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Papadimitropoulou A, Makri M, Zoidis G. MYC the oncogene from hell: Novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116194. [PMID: 38340508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer comprises a heterogeneous disease, characterized by diverse features such as constitutive expression of oncogenes and/or downregulation of tumor suppressor genes. MYC constitutes a master transcriptional regulator, involved in many cellular functions and is aberrantly expressed in more than 70 % of human cancers. The Myc protein belongs to a family of transcription factors whose structural pattern is referred to as basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper. Myc binds to its partner, a smaller protein called Max, forming an Myc:Max heterodimeric complex that interacts with specific DNA recognition sequences (E-boxes) and regulates the expression of downstream target genes. Myc protein plays a fundamental role for the life of a cell, as it is involved in many physiological functions such as proliferation, growth and development since it controls the expression of a very large percentage of genes (∼15 %). However, despite the strict control of MYC expression in normal cells, MYC is often deregulated in cancer, exhibiting a key role in stimulating oncogenic process affecting features such as aberrant proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, genomic instability and oncogenic transformation. In this review we aim to meticulously describe the fundamental role of MYC in tumorigenesis and highlight its importance as an anticancer drug target. We focus mainly on the different categories of novel small molecules that act as inhibitors of Myc function in diverse ways hence offering great opportunities for an efficient cancer therapy. This knowledge will provide significant information for the development of novel Myc inhibitors and assist to the design of treatments that would effectively act against Myc-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Papadimitropoulou
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria Makri
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Grigoris Zoidis
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis-Zografou, GR-15771, Athens, Greece.
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2
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Xie X, Zhang W, Zhou X, Xu B, Wang H, Qiu Y, Hu Y, Guo B, Ye Z, Hu L, Zhang H, Li Y, Bai X. Low doses of IFN-γ maintain self-renewal of leukemia stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncogene 2023; 42:3657-3669. [PMID: 37872214 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02874-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Conventional therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often fail to eliminate the disease-initiating leukemia stem cell (LSC) population, leading to disease relapse. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a known inflammatory cytokine that promotes antitumor responses. Here, we found that low serum IFN-γ levels correlated with a higher percentage of LSCs and greater relapse incidence in AML patients. Furthermore, IFNGR1 was overexpressed in relapsed patients with AML and associated with a poor prognosis. We showed that high doses (5-10 μg/day) of IFN-γ exerted an anti-AML effect, while low doses (0.01-0.05 μg/day) of IFN-γ accelerated AML development and supported LSC self-renewal in patient-derived AML-LSCs and in an LSC-enriched MLL-AF9-driven mouse model. Importantly, targeting the IFN-γ receptor IFNGR1 by using lentiviral shRNAs or neutralizing antibodies induced AML differentiation and delayed leukemogenesis in vitro and in mice. Overall, we uncovered essential roles for IFN-γ and IFNGR1 in AML stemness and showed that targeting IFNGR1 is a strategy to decrease stemness and increase differentiation in relapsed AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Xie
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wuju Zhang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510910, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binyan Xu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingqi Qiu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxing Hu
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixin Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Le Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China
| | - Honghao Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhua Li
- Department of Hematology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510280, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaochun Bai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, China.
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3
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Markovits E, Harush O, Baruch EN, Shulman ED, Debby A, Itzhaki O, Anafi L, Danilevsky A, Shomron N, Ben-Betzalel G, Asher N, Shapira-Frommer R, Schachter J, Barshack I, Geiger T, Elkon R, Besser MJ, Markel G. MYC Induces Immunotherapy and IFNγ Resistance Through Downregulation of JAK2. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:909-924. [PMID: 37074069 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0184] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma. Because the pathways mediating resistance to immunotherapy are largely unknown, we conducted transcriptome profiling of preimmunotherapy tumor biopsies from patients with melanoma that received PD-1 blockade or adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. We identified two melanoma-intrinsic, mutually exclusive gene programs, which were controlled by IFNγ and MYC, and the association with immunotherapy outcome. MYC-overexpressing melanoma cells exhibited lower IFNγ responsiveness, which was linked with JAK2 downregulation. Luciferase activity assays, under the control of JAK2 promoter, demonstrated reduced activity in MYC-overexpressing cells, which was partly reversible upon mutagenesis of a MYC E-box binding site in the JAK2 promoter. Moreover, silencing of MYC or its cofactor MAX with siRNA increased JAK2 expression and IFNγ responsiveness of melanomas, while concomitantly enhancing the effector functions of T cells coincubated with MYC-overexpressing cells. Thus, we propose that MYC plays a pivotal role in immunotherapy resistance through downregulation of JAK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettai Markovits
