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Lai J, Yang C, Shang C, Chen W, Chu MP, Brandwein J, Lai R, Wang P. ULK2 Is a Key Pro-Autophagy Protein That Contributes to the High Chemoresistance and Disease Relapse in FLT3-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:646. [PMID: 38203816 PMCID: PMC10780038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that a small subset of cells in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines exhibit SORE6 reporter activity and cancer stem-like features including chemoresistance. To study why SORE6+ cells are more chemoresistant than SORE6- cells, we hypothesized that these cells carry higher autophagy, a mechanism linked to chemoresistance. We found that cytarabine (Ara-C) induced a substantially higher protein level of LC3B-II in SORE6+ compared to SORE6- cells. Similar observations were made using a fluorescence signal-based autophagy assay. Furthermore, chloroquine (an autophagy inhibitor) sensitized SORE6+ but not SORE6- cells to Ara-C. To decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the high autophagic flux in SORE6+ cells, we employed an autophagy oligonucleotide array comparing gene expression between SORE6+ and SORE6- cells before and after Ara-C treatment. ULK2 was the most differentially expressed gene between the two cell subsets. To demonstrate the role of ULK2 in conferring higher chemoresistance in SORE6+ cells, we treated the two cell subsets with a ULK1/2 inhibitor, MRT68921. MRT68921 significantly sensitized SORE6+ but not SORE6- cells to Ara-C. Using our in vitro model for AML relapse, we found that regenerated AML cells contained higher ULK2 expression compared to pretreated cells. Importantly, inhibition of ULK2 using MRT68921 prevented in vitro AML relapse. Lastly, using pretreatment and relapsed AML patient bone marrow samples, we found that ULK2 expression was higher in relapsed AML. To conclude, our results supported the importance of autophagy in the relapse of FLT3-mutated AML and highlighted ULK2 in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Lai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.L.); (M.P.C.); (J.B.)
| | - Claire Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.Y.); (C.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Chuquan Shang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.Y.); (C.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Will Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.Y.); (C.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Michael P. Chu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.L.); (M.P.C.); (J.B.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Joseph Brandwein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.L.); (M.P.C.); (J.B.)
| | - Raymond Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.Y.); (C.S.); (W.C.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (J.L.); (M.P.C.); (J.B.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
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Mende H, Khatri A, Lange C, Poveda-Cuevas SA, Tascher G, Covarrubias-Pinto A, Löhr F, Koschade SE, Dikic I, Münch C, Bremm A, Brunetti L, Brandts CH, Uckelmann H, Dötsch V, Rogov VV, Bhaskara RM, Müller S. An atypical GABARAP binding module drives the pro-autophagic potential of the AML-associated NPM1c variant. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113484. [PMID: 37999976 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleolar scaffold protein NPM1 is a multifunctional regulator of cellular homeostasis, genome integrity, and stress response. NPM1 mutations, known as NPM1c variants promoting its aberrant cytoplasmic localization, are the most frequent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A hallmark of AML cells is their dependency on elevated autophagic flux. Here, we show that NPM1 and NPM1c induce the autophagy-lysosome pathway by activating the master transcription factor TFEB, thereby coordinating the expression of lysosomal proteins and autophagy regulators. Importantly, both NPM1 and NPM1c bind to autophagy modifiers of the GABARAP subfamily through an atypical binding module preserved within its N terminus. The propensity of NPM1c to induce autophagy depends on this module, likely indicating that NPM1c exerts its pro-autophagic activity by direct engagement with GABARAPL1. Our data report a non-canonical binding mode of GABARAP family members that drives the pro-autophagic potential of NPM1c, potentially enabling therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mende
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anshu Khatri
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Max-von-Laue Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carolin Lange
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue Street 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sergio Alejandro Poveda-Cuevas
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue Street 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Georg Tascher
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Adriana Covarrubias-Pinto
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Löhr
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Max-von-Laue Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sebastian E Koschade
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ivan Dikic
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anja Bremm
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Brunetti
- Marche Polytechnic University, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Via Tronto 10, 60020 Ancona, Italy
| | - Christian H Brandts
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hannah Uckelmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Max-von-Laue Street 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vladimir V Rogov
