primary form of treatment for leukemia, its effectiveness was profoundly diminished by the genetic heterogeneity and cytogenetic abnormalities of leukemic cells. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop precision medicine for leukemia with distinct genetic backgrounds. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), a freshwater fish with exceptional feasibility in genome editing, is a powerful tool for rapid human cancer modeling. In the past decades, zebrafish have been adopted in modeling human leukemia, exploring the molecular mechanisms of underlying genetic abnormalities, and discovering novel therapeutic agents. Although many recurrent mutations of leukemia have been modeled in zebrafish for pathological study and drug discovery, its great potential in leukemia modeling was not yet fully exploited, particularly in precision medicine. In this review, we evaluated the current zebrafish models of leukemia/pre-leukemia and genetic techniques and discussed the potential of zebrafish models with novel techniques, which may contribute to the development of zebrafish as a disease model for precision medicine in treating leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Ni Yi
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang-Ke Chen
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alvin Chun-Hang Ma
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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17
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Haanen TJ, O'Connor CM, Narla G. Biased holoenzyme assembly of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A): From cancer to small molecules. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102656. [PMID: 36328247 PMCID: PMC9707111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a family of serine threonine phosphatases responsible for regulating protein phosphorylation, thus opposing the activity of cellular kinases. PP2A is composed of a catalytic subunit (PP2A Cα/β) and scaffolding subunit (PP2A Aα/β) and various substrate-directing B regulatory subunits. PP2A biogenesis is regulated at multiple levels. For example, the sequestration of the free catalytic subunit during the process of biogenesis avoids promiscuous phosphatase activity. Posttranslational modifications of PP2A C direct PP2A heterotrimeric formation. Additionally, PP2A functions as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, where attenuated PP2A enzymatic activity creates a permissive environment for oncogenic transformation. Recent work studying PP2A in cancer showed that its role in tumorigenesis is more nuanced, with some holoenzymes being tumor suppressive, while others are required for oncogenic transformation. In cancer biology, PP2A function is modulated through various mechanisms including the displacement of specific B regulatory subunits by DNA tumor viral antigens, by recurrent mutations, and through loss of carboxymethyl-sensitive heterotrimeric complexes. In aggregate, these alterations bias PP2A activity away from its tumor suppressive functions and toward oncogenic ones. From a therapeutic perspective, molecular glues and disruptors present opportunities for both the selective stabilization of tumor-suppressive holoenzymes and disruption of holoenzymes that are pro-oncogenic. Collectively, these approaches represent an attractive cancer therapy for a wide range of tumor types. This review will discuss the mechanisms by which PP2A holoenzyme formation is dysregulated in cancer and the current therapies that are aimed at biasing heterotrimer formation of PP2A for the treatment of cancer.
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18
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Laukkanen S, Veloso A, Yan C, Oksa L, Alpert EJ, Do D, Hyvärinen N, McCarthy K, Adhikari A, Yang Q, Iyer S, Garcia SP, Pello A, Ruokoranta T, Moisio S, Adhikari S, Yoder JA, Gallagher K, Whelton L, Allen JR, Jin AH, Loontiens S, Heinäniemi M, Kelliher M, Heckman CA, Lohi O, Langenau DM. Therapeutic targeting of LCK tyrosine kinase and mTOR signaling in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2022; 140:1891-1906. [PMID: 35544598 PMCID: PMC10082361 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021015106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse and refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) has a poor prognosis, and new combination therapies are sorely needed. Here, we used an ex vivo high-throughput screening platform to identify drug combinations that kill zebrafish T-ALL and then validated top drug combinations for preclinical efficacy in human disease. This work uncovered potent drug synergies between AKT/mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) inhibitors and the general tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib. Importantly, these same drug combinations effectively killed a subset of relapse and dexamethasone-resistant zebrafish T-ALL. Clinical trials are currently underway using the combination of mTORC1 inhibitor temsirolimus and dasatinib in other pediatric cancer indications, leading us to prioritize this therapy for preclinical testing. This combination effectively curbed T-ALL growth in human cell lines and primary human T-ALL and was well tolerated and effective in suppressing leukemia growth in patient-derived xenografts (PDX) grown in mice. Mechanistically, dasatinib inhibited phosphorylation and activation of the lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) to blunt the T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway, and when complexed with mTORC1 inhibition, induced potent T-ALL cell killing through reducing MCL-1 protein expression. In total, our work uncovered unexpected roles for the LCK kinase and its regulation of downstream TCR signaling in suppressing apoptosis and driving continued leukemia growth. Analysis of a wide array of primary human T-ALLs and PDXs grown in mice suggest that combination of temsirolimus and dasatinib treatment will be efficacious for a large fraction of human T-ALLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Laukkanen
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Alexandra Veloso
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Chuan Yan
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Laura Oksa
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Eric J. Alpert
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Daniel Do
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Noora Hyvärinen
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Karin McCarthy
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Abhinav Adhikari
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Qiqi Yang
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sowmya Iyer
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Sara P. Garcia
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Annukka Pello
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tanja Ruokoranta
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanni Moisio
- The Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sadiksha Adhikari
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jeffrey A. Yoder
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, Comparative Medicine Institute, and Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Kayleigh Gallagher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Lauren Whelton
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - James R. Allen
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Alex H. Jin
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Siebe Loontiens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent and Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Merja Heinäniemi
- The Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Michelle Kelliher
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Caroline A. Heckman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Lohi
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Tampere University Hospital, Tays Cancer Center, Tampere, Finland
| | - David M. Langenau
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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19
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Teng M, Young DW, Tan Z. The Pursuit of Enzyme Activation: A Snapshot of the Gold Rush. J Med Chem 2022; 65:14289-14304. [PMID: 36265019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A range of enzymes drive human physiology, and their activities are tightly regulated through numerous signaling pathways. Depending on the context, these pathways may activate or inhibit an enzyme as a way to ensure proper execution of cellular functions. From a drug discovery and development perspective, pharmacological inhibition of enzymes has been a focus of interest, as many diseases are associated with the upregulation of enzyme function. On the other hand, however, pharmacological activation of enzymes such as kinases and phosphatases has been of increasing interest. In this review, we discuss seven case studies that highlight pharmacological activation strategy, describe the binding modes and pharmacology of the activators, and comment on how this on-demand activation strategy complements the commonly pursued inhibition strategy, thus jointly enabling bidirectional modulation of specific target of interest. Going forward, we expect activators to play important roles as chemical probes and drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, and Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Damian W Young
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, and Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Zhi Tan
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, and Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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20
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Targeting Ca2+ and Mitochondrial Homeostasis by Antipsychotic Thioridazine in Leukemia Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12101477. [PMID: 36294912 PMCID: PMC9605445 DOI: 10.3390/life12101477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria have pivotal roles in cellular physiology including energy metabolism, reactive oxygen species production, Ca2+ homeostasis, and apoptosis. Altered mitochondrial morphology and function is a common feature of cancer cells and the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis has been identified as a key to the response to chemotherapeutic agents in human leukemias. Here, we explore the mechanistic aspects of cytotoxicity produced by thioridazine (TR), an antipsychotic drug that has been investigated for its anticancer potential in human leukemia cellular models. TR exerts selective cytotoxicity against human leukemia cells in vitro. A PCR array provided a general view of the expression of genes involved in cell death pathways. TR immediately produced a pulse of cytosolic Ca2+, followed by mitochondrial uptake, resulting in mitochondrial permeabilization, caspase 9/3 activation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. Ca2+ chelators, thiol reducer dithiothreitol, or CHOP knockdown prevented TR-induced cell death. TR also exhibited potent cytotoxicity against BCL-2/BCL-xL-overexpressing leukemia cells. Additionally, previous studies have shown that TR exhibits potent antitumor activity in vivo in different solid tumor models. These findings show that TR induces a Ca2+-mediated apoptosis with involvement of mitochondrial permeabilization and ER stress in leukemia and it emphasizes the pharmacological potential of TR as an adjuvant in antitumor chemotherapy.