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ortal Harush
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Erez N Baruch
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Eldad D Shulman
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Assaf Debby
- Institute of Pathology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Orit Itzhaki
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Liat Anafi
- Institute of Pathology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Artem Danilevsky
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guy Ben-Betzalel
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Nethanel Asher
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Ronnie Shapira-Frommer
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Jacob Schachter
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Iris Barshack
- Institute of Pathology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Geiger
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ran Elkon
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal J Besser
- Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Gal Markel
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Davidoff Cancer Center, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
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4
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Castell A, Yan Q, Fawkner K, Bazzar W, Zhang F, Wickström M, Alzrigat M, Franco M, Krona C, Cameron DP, Dyberg C, Olsen TK, Verschut V, Schmidt L, Lim SY, Mahmoud L, Hydbring P, Lehmann S, Baranello L, Nelander S, Johnsen JI, Larsson LG. MYCMI-7: A Small MYC-Binding Compound that Inhibits MYC: MAX Interaction and Tumor Growth in a MYC-Dependent Manner. Cancer Res Commun 2022. [PMID: 36874405 DOI: 10.1158/27679764.crc-21-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Deregulated expression of MYC family oncogenes occurs frequently in human cancer and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. While MYC is a highly warranted target, it has been considered "undruggable," and no specific anti-MYC drugs are available in the clinic. We recently identified molecules named MYCMIs that inhibit the interaction between MYC and its essential partner MAX. Here we show that one of these molecules, MYCMI-7, efficiently and selectively inhibits MYC:MAX and MYCN:MAX interactions in cells, binds directly to recombinant MYC, and reduces MYC-driven transcription. In addition, MYCMI-7 induces degradation of MYC and MYCN proteins. MYCMI-7 potently induces growth arrest/apoptosis in tumor cells in a MYC/MYCN-dependent manner and downregulates the MYC pathway on a global level as determined by RNA sequencing. Sensitivity to MYCMI-7 correlates with MYC expression in a panel of 60 tumor cell lines and MYCMI-7 shows high efficacy toward a collection of patient-derived primary glioblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ex vivo cultures. Importantly, a variety of normal cells become G1 arrested without signs of apoptosis upon MYCMI-7 treatment. Finally, in mouse tumor models of MYC-driven AML, breast cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, treatment with MYCMI-7 downregulates MYC/MYCN, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival through apoptosis with few side effects. In conclusion, MYCMI-7 is a potent and selective MYC inhibitor that is highly relevant for the development into clinically useful drugs for the treatment of MYC-driven cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings demonstrate that the small-molecule MYCMI-7 binds MYC and inhibits interaction between MYC and MAX, thereby hampering MYC-driven tumor cell growth in culture and in vivo while sparing normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qinzi Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Fawkner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wesam Bazzar
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Alzrigat
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcela Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Krona
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Donald P Cameron
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thale Kristin Olsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Verschut
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Schmidt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sheryl Y Lim
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Loay Mahmoud
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Hydbring
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sören Lehmann
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laura Baranello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Castell A, Yan Q, Fawkner K, Bazzar W, Zhang F, Wickström M, Alzrigat M, Franco M, Krona C, Cameron DP, Dyberg C, Olsen TK, Verschut V, Schmidt L, Lim SY, Mahmoud L, Hydbring P, Lehmann S, Baranello L, Nelander S, Johnsen JI, Larsson LG. MYCMI-7: A Small MYC-Binding Compound that Inhibits MYC: MAX Interaction and Tumor Growth in a MYC-Dependent Manner. Cancer Res Commun 2022; 2:182-201. [PMID: 36874405 PMCID: PMC9980915 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0019] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deregulated expression of MYC family oncogenes occurs frequently in human cancer and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. While MYC is a highly warranted target, it has been considered "undruggable," and no specific anti-MYC drugs are available in the clinic. We recently identified molecules named MYCMIs that inhibit the interaction between MYC and its essential partner MAX. Here we show that one of these molecules, MYCMI-7, efficiently and selectively inhibits MYC:MAX and MYCN:MAX interactions in cells, binds directly to recombinant MYC, and reduces MYC-driven transcription. In addition, MYCMI-7 induces degradation of MYC and MYCN proteins. MYCMI-7 potently induces growth arrest/apoptosis in tumor cells in a MYC/MYCN-dependent manner and downregulates the MYC pathway on a global level as determined by RNA