1
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Trishna S, Lavon A, Shteinfer-Kuzmine A, Dafa-Berger A, Shoshan-Barmatz V. Overexpression of the mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein, MAVS, in cancers is associated with cell survival and inflammation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:713-732. [PMID: 37662967 PMCID: PMC10468804 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein (MAVS) plays an important role in host defense against viral infection via coordinating the activation of NF-κB and interferon regulatory factors. The mitochondrial-bound form of MAVS is essential for its anti-viral innate immunity. Recently, tumor cells were proposed to mimic a viral infection by activating RNA-sensing pattern recognition receptors. Here, we demonstrate that MAVS is overexpressed in a panel of viral non-infected cancer cell lines and patient-derived tumors, including lung, liver, bladder, and cervical cancers, and we studied its role in cancer. Silencing MAVS expression reduced cell proliferation and the expression and nuclear translocation of proteins associated with transcriptional regulation, inflammation, and immunity. MAVS depletion reduced expression of the inflammasome components and inhibited its activation/assembly. Moreover, MAVS directly interacts with the mitochondrial protein VDAC1, decreasing its conductance, and we identified the VDAC1 binding site in MAVS. Our findings suggest that MAVS depletion, by reducing cancer cell proliferation and inflammation, represents a new target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Trishna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Avia Lavon
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Anna Shteinfer-Kuzmine
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Avis Dafa-Berger
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Varda Shoshan-Barmatz
- Department of Life Sciences, University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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2
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Combination Therapies Targeting Apoptosis in Paediatric AML: Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of AML Treatments Using Phosphoproteomics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065717. [PMID: 36982791 PMCID: PMC10058112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) continues to present treatment challenges, as no “standard approach” exists to treat those young patients reliably and safely. Combination therapies could become a viable treatment option for treating young patients with AML, allowing multiple pathways to be targeted. Our in silico analysis of AML patients highlighted “cell death and survival” as an aberrant, potentially targetable pathway in paediatric AML patients. Therefore, we aimed to identify novel combination therapies to target apoptosis. Our apoptotic drug screening resulted in the identification of one potential “novel” drug pairing, comprising the Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737 combined with the CDK inhibitor Purvalanol-A, as well as one triple combination of ABT-737 + AKT inhibitor + SU9516, which showed significant synergism in a series of paediatric AML cell lines. Using a phosphoproteomic approach to understand the apoptotic mechanism involved, proteins related to apoptotic cell death and cell survival were represented, in agreement with further results showing differentially expressed apoptotic proteins and their phosphorylated forms among combination treatments compared to single-agent treated cells such upregulation of BAX and its phosphorylated form (Thr167), dephosphorylation of BAD (Ser 112), and downregulation of MCL-1 and its phosphorylated form (Ser159/Thr 163). Total levels of Bcl-2 were decreased but correlated with increased levels of phosphorylated Bcl-2, which was consistent with our phosphoproteomic analysis predictions. Bcl-2 phosphorylation was regulated by extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not PP2A phosphatase. Although the mechanism linking to Bcl-2 phosphorylation remains to be determined, our findings provide first-hand insights on potential novel combination treatments for AML.
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3
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Functional analysis of the antigen binding sites on the MTB/HIV-1 peptide bispecific T-cell receptor complementarity determining region 3α. AIDS 2023; 37:33-42. [PMID: 36281689 PMCID: PMC9794127 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mycobacterium tuberculosis /human immunodeficiency virus (MTB/HIV) coinfection has become an urgent problem in the field of prevention and control of infectious diseases in recent years. Adoptive cellular immunotherapy using antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells which recognize the specific antigen artificially may have tremendous potential in anti-MTB/HIV coinfection. We have previously successfully identified a MTB Ag85B 199-207 and HIV-1 Env 120-128 peptide-bispecific TCR screened out from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a HLA-A∗0201 + healthy individual and have further studied that how residues on the predicted complementarity determining region (CDR) 3 of the β chain contribute to the bispecific TCR contact with the peptide-MHC. However, it is not clear which amino acids in the predicted CDR3α of the bispecific TCR play a crucial role in ligand recognition. METHODS The variants in the CDR3α of the bispecific TCR were generated using alanine substitution. We then evaluated the immune effects of the five variants on T-cell recognition upon encounter with the MTB or HIV-1 antigen. RESULTS Mutation of two amino acids (E112A, Y115A) in CDR3α of the bispecific TCR caused a markedly diminished T-cell response to antigen, whereas mutation of the other three amino acids (S113A, P114A, S116A) resulted in completely eliminated response. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that Ser 113 , Pro 114 and Ser 116 in CDR3α of the bispecific TCR are especially important for antigen recognition. These results will pave the way for the future development of an improved high-affinity bispecific TCR for use in adoptive cellular immunotherapy for MTB/HIV coinfected patients.