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21
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Brown JS. Treatment of cancer with antipsychotic medications: Pushing the boundaries of schizophrenia and cancer. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104809. [PMID: 35970416 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Over a century ago, the phenothiazine dye, methylene blue, was discovered to have both antipsychotic and anti-cancer effects. In the 20th-century, the first phenothiazine antipsychotic, chlorpromazine, was found to inhibit cancer. During the years of elucidating the pharmacology of the phenothiazines, reserpine, an antipsychotic with a long historical background, was likewise discovered to have anti-cancer properties. Research on the effects of antipsychotics on cancer continued slowly until the 21st century when efforts to repurpose antipsychotics for cancer treatment accelerated. This review examines the history of these developments, and identifies which antipsychotics might treat cancer, and which cancers might be treated by antipsychotics. The review also describes the molecular mechanisms through which antipsychotics may inhibit cancer. Although the overlap of molecular pathways between schizophrenia and cancer have been known or suspected for many years, no comprehensive review of the subject has appeared in the psychiatric literature to assess the significance of these similarities. This review fills that gap and discusses what, if any, significance the similarities have regarding the etiology of schizophrenia.
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22
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Vit G, Duro J, Rajendraprasad G, Hertz EPT, Holland LKK, Weisser MB, McEwan BC, Lopez‐Mendez B, Sotelo‐Parrilla P, Jeyaprakash AA, Montoya G, Mailand N, Maeda K, Kettenbach A, Barisic M, Nilsson J. Chemogenetic profiling reveals PP2A-independent cytotoxicity of proposed PP2A activators iHAP1 and DT-061. EMBO J 2022; 41:e110611. [PMID: 35695070 PMCID: PMC9289710 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022110611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an abundant phosphoprotein phosphatase that acts as a tumor suppressor. For this reason, compounds able to activate PP2A are attractive anticancer agents. The compounds iHAP1 and DT-061 have recently been reported to selectively stabilize specific PP2A-B56 complexes to mediate cell killing. We were unable to detect direct effects of iHAP1 and DT-061 on PP2A-B56 activity in biochemical assays and composition of holoenzymes. Therefore, we undertook genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 synthetic lethality screens to uncover biological pathways affected by these compounds. We found that knockout of mitotic regulators is synthetic lethal with iHAP1 while knockout of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi components is synthetic lethal with DT-061. Indeed we showed that iHAP1 directly blocks microtubule assembly both in vitro and in vivo and thus acts as a microtubule poison. In contrast, DT-061 disrupts both the Golgi apparatus and the ER and lipid synthesis associated with these structures. Our work provides insight into the biological pathways perturbed by iHAP1 and DT-061 causing cellular toxicity and argues that these compounds cannot be used for dissecting PP2A-B56 biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmatteo Vit
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Joana Duro
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Girish Rajendraprasad
- Cell Division and CytoskeletonDanish Cancer Society Research CenterCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Emil P T Hertz
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Lya Katrine Kauffeldt Holland
- Cell Death and Metabolism UnitCenter for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD)Danish Cancer Society Research Center (DCRC)CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Melanie Bianca Weisser
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Brennan C McEwan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyGeisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth CollegeHanoverNHUSA,Norris Cotton Cancer CenterLebanonNHUSA
| | - Blanca Lopez‐Mendez
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | | | - Guillermo Montoya
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Niels Mailand
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kenji Maeda
- Cell Death and Metabolism UnitCenter for Autophagy, Recycling and Disease (CARD)Danish Cancer Society Research Center (DCRC)CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Arminja Kettenbach
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyGeisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth CollegeHanoverNHUSA
| | - Marin Barisic
- Cell Division and CytoskeletonDanish Cancer Society Research CenterCopenhagenDenmark,Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jakob Nilsson
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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23
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Pan J, Zhou L, Zhang C, Xu Q, Sun Y. Targeting protein phosphatases for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases: From signaling to therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:177. [PMID: 35665742 PMCID: PMC9166240 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is the common pathological basis of autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases, malignant tumors, and other major chronic diseases. Inflammation plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. On one hand, inflammation can sense changes in the tissue environment, induce imbalance of tissue homeostasis, and cause tissue damage. On the other hand, inflammation can also initiate tissue damage repair and maintain normal tissue function by resolving injury and restoring homeostasis. These opposing functions emphasize the significance of accurate regulation of inflammatory homeostasis to ameliorate inflammation-related diseases. Potential mechanisms involve protein phosphorylation modifications by kinases and phosphatases, which have a crucial role in inflammatory homeostasis. The mechanisms by which many kinases resolve inflammation have been well reviewed, whereas a systematic summary of the functions of protein phosphatases in regulating inflammatory homeostasis is lacking. The molecular knowledge of protein phosphatases, and especially the unique biochemical traits of each family member, will be of critical importance for developing drugs that target phosphatases. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the structure, the "double-edged sword" function, and the extensive signaling pathways of all protein phosphatases in inflammation-related diseases, as well as their potential inhibitors or activators that can be used in therapeutic interventions in preclinical or clinical trials. We provide an integrated perspective on the current understanding of all the protein phosphatases associated with inflammation-related diseases, with the aim of facilitating the development of drugs that target protein phosphatases for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lisha Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chenyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, 209 Tongshan Road, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China.
