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Shah ET, Molloy C, Gough M, Kryza T, Samuel SG, Tucker A, Bhatia M, Ferguson G, Heyman R, Vora S, Monkman J, Bolderson E, Kulasinghe A, He Y, Gabrielli B, Hooper JD, Richard DJ, O'Byrne KJ, Adams MN. Inhibition of Aurora B kinase (AURKB) enhances the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy against colorectal cancer cells. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1196-1205. [PMID: 38287178 PMCID: PMC10991355 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02584-z] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) remains a core component of systemic therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, response rates remain low, and development of therapy resistance is a primary issue. Combinatorial strategies employing a second agent to augment the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy is predicted to reduce the incidence of treatment resistance and increase the durability of response to therapy. METHODS Here, we employed quantitative proteomics approaches to identify novel druggable proteins and molecular pathways that are deregulated in response to 5-FU, which might serve as targets to improve sensitivity to chemotherapy. Drug combinations were evaluated using 2D and 3D CRC cell line models and an ex vivo culture model of a patient-derived tumour. RESULTS Quantitative proteomics identified upregulation of the mitosis-associated protein Aurora B (AURKB), within a network of upregulated proteins, in response to a 24 h 5-FU treatment. In CRC cell lines, AURKB inhibition with the dihydrogen phosphate prodrug AZD1152, markedly improved the potency of 5-FU in 2D and 3D in vitro CRC models. Sequential treatment with 5-FU then AZD1152 also enhanced the response of a patient-derived CRC cells to 5-FU in ex vivo cultures. CONCLUSIONS AURKB inhibition may be a rational approach to augment the effectiveness of 5-FU chemotherapy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esha T Shah
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Christopher Molloy
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Madeline Gough
- Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Thomas Kryza
- Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Selwin G Samuel
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Amos Tucker
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Maneet Bhatia
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Genevieve Ferguson
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Rebecca Heyman
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Shivam Vora
- Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - James Monkman
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Emma Bolderson
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Arutha Kulasinghe
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Yaowu He
- Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Brian Gabrielli
- Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - John D Hooper
- Mater Research Institute - The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Derek J Richard
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Kenneth J O'Byrne
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
- Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Mark N Adams
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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Lakkaniga NR, Wang Z, Xiao Y, Kharbanda A, Lan L, Li HY. Revisiting Aurora Kinase B: A promising therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:686-706. [PMID: 37983866 DOI: 10.1002/med.21994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer continues to be a major health concern globally, although the advent of targeted therapy has revolutionized treatment options. Aurora Kinase B is a serine-threonine kinase that has been explored as an oncology therapeutic target for more than two decades. Aurora Kinase B inhibitors show promising biological results in in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. However, there are no inhibitors approved yet for clinical use, primarily because of the side effects associated with Aurora B inhibitors. Several studies demonstrate that Aurora B inhibitors show excellent synergy with various chemotherapeutic agents, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. This makes it an excellent choice as an adjuvant therapy to first-line therapies, which greatly improves the therapeutic window and side effect profile. Recent studies indicate the role of Aurora B in some deadly cancers with limited therapeutic options, like triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma. Herein, we review the latest developments in Aurora Kinase B targeted research, with emphasis on its potential as an adjuvant therapy and its role in some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Rajiv Lakkaniga
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India
| | - Zhengyu Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Yao Xiao
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anupreet Kharbanda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Li Lan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hong-Yu Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Chen TM, Huang CM, Setiawan SA, Hsieh MS, Sheen CC, Yeh CT. KDM5D Histone Demethylase Identifies Platinum-Tolerant Head and Neck Cancer Cells Vulnerable to Mitotic Catastrophe. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065310. [PMID: 36982384 PMCID: PMC10049674 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a major contributor to cancer incidence globally and is currently managed by surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. However, local recurrence is the major cause of mortality, indicating the emergence of drug-tolerant persister cells. A specific histone demethylase, namely lysine-specific demethylase 5D (KDM5D), is overexpressed in diverse types of cancers and involved in cancer cell cycle regulation. However, the role of KDM5D in the development of cisplatin-tolerant persister cells remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrated that KDM5D contributes to the development of persister cells. Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) disruption affected the vulnerability of persister cells in a mitotic catastrophe–dependent manner. Comprehensive in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments were performed. KDM5D expression was upregulated in HNSCC tumor cells, cancer stem cells, and cisplatin-resistant cells with biologically distinct signaling alterations. In an HNSCC cohort, high KDM5D expression was associated with a poor response to platinum treatment and early disease recurrence. KDM5D knockdown reduced the tolerance of persister cells to platinum agents and caused marked cell cycle deregulation, including the loss of DNA damage prevention, and abnormal mitosis-enhanced cell cycle arrest. By modulating mRNA levels of AURKB, KDM5D promoted the generation of platinum-tolerant persister cells in vitro, leading to the identification of the KDM5D/AURKB axis, which regulates cancer stemness and drug tolerance of HNSCC. Treatment with an AURKB inhibitor, namely barasertib, resulted in a lethal consequence of mitotic catastrophe in HNSCC persister cells. The cotreatment of cisplatin and barasertib suppressed tumor growth in the tumor mouse model. Thus, KDM5D might be involved in the development of persister cells, and AURKB disruption can overcome tolerance to platinum treatment in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Ming Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan;
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Ming Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Taitung Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung City 950408, Taiwan;
- Department of Nursing, Tajen University, Pingtung 90741, Taiwan
| | - Syahru Agung Setiawan
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shou Hsieh
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan;
- Department of Dentistry, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 235, Taiwan
- Department of Periodontics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chi Sheen
- School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 110, Taiwan;
- Department of Dentistry, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 235, Taiwan
- Department of Periodontics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.S.); (C.-T.Y.); Tel.: +886-2-249-0088 (ext. 8885) (C.-C.S.); +886-2-249-0088 (ext. 8881) (C.-T.Y.); Fax: +886-2-2248-0900 (C.-C.S.); +886-2-2248-0900 (C.-T.Y.)
| | - Chi-Tai Yeh
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Continuing Education Program of Food Biotechnology Applications, College of Science and Engineering, National Taitung University, Taitung 95092, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.S.); (C.-T.Y.); Tel.: +886-2-249-0088 (ext. 8885) (C.-C.S.); +886-2-249-0088 (ext. 8881) (C.-T.Y.); Fax: +886-2-2248-0900 (C.-C.S.); +886-2-2248-0900 (C.-T.Y.)