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4
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Svoronos AA, Campbell SG, Engelman DM. MicroRNA function can be reversed by altering target gene expression levels. iScience 2021; 24:103208. [PMID: 34755085 PMCID: PMC8560630 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Paradoxically, many microRNAs appear to exhibit entirely opposite functions when placed in different contexts. For example, miR-125b has been shown to be pro-apoptotic in some studies, but anti-apoptotic in others. To investigate this phenomenon, we combine computational modeling with experimental approaches to examine how the function of miR-125b in apoptosis varies with respect to the expression levels of its pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic targets. In doing so, we elucidate a general trend that miR-125b is more pro-apoptotic when its anti-apoptotic targets are overexpressed, whereas it is more anti-apoptotic when its pro-apoptotic targets are overexpressed. We show that it is possible to completely reverse miR-125b′s function in apoptosis by modifying the expression levels of its target genes. Furthermore, miR-125b′s function may also be altered by the presence of anticancer drugs. These results suggest that the function of a microRNA can vary substantially and is dependent on its target gene expression levels. Many miRNAs exhibit entirely opposite functions when placed in different contexts miR-125b can be pro- or anti-apoptotic depending on target gene expression levels The function of a miRNA can be reversed by altering target gene expression levels The presence of anticancer drugs can also alter a miRNA's function
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Svoronos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.,Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 266 Whitney Av., P.O. Box 208114, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Stuart G Campbell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Donald M Engelman
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 266 Whitney Av., P.O. Box 208114, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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5
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Quagliariello V, Berretta M, Buccolo S, Iovine M, Paccone A, Cavalcanti E, Taibi R, Montopoli M, Botti G, Maurea N. Polydatin Reduces Cardiotoxicity and Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Sunitinib by Decreasing Pro-Oxidative Stress, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines, and NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression. Front Oncol 2021; 11:680758. [PMID: 34178667 PMCID: PMC8226180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.680758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the main renal tumors and are highly metastatic. Sunitinib, a recently-approved, multi-targeted Tyrosine Kinases Inhibitor (TKi), prolongs survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, however a dose related cardiotoxicity was well described. Polydatin (3,4’,5-trihydroxystilbene-3-β-d-glucoside) is a monocrystalline compound isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum with consolidated anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, however no studies investigated on its putative cardioprotective and chemosensitizing properties during incubation with sunitinib. We investigated on the effects of polydatin on the oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome and Myd88 expression, highlighting on the production of cytokines and chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, CXCL-12 and TGF-β) during treatment with sunitinib. Exposure of cardiomyocytes and cardiomyoblasts (AC-16 and H9C2 cell lines) and human renal adenocarcinoma cells (769‐P and A498) to polydatin combined to plasma-relevant concentrations of sunitinib reduces significantly iROS, MDA and LTB4 compared to only sunitinib-treated cells (P<0.001). In renal cancer cells and cardiomyocytes polydatin reduces expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines involved in myocardial damages and chemoresistance and down-regulates the signaling pathway of NLRP3 inflammasome, MyD88 and NF-κB. Data of the present study, although in vitro, indicate that polydatin, besides reducing oxidative stress, reduces key chemokines involved in cancer cell survival, chemoresistance and cardiac damages of sunitinib through downregulation of NLRP3-MyD88 pathway, applying as a potential nutraceutical agent in preclinical studies of preventive cardio-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Quagliariello
- Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori -IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Berretta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Simona Buccolo
- Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori -IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Martina Iovine
- Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori -IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Paccone
- Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori -IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Ernesta Cavalcanti
- Laboratory Medicine Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosaria Taibi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Gruppo Oncologico Ricercatori Italiani, GORI, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Monica Montopoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Scientific Direction, Istituto Nazionale Tumori- IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Maurea
- Division of Cardiology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori -IRCCS- Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
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6
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Contribution of Yeast Studies to the Understanding of BCL-2 Family Intracellular Trafficking. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084086. [PMID: 33920941 PMCID: PMC8071328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BCL-2 family members are major regulators of apoptotic cell death in mammals. They form an intricate regulatory network that ultimately regulates the release of apoptogenic factors from mitochondria to the cytosol. The ectopic expression of mammalian BCL-2 family members in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lacks BCL-2 homologs, has been long established as a useful addition to the available models to study their function and regulation. In yeast, individual proteins can be studied independently from the whole interaction network, thus providing insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying their function in a living context. Furthermore, one can take advantage of the powerful tools available in yeast to probe intracellular trafficking processes such as mitochondrial sorting and interactions/exchanges between mitochondria and other compartments, such as the endoplasmic reticulum that are largely conserved between yeast and mammals. Yeast molecular genetics thus allows the investigation of the role of these processes on the dynamic equilibrium of BCL-2 family members between mitochondria and extramitochondrial compartments. Here we propose a model of dynamic regulation of BCL-2 family member localization, based on available evidence from ectopic expression in yeast.