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24
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Manoharan GB, Okutachi S, Abankwa D. Potential of phenothiazines to synergistically block calmodulin and reactivate PP2A in cancer cells. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268635. [PMID: 35617282 PMCID: PMC9135253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenothiazines (PTZ) were developed as inhibitors of monoamine neurotransmitter receptors, notably dopamine receptors. Because of this activity they have been used for decades as antipsychotic drugs. In addition, they possess significant anti-cancer properties and several attempts for their repurposing were made. However, their incompletely understood polypharmacology is challenging. Here we examined the potential of the PTZ fluphenazine (Flu) and its mustard derivative (Flu-M) to synergistically act on two cancer associated targets, calmodulin (CaM) and the tumor suppressor protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Both proteins are known to modulate the Ras- and MAPK-pathway, cell viability and features of cancer cell stemness. Consistently, we show that the combination of a CaM inhibitor and the PP2A activator DT-061 synergistically inhibited the 3D-spheroid formation of MDA-MB-231 (K-Ras-G13D), NCI-H358 (K-Ras-G12C) and A375 (B-raf-V600E) cancer cells, and increased apoptosis in MDA-MB-231. We reasoned that these activities remain combined in PTZ, which were the starting point for PP2A activator development, while several PTZ are known CaM inhibitors. We show that both Flu and Flu-M retained CaM inhibitory activity in vitro and in cells, with a higher potency of the mustard derivative in cells. In line with the CaM dependence of Ras plasma membrane organization, the mustard derivative potently reduced the functional membrane organization of oncogenic Ras, while DT-061 had a negligible effect. Like DT-061, both PTZ potently decreased c-MYC levels, a hallmark of PP2A activation. Benchmarking against the KRAS-G12C specific inhibitor AMG-510 in MIA PaCa-2 cells revealed a higher potency of Flu-M than combinations of DT-061 and a CaM inhibitor on MAPK-output and a strong effect on cell proliferation. While our study is limited, our results suggest that improved PTZ derivatives that retain both, their CaM inhibitory and PP2A activating properties, but have lost their neurological side-effects, may be interesting to pursue further as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesh Babu Manoharan
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Sunday Okutachi
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Daniel Abankwa
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- * E-mail:
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25
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Cascallar M, Alijas S, Pensado-López A, Vázquez-Ríos AJ, Sánchez L, Piñeiro R, de la Fuente M. What Zebrafish and Nanotechnology Can Offer for Cancer Treatments in the Age of Personalized Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092238. [PMID: 35565373 PMCID: PMC9099873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer causes millions of deaths each year and thus urgently requires the development of new therapeutic strategies. Nanotechnology-based anticancer therapies are a promising approach, with several formulations already approved and in clinical use. The evaluation of these therapies requires efficient in vivo models to study their behavior and interaction with cancer cells, and to optimize their properties to ensure maximum efficacy and safety. In this way, zebrafish is an important candidate due to its high homology with the human genoma, its large offspring, and the ease in developing specific cancer models. The role of zebrafish as a model for anticancer therapy studies has been highly evidenced, allowing researchers not only to perform drug screenings but also to evaluate novel therapies such as immunotherapies and nanotherapies. Beyond that, zebrafish can be used as an “avatar” model for performing patient-derived xenografts for personalized medicine. These characteristics place zebrafish in an attractive position as a role model for evaluating novel therapies for cancer treatment, such as nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cascallar
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
| | - Sandra Alijas
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
| | - Alba Pensado-López
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine & Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Abi Judit Vázquez-Ríos
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus de Lugo, 27002 Lugo, Spain; (A.P.-L.); (L.S.)
- Preclinical Animal Models Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Roberto Piñeiro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Roche-Chus Joint Unit, Translational Medical Oncology Group, Oncomet, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María de la Fuente
- Nano-Oncology and Translational Therapeutics Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (M.C.); (S.A.); (A.J.V.-R.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- DIVERSA Technologies S.L., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-981-955-704
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26
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Hason M, Jovicic J, Vonkova I, Bojic M, Simon-Vermot T, White RM, Bartunek P. Bioluminescent Zebrafish Transplantation Model for Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:893655. [PMID: 35559262 PMCID: PMC9086674 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.893655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, zebrafish have accompanied the mouse as a robust animal model for cancer research. The possibility of screening small-molecule inhibitors in a large number of zebrafish embryos makes this model particularly valuable. However, the dynamic visualization of fluorescently labeled tumor cells needs to be complemented by a more sensitive, easy, and rapid mode for evaluating tumor growth in vivo to enable high-throughput screening of clinically relevant drugs. In this study we proposed and validated a pre-clinical screening model for drug discovery by utilizing bioluminescence as our readout for the determination of transplanted cancer cell growth and inhibition in zebrafish embryos. For this purpose, we used NanoLuc luciferase, which ensured rapid cancer cell growth quantification in vivo with high sensitivity and low background when compared to conventional fluorescence measurements. This allowed us large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses of 180 kinase inhibitors in zebrafish. Our bioluminescent screening platform could facilitate identification of new small-molecules for targeted cancer therapy as well as for drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Hason
- Laboratory of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jovana Jovicic
- Laboratory of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ivana Vonkova
- CZ-OPENSCREEN, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Milan Bojic
- CZ-OPENSCREEN, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Theresa Simon-Vermot
- Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Richard M. White
- Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Petr Bartunek
- Laboratory of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- CZ-OPENSCREEN, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Petr Bartunek,
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27
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Cytotoxicity of Newly Synthesized Quinazoline-Sulfonamide Derivatives in Human Leukemia Cell Lines and Their Effect on Hematopoiesis in Zebrafish Embryos. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094720. [PMID: 35563111 PMCID: PMC9104550 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many quinazoline derivatives with pharmacological properties, such as anticancer activity, have been synthesized. Fourteen quinazoline derivatives bearing a substituted sulfonamide moiety (4a-n) were previously synthesized and fully characterized. These compounds exerted antiproliferative activity against cell lines derived from solid tumors. Herein, the antileukemic activities of these compounds (4a-n) against two different leukemia cell lines (Jurkat acute T cell and THP-1 acute monocytic) were investigated. Our investigation included examining their activity in vivo in a zebrafish embryo model. Remarkably, compounds 4a and 4d were the most potent in suppressing cell proliferation, with an IC50 value range of 4-6.5 µM. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that both compounds halted cell progression at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses also showed that both compounds effectively induced apoptosis by upregulating the expression of proapoptotic factors while downregulating that of antiapoptotic factors. In vivo animal toxicity assays performed in zebrafish embryos indicated that compound 4d was more toxic than compound 4a, with compound 4d inducing multiple levels of teratogenic phenotypes in zebrafish embryos at a sublethal concentration. Moreover, both compounds perturbed the hematopoiesis process in developing zebrafish embryos. Collectively, our data suggest that compounds 4a and 4d have the potential to be used as antileukemic agents.