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Candido MF, Medeiros M, Veronez LC, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Pezuk JA, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020664. [PMID: 36839989 PMCID: PMC9966033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020664] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Medeiros
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Chain Veronez
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - David Bastos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-9144; Fax: +55-16-3315-4886
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Kreuger IZM, Slieker RC, van Groningen T, van Doorn R. Therapeutic Strategies for Targeting CDKN2A Loss in Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:18-25.e1. [PMID: 36123181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Loss of the tumor suppressor gene CDKN2A, encoding p16 and p14, is a frequent event driving melanoma progression. Therefore, therapeutic strategies aimed at CDKN2A loss hold great potential to improve melanoma treatment. Pharmacological inhibition of the p16 targets CDK4/6 is a prime example of such a strategy. Other approaches exploit cell cycle deregulation, target metabolic rewiring, epigenetically restore expression, act on dependencies resulting from co-deleted genes, or are directed at the effects of CDKN2A loss on immune responses. This review explores these therapeutic strategies targeting CDKN2A loss, which potentially open up new avenues for precision medicine in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inger Z M Kreuger
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Center for Computational Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roderick C Slieker
- Leiden Center for Computational Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tim van Groningen
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Center for Computational Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Remco van Doorn
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Center for Computational Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Szabó B, Németh K, Mészáros K, Krokker L, Likó I, Saskői É, Németh K, Szabó PT, Szücs N, Czirják S, Szalóki G, Patócs A, Butz H. Aspirin Mediates Its Antitumoral Effect Through Inhibiting PTTG1 in Pituitary Adenoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:3066-3079. [PMID: 36059148 PMCID: PMC9681612 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT DNA demethylation and inhibitory effects of aspirin on pituitary cell proliferation have been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind the aspirin-related effects in pituitary cells. METHODS DNA methylome and whole transcriptome profile were investigated in RC-4B/C and GH3 pituitary cell lines upon aspirin treatment. Effects of aspirin and a demethylation agent, decitabine, were further tested in vitro. PTTG1 expression in 41 human PitNET samples and whole genome gene and protein expression data of 76 PitNET and 34 control samples (available in Gene Expression Omnibus) were evaluated. RESULTS Aspirin induced global DNA demethylation and consequential transcriptome changes. Overexpression of Tet enzymes and their cofactor Uhrf2 were identified behind the increase of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Besides cell cycle, proliferation, and migration effects that were validated by functional experiments, aspirin increased Tp53 activity through p53 acetylation and decreased E2f1 activity. Among the p53 controlled genes, Pttg1 and its interacting partners were downregulated upon aspirin treatment by inhibiting Pttg1 promoter activity. 5hmC positively correlated with Tet1-3 and Tp53 expression, and negatively correlated with Pttg1 expression, which was reinforced by the effect of decitabine. Additionally, high overlap (20.15%) was found between aspirin-regulated genes and dysregulated genes in PitNET tissue samples. CONCLUSION A novel regulatory network has been revealed, in which aspirin regulated global demethylation, Tp53 activity, and Pttg1 expression along with decreased cell proliferation and migration. 5hmC, a novel tissue biomarker in PitNET, indicated aspirin antitumoral effect in vitro as well. Our findings suggest the potential beneficial effect of aspirin in PitNET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Szabó
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kinga Németh
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Mészáros
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Krokker
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Likó
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Saskői
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Németh
- MS Metabolomics Research Group, Centre for Structural Study, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Tamás Szabó
- MS Metabolomics Research Group, Centre for Structural Study, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolette Szücs
- Department of Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Czirják
- National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, H-1145 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Szalóki
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Patócs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences—Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Henriett Butz
- Correspondence: Henriett Butz MD, PhD, Hereditary Endocrine Tumours Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, 4. Nagyvárad tér, H-1089, Budapest, Hungary.
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Marima R, Hull R, Penny C, Dlamini Z. Mitotic syndicates Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) and mitotic arrest deficient 2 like 2 (MAD2L2) in cohorts of DNA damage response (DDR) and tumorigenesis. Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res 2021; 787:108376. [PMID: 34083040 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) and Mitotic Arrest Deficient 2 Like 2 (MAD2L2) are emerging anticancer therapeutic targets. AURKB and MAD2L2 are the least well studied members of their protein families, compared to AURKA and MAD2L1. Both AURKB and MAD2L2 play a critical role in mitosis, cell cycle checkpoint, DNA damage response (DDR) and normal physiological processes. However, the oncogenic roles of AURKB and MAD2L2 in tumorigenesis and genomic instability have also been reported. DDR acts as an arbitrator for cell fate by either repairing the damage or directing the cell to self-destruction. While there is strong evidence of interphase DDR, evidence of mitotic DDR is just emerging and remains largely unelucidated. To date, inhibitors of the DDR components show effective anti-cancer roles. Contrarily, long-term resistance towards drugs that target only one DDR target is becoming a challenge. Targeting interactions between protein-protein or protein-DNA holds prominent therapeutic potential. Both AURKB and MAD2L2 play critical roles in the success of mitosis and their emerging roles in mitotic DDR cannot be ignored. Small molecule inhibitors for AURKB are in clinical trials. A few lead compounds towards MAD2L2 inhibition have been discovered. Targeting mitotic DDR components and their interaction is emerging as a potent next generation anti-cancer therapeutic target. This can be done by developing small molecule inhibitors for AURKB and MAD2L2, thereby targeting DDR components as anti-cancer therapeutic targets and/or targeting mitotic DDR. This review focuses on AURKB and MAD2L2 prospective synergy to deregulate the p53 DDR pathway and promote favourable conditions for uncontrolled cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahaba Marima
- SA-MRC/UP Precision Prevention and Novel Drug Targets for HIV-Associated Cancers Extramural Unit, Pan African Cancer Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.