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Max-von-Laue Street 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue Street 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ramachandra M Bhaskara
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Max-von-Laue Street 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Stefan Müller
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Biochemistry II, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
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Murphy LA, Winters AC. Emerging and Future Targeted Therapies for Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Targeting the Leukemia Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3248. [PMID: 38137469 PMCID: PMC10741170 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare subtype of acute leukemia in the pediatric and adolescent population but causes disproportionate morbidity and mortality in this age group. Standard chemotherapeutic regimens for AML have changed very little in the past 3-4 decades, but the addition of targeted agents in recent years has led to improved survival in select subsets of patients as well as a better biological understanding of the disease. Currently, one key paradigm of bench-to-bedside practice in the context of adult AML is the focus on leukemia stem cell (LSC)-targeted therapies. Here, we review current and emerging immunotherapies and other targeted agents that are in clinical use for pediatric AML through the lens of what is known (and not known) about their LSC-targeting capability. Based on a growing understanding of pediatric LSC biology, we also briefly discuss potential future agents on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A. Murphy
- Department of Pediatrics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Amanda C. Winters
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Saulle E, Spinello I, Quaranta MT, Labbaye C. Advances in Understanding the Links between Metabolism and Autophagy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: From Biology to Therapeutic Targeting. Cells 2023; 12:1553. [PMID: 37296673 PMCID: PMC10252746 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular degradation process that regulates cellular metabolism and homeostasis under normal and pathophysiological conditions. Autophagy and metabolism are linked in the hematopoietic system, playing a fundamental role in the self-renewal, survival, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and in cell death, particularly affecting the cellular fate of the hematopoietic stem cell pool. In leukemia, autophagy sustains leukemic cell growth, contributes to survival of leukemic stem cells and chemotherapy resistance. The high frequency of disease relapse caused by relapse-initiating leukemic cells resistant to therapy occurs in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and depends on the AML subtypes and treatments used. Targeting autophagy may represent a promising strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance in AML, for which prognosis remains poor. In this review, we illustrate the role of autophagy and the impact of its deregulation on the metabolism of normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells. We report updates on the contribution of autophagy to AML development and relapse, and the latest evidence indicating autophagy-related genes as potential prognostic predictors and drivers of AML. We review the recent advances in autophagy manipulation, combined with various anti-leukemia therapies, for an effective autophagy-targeted therapy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernestina Saulle
- Correspondence: (E.S.); (C.L.); Tel.: +39-0649902422 (E.S.); +39-0649902418 (C.L.)
| | | | | | - Catherine Labbaye
- Correspondence: (E.S.); (C.L.); Tel.: +39-0649902422 (E.S.); +39-0649902418 (C.L.)
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Bednarczyk M, Kociszewska K, Grosicka O, Grosicki S. The role of autophagy in acute myeloid leukemia development. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2023; 23:5-18. [PMID: 36563329 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2023.2161518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autophagy is a highly conservative self-degradative process. It aims at elimination-impaired proteins and cellular organelles. Previous research confirmed the autophagy role in cancer pathogenesis. AREAS COVERED This article discusses the role of autophagy in the development of AML. Autophagy seems to be a 'double-sword' mechanism, hence, either its suppression or induction could promote neoplasm growth. This mechanism could also be the aim of the 'molecular targeted therapy.' Chemo- and radiotherapy induce cellular stress in neoplasm cells with subsequent autophagy suppression. Simultaneously, it is claimed that the autophagy suppression increases chemosensitivity 'in neoplastic cells. Some agents, like bortezomib, in turn could promote autophagy process, e.g. in AML (acute myeloid leukemia). However, currently there are not many studies focusing on the role of autophagy in patients suffering for AML. In this review, we summarize the research done so far on the role of autophagy in the development of AML. EXPERT OPINION The analysis of autophagy genes expression profiling in AML could be a relevant factor in the diagnostic process and treatment 'individualization.' Autophagy modulation seems to be a relevant target in the oncological therapy - it could limit disease progression and increase the effectiveness of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Bednarczyk
- Department of Hematology and Cancer Prevention, School of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Karolina Kociszewska
- Department of Hematology and Cancer Prevention, School of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Sebastian Grosicki
- Department of Hematology and Cancer Prevention, School of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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