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28
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Bownes LV, Marayati R, Quinn CH, Beierle AM, Hutchins SC, Julson JR, Erwin MH, Stewart JE, Mroczek-Musulman E, Ohlmeyer M, Aye JM, Yoon KJ, Beierle EA. Pre-Clinical Study Evaluating Novel Protein Phosphatase 2A Activators as Therapeutics for Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1952. [PMID: 35454859 PMCID: PMC9026148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) functions as an inhibitor of cancer cell proliferation, and its tumor suppressor function is attenuated in many cancers. Previous studies utilized FTY720, an immunomodulating compound known to activate PP2A, and demonstrated a decrease in the malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma. We wished to investigate the effects of two novel PP2A activators, ATUX-792 (792) and DBK-1154 (1154). METHODS Long-term passage neuroblastoma cell lines and human neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cells were used. Cells were treated with 792 or 1154, and viability, proliferation, and motility were examined. The effect on tumor growth was investigated using a murine flank tumor model. RESULTS Treatment with 792 or 1154 resulted in PP2A activation, decreased cell survival, proliferation, and motility in neuroblastoma cells. Immunoblotting revealed a decrease in MYCN protein expression with increasing concentrations of 792 and 1154. Treatment with 792 led to tumor necrosis and decreased tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS PP2A activation with 792 or 1154 decreased survival, proliferation, and motility of neuroblastoma in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Both compounds resulted in decreased expression of the oncogenic protein MYCN. These findings indicate a potential therapeutic role for these novel PP2A activators in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura V. Bownes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Raoud Marayati
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Colin H. Quinn
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Andee M. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Sara C. Hutchins
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Janet R. Julson
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Michael H. Erwin
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Jerry E. Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
| | | | | | - Jamie M. Aye
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (S.C.H.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Karina J. Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Elizabeth A. Beierle
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (L.V.B.); (R.M.); (C.H.Q.); (A.M.B.); (J.R.J.); (M.H.E.); (J.E.S.)
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29
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Goswami S, Mani R, Nunes J, Chiang CL, Zapolnik K, Hu E, Frissora F, Mo X, Walker LA, Yan P, Bundschuh R, Beaver L, Devine R, Tsai YT, Ventura A, Xie Z, Chen M, Lapalombella R, Walker A, Mims A, Larkin K, Grieselhuber N, Bennett C, Phelps M, Hertlein E, Behbehani G, Vasu S, Byrd JC, Muthusamy N. PP2A is a therapeutically targetable driver of cell fate decisions via a c-Myc/p21 axis in human and murine acute myeloid leukemia. Blood 2022; 139:1340-1358. [PMID: 34788382 PMCID: PMC8900275 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020010344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated cellular differentiation is a hallmark of acute leukemogenesis. Phosphatases are widely suppressed in cancers but have not been traditionally associated with differentiation. In this study, we found that the silencing of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) directly blocks differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Gene expression and mass cytometric profiling revealed that PP2A activation modulates cell cycle and transcriptional regulators that program terminal myeloid differentiation. Using a novel pharmacological agent, OSU-2S, in parallel with genetic approaches, we discovered that PP2A enforced c-Myc and p21 dependent terminal differentiation, proliferation arrest, and apoptosis in AML. Finally, we demonstrated that PP2A activation decreased leukemia-initiating stem cells, increased leukemic blast maturation, and improved overall survival in murine Tet2-/-Flt3ITD/WT and human cell-line derived xenograft AML models in vivo. Our findings identify the PP2A/c-Myc/p21 axis as a critical regulator of the differentiation/proliferation switch in AML that can be therapeutically targeted in malignancies with dysregulated maturation fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Goswami
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | | | - Jessica Nunes
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Chi-Ling Chiang
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Kevan Zapolnik
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Eileen Hu
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Frank Frissora
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Xiaokui Mo
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Logan A Walker
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Pearlly Yan
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Ralf Bundschuh
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; and
| | - Larry Beaver
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Raymond Devine
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Yo-Ting Tsai
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Ann Ventura
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Zhiliang Xie
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Min Chen
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Rosa Lapalombella
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Alison Walker
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Alice Mims
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Karilyn Larkin
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Nicole Grieselhuber
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Chad Bennett
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Mitch Phelps
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Erin Hertlein
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Gregory Behbehani
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Sumithira Vasu
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - John C Byrd
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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Lin WZ, Liu YC, Lee MC, Tang CT, Wu GJ, Chang YT, Chu CM, Shiau CY. From GWAS to drug screening: repurposing antipsychotics for glioblastoma. J Transl Med 2022; 20:70. [PMID: 35120529 PMCID: PMC8815269 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03209-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is currently an incurable cancer. Genome-wide association studies have demonstrated that 41 genetic variants are associated with glioblastoma and may provide an option for drug development. METHODS We investigated FDA-approved antipsychotics for their potential treatment of glioblastoma based on genome-wide association studies data using a 'pathway/gene-set analysis' approach. RESULTS The in-silico screening led to the discovery of 12 candidate drugs. DepMap portal revealed that 42 glioma cell lines show higher sensitivities to 12 candidate drugs than to Temozolomide, the current standard treatment for glioblastoma. CONCLUSION In particular, cell lines showed significantly higher sensitivities to Norcyclobenzaprine and Protriptyline which were predicted to bind targets to disrupt a certain molecular function such as DNA repair, response to hormones, or DNA-templated transcription, and may lead to an effect on survival-related pathways including cell cycle arrest, response to ER stress, glucose transport, and regulation of autophagy. However, it is recommended that their mechanism of action and efficacy are further determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Zhi Lin
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chun Liu
- School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Meng-Chang Lee
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Tun Tang
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, No. 325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Rd., Neihu District, Taipei, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Gwo-Jang Wu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, No. 325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Rd., Neihu District, Taipei, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tien Chang
