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Torres-Ayuso P, Katerji M, Mehlich D, Lookingbill SA, Sabbasani VR, Liou H, Casillas AL, Chauhan SS, Serwa R, Rubin MR, Marusiak AA, Swenson RE, Warfel NA, Brognard J. PIM1 targeted degradation prevents the emergence of chemoresistance in prostate cancer. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:326-337.e11. [PMID: 38016478 PMCID: PMC10922308 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.10.023] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
PIM kinases have important pro-tumorigenic roles and mediate several oncogenic traits, including cell proliferation, survival, and chemotherapeutic resistance. As a result, multiple PIM inhibitors have been pursued as investigational new drugs in cancer; however, response to PIM inhibitors in solid tumors has fallen short of expectations. We found that inhibition of PIM kinase activity stabilizes protein levels of all three PIM isoforms (PIM1/2/3), and this can promote resistance to PIM inhibitors and chemotherapy. To overcome this effect, we designed PIM proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to target PIM for degradation. PIM PROTACs effectively downmodulated PIM levels through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Importantly, degradation of PIM kinases was more potent than inhibition of catalytic activity at inducing apoptosis in prostate cancer cell line models. In conclusion, we provide evidence of the advantages of degrading PIM kinases versus inhibiting their catalytic activity to target the oncogenic functions of PIM kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Torres-Ayuso
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Meghri Katerji
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Dawid Mehlich
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-783 Warsaw, Poland; Doctoral School of the Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sophia A Lookingbill
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Venkata R Sabbasani
- Chemistry and Synthesis Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hope Liou
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | | | - Shailender S Chauhan
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Remigiusz Serwa
- ReMedy International Research Agenda Unit, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-783 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maxine R Rubin
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Anna A Marusiak
- Laboratory of Molecular OncoSignalling, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-783 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rolf E Swenson
- Chemistry and Synthesis Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Noel A Warfel
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
| | - John Brognard
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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Katerji M, Bertucci A, Filippov V, Vazquez M, Chen X, Duerksen-Hughes PJ. Proton-induced DNA damage promotes integration of foreign plasmid DNA into human genome. Front Oncol 2022; 12:928545. [PMID: 36119491 PMCID: PMC9478911 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.928545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause virtually all cervical cancer cases and are also associated with other types of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Normally, HPV exists as a circular episomal DNA in the infected cell. However, in some instances, it integrates into the human genome in such a way as to enable increased expression of viral oncogenes, thereby leading to carcinogenesis. Since viral integration requires breaks in both viral and human genomes, DNA damage likely plays a key role in this critical process. One potentially significant source of DNA damage is exposure to elevated doses of ionizing radiation. Natural background radiation is ubiquitous; however, some populations, including radiological workers, radiotherapy patients, and astronauts, are exposed to significantly higher radiation doses, as well as to different types of radiation such as particle radiation. We hypothesize that ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage facilitates the integration of HPV into the human genome, increasing the risk of developing HPV-related cancers in the exposed population. To test this, we first determined the kinetics of DNA damage in keratinocytes exposed to ionizing radiation (protons) by assessing γ-H2AX foci formation using immunofluorescence (direct damage), and also measured ROS and 8-oxoG levels via DCFDA and Avidin-FITC (indirect damage).As anticipated, direct DNA damage was observed promptly, within 30 min, whereas indirect DNA damage was delayed due to the time required for ROS to accumulate and cause oxidative damage. Although radiation was lethal at high doses, we were able to establish an experimental system where radiation exposure (protons and X-rays) induced DNA damage dose-dependently without causing major cytotoxic effects as assessed by several cytotoxicity assays. Most importantly, we explored the impact of radiation exposure on integration frequency using a clonogenic assay and demonstrated that as predicted, proton-induced DNA damage promotes the integration of HPV-like foreign DNA in oral keratinocytes. Overall, the insights gained from this work enable us to better understand the contribution of radiation exposure and DNA damage to HPV-mediated carcinogenesis and direct us toward strategies aimed at preventing malignancies in HPV-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghri Katerji
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Antonella Bertucci
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Valery Filippov
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Marcelo Vazquez
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- Center for Genomics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Penelope J. Duerksen-Hughes
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Penelope J. Duerksen-Hughes,