| | - Rodney Hull
- SA-MRC/UP Precision Prevention and Novel Drug Targets for HIV-Associated Cancers Extramural Unit, Pan African Cancer Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
| | - Clement Penny
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
| | - Zodwa Dlamini
- SA-MRC/UP Precision Prevention and Novel Drug Targets for HIV-Associated Cancers Extramural Unit, Pan African Cancer Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa
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Shang YY, Yu N, Xia L, Yu YY, Ma CM, Jiao YN, Li YF, Wang Y, Dang J, Li W. Augmentation of danusertib's anticancer activity against melanoma by blockage of autophagy. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2020; 10:136-145. [PMID: 31625025 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-019-00668-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous evidence has shown that the increased expression of aurora kinase is closely related to melanoma progression and is an important therapeutic target in melanoma. Danusertib is an inhibitor of aurora kinase, and recent studies have shown that danusertib treatment induces autophagy in several types of cancer. Interestingly, autophagy plays a dual function in cancer as a pro-survival and anti-survival factor. In this study, we investigated the role of danusertib on the induction of autophagy in melanoma and determined the impact of autophagy induction on its anticancer activity against melanoma. Our results showed that danusertib can significantly inhibit melanoma growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, we demonstrated that danusertib treatment significantly inhibits the oncogenic Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and induces autophagy in melanoma cells. Furthermore, we identified that the inhibition of autophagy can enhance the inhibitory effects of danusertib on melanoma growth. Thus, the induction of autophagy by danusertib appears to be a survival mechanism in melanoma cells that may counteract its anticancer effects. These findings suggest a novel strategy to enhance the anticancer efficacy of danusertib in melanoma by blocking autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Shang
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Yu
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Xia
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Yao Yu
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Mei Ma
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ning Jiao
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Dang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Cell Biology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weichao Li
- Faculty of Medical Science, Kunming University of Science and Technology, No. 727, Jingming South Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, China.
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Kasam RK, Ghandikota S, Soundararajan D, Reddy GB, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Inhibition of Aurora Kinase B attenuates fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12131. [PMID: 32761869 PMCID: PMC7507328 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation including proliferation, survival, and ECM production is central to initiation and maintenance of fibrotic lesions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, druggable molecules that target fibroblast activation remain limited. In this study, we show that multiple pro‐fibrotic growth factors, including TGFα, CTGF, and IGF1, increase aurora kinase B (AURKB) expression and activity in fibroblasts. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) is a key transcription factor that mediates TGFα‐driven AURKB upregulation in fibroblasts. Importantly, we found that inhibition of AURKB expression or activity is sufficient to attenuate fibroblast activation. We show that fibrosis induced by TGFα is highly dependent on AURKB expression and treating TGFα mice with barasertib, an AURKB inhibitor, reverses fibroblast activation, and pulmonary fibrosis. Barasertib similarly attenuated fibrosis in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis. Together, our preclinical studies provide important proof‐of‐concept that demonstrate barasertib as a possible intervention therapy for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sudhir Ghandikota
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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10
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Serratì S, Porcelli L, Guida S, Ferretta A, Iacobazzi RM, Cocco T, Maida I, Tamasi G, Rossi C, Manganelli M, Tommasi S, Azzariti A, Guida G. Tomatine Displays Antitumor Potential in In Vitro Models of Metastatic Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5243. [PMID: 32718103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the cytotoxic effects of bioactive glycoalkaloids, such as α-tomatine on tumor cells. Here, for the first time, we determine the antitumor potential of tomatine, a mixture of α-tomatine and dehydrotomatine, in metastatic melanoma (MM) cell lines harboring different BRAF and MC1R variants. We performed cytotoxicity experiments and annexin-V/propidium iodide staining to assess the apoptotic/necrotic status of the cells. ER stress and autophagy markers were revealed by Western Blot, whereas antiangiogenic and vascular-disrupting effects were evaluated through a capillary tube formation assay on matrigel and by ELISA kit for VEGF release determination. Cell invasion was determined by a Boyden chamber matrigel assay. Tomatine reduced 50% of cell viability and induced a concentration-dependent increase of apoptotic cells in the range of 0.5–1 μM in terms of α-tomatine. The extent of apoptosis was more than two-fold higher in V600BRAF-D184H/D184H MC1R cells than in BRAF wild-type cells and V600BRAF-MC1R wild-type cell lines. Additionally, tomatine increased the LC3I/II autophagy marker, p-eIF2α, and p-Erk1/2 levels in BRAF wild-type cells. Notably, tomatine strongly reduced cell invasion and melanoma-dependent angiogenesis by reducing VEGF release and tumor-stimulating effects on capillary tube formation. Collectively, our findings support tomatine as a potential antitumor agent in MM.