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ming Chu
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yang Shiau
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, No.161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
- Fidelity Regulation Therapeutics Inc., 161, Sec. 6, Minquan E. Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City, 11490 Taiwan
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Development of Phenothiazine Hybrids with Potential Medicinal Interest: A Review. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27010276. [PMID: 35011508 PMCID: PMC8746661 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The molecular hybridization approach has been used to develop compounds with improved efficacy by combining two or more pharmacophores of bioactive scaffolds. In this context, hybridization of various relevant pharmacophores with phenothiazine derivatives has resulted in pertinent compounds with diverse biological activities, interacting with specific or multiple targets. In fact, the development of new drugs or drug candidates based on phenothiazine system has been a promising approach due to the diverse activities associated with this tricyclic system, traditionally present in compounds with antipsychotic, antihistaminic and antimuscarinic effects. Actually, the pharmacological actions of phenothiazine hybrids include promising antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, analgesic and multi-drug resistance reversal properties. The present review summarizes the progress in the development of phenothiazine hybrids and their biological activity.
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You JH, Lee J, Roh JL. PGRMC1-dependent lipophagy promotes ferroptosis in paclitaxel-tolerant persister cancer cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:350. [PMID: 34749765 PMCID: PMC8573965 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02168-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a heme-binding protein inducing dimerization with cytochrome P450, which mediates chemoresistance. Increased PGRMC1 expression is found in multiple types of resistant cancers, but the role of PGRMC1 in the ferroptosis of cancer cells remains unrevealed. Therefore, we examined the role of PGRMC1 in promoting ferroptosis in paclitaxel-tolerant persister cancer cells (PCC). Methods The effects of ferroptosis inducers and PGRMC1 gene silencing/overexpression were tested on head and neck cancer (HNC) cell lines and mouse tumor xenograft models. The results were analyzed about cell viability, death, lipid ROS and iron production, mRNA/protein expression and interaction, and lipid assays. Results PCC had more free fatty acids, lipid droplets, and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) than their parental cells. PCC was highly sensitive to inhibitors of system xc− cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT), such as erastin, sulfasalazine, and cyst(e)ine deprivation, but less sensitive to (1S,3R)-RSL3. PGRMC1 silencing in PCC reduced ferroptosis sensitivity by xCT inhibitors, and PGRMC1 overexpression in parental cells increased ferroptosis by xCT inhibitors. Lipid droplets were degraded along with autophagy induction and autophagosome formation by erastin treatment in PCC. Lipophagy was accompanied by increased tubulin detyrosination, which was increased by SIRT1 activation but decreased by SIRT1 inhibition. FAO and lipophagy were also promoted by the interaction between lipid droplets and mitochondria. Conclusion PGRMC1 expression increased FAO and ferroptosis sensitivity from in vivo mice experiments. Our data suggest that PGRMC1 promotes ferroptosis by xCT inhibition in PCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02168-2. Paclitaxel-tolerant persister cancer cells (PCC) had PGRMC1 upregulation related to increased free fatty acids, lipid droplets, and fatty acid oxidation. PGRMC1 expression substantially increased ferroptosis by xCT inhibition via lipophagy and tubulin detyrosination, whereas PGRMC1 silencing decreased ferroptosis: this suggests that PGRMC1 expression promotes ferroptosis in PCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyeon You
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewang Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Lyel Roh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea.
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Molina B, Chavez J, Grainger S. Zebrafish models of acute leukemias: Current models and future directions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2021; 10:e400. [PMID: 33340278 PMCID: PMC8213871 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemias (ALL) are heterogenous diseases encompassing a wide array of genetic mutations with both loss and gain of function phenotypes. Ultimately, these both result in the clonal overgrowth of blast cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and other tissues. As a consequence of this, normal hematopoietic stem cell function is severely hampered. Technologies allowing for the early detection of genetic alterations and understanding of these varied molecular pathologies have helped to advance our treatment regimens toward personalized targeted therapies. In spite of this, both AML and ALL continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, in part because molecular therapies for the plethora of genetic abnormalities have not been developed. This underscores the current need for better model systems for therapy development. This article reviews the current zebrafish models of AML and ALL and discusses how novel gene editing tools can be implemented to generate better models of acute leukemias. This article is categorized under: Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease Technologies > Perturbing Genes and Generating Modified Animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Molina
- Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jasmine Chavez
- Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Stephanie Grainger
- Biology Department, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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34
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Tan X, Gong L, Li X, Zhang X, Sun J, Luo X, Wang Q, Chen J, Xie L, Han S. Promethazine inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112174. [PMID: 34560542 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To elucidate the potential effect of promethazine on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Targets of the drug promethazine (PMTZ) were identified by DrugBank and comparative toxicogenomic databases (CTD), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was performed with STRING software. The effects of PMTZ were predicted to be associated with the PI3K/AKT pathway. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assays were used to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of PMTZ on the proliferation of various types of CRC cells. Flow cytometry and Western blotting analyses were used to detect the degree of CRC cell apoptosis and the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 after PMTZ treatment. The expression levels of PI3K/AKT pathway-related proteins [PI3K, AKT, phosphorylated (P)-PI3K and p-AKT] in CRC cells treated with PMTZ were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS PMTZ inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of CRC cells and suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS PMTZ may suppress the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of CRC cells by inhibiting the PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway. This study reported, for the first time, the function of PMTZ in CRC cells and the underlying mechanism and further confirmed the potential antitumor effects of phenothiazine. The combination of bioinformatics analyses and experiments provides informative evidence for the reuse of drugs and the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Tan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Liuyun Gong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Xinyue Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Jiahao Sun
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Xuehui Luo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Lina Xie
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China
| | - Suxia Han
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, PR China.