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7
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Carpi S, Polini B, Manera C, Digiacomo M, Salsano JE, Macchia M, Scoditti E, Nieri P. miRNA Modulation and Antitumor Activity by the Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenol Oleacein in Human Melanoma Cells. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:574317. [PMID: 33071785 PMCID: PMC7539365 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.574317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols contribute to Mediterranean diet health-promoting properties. One of the most abundant secoiridoid present in EVOO, Oleacein (OA), demonstrated anticancer activity against several tumors. Nevertheless, its role against melanoma has not still investigated. This study aimed at determining in vitro the antimelanoma activity of OA and the relative mechanism of action. OA induced cell growth inhibition in 501Mel melanoma cells with an IC50 in the low micromolar range of concentrations. Moreover, an OA concentration approximating the IC50 induced G1/S phase arrest, DNA fragmentation, and downregulation of genes encoding antiapoptotic (BCL2 and MCL1) and proproliferative (c-KIT, K-RAS, PIK3R3, mTOR) proteins, while increased transcription levels of the proapoptotic protein BAX. Concordantly, OA increased the levels of miR-193a-3p (targeting MCL1, c-KIT and K-RAS), miR-193a-5p (targeting PIK3R3 and mTOR), miR-34a-5p (targeting BCL2 and c-KIT) and miR-16-5p (miR-16-5p targeting BCL2, K-RAS and mTOR), while decreased miR-214-3p (targeting BAX). These modulatory effects might contribute to the inhibition of 501Mel melanoma cell growth observed after treatment with an olive leaves-derived formulation rich in OA, with potential application against in situ cutaneous melanoma. Altogether, these results demonstrate the ability of OA to contrast the proliferation of cutaneous melanoma cells through the transcriptional modulation of relevant genes and microRNAs, confirming the anticancer potential of EVOO and suggesting OA as a chemopreventive agent for cancer disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Carpi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Polini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clementina Manera
- Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Digiacomo
- Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Marco Macchia
- Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Egeria Scoditti
- Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Nutrigenomics, National Research Council (CNR) Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), Lecce, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health," University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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8
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Wang Z, Belghasem M, Salih E, Henderson J, Igwebuike C, Havasi A, Borkan SC. T95 nucleophosmin phosphorylation as a novel mediator and marker of regulated cell death in acute kidney injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2020; 319:F552-F561. [PMID: 32686519 PMCID: PMC7509286 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00230.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of site-specific phosphorylation of nucleophosmin (NPM), an essential Bax chaperone, in stress-induced cell death is unknown. We hypothesized that NPM threonine 95 (T95) phosphorylation both signals and promotes cell death. In resting cells, NPM exclusively resides in the nucleus and T95 is nonphosphorylated. In contrast, phosphorylated T95 NPM (pNPM T95) accumulates in the cytosol after metabolic stress, in multiple human cancer cell lines following γ-radiation, and in postischemic human kidney tissue. Based on the T95 phosphorylation consensus sequence, we hypothesized that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) regulates cytosolic NPM translocation by phosphorylating T95 NPM. In a cell-free system, GSK-3β phosphorylated a synthetic NPM peptide containing T95. In vitro, bidirectional manipulation of GSK-3β activity substantially altered T95 phosphorylation, cytosolic NPM translocation, and cell survival during stress, mechanistically linking these lethal events. Furthermore, GSK-3β inhibition in vivo decreased cytosolic pNPM T95 accumulation in kidney tissue after experimental ischemia. In patients with acute kidney injury, both cytosolic NPM accumulation in proximal tubule cells and NPM-rich intratubular casts were detected in frozen renal biopsy tissue. These observations show, for the first time, that GSK-3β promotes cell death partly by phosphorylating NPM at T95, to promote cytosolic NPM accumulation. T95 NPM is also a rational therapeutic target to ameliorate ischemic renal cell injury and may be a universal injury marker in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Wang
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mostafa Belghasem
- Department of Pathology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erdjan Salih
- Goldman School of Dentistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel Henderson
- Department of Pathology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Chinaemere Igwebuike
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea Havasi
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Steven C Borkan
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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9
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Moldoveanu T, Czabotar PE. BAX, BAK, and BOK: A Coming of Age for the BCL-2 Family Effector Proteins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a036319. [PMID: 31570337 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The BCL-2 family of proteins control a key checkpoint in apoptosis, that of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization or, simply, mitochondrial poration. The family consists of three subgroups: BH3-only initiators that respond to apoptotic stimuli; antiapoptotic guardians that protect against cell death; and the membrane permeabilizing effectors BAX, BAK, and BOK. On activation, effector proteins are converted from inert monomers into membrane permeabilizing oligomers. For many years, this process has been poorly understood at the molecular level, but a number of recent advances have provided important insights. We review the regulation of these effectors, their activation, subsequent conformational changes, and the ensuing oligomerization events that enable mitochondrial poration, which initiates apoptosis through release of key signaling factors such as cytochrome c We highlight the mysteries that remain in understanding these important proteins in an endeavor to provide a comprehensive picture of where the field currently sits and where it is moving toward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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10