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11
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Lakkaniga NR, Zhang L, Belachew B, Gunaganti N, Frett B, Li HY. Discovery of SP-96, the first non-ATP-competitive Aurora Kinase B inhibitor, for reduced myelosuppression. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 203:112589. [PMID: 32717530 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aurora Kinase B is a serine-threonine kinase known to be overexpressed in several cancers, with no inhibitors approved for clinical use. Herein, we present the discovery and optimization of a series of novel quinazoline-based Aurora Kinase B inhibitors. The lead inhibitor SP-96 shows sub-nanomolar potency in Aurora B enzymatic assays (IC50 = 0.316 ± 0.031 nM). We identified the important pharmacophore features resulting in selectivity against receptor tyrosine kinases. Particularly, SP-96 shows >2000 fold selectivity against FLT3 and KIT which is important for normal hematopoiesis. This could diminish the adverse effect of neutropenia reported in the clinical trials of the Aurora B inhibitor Barasertib, which inhibits FLT3 and KIT in addition to Aurora B. Enzyme kinetics of SP-96 shows non-ATP-competitive inhibition which makes it a first-in-class inhibitor. Further, SP-96 shows selective growth inhibition in NCI60 screening, including inhibition of MDA-MD-468, a Triple Negative Breast Cancer cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Rajiv Lakkaniga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Lingtian Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Binyam Belachew
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Naresh Gunaganti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Hong-Yu Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
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12
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Porcelli L, Garofoli M, Di Fonte R, Fucci L, Volpicella M, Strippoli S, Guida M, Azzariti A. The β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol offsets resistance mechanisms to chemotherapeutics in diverse sarcoma subtypes: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10465. [PMID: 32591592 PMCID: PMC7320177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Standard chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas has shown limited efficacy. Here, we sought to evaluate whether β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signalling contributed to the progression of sarcomas and therapy resistance. To assess the translational potential of β-adrenergic receptors, we performed immunohistochemical detection of β1-AR, β2-AR and β3-AR in leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and angiosarcoma tissue specimens, reporting the results scored for the intensity. By using established and patient-derived sarcoma cells, we demonstrated the antitumour potential of the pharmacological targeting of β-ARs with the nonselective β-blocker propranolol in such sarcomas. Of note, pharmacological β-AR inhibition synergized with doxorubicin in inhibiting the cell viability of liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma cells and increased the response to docetaxel in angiosarcoma- and solitary fibrous tumour (SFT)-patient-derived cells. Notably, the SFT patient was treated with the combination of propranolol and docetaxel, reporting prolonged disease control. Mechanistically, we found that propranolol reduced the activity of the multidrug resistance efflux pump P-gp, thereby increasing the intracellular doxorubicin concentration and antitumour activity. In addition, propranolol attenuated the Akt-dependent survival signal induced by doxorubicin and strongly reduced the activation of the NF-kB/COX-2 pathway, increasing cell sensitivity to docetaxel. Overall, our study highlighted the therapeutic potential of propranolol, alone or in rational combination therapies, for sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Marianna Garofoli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Fonte
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Livia Fucci
- Histopathological Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Volpicella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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13
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Cervello M, Emma MR, Augello G, Cusimano A, Giannitrapani L, Soresi M, Akula SM, Abrams SL, Steelman LS, Gulino A, Belmonte B, Montalto G, McCubrey JA. New landscapes and horizons in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:3053-3094. [PMID: 32018226 PMCID: PMC7041742 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the sixth most frequent form of cancer and leads to the fourth highest number of deaths each year. HCC results from a combination of environmental factors and aging as there are driver mutations at oncogenes which occur during aging. Most of HCCs are diagnosed at advanced stage preventing curative therapies. Treatment in advanced stage is a challenging and pressing problem, and novel and well-tolerated therapies are urgently needed. We will discuss further advances beyond sorafenib that target additional signaling pathways and immune checkpoint proteins. The scenario of possible systemic therapies for patients with advanced HCC has changed dramatically in recent years. Personalized genomics and various other omics approaches may identify actionable biochemical targets, which are activated in individual patients, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes. Further studies are needed to identify predictive biomarkers and aberrantly activated signaling pathways capable of guiding the clinician in choosing the most appropriate therapy for the individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria R. Emma
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Lydia Giannitrapani
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Shaw M. Akula
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Stephen L. Abrams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Linda S. Steelman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumour Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - James A. McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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Zhang J, Lin X, Wu L, Huang JJ, Jiang WQ, Kipps TJ, Zhang S. Aurora B induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition by stabilizing Snail1 to promote basal-like breast cancer metastasis. Oncogene 2020; 39:2550-2567. [PMID: 31996785 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1165-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aurora B is a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in regulating cell proliferation in distinct cancers, including breast cancer. Here we show that Aurora B expression is elevated in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) compared with other breast cancer subtypes. This high level of expression seems to correlate with poor metastasis-free survival and relapse-free survival in affected patients. Mechanistically, we show that elevated Aurora B expression in breast cancer cells activates AKT/GSK3β to stabilize Snail1 protein, a master regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to EMT induction in a kinase-dependent manner. Conversely, Aurora B knock down by short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) suppresses AKT/GSK3β/Snail1 signaling, reverses EMT and reduces breast cancer metastatic potential in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we identified a specific OCT4 phosphorylation site (T343) responsible for mediating Aurora B-induced AKT/GSK3β/Snail1 signaling and EMT that could be attenuated by Aurora B kinase inhibitor treatment. These findings support that Aurora B induces EMT to promote breast cancer metastasis via OCT4/AKT/GSK3β/Snail1 signaling. Pharmacologic Aurora B inhibition might be a potential effective treatment for breast cancer patients with metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianchao Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Pharmacology, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Center, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xinxin Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Pharmacology, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Center, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Liufeng Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Pharmacology, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Center, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jia-Jia Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Medical Oncology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Wen-Qi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Medical Oncology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Thomas J Kipps
- Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, 9310 Athena Circle, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Suping Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, Department of Pharmacology, Base for International Science and Technology Cooperation: Carson Cancer Stem Cell Vaccines R&D Center, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, 9310 Athena Circle, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA.