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Jayashankar V, Selwan E, Hancock SE, Verlande A, Goodson MO, Eckenstein KH, Milinkeviciute G, Hoover BM, Chen B, Fleischman AG, Cramer KS, Hanessian S, Masri S, Turner N, Edinger AL. Drug-like sphingolipid SH-BC-893 opposes ceramide-induced mitochondrial fission and corrects diet-induced obesity. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13086. [PMID: 34231322 PMCID: PMC8350895 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramide-induced mitochondrial fission drives high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. However, molecules targeting mitochondrial dynamics have shown limited benefits in murine obesity models. Here, we reveal that these compounds are either unable to block ceramide-induced mitochondrial fission or require extended incubation periods to be effective. In contrast, targeting endolysosomal trafficking events important for mitochondrial fission rapidly and robustly prevented ceramide-induced disruptions in mitochondrial form and function. By simultaneously inhibiting ARF6- and PIKfyve-dependent trafficking events, the synthetic sphingolipid SH-BC-893 blocked palmitate- and ceramide-induced mitochondrial fission, preserved mitochondrial function, and prevented ER stress in vitro. Similar benefits were observed in the tissues of HFD-fed mice. Within 4 h of oral administration, SH-BC-893 normalized mitochondrial morphology in the livers and brains of HFD-fed mice, improved mitochondrial function in white adipose tissue, and corrected aberrant plasma leptin and adiponectin levels. As an interventional agent, SH-BC-893 restored normal body weight, glucose disposal, and hepatic lipid levels in mice consuming a HFD. In sum, the sphingolipid analog SH-BC-893 robustly and acutely blocks ceramide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, correcting diet-induced obesity and its metabolic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Jayashankar
- Department of Developmental and Cell BiologyUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - Elizabeth Selwan
- Department of Developmental and Cell BiologyUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - Sarah E Hancock
- School of Medical SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Amandine Verlande
- Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - Maggie O Goodson
- Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - Kazumi H Eckenstein
- Department of Developmental and Cell BiologyUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | | | - Brianna M Hoover
- Division of Hematology/OncologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of ChemistryUniversité de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Angela G Fleischman
- Division of Hematology/OncologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Karina S Cramer
- Department of Neurobiology and BehaviorUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | | | - Selma Masri
- Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - Nigel Turner
- School of Medical SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell BiologyUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
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36
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Cancer stem cell phosphatases. Biochem J 2021; 478:2899-2920. [PMID: 34319405 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in the initiation and progression of human malignancies by enabling cancer tissue self-renewal capacity and constituting the therapy-resistant population of tumor cells. However, despite the exhausting characterization of CSC genetics, epigenetics, and kinase signaling, eradication of CSCs remains an unattainable goal in most human malignancies. While phosphatases contribute equally with kinases to cellular phosphoregulation, our understanding of phosphatases in CSCs lags severely behind our knowledge about other CSC signaling mechanisms. Many cancer-relevant phosphatases have recently become druggable, indicating that further understanding of the CSC phosphatases might provide novel therapeutic opportunities. This review summarizes the current knowledge about fundamental, but yet poorly understood involvement of phosphatases in the regulation of major CSC signaling pathways. We also review the functional roles of phosphatases in CSC self-renewal, cancer progression, and therapy resistance; focusing particularly on hematological cancers and glioblastoma. We further discuss the small molecule targeting of CSC phosphatases and their therapeutic potential in cancer combination therapies.
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37
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Vainonen JP, Momeny M, Westermarck J. Druggable cancer phosphatases. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/588/eabe2967. [PMID: 33827975 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abe2967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The phosphorylation status of oncoproteins is regulated by both kinases and phosphatases. Kinase inhibitors are rarely sufficient for successful cancer treatment, and phosphatases have been considered undruggable targets for cancer drug development. However, innovative pharmacological approaches for targeting phosphatases have recently emerged. Here, we review progress in the therapeutic targeting of oncogenic Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-2 (SHP2) and tumor suppressor protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and select other druggable oncogenic and tumor suppressor phosphatases. We describe the modes of action for currently available small molecules that target phosphatases, their use in drug combinations, and advances in clinical development toward future cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P Vainonen
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Majid Momeny
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jukka Westermarck
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland. .,Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
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38
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Targeting protein phosphatase PP2A for cancer therapy: development of allosteric pharmaceutical agents. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1545-1556. [PMID: 34192314 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Tumor initiation is driven by oncogenes that activate signaling networks for cell proliferation and survival involving protein phosphorylation. Protein kinases in these pathways have proven to be effective targets for pharmaceutical inhibitors that have progressed to the clinic to treat various cancers. Here, we offer a narrative about the development of small molecule modulators of the protein Ser/Thr phosphatase 2A (PP2A) to reduce the activation of cell proliferation and survival pathways. These novel drugs promote the assembly of select heterotrimeric forms of PP2A that act to limit cell proliferation. We discuss the potential for the near-term translation of this approach to the clinic for cancer and other human diseases.