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Anderson MW, Moss JJ, Szalai R, Lane JD. Mathematical Modeling Highlights the Complex Role of AKT in TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis of Colorectal Carcinoma Cells. iScience 2019; 12:182-193. [PMID: 30690394 PMCID: PMC6354781 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase B/AKT is a highly connected protein involved in a range of signaling pathways. Although it is known to regulate several proteins in the apoptotic pathway, its system-level effects remain poorly understood. We investigated the dynamic interactions between AKT and key apoptotic proteins and constructed a deterministic ordinary differential equation protein interaction model of extrinsic apoptosis. Incorporating AKT and its indirect inhibitor, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), this was used to generate predictions of system dynamics. Using eigen analysis, we identified AKT and cytochrome c as the protein species most sensitive to perturbations. Cell death assays in Type II HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells revealed a tendency toward Type I cell death behavior in the XIAP−/− background, with cells displaying accelerated TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Finally, AKT inhibition experiments implicated AKT and not PTEN in influencing apoptotic proteins during early phases of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. TRAIL-induced apoptosis model describes AKT protein interaction dynamics AKT and cytochrome c identified as the proteins most sensitive to perturbations HCT116 cells shift from Type II to Type I cell death behavior in XIAP−/− background AKT and not PTEN influences early phases of TRAIL-induced apoptosis
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Anderson
- Centre for Biomedical Modelling and Analysis, Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Joanna J Moss
- Cell Biology Laboratories, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Robert Szalai
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Merchant Venturers Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Jon D Lane
- Cell Biology Laboratories, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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11
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Abstract
BCL-2 family proteins interact in a network that regulates apoptosis. The BH3 amino acid sequence motif serves to bind together this conglomerate protein family, both literally and figuratively. BH3 motifs are present in antiapoptotic and proapoptotic BCL-2 homologs, and in a separate group of unrelated BH3-only proteins often appended to the BCL-2 family. BH3-containing helices mediate many of their physical interactions to determine cell death versus survival, leading to the development of BH3 mimetics as therapeutics. Here we provide an overview of BCL-2 family interactions, their relevance in health and disease, and the progress toward regulating their interactions therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Huska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather M Lamb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Marie Hardwick
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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12
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Kale J, Kutuk O, Brito GC, Andrews TS, Leber B, Letai A, Andrews DW. Phosphorylation switches Bax from promoting to inhibiting apoptosis thereby increasing drug resistance. EMBO Rep 2018; 19:embr.201745235. [PMID: 29987135 PMCID: PMC6123645 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201745235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Akt is a pro‐survival kinase frequently activated in human cancers and is associated with more aggressive tumors that resist therapy. Here, we connect Akt pathway activation to reduced sensitivity to chemotherapy via Akt phosphorylation of Bax at residue S184, one of the pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins required for cells to undergo apoptosis. We show that phosphorylation by Akt converts the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax into an anti‐apoptotic protein. Mechanistically, we show that phosphorylation (i) enables Bax binding to pro‐apoptotic BH3 proteins in solution, and (ii) prevents Bax inserting into mitochondria. Together, these alterations promote resistance to apoptotic stimuli by sequestering pro‐apoptotic activator BH3 proteins. Bax phosphorylation correlates with cellular resistance to BH3 mimetics in primary ovarian cancer cells. Further, analysis of the TCGA database reveals that 98% of cancer patients with increased BAX levels also have an upregulated Akt pathway, compared to 47% of patients with unchanged or decreased BAX levels. These results suggest that in patients, increased phosphorylated anti‐apoptotic Bax promotes resistance of cancer cells to inherent and drug‐induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Kale
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ozgur Kutuk
- Department of Medical Genetics, Adana Medical and Research Center, Baskent University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Glauber Costa Brito
- Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Brian Leber
- Departments of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony Letai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David W Andrews