sequencing. Sensitivity to MYCMI-7 correlates with MYC expression in a panel of 60 tumor cell lines and MYCMI-7 shows high efficacy toward a collection of patient-derived primary glioblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ex vivo cultures. Importantly, a variety of normal cells become G1 arrested without signs of apoptosis upon MYCMI-7 treatment. Finally, in mouse tumor models of MYC-driven AML, breast cancer, and MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, treatment with MYCMI-7 downregulates MYC/MYCN, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival through apoptosis with few side effects. In conclusion, MYCMI-7 is a potent and selective MYC inhibitor that is highly relevant for the development into clinically useful drugs for the treatment of MYC-driven cancer. Significance Our findings demonstrate that the small-molecule MYCMI-7 binds MYC and inhibits interaction between MYC and MAX, thereby hampering MYC-driven tumor cell growth in culture and in vivo while sparing normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qinzi Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Fawkner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wesam Bazzar
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Alzrigat
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcela Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Krona
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Donald P Cameron
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Dyberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thale Kristin Olsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Verschut
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnéa Schmidt
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sheryl Y Lim
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Loay Mahmoud
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Hydbring
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sören Lehmann
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laura Baranello
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sven Nelander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Zhang F, Zakaria SM, Högqvist Tabor V, Singh M, Tronnersjö S, Goodwin J, Selivanova G, Bartek J, Castell A, Larsson LG. MYC and RAS are unable to cooperate in overcoming cellular senescence and apoptosis in normal human fibroblasts. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:2697-2715. [PMID: 30526305 PMCID: PMC6343716 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2018.1553339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The MYC and RAS oncogenes are sufficient for transformation of normal rodent cells. This cooperativity is at least in part based on suppression of RAS-induced cellular senescence by MYC and block of MYC-induced apoptosis by RAS - thereby canceling out two main barriers against tumor development. However, it remains unclear whether MYC and RAS cooperate in this way in human cells, where MYC and RAS are not sufficient for transformation. To address this question, we established a combined Tet-inducible H-RASV12 and hydroxytamoxifen-inducible MycER system in normal human BJ fibroblasts. We show here that activation of RAS alone induced senescence while activation of MYC alone or together with RAS triggered DNA damage, induction of p53 and massive apoptosis, suggesting that RAS cannot rescue MYC-induced apoptosis in this system. Although coexpression with MYC reduced certain RAS-induced senescence markers (histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation and senescence-associated β-GAL activity), the induction of the senescence marker p16INK4A was further enhanced and the culture ceased to proliferate within a few days, revealing that MYC could not fully suppress RAS-induced senescence. Furthermore, depletion of p53, which enhanced proliferation and rescued the cells from RAS-induced senescence, did not abrogate MYC-induced apoptosis. We conclude that MYC and RAS are unable to cooperate in overcoming senescence and apoptosis in normal human fibroblasts even after depletion of p53, indicating that additional oncogenic events are required to abrogate these fail-safe mechanisms and pave the way for cellular transformation. These findings have implications for our understanding of the transformation process in human cells. Abbreviations and acronyms: CDK: Cyclin-dependent kinase; DDR: DNA damage response; DOX: Doxycycline; EdU: 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine; FACS: Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting; MycER: MYC-estrogen receptor; OHT: 4-hydroxytamoxifen; OIS: Oncogene-induced senescence; PP2A: Protein phosphatase 2A; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; SA-β-GAL: Senescence-associated β-galactosidase; SAHF: Senescence-associated heterochromatin foci; shRNA: Short hairpin RNA; YFP: Yellow fluorescent protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Siti Mariam Zakaria
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Vedrana Högqvist Tabor
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Madhurendra Singh
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Susanna Tronnersjö
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Jacob Goodwin
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Galina Selivanova
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Jiri Bartek
- b Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.,c Danish Cancer Society Research Center , Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Alina Castell
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- a Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
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7
