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Wei B, Ma J, Guo H, Wang Y, Guo D, Tang Y. Design, synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of the combination of evodiamine and erlotinib linked by indolequinone. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 99:129619. [PMID: 38244939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129619] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Compared with single-targeted therapy, the design and synthesis of heterozygous molecules is still a significant challenge for the discovery of antitumor drugs. Quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) is a potential target for selective cancer therapy due to its overexpression in many cancer cells and its unique bioredox properties. Based on the principle of combinatorial drug design, we successfully synthesized a new hybrid molecules 13 with an indolequinone structure. We found that the synthesized compounds exhibited much higher cytotoxicity against the tested cancer cells than free drugs. Further mechanism studies confirmed that compound 13 induced cell apoptosis was achieved by regulating p53-dependent mitochondrial pathway and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Wei
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Key Lab Basic & New Herbal Medicament Res, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xian Yang, Shaanxi 712046, China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Key Lab Basic & New Herbal Medicament Res, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xian Yang, Shaanxi 712046, China
| | - Hui Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Key Lab Basic & New Herbal Medicament Res, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xian Yang, Shaanxi 712046, China.
| | - Yuwei Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Key Lab Basic & New Herbal Medicament Res, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xian Yang, Shaanxi 712046, China
| | - Dongyan Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Key Lab Basic & New Herbal Medicament Res, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xian Yang, Shaanxi 712046, China
| | - Yuping Tang
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi Key Lab Basic & New Herbal Medicament Res, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xian Yang, Shaanxi 712046, China.
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2
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Behera SK, Lambring CB, Hashmi A, Gottipolu S, Basha R. In Silico Analysis Determining the Binding Interactions of NAD(P)H: Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 and Resveratrol via Docking and Molecular Dynamic Simulations. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY 2023; 82:280-288. [PMID: 38264080 PMCID: PMC10805530 DOI: 10.26650/eurjbiol.2023.1352396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Objective NAD(P)H: Quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) plays a crucial role in cellular defense against oxidative stress. Overexpression of NQO1 is linked to various cancer pathways. Despite its potential, the actual mechanisms to inhibit NQO1 and increase the efficacy of standard therapeutic options are not yet established. Resveratrol is an anti-cancer polyphenol found in dietary products and red wine. The objective of this investigation is to employ in silico methods to explore how resveratrol interacts with NQO1. Materials and Methods Docking analysis of resveratrol against NQO1 was performed using Glide. The most efficiently docked complex was characterized and analyzed by measuring intermolecular (IM) hydrogen (H)-bonds and binding energy values, additional hydrophobic, and electrostatic interactions. IM interaction between complexed protein and compound was demonstrated using LigPlot+ and the Schrödinger ligand interaction module. Molecular dynamics tools were employed to examine the physical movement of molecules to evaluate how macromolecular structures relate to their functions. Results The results of this investigation depicted a strong affinity of resveratrol against NQO1 followed by MD simulations (NQO1-resveratrol complex-binding energy: -2.847kcal/mol). Resveratrol's robust binding affinity through docking and molecular dynamic simulations highlights a significant change around 90 ns. The H-bonds number was inversely linked with the resveratrol-NQO1 complex stability. The NQO1-Resveratrol complex displayed dynamic motion, as revealed by porcupine projections, indicating alterations in its movement and flexibility. Conclusion The present in silico analysis suggests a possible alteration in resveratrol's orientation in the protein binding pocket. The findings encourage further investigation, including validation using in vitro and in vivo assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Riyaz Basha
- University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Shen L, Jiang S, Yang Y, Yang H, Fang Y, Tang M, Zhu R, Xu J, Jiang H. Pan-cancer and single-cell analysis reveal the prognostic value and immune response of NQO1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1174535. [PMID: 37583897 PMCID: PMC10424457 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1174535] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Overexpression of the NAD(P)H: Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 (NQOI) gene has been linked with tumor progression, aggressiveness, drug resistance, and poor patient prognosis. Most research has described the biological function of the NQO1 in certain types and limited samples, but a comprehensive understanding of the NQO1's function and clinical importance at the pan-cancer level is scarce. More research is needed to understand the role of NQO1 in tumor infiltration, and immune checkpoint inhibitors in various cancers are needed. Methods: The NQO1 expression data for 33 types of pan-cancer and their association with the prognosis, pathologic stage, gender, immune cell infiltration, the tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, immune