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada .,Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Hantusch A, Rehm M, Brunner T. Counting on Death – Quantitative aspects of Bcl‐2 family regulation. FEBS J 2018; 285:4124-4138. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Hantusch
- Department of Biology Chair of Biochemical Pharmacology University of Konstanz Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology University of Konstanz Germany
| | - Markus Rehm
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Dublin 2 Ireland
- Centre for Systems Medicine Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Dublin 2 Ireland
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology University of Stuttgart Germany
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology University of Stuttgart Germany
| | - Thomas Brunner
- Department of Biology Chair of Biochemical Pharmacology University of Konstanz Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology University of Konstanz Germany
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14
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Abstract
B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family proteins gather at the biologic cross-roads of renal cell survival: the outer mitochondrial membrane. Despite shared sequence and structural features, members of this conserved protein family constantly antagonize each other in a life-and-death battle. BCL-2 members innocently reside within renal cells until activated or de-activated by physiologic stresses caused by common nephrotoxins, transient ischemia, or acute glomerulonephritis. Recent experimental data not only illuminate the intricate mechanisms of apoptosis, the most familiar form of BCL-2-mediated cell death, but emphasizes their newfound roles in necrosis, necroptosis, membrane pore transition regulated necrosis, and other forms of acute cell demise. A major paradigm shift in non-cell death roles of the BCL-2 family has occurred. BCL-2 proteins also regulate critical daily renal cell housekeeping functions including cell metabolism, autophagy (an effective means for recycling cell components), mitochondrial morphology (organelle fission and fusion), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis. This article considers new concepts in the biochemical and structural regulation of BCL-2 proteins that contribute to membrane pore permeabilization, a universal feature of cell death. Despite these advances, persistent BCL-2 family mysteries continue to challenge cell biologists. Given their interface with many intracellular functions, it is likely that BCL-2 proteins determine cell viability under many pathologic circumstances relevant to the nephrologist and, as a consequence, represent an ideal therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven C Borkan
- Evans Biomedical Research Center, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA.
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15
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Ejarque M, Ceperuelo-Mallafré V, Serena C, Pachón G, Núñez-Álvarez Y, Terrón-Puig M, Calvo E, Núñez-Roa C, Oliva-Olivera W, Tinahones FJ, Peinado MA, Vendrell J, Fernández-Veledo S. Survivin, a key player in cancer progression, increases in obesity and protects adipose tissue stem cells from apoptosis. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2802. [PMID: 28518147 PMCID: PMC5520726 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Adipose tissue (AT) has a central role in obesity-related metabolic imbalance through the dysregulated production of cytokines and adipokines. In addition to its known risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, obesity is also a major risk for cancer. We investigated the impact of obesity for the expression of survivin, an antiapoptotic protein upregulated by adipokines and a diagnostic biomarker of tumor onset and recurrence. In a cross-sectional study of 111 subjects classified by body mass index, circulating levels of survivin and gene expression in subcutaneous AT were significantly higher in obese patients and positively correlated with leptin. Within AT, survivin was primarily detected in human adipocyte-derived stem cells (hASCs), the adipocyte precursors that determine AT expansion. Remarkably, survivin expression was significantly higher in hASCs isolated from obese patients that from lean controls and was increased by proinflammatory M1 macrophage soluble factors including IL-1β. Analysis of survivin expression in hASCs revealed a complex regulation including epigenetic modifications and protein stability. Surprisingly, obese hASCs showed survivin promoter hypermethylation that correlated with a significant decrease in its mRNA levels. Nonetheless, a lower level of mir-203, which inhibits survivin protein translation, and higher protein stability, was found in obese hASCs compared with their lean counterparts. We discovered that survivin levels determine the susceptibility of hASCs to apoptotic stimuli (including leptin and hypoxia). Accordingly, hASCs from an obese setting were protected from apoptosis. Collectively, these data shed new light on the molecular mechanisms governing AT expansion in obesity through promotion of hASCs that are resistant to apoptosis, and point to survivin as a potential new molecular player in the communication between AT and tumor cells. Thus, inhibition of apoptosis targeting survivin might represent an effective strategy for both obesity and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Ejarque
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victòria Ceperuelo-Mallafré
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Serena
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gisela Pachón
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Dermatology, Program of Excellence in Glycosciences, Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Program of Excellence in Glycosciences, Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yaiza Núñez-Álvarez
- Health Sciences Research Institute Germans Trias i Pujol, Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Badalona, Spain
| | - Margarida Terrón-Puig
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Enrique Calvo