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Castell A, Yan Q, Fawkner K, Hydbring P, Zhang F, Verschut V, Franco M, Zakaria SM, Bazzar W, Goodwin J, Zinzalla G, Larsson LG. A selective high affinity MYC-binding compound inhibits MYC:MAX interaction and MYC-dependent tumor cell proliferation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10064. [PMID: 29968736 PMCID: PMC6030159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28107-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is a key player in tumor development, but unfortunately no specific MYC-targeting drugs are clinically available. MYC is strictly dependent on heterodimerization with MAX for transcription activation. Aiming at targeting this interaction, we identified MYCMI-6 in a cell-based protein interaction screen for small inhibitory molecules. MYCMI-6 exhibits strong selective inhibition of MYC:MAX interaction in cells and in vitro at single-digit micromolar concentrations, as validated by split Gaussia luciferase, in situ proximity ligation, microscale thermophoresis and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays. Further, MYCMI-6 blocks MYC-driven transcription and binds selectively to the MYC bHLHZip domain with a KD of 1.6 ± 0.5 μM as demonstrated by SPR. MYCMI-6 inhibits tumor cell growth in a MYC-dependent manner with IC50 concentrations as low as 0.5 μM, while sparing normal cells. The response to MYCMI-6 correlates with MYC expression based on data from 60 human tumor cell lines and is abrogated by MYC depletion. Further, it inhibits MYC:MAX interaction, reduces proliferation and induces massive apoptosis in tumor tissue from a MYC-driven xenograft tumor model without severe side effects. Since MYCMI-6 does not affect MYC expression, it is a unique molecular tool to specifically target MYC:MAX pharmacologically and it has good potential for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qinzi Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Fawkner
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- TLV, Box 225 20, 104 22, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Hydbring
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vasiliki Verschut
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcela Franco
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Siti Mariam Zakaria
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wesam Bazzar
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jacob Goodwin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giovanna Zinzalla
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Fish K, Sora RP, Schaller SJ, Longnecker R, Ikeda M. EBV latent membrane protein 2A orchestrates p27 kip1 degradation via Cks1 to accelerate MYC-driven lymphoma in mice. Blood 2017; 130:2516-26. [PMID: 29074502 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-07-796821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes lifelong infection in B lymphocytes of most human hosts and is associated with several B lymphomas. During latent infection, EBV encodes latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) to promote the survival of B cells by mimicking host B-cell receptor signaling. By studying the roles of LMP2A during lymphoma development in vivo, we found that LMP2A mediates rapid MYC-driven lymphoma onset by allowing B cells to bypass MYC-induced apoptosis mediated by the p53 pathway in our transgenic mouse model. However, the mechanisms used by LMP2A to facilitate transformation remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrate a key role of LMP2A in promoting hyperproliferation of B cells by enhancing MYC expression and MYC-dependent degradation of the p27kip1 tumor suppressor. Loss of the adaptor protein cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit 1 (Cks1), a cofactor of the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase complex and a downstream target of MYC, increases p27kip1 expression during a premalignant stage. In mice that express LMP2A, Cks1 deficiency reduces spleen weights, restores B-cell follicle formation, impedes cell cycle progression of pretumor B cells, and eventually prolongs MYC-driven tumor onset. This study demonstrates that LMP2A uses the role of MYC in the cell cycle, particularly in the p27kip1 degradation process, to accelerate lymphomagenesis in vivo. Thus, our results reveal a novel mechanism of EBV in diverting the functions of MYC in malignant transformation and provide a rationale for targeting EBV's roles in cell cycle modulation.
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Guinn Z, Brown DM, Petro TM. Activation of IRF3 contributes to IFN-γ and ISG54 expression during the immune responses to B16F10 tumor growth. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 50:121-129. [PMID: 28651122 PMCID: PMC5548377 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Interferon Regulatory Factor (IRF-3) has been shown to contribute to immune control of B16 melanoma tumor growth. We have shown previously that IRF-3 has a role in IFN-γ-induced expression of pro-apoptotic interferon stimulated gene 54 (ISG54) in macrophages and IFN-γ in T cells. To investigate the IRF3-IFN-γ-ISG54 nexus, we injected C57Bl/6 (B6) and IRF3KO mice s.c. with luciferase-producing B16-F10 tumor cells. Tumor growth as measured by luciferase levels was similar between B6 and IRF3KO mice at days 2 and 6, but was significantly greater at day 9 in IRF3KO mice compared with B6 mice. Transcription factor assays on splenic protein extracts after tumor inoculation revealed peak activation of IRF3 and IRF7 at day 6 in B6 tumor-bearing mice but not in IRF3KO tumor-bearing mice. Likewise, significant induction of IFN-γ occurred in spleens and tumors in B6 mice from days 6-9 but failed to occur in tumor-bearing IRF3KO mice. Previous reports from other labs showed that the anti-tumor properties of IFN-γ are the result of cell cycle arrest. Using B16F1 cells or B16F1 cells deficient in IFN-γ receptor (B16-IRFGRKO), we found that IFN-γ alone and in synergy with the TLR3/IRF3 agonists, poly I:C, decreased B16F1 cell growth in significant correlation with increased ISG54 expression. Moreover, IFN-γ alone increased expression of the cell cycle inhibitor, p27Kip while IFN-γ plus poly I:C increased cleaved Caspase-3 in B16 cells. Thus, it is likely that an IFN-γ/IRF3/ISG54 nexus can significantly contribute to tumor cell control during anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Guinn
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States
| | - Deborah M Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States; Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States
| | - Thomas M Petro
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States; Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE, United States.