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15
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Wang Z, Yu Z, Wang GH, Zhou YM, Deng JP, Feng Y, Chen JQ, Tian L. AURKB Promotes the Metastasis of Gastric Cancer, Possibly by Inducing EMT. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:6947-6958. [PMID: 32801915 PMCID: PMC7415439 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s254250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the function of Aurora kinase B (AURKB) in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to assay the expression of AURKB in 50 pairs of GC and adjacent tissues, and qRT-PCR was conducted to test AURKB expression in normal gastric epithelial and GC cell lines. Two segments of small interference RNAs (siRNAs) targeting AURKB were synthesized and inserted into GV248 lentivirus vector. After transfected with LV-AURKB-RNAis, CCK8, wound healing, transwell and flow cytometric assays were performed to determine the influence of silencing AURKB on cell proliferation, invasion, migration, cell cycles and apoptosis of GC cells, and the expression of EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition)-related markers was demonstrated by Western blots (WB). RESULTS AURKB was highly expressed in GC and closely associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced stages of GC. Down-regulating AURKB suppressed the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of GC cells, arrested the cell cycle in G2/M phase, and inhibited the invasion and migration of GC cells. The expression levels of AKT1, mTOR, Myc, MMP2, and VEGFA were decreased, while the expression levels of OCLN and JUP were increased after knocking down of AURKB in both AGC and MKN45 cells. CONCLUSION AURKB is overexpressed in GC and closely associated with clinicopathologic characteristics of GC. It is likely that by inhibiting VEGFA/Akt/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin/Myc pathways, silenced AURKB could inhibit the invasive and migratory abilities of GC cells. However, because of the small sample size and the absence of in-vivo experiments, these results should be verified by further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhu Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gong-he Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi-ming Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian-ping Deng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Feng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun-qiang Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Tian
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Lei Tian; Jun-qiang Chen Email ;
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16
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Lakkaniga NR, Balasubramaniam M, Zhang S, Frett B, Li HY. Structural Characterization of the Aurora Kinase B "DFG-flip" Using Metadynamics. AAPS J 2019; 22:14. [PMID: 31853739 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-019-0399-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinase B (AKB), a Ser/Thr kinase that plays a crucial role in mitosis, is overexpressed in several cancers. Clinical inhibitors targeting AKB bind to the active DFG "in" conformation of the kinase. It would be beneficial, however, to understand if AKB is susceptible to type II kinase inhibitors that bind to the inactive, DFG "out" conformation, since type II inhibitors achieve higher kinome selectivity and higher potency in vivo. The DFG "out" conformation of AKB is not yet experimentally determined which makes the design of type II inhibitors exceedingly difficult. An alternate approach is to simulate the DFG "out" conformation from the experimentally determined DFG "in" conformation using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In this work, we employed metadynamics (MTD) approach to simulate the DFG "out" conformation of AKB by choosing the appropriate collective variables. We examined structural changes during the DFG-flip and determined the interactions crucial to stabilize the kinase in active and inactive states. Interestingly, the MTD approach also identified a unique transition state (DFG "up"), which can be targeted by small molecule inhibitors. Structural insights about these conformations is essential for structure-guided design of next-generation AKB inhibitors. This work also emphasizes the usefulness of MTD simulations in predicting macromolecular conformational changes at reduced computational costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naga Rajiv Lakkaniga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA
| | | | - Shuxing Zhang
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 77225, USA
| | - Brendan Frett
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA
| | - Hong-Yu Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, USA.
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17
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Quattrini L, Coviello V, Sartini S, Di Desidero T, Orlandi P, Ke YY, Liu KL, Hsieh HP, Bocci G, La Motta C. Dual Kit/Aur Inhibitors as Chemosensitizing Agents for the Treatment of Melanoma: Design, Synthesis, Docking Studies and Functional Investigation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9943. [PMID: 31289333 PMCID: PMC6617451 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46287-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer but its medication is still far from being safe and thoroughly effective. The search of novel therapeutic approaches represents therefore a health emergency to push through eagerly. In this study, we describe a novel class of dual c-Kit/Aur inhibitors, characterized by a 1,2,4-triazole core and developed by a structure-based optimization of a previously developed hit, and report the evidence of their significance as drug candidates for the treatment of melanoma. Compound 6a, merging the best inhibitory profile against the target kinases, showed anti-proliferative efficacy against the human melanoma cell lines A2058, expressing the BRAF V600D mutation, and WM266-4, expressing BRAF V600E. Significantly, it displayed also a highly synergistic profile when tested in combination with vemurafenib, thus proving its efficacy not only per se but even in a combination therapy, which is nowadays acknowledged as the cornerstone approach of the forthcoming tumour management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Quattrini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vito Coviello
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Sartini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Teresa Di Desidero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Orlandi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Yi-Yu Ke
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 350, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Lun Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 350, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 350, Taiwan
| | - Guido Bocci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 55, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Concettina La Motta
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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18
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Liu X, Chen Y, Li Y, Petersen RB, Huang K. Targeting mitosis exit: A brake for cancer cell proliferation. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1871:179-191. [PMID: 30611728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [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: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The transition from mitosis to interphase, referred to as mitotic exit, is a critical mitotic process which involves activation and inactivation of multiple mitotic kinases and counteracting protein phosphatases. Loss of mitotic exit checkpoints is a common feature of cancer cells, leading to mitotic dysregulation and confers cancer cells with oncogenic characteristics, such as aberrant proliferation and microtubule-targeting agent (MTA) resistance. Since MTA resistance results from cancer cells prematurely exiting mitosis (mitotic slippage), blocking mitotic exit is believed to be a promising anticancer strategy. Moreover, based on this theory, simultaneous inhibition of mitotic exit and additional cell cycle phases would likely achieve synergistic antitumor effects. In this review, we divide the molecular regulators of mitotic exit into four categories based on their different regulatory functions: 1) the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C, a ubiquitin ligase), 2) cyclin B, 3) mitotic kinases and phosphatases, 4) kinesins and microtubule-binding proteins. We also review the regulators of mitotic exit and propose prospective anticancer strategies targeting mitotic exit, including their strengths and possible challenges to their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Liu
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Yuchen Chen
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Yangkai Li
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Robert B Petersen
- Foundational Sciences, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858, USA
| | - Kun Huang
- Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
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19
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Willems E, Dedobbeleer M, Digregorio M, Lombard A, Lumapat PN, Rogister B. The functional diversity of Aurora kinases: a comprehensive review. Cell Div 2018; 13:7. [PMID: 30250494 PMCID: PMC6146527 DOI: 10.1186/s13008-018-0040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinases are serine/threonine kinases essential for the onset and progression of mitosis. Aurora members share a similar protein structure and kinase activity, but exhibit distinct cellular and subcellular localization. AurA favors the G2/M transition by promoting centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly. AurB and AurC are chromosome-passenger complex proteins, crucial for chromosome binding to kinetochores and segregation of chromosomes. Cellular distribution of AurB is ubiquitous, while AurC expression is mainly restricted to meiotically-active germ cells. In human tumors, all Aurora kinase members play oncogenic roles related to their mitotic activity and promote cancer cell survival and proliferation. Furthermore, AurA plays tumor-promoting roles unrelated to mitosis, including tumor stemness, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and invasion. In this review, we aim to understand the functional interplay of Aurora kinases in various types of human cells, including tumor cells. The understanding of the functional diversity of Aurora kinases could help to evaluate their relevance as potential therapeutic targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Willems
- 1Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases and Therapy, GIGA-Neuroscience, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Matthias Dedobbeleer
- 1Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases and Therapy, GIGA-Neuroscience, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Marina Digregorio