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39
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Asslan M, Lauzon N, Beus M, Maysinger D, Rousseau S. Mass spectrometry imaging in zebrafish larvae for assessing drug safety and metabolism. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:5135-5146. [PMID: 34173039 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03476-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Drug safety assessment in the early phases of drug discovery is critical to facilitate the rapid development of novel therapeutics. Recently, teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a promising vertebrate model for the assessment of drug safety. Zebrafish is a convenient model because of its small size, high fecundity, embryo transparency, and ex utero development. In this study, we developed a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) method applied to zebrafish larvae to investigate safety and metabolism of sahaquine (Sq), an anticancer agent inhibiting histone deacetylase 6. This technique improves on prior studies using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) by adding analysis of the drug spatial distribution. Using this method, it was determined that Sq dissolved in fish water (1-2000 μM) did not reach the larval body and was mainly distributed throughout the yolk. High Sq concentration (800 μM) administered intravenously allowed the compound to reach the larval body but did not induce phenotypic abnormalities. Sq was metabolized into its glucuronidated form within 24 h and was excreted within 72 h. MALDI MSI was instrumental in showing that Sq-glucuronide was mainly formed in the gut and slightly in yolk syncytial layer, and provided valuable insights into xenobiotics elimination in zebrafish larvae. This study indicates that Sq has a good safety profile and merits further investigations in other disease models. In addition, the optimized MALDI MSI protocol provided here can be widely applied to study distribution and metabolic fate of other structurally related molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Asslan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boul. Décarie, Montréal, H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, 3655 Prom. Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Nidia Lauzon
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boul. Décarie, Montréal, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Maja Beus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaver road 2, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dusica Maysinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, 3655 Prom. Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Simon Rousseau
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boul. Décarie, Montréal, H4A 3J1, Canada. .,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, 3655 Prom. Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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40
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Zhang Q, Fan Z, Zhang L, You Q, Wang L. Strategies for Targeting Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatases with Small Molecules in Cancer. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8916-8938. [PMID: 34156850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Among numerous posttranslational regulation patterns, phosphorylation is reversibly controlled by the balance of kinases and phosphatases. The major form of cellular signaling involves the reversible phosphorylation of proteins on tyrosine, serine, or threonine residues. However, altered phosphorylation levels are found in diverse diseases, including cancer, making kinases and phosphatases ideal drug targets. In contrast to the success of prosperous kinase inhibitors, design of small molecules targeting phosphatase is struggling due to past bias and difficulty. This is especially true for serine/threonine phosphatases, one of the largest phosphatase families. From this perspective, we aim to provide insights into serine/threonine phosphatases and the small molecules targeting these proteins for drug development, especially in cancer. Through highlighting the modulation strategies, we aim to provide basic principles for the design of small molecules and future perspectives for the application of drugs targeting serine/threonine phosphatases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhongjiao Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lianshan Zhang
- Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200245, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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41
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O'Connor CM, Narla G. Splice of Life for Cancer: Missplicing of PPP2R5A by Mutant SF3B1 Leads to MYC Stabilization and Tumorigenesis. Cancer Discov 2021; 10:765-767. [PMID: 32482664 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although mutations in SF3B1 are the most common RNA-splicing factor mutations in cancer, determining the downstream missplicing events that drive tumorigenesis has remained challenging. Liu and colleagues present a model by which mutant SF3B1 tumors displayed high levels of oncogenic MYC activity through the missplicing of PP2A-B56α, a key post-translational regulator of MYC stability, providing a new therapeutic target and driver of SF3B1-mediated tumorigenesis.See related article by Liu et al., p. 806.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M O'Connor
- Department of Internal Medicine: Genetic Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Goutham Narla
- Department of Internal Medicine: Genetic Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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42
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Fang-Fang Z, You Y, Wen-Jun L. Progress in research on childhood T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, Notch1 signaling pathway, and its inhibitors: A review. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2021; 21:136-144. [PMID: 32415821 PMCID: PMC7982061 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2020.4687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood leukemia is cancer that seriously threatens the life of children in China. Poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and susceptibility to drug resistance are the reasons for the treatment of T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) being extremely difficult. Moreover, traditional intensive chemotherapy regimens cause great damage to children. Therefore, it is highly important to search for targeted drugs and develop a precise individualized treatment for child patients. There are activating mutations in the NOTCH1 gene in more than 50% of human T-ALLs and the Notch signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of T-ALL. In this review, we summarize the progress in research on T-ALL and Notch1 signaling pathway inhibitors to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Fang-Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Birth Defects Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Yang You
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Birth Defects Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Liu Wen-Jun
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Birth Defects Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
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43
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Li Z, Zheng W, Wang H, Cheng Y, Fang Y, Wu F, Sun G, Sun G, Lv C, Hui B. Application of Animal Models in Cancer Research: Recent Progress and Future Prospects. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:2455-2475. [PMID: 33758544 PMCID: PMC7979343 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s302565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models refers to the animal experimental objects and related materials that can simulate human body established in medical research. As the second-largest disease in terms of morbidity and mortality after cardiovascular disease, cancer has always been the focus of human attention all over the world, which makes it a research hotspot in the medical field. At the same time, more and more animal models have been constructed and used in cancer research. With the deepening of research, the construction methods of cancer animal models are becoming more and more diverse, including chemical induction, xenotransplantation, gene programming, and so on. In recent years, patient-derived xenotransplantation (PDX) model has become a research hotspot because it can retain the microenvironment of the primary tumor and the basic characteristics of cells. Animal models can be used not only to study the biochemical and physiological processes of the occurrence and development of cancer in objects but also for the screening of cancer drugs and the exploration of gene therapy. In this paper, several main tumor animal models and the application progress of animal models in tumor research are systematically reviewed. Finally, combined with the latest progress and development trend in this field, the future research of tumor animal model was prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wubin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanjin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijiao Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoqiang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangshun Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengyu Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingqing Hui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
Zebrafish are rapidly becoming a leading model organism for cancer research. The genetic pathways driving cancer are highly conserved between zebrafish and humans, and the ability to easily manipulate the zebrafish genome to rapidly generate transgenic animals makes zebrafish an excellent model organism. Transgenic zebrafish containing complex, patient-relevant genotypes have been used to model many cancer types. Here we present a comprehensive review of transgenic zebrafish cancer models as a resource to the field and highlight important areas of cancer biology that have yet to be studied in the fish. The ability to image cancer cells and niche biology in an endogenous tumor makes zebrafish an indispensable model organism in which we can further understand the mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis and screen for potential new cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M. McConnell