checkpoints, enrichment pathways, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) were downloaded from public databases. Results: Our findings indicate that the NQO1 gene was significantly upregulated in most cancer types. The Cox regression analysis showed that overexpression of the NQO1 gene was related to poor OS in Glioma, uveal melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma, and adrenocortical carcinoma. NQO1 mRNA expression positively correlated with infiltrating immune cells and checkpoint molecule levels. The single-cell analysis revealed a potential relationship between the NQO1 mRNA expression levels and the infiltration of immune cells and stromal cells in bladder urothelial carcinoma, invasive breast carcinoma, and colorectal cancer. Conversely, a negative association was noted between various drugs (17-AAG, Lapatinib, Trametinib, PD-0325901) and the NQO1 mRNA expression levels. Conclusion: NQO1 expression was significantly associated with prognosis, immune infiltrates, and drug resistance in multiple cancer types. The inhibition of the NQO1-dependent signaling pathways may provide a promising strategy for developing new cancer-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Jining No. 1 People’s Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongli Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanchun Fang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meng Tang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Jining No. 1 People’s Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Rangteng Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaqin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hantao Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
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Zhang X, Ding J, Feng L, Wu H, Xu Z, Tao W, Wang Y, Zheng Y, Ling Y, Zhu P. Development of novel nitric oxide-releasing quinolinedione/furoxan hybrids as NQO1 inhibitors for intervention of drug-resistant hepatocellular cancer. Bioorg Chem 2022; 129:106174. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Lee WS, Ham W, Kim J. Roles of NAD(P)H:quinone Oxidoreductase 1 in Diverse Diseases. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121301. [PMID: 34947831 PMCID: PMC8703842 DOI: 10.3390/life11121301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) is an antioxidant flavoprotein that catalyzes the reduction of highly reactive quinone metabolites by employing NAD(P)H as an electron donor. There are two NQO enzymes—NQO1 and NQO2—in mammalian systems. In particular, NQO1 exerts many biological activities, including antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory effects, and interactions with tumor suppressors. Moreover, several recent studies have revealed the promising roles of NQO1 in protecting against cardiovascular damage and related diseases, such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the molecular regulation and biochemical properties of NQO1, and describe the potential beneficial roles of NQO1 in diseases associated with oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Soo Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
- Correspondence: (W.-S.L.); (J.K.); Tel.: +82-2-6299-1419 (W.-S.L.); +82-2-6299-1397 (J.K.)
| | - Woojin Ham
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea;
| | - Jaetaek Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea;
- Correspondence: (W.-S.L.); (J.K.); Tel.: +82-2-6299-1419 (W.-S.L.); +82-2-6299-1397 (J.K.)
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Thielhelm TP, Goncalves S, Welford SM, Mellon EA, Cohen ER, Nourbakhsh A, Fernandez-Valle C, Telischi F, Ivan ME, Dinh CT. Understanding the Radiobiology of Vestibular Schwannomas to Overcome Radiation Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4575. [PMID: 34572805 PMCID: PMC8467596 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors arising from cranial nerve VIII that account for 8-10% of all intracranial tumors and are the most common tumors of the cerebellopontine angle. These tumors are typically managed with observation, radiation therapy, or microsurgical resection. Of the VS that are irradiated, there is a subset of tumors that are radioresistant and continue to grow; the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood. In this review, the authors summarize how radiation causes cellular and DNA injury that can activate (1) checkpoints in the cell cycle to initiate cell cycle arrest and DNA repair and (2) key events that lead to cell death. In addition, we discuss the current knowledge of VS radiobiology and how it may contribute to clinical outcomes. A better understanding of VS radiobiology can help optimize existing treatment protocols and lead to new therapies to overcome radioresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torin P Thielhelm
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Stefania Goncalves
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Scott M Welford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Eric A Mellon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Erin R Cohen
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Aida Nourbakhsh
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Cristina Fernandez-Valle
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
| | - Fred Telischi
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Michael E Ivan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Christine T Dinh