- 1Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases and Therapy, GIGA-Neuroscience, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Lombard
- 1Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases and Therapy, GIGA-Neuroscience, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium.,2Department of Neurosurgery, CHU of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paul Noel Lumapat
- 1Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases and Therapy, GIGA-Neuroscience, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium.,3Department of Neurology, CHU of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Bernard Rogister
- 1Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases and Therapy, GIGA-Neuroscience, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate, 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium.,3Department of Neurology, CHU of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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20
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Cao J, Liu XM, Huang LL, Wang L, Jiao XF, Huo LJ. SUMO2 modification of Aurora B and its impact on follicular development and atresia in the mouse ovary. Int J Mol Med 2018; 41:3115-3126. [PMID: 29512695 PMCID: PMC5881745 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian ovary, >99% follicles fail to ovulate due to apoptosis in granulosa cells. Aurora B, a core subunit enzyme of the chromosomal passenger complex, exerts a crucial role in microtubule‑kinetochore attachment, and has been reported to be modified by small ubiquitin‑related modifier (SUMO) proteins. However, the details of how Aurora B and its SUMOylation impact on follicular development have yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to explore the roles, and possible molecular mechanism, of Aurora B and its SUMOylation in the granulosa cells of the mouse follicle. It was revealed that the protein level of Aurora B increased with follicular development and the growth of the granulosa cells. Aurora B impacted follicular development and atresia through mediating the p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase and FasL/Fas pathways, and caused the downregulation of cyclin‑dependent kinase 4, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, Bcl‑2, and upregulation of caspases‑3 and ‑8 to modulate the viability of the granulosa cells. In addition, Aurora B undergoes modification by SUMO2, but not by SUMO1, in vivo and in vitro, and Lys‑207 is a major modification site. SUMOylation modulates follicular development through an increase in Aurora B localization in the nucleus, and by stabilizing the protein level of Aurora B and keeping the viability of the granulosa cells. Taken together, Aurora B and its SUMOylation are important for follicular development and atresia in the ovaries of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Li-Lin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Fei Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Li-Jun Huo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Education Ministry of China, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
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21
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Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest tumors and has a median survival of 3 months if left untreated. Despite advances in rationally targeted pharmacological approaches, the clinical care of GBM remains palliative in intent. Since the majority of altered signaling cascades involved in cancer establishment and progression eventually affect cell cycle progression, an alternative approach for cancer therapy is to develop innovative compounds that block the activity of crucial molecules needed by tumor cells to complete cell division. In this context, we review promising ongoing and future strategies for GBM therapeutics aimed towards G2/M inhibition such as anti-microtubule agents and targeted therapy against G2/M regulators like cyclin-dependent kinases, Aurora inhibitors, PLK1, BUB, 1, and BUBR1, and survivin. Moreover, we also include investigational agents in the preclinical and early clinical settings. Although several drugs were shown to be gliotoxic, most of them have not yet entered therapeutic trials. The use of either single exposure or a combination with novel compounds may lead to treatment alternatives for GBM patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Mauricio Castro-Gamero
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Natural Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Biotechnology and Innovation in Health Program and Pharmacy Program, Anhanguera University São Paulo (UNIAN-SP), São Paulo 05145-200, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gonzaga Tone
- Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil
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22
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Guida M, Strippoli S, Ferretta A, Bartolomeo N, Porcelli L, Maida I, Azzariti A, Tommasi S, Grieco C, Guida S, Albano A, Lorusso V, Guida G. Detrimental effects of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) variants on the clinical outcomes of BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2017; 29:679-687. [PMID: 27540956 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) plays a key role in skin pigmentation, and its variants are linked with a higher melanoma risk. The influence of MC1R variants on the outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) treated with BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) is unknown. We studied the MC1R status in a cohort of 53 consecutive BRAF-mutated patients with MM treated with BRAFi. We also evaluated the effect of vemurafenib in four V600 BRAF melanoma cell lines with/without MC1R variants. We found a significant correlation between the presence of MC1R variants and worse outcomes in terms of both overall response rate (ORR; 59% versus 95%, P = 0.011 univariate, P = 0.028 multivariate analysis) and progression-free survival (PFS) shorter than 6 months (72% versus 33%, P = 0.012 univariate, P = 0.027 multivariate analysis). No difference in overall survival (OS) was reported, probably due to subsequent treatments. Data in vitro showed a significant different phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK during treatment, associated with a greater increase in vemurafenib IC50 in MC1R variant cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Guida
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Sabino Strippoli
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Ferretta
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Bartolomeo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Immacolata Maida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Tommasi
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory and Radiology, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Grieco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Guida
- Dermatology Unit, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Albano
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Lorusso
- Medical Oncology Department, National Cancer Research Centre 'Giovanni Paolo II', Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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23
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Abstract
Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinases, consisting of Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB) and Aurora C (AURKC), are essential kinases for cell division via regulating mitosis especially the process of chromosomal segregation. Besides regulating mitosis, Aurora kinases have been implicated in regulating meiosis. The deletion of Aurora kinases could lead to failure of cell division and impair the embryonic development. Overexpression or gene amplification of Aurora kinases has been clarified in a number of cancers. And a growing number of studies have demonstrated that inhibition of Aurora kinases could potentiate the effect of chemotherapies. For the past decades, a series of Aurora kinases inhibitors (AKIs) developed effectively repress the progression and growth of many cancers both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that Aurora kinases could be a novel therapeutic target. In this review, we'll first briefly present the structure, localization and physiological functions of Aurora kinases in mitosis, then describe the oncogenic role of Aurora kinases in tumorigenesis, we shall finally discuss the outcomes of AKIs combination with conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqun Tang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Keyu Gao
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Laili Chu
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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24
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Hejna M, Jorapur A, Song JS, Judson RL. High accuracy label-free classification of single-cell kinetic states from holographic cytometry of human melanoma cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11943. [PMID: 28931937 PMCID: PMC5607248 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12165-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Digital holographic cytometry (DHC) permits label-free visualization of adherent cells. Dozens of cellular features can be derived from segmentation of hologram-derived images. However, the accuracy of single cell classification by these features remains limited for most applications, and lack of standardization metrics has hindered independent experimental comparison and validation. Here we identify twenty-six DHC-derived features that provide biologically independent information across a variety of mammalian cell state transitions. When trained on these features, machine-learning algorithms achieve blind single cell classification with up to 95% accuracy. Using classification accuracy to guide platform optimization, we develop methods to standardize holograms for the purpose of kinetic single cell cytometry. Applying our approach to human melanoma cells treated with a panel of cancer therapeutics, we track dynamic changes in cellular behavior and cell state over time. We provide the methods and computational tools for optimizing DHC for kinetic single adherent cell classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Hejna
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 W Green St, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Aparna Jorapur
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, Box# 3111, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, 1701 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Jun S Song
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 W Green St, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. .,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 W Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Robert L Judson
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 1450 3rd Street, Box# 3111, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. .,Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, 1701 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA.