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Haley R. Noonan
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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Jhou AJ, Chang HC, Hung CC, Lin HC, Lee YC, Liu WT, Han KF, Lai YW, Lin MY, Lee CH. Chlorpromazine, an antipsychotic agent, induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis via regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy pathways in human oral cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 184:114403. [PMID: 33388284 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chlorpromazine (CPZ), an FDA-approved phenothiazine derivative used to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, has been demonstrated to have potential anti-tumor effects. However, the potential effects of CPZ on human oral cancer cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, treatment of human oral cancer cells with CPZ inhibited their proliferation and induced G2/M phase arrest. Treatment with CPZ induced apoptosis through the extrinsic death receptor and the intrinsic mitochondrial pathways. In addition, the induction of autophagy was observed by the formation of autophagosomes, the expression of autophagy-related proteins and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway. The CPZ-induced cell death was reversed by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and by the knockdown of LC3B using a shRNA (shLC3B), suggesting that autophagy promoted CPZ-induced apoptosis. Finally, CPZ significantly suppressed tumor growth in both a zebrafish oral cancer xenotransplantation model and in a murine model of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced oral cancer. Overall, this evidence demonstrated that CPZ is a novel promising strategy for the treatment of oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Jie Jhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Chiun Chang
- Department of Orthopaedics, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chang Hung
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Lee
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Ta Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708 Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Fen Han
- Department of Nursing, Min-Hwei Junior College of Health Care Management, Tainan 73658, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Lai
- Division of Urology, Taipei City Hospital Renai Branch, Department of Urology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ying Lin
- Community Health Promotion Center, Kaohsiung Municipal Ci-Jin Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine; School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
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Yousefi H, Mashouri L, Okpechi SC, Alahari N, Alahari SK. Repurposing existing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 infection: A review describing drug mechanisms of action. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 183:114296. [PMID: 33191206 PMCID: PMC7581400 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a major public health concern across the globe. SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus that is known to cause human disease. As of September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in 213 countries and more than 31 million cases have been confirmed, with an estimated mortality rate of ∼3%. Unfortunately, a drug or vaccine is yet to be discovered to treat COVID-19. Thus, repurposing of existing cancer drugs will be a novel approach in treating COVID-19 patients. These drugs target viral replication cycle, viral entry and translocation to the nucleus. Some can enhance innate antiviral immune response as well. Hence this review focuses on comprehensive list of 22 drugs that work against COVID-19 infection. These drugs include fingolimod, colchicine, N4-hydroxycytidine, remdesivir, methylprednisone, oseltamivir, icatibant, perphanizine, viracept, emetine, homoharringtonine, aloxistatin, ribavirin, valrubicin, famotidine, almitrine, amprenavir, hesperidin, biorobin, cromolyn sodium, and antibodies- tocilzumab and sarilumab. Also, we provide a list of 31 drugs that are predicted to function against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In summary, we provide succinct overview of various therapeutic modalities. Among these 53 drugs, based on various clinical trials and literature, remdesivir, nelfinavir, methylpredinosolone, colchicine, famotidine and emetine may be used for COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE: It is of utmost important priority to develop novel therapies for COVID-19. Since the effect of SARS-CoV-2 is so severe, slowing the spread of diseases will help the health care system, especially the number of visits to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of any country. Several clinical trials are in works around the globe. Moreover, NCI developed a recent and robust response to COVID-19 pandemic. One of the NCI's goals is to screen cancer related drugs for identification of new therapies for COVID-19. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/covid-19-cancer-nci-response?cid=eb_govdel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ladan Mashouri
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AK, USA
| | - Samuel C Okpechi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Nikhilesh Alahari
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Suresh K Alahari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Stanley Scott Cancer Research Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Tsuji S, Kohyanagi N, Mizuno T, Ohama T, Sato K. Perphenazine exerts antitumor effects on HUT78 cells through Akt dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase 2A. Oncol Lett 2020; 21:113. [PMID: 33376545 PMCID: PMC7751355 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sezary syndrome is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an important tumor suppressor whose activity is widely inhibited in a variety of tumors. Recently, reactivation of PP2A has attracted increasing attention as a promising approach for cancer therapy. Phenothiazine anti-psychotic perphenazine (PPZ) exerts antitumor effects by reactivating PP2A. The present study investigated the molecular mechanism underling the antitumor effects of PPZ in the neuroblastoma rat sarcoma oncogene (NRAS)-mutated Sezary syndrome cell line, HUT78. The results of the present study demonstrated that PPZ induced the dephosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2, and triggered apoptosis in HUT78 cells. In addition, a PP2A inhibitor blocked the PPZ-mediated dephosphorylation of Akt but did not affect that of ERK1/2. The pharmacological inhibition of Akt and ERK1/2 signaling revealed that Akt activity serves an important role in the survival of HUT78 cells. The present data suggested that suppressing Akt activity by PP2A activation may be an attractive antitumor strategy for NRAS-mutated Sezary syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunya Tsuji
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Naoki Kohyanagi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Takuya Mizuno
- The Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Koichi Sato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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48
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Abstract
Members of the PP2A family of serine/threonine phosphatases are important human tumor suppressor genes. Unlike most tumor suppressors, they are rarely mutated/deleted, but rather are impaired by "inhibitor proteins." Two papers in this issue of Cell show how some phenothiazine derivatives reactivate specific PP2A isozymes with potential benefit in cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Westermarck
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Benjamin G Neel
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, NY Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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49
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Vincent F, Loria PM, Weston AD, Steppan CM, Doyonnas R, Wang YM, Rockwell KL, Peakman MC. Hit Triage and Validation in Phenotypic Screening: Considerations and Strategies. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1332-1346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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50
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The Greatwall kinase safeguards the genome integrity by affecting the kinome activity in mitosis. Oncogene 2020; 39:6816-6840. [PMID: 32978522 PMCID: PMC7605441 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01470-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Progression through mitosis is balanced by the timely regulation of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events ensuring the correct segregation of chromosomes before cytokinesis. This balance is regulated by the opposing actions of CDK1 and PP2A, as well as the Greatwall kinase/MASTL. MASTL is commonly overexpressed in cancer, which makes it a potential therapeutic anticancer target. Loss of Mastl induces multiple chromosomal errors that lead to the accumulation of micronuclei and multilobulated cells in mitosis. Our analyses revealed that loss of Mastl leads to chromosome breaks and abnormalities impairing correct segregation. Phospho-proteomic data for Mastl knockout cells revealed alterations in proteins implicated in multiple processes during mitosis including double-strand DNA damage repair. In silico prediction of the kinases with affected activity unveiled NEK2 to be regulated in the absence of Mastl. We uncovered that, RAD51AP1, involved in regulation of homologous recombination, is phosphorylated by NEK2 and CDK1 but also efficiently dephosphorylated by PP2A/B55. Our results suggest that MastlKO disturbs the equilibrium of the mitotic phosphoproteome that leads to the disruption of DNA damage repair and triggers an accumulation of chromosome breaks even in noncancerous cells.
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