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Catalina Núñez-Roa
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wilfredo Oliva-Olivera
- CIBER de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Virgen de la Victoria Clinical University Hospital, Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco J Tinahones
- CIBER de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Virgen de la Victoria Clinical University Hospital, Málaga, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Peinado
- Health Sciences Research Institute Germans Trias i Pujol, Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Badalona, Spain
| | - Joan Vendrell
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Fernández-Veledo
- Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Li R, Ding C, Zhang J, Xie M, Park D, Ding Y, Chen G, Zhang G, Gilbert-Ross M, Zhou W, Marcus AI, Sun SY, Chen ZG, Sica GL, Ramalingam SS, Magis AT, Fu H, Khuri FR, Curran WJ, Owonikoko TK, Shin DM, Zhou J, Deng X. Modulation of Bax and mTOR for Cancer Therapeutics. Cancer Res 2017; 77:3001-3012. [PMID: 28381544 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A rationale exists for pharmacologic manipulation of the serine (S)184 phosphorylation site of the proapoptotic Bcl2 family member Bax as an anticancer strategy. Here, we report the refinement of the Bax agonist SMBA1 to generate CYD-2-11, which has characteristics of a suitable clinical lead compound. CYD-2-11 targeted the structural pocket proximal to S184 in the C-terminal region of Bax, directly activating its proapoptotic activity by inducing a conformational change enabling formation of Bax homooligomers in mitochondrial membranes. In murine models of small-cell and non-small cell lung cancers, including patient-derived xenograft and the genetically engineered mutant KRAS-driven lung cancer models, CYD-2-11 suppressed malignant growth without evident significant toxicity to normal tissues. In lung cancer patients treated with mTOR inhibitor RAD001, we observed enhanced S184 Bax phosphorylation in lung cancer cells and tissues that inactivates the propaoptotic function of Bax, contributing to rapalog resistance. Combined treatment of CYD-2-11 and RAD001 in murine lung cancer models displayed strong synergistic activity and overcame rapalog resistance in vitro and in vivo Taken together, our findings provide preclinical evidence for a pharmacologic combination of Bax activation and mTOR inhibition as a rational strategy to improve lung cancer treatment. Cancer Res; 77(11); 3001-12. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chunyong Ding
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chemical Biology Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Maohua Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dongkyoo Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ye Ding
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chemical Biology Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Guojing Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Melissa Gilbert-Ross
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Adam I Marcus
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shi-Yong Sun
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gabriel L Sica
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Suresh S Ramalingam
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Haian Fu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fadlo R Khuri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Walter J Curran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Taofeek K Owonikoko
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Chemical Biology Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
| | - Xingming Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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17
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Gupta R, Ghosh S. JNK3 phosphorylates Bax protein and induces ability to form pore on bilayer lipid membrane. BIOCHIMIE OPEN 2017; 4:41-46. [PMID: 29450140 PMCID: PMC5801821 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopen.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Bax is a pro-apoptotic cytosolic protein. In this work native (unphosphorylated) and JNK3 phosphorylated Bax proteins are studied on artificial bilayer membranes for pore formation. Phosphorylated Bax formed pore on the bilayer lipid membrane whereas native one does not. In cells undergoing apoptosis the pore formed by the phosphorylated Bax could be important in cytochrome c release from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the cytosol. The low conductance (1.5 nS) of the open state of the phosphorylated Bax pore corresponds to pore diameter of 0.9 nm which is small to release cytochrome c (∼3.4 nm). We hypothesized that JNK3 phosphorylated Bax protein can form bigger pores after forming complexes with other mitochondrial proteins like VDAC, t-Bid etc. to release cytochrome c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Gupta
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
| | - Subhendu Ghosh
- Department of Biophysics, University of Delhi South Campus, India
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18
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Kao TY, Tsai CJ, Lan YJ, Chiang YW. The role of conformational heterogeneity in regulating the apoptotic activity of BAX protein. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:9584-9591. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp00401j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Inactive BAX exists in two states. A shift in the equilibrium would initiate apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te-Yu Kao
- Department of Chemistry
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsinchu 30013
- Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Tsai
- Department of Chemistry
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsinchu 30013
- Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jing Lan
- Department of Chemistry
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsinchu 30013
- Taiwan
| | - Yun-Wei Chiang
- Department of Chemistry
- National Tsing Hua University
- Hsinchu 30013
- Taiwan