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25
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Han L, Wang P, Sun Y, Liu S, Dai J. Anti-Melanoma Activities of Haspin Inhibitor CHR-6494 Deployed as a Single Agent or in a Synergistic Combination with MEK Inhibitor. J Cancer 2017; 8:2933-2943. [PMID: 28928884 PMCID: PMC5604444 DOI: 10.7150/jca.20319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Melanoma is a heterogeneous malignancy that presents an immense challenge in therapeutic development. Recent approaches targeting the oncogenic MAP kinase pathways have shown tremendous improvement in the overall survival of patients with advanced melanoma. However, there is still an urgent need for identification of new strategies to overcome drug resistances and to improve therapeutic efficacy. Haspin (Haploid Germ Cell-Specific Nuclear Protein Kinase) belongs to a selected group of mitotic kinases and is required for normal mitosis progression. In contrast to inhibitors of other mitotic kinases, anti-tumor potential of haspin inhibitors has not been well explored. Herein, we aim to examine effects of CHR-6494, a small molecule inhibitor of haspin, in melanoma cells. Methods: Anti-tumor activities of the haspin inhibitor CHR-6494 were tested in a number of melanoma cell lines either as a single agent or in combination with the MEK inhibitor Trametinib (GSK1120212). Experiments are based on: 1) Cell viability determined by the crystal violet staining assay; 2) apoptotic responses measured by the caspase 3/7 activity assay and western blot analysis for the level of cleaved PARP (Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase); 3) cell cycle analysis conducted using flow cytometry; and 4) cell migratory ability assessed by the scratch assay and the transwell migration assay. Results: We have found that CHR-6494 alone elicits a dose dependent inhibitory effect on the viability of several melanoma cell lines. This growth inhibition is accompanied by an increase in apoptotic responses. More importantly, CHR-6494 appears to synergize with the MEK inhibitor Trametinib in suppressing cell growth and enhancing apoptosis in both wild type and BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cell lines. Administering of these two small molecules as a combination is also capable of suppressing cell migration to a greater extent than the individual agent. Conclusion: These results suggest that haspin can be considered as a viable anti-melanoma target, and that concomitant inhibition of haspin and MEK activities with small molecules could represent a novel therapeutic strategy with improved efficacy for treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P. R. China
| | - Peiling Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P. R. China
| | - Yang Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P. R. China
| | - Sijing Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P. R. China
| | - Jun Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072 P. R. China.,Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705 USA.,Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129 USA
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26
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Abstract
Dysregulation of cell cycle control is a hallmark of melanomagenesis. Agents targeting the G1-S and G2-M checkpoints, as well as direct anti-mitotic agents, have all shown promising preclinical activity in melanoma. However, in vivo, standalone single agents targeting cell cycle regulation have only demonstrated modest efficacy in unselected patients. The advent of specific CDK 4/6 inhibitors targeting the G1-S transition, with an improved therapeutic index, is a significant step forward. Potential synergy exists with the combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors with existing therapies targeting the MAPK pathway, particularly in subsets of metastatic melanomas such as NRAS and BRAF mutants. This reviews summaries of the latest developments in both preclinical and clinical data with cell cycle-targeted therapies in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Grant McArthur
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. .,Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Oncogenic Signalling and Growth Control Program, East Melbourne, Australia. .,Translational Research Laboratory, Cancer Therapeutics Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Australia. .,Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC, 8006, Australia.
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27
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Porcelli L, Iacobazzi RM, Quatrale AE, Bergamini C, Denora N, Crupi P, Antonacci D, Mangia A, Simone G, Silvestris N, Azzariti A. Grape seed extracts modify the outcome of oxaliplatin in colon cancer cells by interfering with cellular mechanisms of drug cytotoxicity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:50845-50863. [PMID: 28881609 PMCID: PMC5584210 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Grape seed extracts are commonly utilized as dietary supplements for their antioxidant properties, even from cancer patients. However, whether these natural extracts interfere with chemotherapeutics utilized in colon cancer treatment is still poorly investigated. The cytotoxicity of extracts from Italia and Palieri cultivars either alone or in combination with oxaliplatin was evaluated in colon cancer cells. Grape seed extracts displayed anti-proliferative activity depending on the concentration utilized through apoptosis induction. In combination, they affected the activation of Erk1/2 and counteracted the intrinsic and the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, the DNA damage and the generation of ROS induced by oxaliplatin. Noteworthy grape seed extracts strongly enhanced the uptake of oxaliplatin into all cells, by affecting the cell transport system of platinum. The addition of these natural extracts to oxaliplatin strongly reduced the cellular response to oxaliplatin and allowed a huge accumulation of platinum into cells. Here, we shed light on the chemical biology underlying the combination of grape seed extracts and oxaliplatin, demonstrating that they might be detrimental to oxaliplatin effectiveness in colon cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Elisa Quatrale
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Bergamini
- CRA-UTV Research Unit for Viticulture and Enology in Southern Italy, Turi, Italy
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Crupi
- CRA-UTV Research Unit for Viticulture and Enology in Southern Italy, Turi, Italy
| | - Donato Antonacci
- CRA-UTV Research Unit for Viticulture and Enology in Southern Italy, Turi, Italy
| | - Anita Mangia
- Biomorphology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Simone
- Pathological Anatomy, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
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28
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Rodrigues Alves AP, Machado-Neto JA, Scheucher PS, Paiva HH, Simões BP, Rego EM, Traina F. Reversine triggers mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis in K562 cells. Leuk Res 2016; 48:26-31. [PMID: 27447890 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm of the hematopoietic stem cell characterized by presence of the oncoprotein BCR-ABL1, which have constitutive tyrosine kinase activity. BCR-ABL1 activation induces aurora kinase A (AURKA) and aurora kinase B (AURKB) expression, which are serine-threonine kinases that play an important function in chromosome alignment, segregation and cytokinesis during mitosis. Acquisition of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors has emerged as a problem for CML patients and the identification of novel targets with an important contribution for CML phenotype is of interest. In the present study, we explored the cellular effects of reversine, an AURKA and AURKB inhibitor, in the BCR-ABL1+ K562 cells. Our results indicate that reversine reduces AURKA and AURKB expression, leads to reduction of cell viability and increased apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as well as, induces mitotic catastrophe in K562 cells. Our preclinical study establishes that reversine presents an effective antileukemia activity against K562 cells and provide new insights on anticancer opportunities for CML.