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Lundberg AP, Boudreau MW, Selting KA, Chatkewitz LE, Samuelson J, Francis JM, Parkinson EI, Barger AM, Hergenrother PJ, Fan TM. Utilizing feline oral squamous cell carcinoma patients to develop NQO1-targeted therapy. Neoplasia 2021; 23:811-822. [PMID: 34246985 PMCID: PMC8274297 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing effective therapies for the treatment of advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a major challenge, and there is a limited landscape of effective targeted therapies on the horizon. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a 2-electron reductase that is overexpressed in HNSCC and presents as a promising target for the treatment of HNSCC. Current NQO1-targeted drugs are hindered by their poor oxidative tolerability in human patients, underscoring a need for better preclinical screening for oxidative toxicities for NQO1-bioactivated small molecules. Herein, we describe our work to include felines and feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) patients in the preclinical assessment process to prioritize lead compounds with increased tolerability and efficacy prior to full human translation. Specifically, our data demonstrate that IB-DNQ, an NQO1-targeted small molecule, is well-tolerated in FOSCC patients and shows promising initial efficacy against FOSCC tumors in proof-of-concept single agent and radiotherapy combination cohorts. Furthermore, FOSCC tumors are amenable to evaluating a variety of target-inducible couplet hypotheses, evidenced herein with modulation of NQO1 levels with palliative radiotherapy. The use of felines and their naturally-occurring tumors provide an intriguing, often underutilized tool for preclinical drug development for NQO1-targeted approaches and has broader applications for the evaluation of other anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycen P Lundberg
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Matthew W Boudreau
- Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kim A Selting
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lindsay E Chatkewitz
- Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jonathan Samuelson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Joshua M Francis
- Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Elizabeth I Parkinson
- Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Anne M Barger
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Paul J Hergenrother
- Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Timothy M Fan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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8
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Ross D, Siegel D. The diverse functionality of NQO1 and its roles in redox control. Redox Biol 2021; 41:101950. [PMID: 33774477 PMCID: PMC8027776 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the multiple functions of NQO1, its established roles in redox processes and potential roles in redox control that are currently emerging. NQO1 has attracted interest due to its roles in cell defense and marked inducibility during cellular stress. Exogenous substrates for NQO1 include many xenobiotic quinones. Since NQO1 is highly expressed in many solid tumors, including via upregulation of Nrf2, the design of compounds activated by NQO1 and NQO1-targeted drug delivery have been active areas of research. Endogenous substrates have also been proposed and of relevance to redox stress are ubiquinone and vitamin E quinone, components of the plasma membrane redox system. Established roles for NQO1 include a superoxide reductase activity, NAD+ generation, interaction with proteins and their stabilization against proteasomal degradation, binding and regulation of mRNA translation and binding to microtubules including the mitotic spindles. We also summarize potential roles for NQO1 in regulation of glucose and insulin metabolism with relevance to diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, in Alzheimer's disease and in aging. The conformation and molecular interactions of NQO1 can be modulated by changes in the pyridine nucleotide redox balance suggesting that NQO1 may function as a redox-dependent molecular switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ross
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - David Siegel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Zhong B, Yu J, Hou Y, Ai N, Ge W, Lu JJ, Chen X. A novel strategy for glioblastoma treatment by induction of noptosis, an NQO1-dependent necrosis. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 166:104-115. [PMID: 33600944 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most prevalent malignant primary tumors in the human brain. Temozolomide (TMZ), the chemotherapeutic drug for GBM treatment, induces apoptosis. Unfortunately, apoptosis-resistance to TMZ results in treatment failure. GBM shows enhanced expression of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Recently, noptosis, a type of NQO1-dependent necrosis, was proposed. Here, we identified that tanshindiol B (TSB) inhibits GBM growth by induction of noptosis. TSB triggered significant cell death, which did not fit the criteria of apoptosis but oxidative stress-induced necrosis. Molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay, and NQO1 activity assay revealed that TSB bind to and promptly activated NQO1 enzyme activity. As the substrate of NQO1, TSB induced oxidative stress, which resulted in dramatic DNA damage, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) hyperactivation, and NAD+ depletion, leading to necrotic cell death. These effects of TSB were completely abolished by specific NQO1 inhibitor dicoumarol (DIC). Furthermore, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) plays an essential role in mediating TSB-induced cell death. Besides, TSB significantly suppressed tumor growth in a zebrafish xenograft model mediated by NQO1. In conclusion, these results showed that TSB was an NQO1 substrate and triggered noptosis of GBM. TSB exhibited anti-tumor potentials in GBM both in vitro and in vivo. This study provides a novel strategy for fighting GBM through the induction of noptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingling Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Ying Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Nana Ai
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Wei Ge
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Xiuping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China.