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19
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Zhang T, Sell P, Braun U, Leitges M. PKD1 protein is involved in reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial depolarization in cooperation with protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ). J Biol Chem 2015; 290:10472-85. [PMID: 25759386 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.619148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used gene targeting in mice to identify the in vivo functions of PKD1. In addition to phenotypically characterizing the resulting knock-out animals, we also used mouse embryonic fibroblasts to investigate the associated signaling pathways in detail. This study is the first to use genetic deletion to reveal that PKD1 is a key regulator involved in determining the threshold of mitochondrial depolarization that leads to the production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, we also provide clear evidence that PKCδ is upstream of PKD1 in this process and acts as the activating kinase of PKD1. Therefore, our in vivo data indicate that PKD1 functions not only in the context of aging but also during nutrient deprivation, which occurs during specific phases of tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thianzhou Zhang
- From the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Philip Sell
- From the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ursula Braun
- From the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael Leitges
- From the Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, 0349 Oslo, Norway
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20
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Xin M, Li R, Xie M, Park D, Owonikoko TK, Sica GL, Corsino PE, Zhou J, Ding C, White MA, Magis AT, Ramalingam SS, Curran WJ, Khuri FR, Deng X. Small-molecule Bax agonists for cancer therapy. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4935. [PMID: 25230299 PMCID: PMC4172359 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bax, a central death regulator, is required at the decisional stage of apoptosis. We recently identified serine 184 (S184) of Bax as a critical functional switch controlling its proapoptotic activity. Here, we employed the structural pocket around S184 as a docking site to screen the NCI library of small molecules using the UCSF-DOCK program suite. Three compounds, small molecule Bax agonists SMBA1, SMBA2 and SMBA3, induce conformational changes in Bax by blocking S184 phosphorylation, facilitating Bax insertion into mitochondrial membranes and forming Bax oligomers. The latter leads to cytochrome c release and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells, which occurs in a Bax- but not Bak-dependent fashion. SMBA1 potently suppresses lung tumor growth via apoptosis by selectively activating Bax in vivo without significant normal tissue toxicity. Development of Bax agonists as a new class of anti-cancer drugs offers a strategy for the treatment of lung cancer and other Bax-expressing malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiguo Xin
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Maohua Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Dongkyoo Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Taofeek K Owonikoko
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Gabriel L Sica
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Patrick E Corsino
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Chunyong Ding
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Mark A White
- Sealy Center for Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
| | - Andrew T Magis
- Institute for Systems Biology, 401 Terry Avenue N, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Suresh S Ramalingam
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Walter J Curran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Fadlo R Khuri
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Xingming Deng
- 1] Department of Medicine, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA [2] Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, 1365C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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21
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Cracking the cytotoxicity code: apoptotic induction of 10-acetylirciformonin B is mediated through ROS generation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mar Drugs 2014; 12:3072-90. [PMID: 24857964 PMCID: PMC4052332 DOI: 10.3390/md12053072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A marine furanoterpenoid derivative, 10-acetylirciformonin B (10AB), was found to inhibit the proliferation of leukemia, hepatoma, and colon cancer cell lines, with selective and significant potency against leukemia cells. It induced DNA damage and apoptosis in leukemia HL 60 cells. To fully understand the mechanism behind the 10AB apoptotic induction against HL 60 cells, we extended our previous findings and further explored the precise molecular targets of 10AB. We found that the use of 10AB increased apoptosis by 8.9%-87.6% and caused disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by 15.2%-95.2% in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by annexin-V/PI and JC-1 staining assays, respectively. Moreover, our findings indicated that the pretreatment of HL 60 cells with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, diminished MMP disruption and apoptosis induced by 10AB, suggesting that ROS overproduction plays a crucial rule in the cytotoxic activity of 10AB. The results of a cell-free system assay indicated that 10AB could act as a topoisomerase catalytic inhibitor through the inhibition of topoisomerase IIα. On the protein level, the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, caspase inhibitors XIAP and survivin, as well as hexokinase II were inhibited by the use of 10AB. On the other hand, the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was increased after 10AB treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that 10AB-induced apoptosis is mediated through the overproduction of ROS and the disruption of mitochondrial metabolism.