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29
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Lasorsa A, Losacco M, Iacobazzi RM, Porcelli L, Azzariti A, Natile G, Arnesano F. Probing the interaction between cisplatin and the therapeutic monoclonal antibody trastuzumab. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra04337b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin binds to the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab preferentially to the Fc fragment, leaving the antigen binding region unaffected. The two drugs are co-administered in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Lasorsa
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
| | - Maurizio Losacco
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Iacobazzi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
- Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II
| | | | | | - Giovanni Natile
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
| | - Fabio Arnesano
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Bari “Aldo Moro”
- 70125 Bari
- Italy
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30
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Valenti D, Vacca RA, de Bari L. 3-Bromopyruvate induces rapid human prostate cancer cell death by affecting cell energy metabolism, GSH pool and the glyoxalase system. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2015; 47:493-506. [PMID: 26530987 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-015-9631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) is an anti-tumour drug effective on hepatocellular carcinoma and other tumour cell types, which affects both glycolytic and mitochondrial targets, depleting cellular ATP pool. Here we tested 3-BP on human prostate cancer cells showing, differently from other tumour types, efficient ATP production and functional mitochondrial metabolism. We found that 3-BP rapidly induced cultured androgen-insensitive (PC-3) and androgen-responsive (LNCaP) prostate cancer cell death at low concentrations (IC(50) values of 50 and 70 μM, respectively) with a multimodal mechanism of action. In particular, 3-BP-treated PC-3 cells showed a selective, strong reduction of glyceraldeide 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, due to the direct interaction of the drug with the enzyme. Moreover, 3-BP strongly impaired both glutamate/malate- and succinate-dependent mitochondrial respiration, membrane potential generation and ATP synthesis, concomitant with the inhibition of respiratory chain complex I, II and ATP synthase activities. The drastic reduction of cellular ATP levels and depletion of GSH pool, associated with significant increase in cell oxidative stress, were found after 3-BP treatment of PC-3 cells. Interestingly, the activity of both glyoxalase I and II, devoted to the elimination of the cytotoxic methylglyoxal, was strongly inhibited by 3-BP. Both N-acetylcysteine and aminoguanidine, GSH precursor and methylglyoxal scavenger, respectively, prevented 3-BP-induced PC-3 cell death, showing that impaired cell antioxidant and detoxifying capacities are crucial events leading to cell death. The provided information on the multi-target cytotoxic action of 3-BP, finally leading to PC-3 cell necrosis, might be useful for future development of 3-BP as a therapeutic option for prostate cancer treatment.
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31
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Abstract
The Aurora kinase family of kinases (Aurora A, B, and C) are involved in multiple mitotic events, and aberrant expression of these kinases is associated with tumorigenesis. Aurora A and Aurora B are validated anticancer targets, and the development of Aurora kinase inhibitors has progressed from preclinical to clinical studies. A variety of Aurora A, B and pan-Aurora kinase inhibitors have entered the clinic. The main side effects include febrile neutropenia, stomatitis, gastrointestinal toxicity, hypertension, and fatigue. Responses including complete remissions have been described in diverse, advanced malignancies, most notably ovarian cancer and acute myelogenous leukemia. This review highlights the biologic rationale for Aurora kinase as a target, and clinical trials involving Aurora kinase inhibitors, with particular emphasis on published early phase studies, and the observed anti-tumor activity of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christel C Bastida
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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Porcelli L, Guida G, Tommasi S, Guida M, Azzariti A. Metastatic melanoma cells with BRAF G469A mutation: nab-paclitaxel better than vemurafenib? Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2015; 76:433-8. [PMID: 26070258 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-015-2796-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE BRAF G469A is a missense mutation within exon 11 of the BRAF gene resulting in a constitutively activated enzyme frequently associated with MAP kinase cascade signaling activation. No evidence currently exists about its role in determining sensitivity/resistance to BRAF inhibitors, utilized in the treatment of patients carrying BRAF V600 mutations, and to chemotherapy. The newly established metastatic melanoma (MM) cell line MO-1 was characterized for its sensitivity to vemurafenib and nab-paclitaxel, both already utilized for the treatment of MM. METHODS All analyses were carried out by comparing results with those found in MM cells wild type for BRAF or mutated in V600. In addition, cellular effectors were investigated by ELISA kits, western blotting and flow cytometry. RESULTS The exposure to vemurafenib inhibited MO-1 cell proliferation at concentrations similar to those obtained in vemurafenib-resistant melanoma models, and an explanation of this sensitivity is the strong activation of Erk1/2 and the low expression of MITF. Nab-paclitaxel strongly reduced proliferation of MO-1 cells perhaps for the very low expression level of PMEL17, transcriptionally regulated by MITF and negatively involved in determining sensitivity to taxanes. CONCLUSIONS Thus, the mutation BRAF G469A in MM might be related to a weak effectiveness of therapy with BRAF inhibitors and a promising therapeutic approach may be with nab-paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Porcelli
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Lab, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale O. Flacco, 65, 70124, Bari, Italy
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