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Hydbring P, Castell A, Larsson LG. MYC Modulation around the CDK2/p27/SKP2 Axis. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E174. [PMID: 28665315 DOI: 10.3390/genes8070174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [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: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor that controls a number of fundamental cellular processes required for the proliferation and survival of normal and malignant cells, including the cell cycle. MYC interacts with several central cell cycle regulators that control the balance between cell cycle progression and temporary or permanent cell cycle arrest (cellular senescence). Among these are the cyclin E/A/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) complexes, the CDK inhibitor p27KIP1 (p27) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase component S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), which control each other by forming a triangular network. MYC is engaged in bidirectional crosstalk with each of these players; while MYC regulates their expression and/or activity, these factors in turn modulate MYC through protein interactions and post-translational modifications including phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, impacting on MYC's transcriptional output on genes involved in cell cycle progression and senescence. Here we elaborate on these network interactions with MYC and their impact on transcription, cell cycle, replication and stress signaling, and on the role of other players interconnected to this network, such as CDK1, the retinoblastoma protein (pRB), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the F-box proteins FBXW7 and FBXO28, the RAS oncoprotein and the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Finally, we describe how the MYC/CDK2/p27/SKP2 axis impacts on tumor development and discuss possible ways to interfere therapeutically with this system to improve cancer treatment.
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Yue X, Zuo Y, Ke H, Luo J, Lou L, Qin W, Wang Y, Liu Z, Chen D, Sun H, Zheng W, Zhu C, Wang R, Wen G, Du J, Zhou B, Bu X. Identification of 4-arylidene curcumin analogues as novel proteasome inhibitors for potential anticancer agents targeting 19S regulatory particle associated deubiquitinase. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 137:29-50. [PMID: 28476333 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The proteasomal 19S regulatory particle (RP) associated deubiquitinases (DUBs) have attracted much attention owing to their potential as a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Identification of new entities against 19S RP associated DUBs and illustration of the underlying mechanisms is crucial for discovery of novel proteasome blockers. In this study, a series of 4-arylidene curcumin analogues were identified as potent proteasome inhibitor by preferentially blocking deubiquitinase function of proteasomal 19S RP with moderate 20S CP inhibition. The most active compound 33 exhibited a major inhibitory effect on 19S RP-associated ubiquitin-specific proteases 14, along with a minor effect on ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase 5, which resulted in dysfunction of proteasome, and subsequently accumulated ubiquitinated proteins (such as IκB) in several cancer cells. Remarkably, though both 19S RP and 20S CP inhibition induced significantly endoplasmic reticulum stress and triggered caspase-12/9 pathway activation to promote cancer cell apoptosis, the 19S RP inhibition by 33 avoided slow onset time, Bcl-2 overexpression, and PERK-phosphorylation, which contribute to the deficiencies of clinical drug Bortezomib. These systematic studies provided insights in the development of novel proteasome inhibitors for cancer treatment.
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Key Words
- (1E,6E)-4-(3-Bromo-4-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene)-1,7-bis(345-trimethoxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione (33: PubChem CID:123132175)
- (1E,6E)-4-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)-1,7-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione (34: PubChemCID:123132176)
- 19S regulatory particle
- 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde (PubChem CID:6858)
- Acetylacetone (PubChem CID: 31261)
- Anticancer
- Bortezomib (PubChem CID: 387447)
- Curcumin (PubChem CID: 969516)
- Curcumin analogues
- Deubiquitinase
- Proteasome
- n-Butylamine (PubChem CID: 8007)
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yue
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yinglin Zuo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Development (NO. 2015DQ780357), Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd, Dongguan 523871, China
| | - Hongpeng Ke
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiaming Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lanlan Lou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenjing Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Youqiao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Daoyuan Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Haixia Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weichao Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Cuige Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ruimin Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Gesi Wen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Du
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Binhua Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Xianzhang Bu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Yanagi T, Hata H, Mizuno E, Kitamura S, Imafuku K, Nakazato S, Wang L, Nishihara H, Tanaka S, Shimizu H. PCTAIRE1/CDK16/PCTK1 is overexpressed in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and regulates p27 stability and cell cycle. J Dermatol Sci 2017; 86:149-157. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.02.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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13
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Kursunel MA, Esendagli G. The untold story of IFN-γ in cancer biology. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 31:73-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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