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22
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Niemi NM, MacKeigan JP. Mitochondrial phosphorylation in apoptosis: flipping the death switch. Antioxid Redox Signal 2013; 19:572-82. [PMID: 23088365 PMCID: PMC3717198 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2012.4982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Apoptosis is a complex cellular process subject to multiple layers of regulation. One such layer of regulation includes post-translational modifications, including acetylation and phosphorylation. In particular, phosphorylation of proteins directly implicated in the apoptotic process has been extensively documented. Importantly, these phosphorylation events often have functional consequences, affecting the onset of apoptotic cell death. RECENT ADVANCES Large-scale proteomics studies have identified multiple novel phosphorylation sites on proteins involved in the apoptotic process. The delineation of the regulation and functional consequences of these phosphorylation events will be important in understanding the regulatory complexity of apoptosis. CRITICAL ISSUES Multiple mitochondrial-localized proteins involved in apoptosis are functionally affected by phosphorylation, which can ultimately dictate whether a cell lives or dies. The dynamic interplay between these phosphorylated proteins and their regulatory enzymes is critical for understanding the complex cellular decision to undergo apoptosis. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Detailed analysis of the kinetic and spatial regulation of phosphorylation events on apoptotic proteins, as well as how these dynamics influence the cell death process, will illuminate the complex interplay between the network of proteins that control the decision to undergo cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Niemi
- Department of Systems Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA
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23
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Wip1 suppresses apoptotic cell death through direct dephosphorylation of BAX in response to γ-radiation. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e744. [PMID: 23907458 PMCID: PMC3763429 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) is a p53-inducible serine/threonine phosphatase that switches off DNA damage checkpoint responses by the dephosphorylation of certain proteins (i.e. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, p53, checkpoint kinase 1, checkpoint kinase 2, and uracil DNA glycosylase) involved in DNA repair and the cell cycle checkpoint. Emerging data indicate that Wip1 is amplified or overexpressed in various human tumors, and its detection implies a poor prognosis. In this study, we show that Wip1 interacts with and dephosphorylates BAX to suppress BAX-mediated apoptosis in response to γ-irradiation in prostate cancer cells. Radiation-resistant LNCaP cells showed dramatic increases in Wip1 levels and impaired BAX movement to the mitochondria after γ-irradiation, and these effects were reverted by a Wip1 inhibitor. These results show that Wip1 directly interacts with and dephosphorylates BAX. Dephosphorylation occurs at threonines 172, 174 and 186, and BAX proteins with mutations at these sites fail to translocate efficiently to the mitochondria following cellular γ-irradiation. Overexpression of Wip1 and BAX, but not phosphatase-dead Wip1, in BAX-deficient cells strongly reduces apoptosis. Our results suggest that BAX dephosphorylation of Wip1 phosphatase is an important regulator of resistance to anticancer therapy. This study is the first to report the downregulation of BAX activity by a protein phosphatase.
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24
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Infante SK, Oberhauser AF, Perez-Polo JR. Bax phosphorylation association with nucleus and oligomerization after neonatal Hypoxia-ischemia. J Neurosci Res 2013; 91:1152-64. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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25
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Abstract
We hypothesized that nucleophosmin (NPM), a nucleolar phosphoprotein, is critical for Bax-mediated cell death. To test this hypothesis, Bax activation was induced by metabolic stress. During stress, nucleolar NPM translocated into the cytosol, NPM-Bax complexes formed, and both NPM and Bax accumulated in mitochondria. Expression of a cytosol-restricted NPM mutant (NPM-ΔNLS), but not a nucleus-restricted NPM mutant, increased NPM-Bax complex formation, mitochondrial NPM and Bax accumulation, mitochondrial membrane injury, caspase 3 activation, and ischemia-induced cell death. Coexpression of NPM-ΔNLS with constitutively active Bax mutants caused nearly universal cell death in the absence of metabolic stress, whereas expression of active Bax or NPM-ΔNLS alone did not. A Bax peptide that disrupts NPM-Bax interaction significantly reduced cell death caused by exposure to metabolic inhibitors in vitro and preserved kidney function after ischemia in vivo. Thus, NPM-Bax interaction enhances mitochondrial Bax accumulation, organelle injury, and cell death. NPM-Bax complex formation is a novel target for preventing ischemic tissue injury.
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