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Differential Roles of a Family of Flavodoxin-Like Proteins That Promote Resistance to Quinone-Mediated Oxidative Stress in Candida albicans. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00670-20. [PMID: 33468576 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00670-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans within a mammalian host relies on its ability to resist oxidative stress. The four flavodoxin-like proteins (Pst1, Pst2, Pst3, and Ycp4) that reside on the inner surface of the C. albicans plasma membrane represent a recently discovered antioxidant mechanism that is essential for virulence. Flavodoxin-like proteins combat oxidative stress by promoting a two-electron reduction of quinone molecules, which prevents the formation of toxic semiquinone radicals. Previous studies indicated that Pst3 played a major role in promoting resistance to the small quinone molecules p-benzoquinone and menadione. Analysis of additional quinones confirmed this role for Pst3. To better define their function, antibodies were raised against each of the four flavodoxin-like proteins and used to quantify protein levels. Interestingly, the basal level of flavodoxin-like proteins differed, with Pst3 and Ycp4 being the most abundant. However, after induction with p-benzoquinone, Pst1 and Pst3 were the most highly induced, resulting in Pst3 becoming the most abundant. Constitutive expression of the flavodoxin-like protein genes from a TDH3 promoter resulted in similar protein levels and showed that Pst1 and Pst3 were better at protecting C. albicans against p-benzoquinone than Pst2 or Ycp4. In contrast, Pst1 and Ycp4 provided better protection against oxidative damage induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Thus, both the functional properties and the relative abundance contribute to the distinct roles of the flavodoxin-like proteins in resisting oxidative stress. These results further define how C. albicans combats the host immune response and survives in an environment rich in oxidative stress.
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Robertson H, Dinkova-Kostova AT, Hayes JD. NRF2 and the Ambiguous Consequences of Its Activation during Initiation and the Subsequent Stages of Tumourigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3609. [PMID: 33276631 PMCID: PMC7761610 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2, encoded in the human by NFE2L2) mediates short-term adaptation to thiol-reactive stressors. In normal cells, activation of NRF2 by a thiol-reactive stressor helps prevent, for a limited period of time, the initiation of cancer by chemical carcinogens through induction of genes encoding drug-metabolising enzymes. However, in many tumour types, NRF2 is permanently upregulated. In such cases, its overexpressed target genes support the promotion and progression of cancer by suppressing oxidative stress, because they constitutively increase the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and they support cell proliferation by increasing ribonucleotide synthesis, serine biosynthesis and autophagy. Herein, we describe cancer chemoprevention and the discovery of the essential role played by NRF2 in orchestrating protection against chemical carcinogenesis. We similarly describe the discoveries of somatic mutations in NFE2L2 and the gene encoding the principal NRF2 repressor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) along with that encoding a component of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex Cullin 3 (CUL3), which result in permanent activation of NRF2, and the recognition that such mutations occur frequently in many types of cancer. Notably, mutations in NFE2L2, KEAP1 and CUL3 that cause persistent upregulation of NRF2 often co-exist with mutations that activate KRAS and the PI3K-PKB/Akt pathway, suggesting NRF2 supports growth of tumours in which KRAS or PKB/Akt are hyperactive. Besides somatic mutations, NRF2 activation in human tumours can occur by other means, such as alternative splicing that results in a NRF2 protein which lacks the KEAP1-binding domain or overexpression of other KEAP1-binding partners that compete with NRF2. Lastly, as NRF2 upregulation is associated with resistance to cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we describe strategies that might be employed to suppress growth and overcome drug resistance in tumours with overactive NRF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Robertson
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
| | - John D. Hayes
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
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