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Katerji M, Duerksen-Hughes PJ. DNA damage in cancer development: special implications in viral oncogenesis. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:3956-3979. [PMID: 34522461 PMCID: PMC8414375] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA lesions arise from a combination of physiological/metabolic sources and exogenous environmental influences. When left unrepaired, these alterations accumulate in the cells and can give rise to mutations that change the function of important proteins (i.e. tumor suppressors, oncoproteins), or cause chromosomal rearrangements (i.e. gene fusions) that also result in the deregulation of key cellular molecules. Progressive acquisition of such genetic changes promotes uncontrolled cell proliferation and evasion of cell death, and hence plays a key role in carcinogenesis. Another less-studied consequence of DNA damage accumulating in the host genome is the integration of oncogenic DNA viruses such as Human papillomavirus, Merkel cell polyomavirus, and Hepatitis B virus. This critical step of viral-induced carcinogenesis is thought to be particularly facilitated by DNA breaks in both viral and host genomes. Therefore, the impact of DNA damage on carcinogenesis is magnified in the case of such oncoviruses via the additional effect of increasing integration frequency. In this review, we briefly present the various endogenous and exogenous factors that cause different types of DNA damage. Next, we discuss the contribution of these lesions in cancer development. Finally, we examine the amplified effect of DNA damage in viral-induced oncogenesis and summarize the limited data existing in the literature related to DNA damage-induced viral integration. To conclude, additional research is needed to assess the DNA damage pathways involved in the transition from viral infection to cancer. Discovering that a certain DNA damaging agent increases the likelihood of viral integration will enable the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies designed specifically to prevent such integration, with an ultimate goal of reducing or eliminating these viral-induced malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghri Katerji
- Department of Basic Science, Loma Linda University School of Medicine Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
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Barada K, El Haddad A, Katerji M, Jomaa M, Usta J. Wilson's disease in Lebanon and regional countries: Homozygosity and hepatic phenotype predominance. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:6715-6725. [PMID: 29085216 PMCID: PMC5643292 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i36.6715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine the phenotypes and predominant disease-causing mutations in Lebanese patients with Wilson's disease, as compared to regional non-European data. METHODS The clinical profile of 36 patients diagnosed in Lebanon was studied and their mutations were determined by molecular testing. All patients underwent full physical exam, including ophthalmologic slit-lamp examination ultrasound imaging of the liver, as well as measurement of serum ceruloplasmin and 24-h urinary-Cu levels. In addition, genetic screening using PCR followed by sequencing to determine disease-causing mutations and polymorphisms in the ATP7B gene was carried on extracted DNA from patients and immediate family members. Our phenotypic-genotypic findings were then compared to reported mutations in Wilson's disease patients from regional Arab and non-European countries. RESULTS Patients belonged to extended consanguineous families. The majority were homozygous for the disease-causing mutation, with no predominant mutation identified. The most common mutation, detected in 4 out of 13 families, involved the ATP hinge region and was present in patients from Lebanon, Egypt, Iran and Turkey. Otherwise, mutations in Lebanese patients and those of the region were scattered over 17 exons of ATP7B. While the homozygous exon 12 mutation Trp939Cys was only detected in patients from Lebanon but none from the regional countries, the worldwide common mutation H1069Q was not present in the Lebanese and was rare in the region. Pure hepatic phenotype was predominant in patients from both Lebanon and the region (25%-65%). Furthermore, the majority of patients, including those who were asymptomatic, had evidence of some hepatic dysfunction. Pure neurologic phenotype was rare. CONCLUSION Findings do not support presence of a founder effect. Clinical and genetic screening is recommended for family members with index patients and unexplained hepatic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassem Barada
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Aline El Haddad
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Meghri Katerji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Mustapha Jomaa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
| | - Julnar Usta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 110236, Lebanon
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Al Wafai R, El-Rabih W, Katerji M, Safi R, El Sabban M, El-Rifai O, Usta J. Chemosensitivity of MCF-7 cells to eugenol: release of cytochrome-c and lactate dehydrogenase. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43730. [PMID: 28272477 PMCID: PMC5341120 DOI: 10.1038/srep43730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytochemicals have been extensively researched for their potential anticancer effects. In previous study, direct exposure of rat liver mitochondria to eugenol main ingredient of clove, uncoupled mitochondria and increased F0F1ATPase activity. In the present study, we further investigated the effects of eugenol on MCF-7 cells in culture. Eugenol demonstrated: a dose-dependent decrease in viability (MTT assay), and proliferation (real time cell analysis) of MCF-7 cells, (EC50: 0.9 mM); an increase in reactive oxygen species; a decrease in ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MitoPT JC-1 assay); and a release of cytochrome-c and lactate dehydrogenase (Cytotoxicity Detection Kit PLUS) into culture media at eugenol concentration >EC50. Pretreatment with the antioxidants Trolox and N-acetyl cysteine partially restored cell viability and decreased ROS, with Trolox being more potent. Expression levels of both anti- and pro-apoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bax, respectively) decreased with increasing eugenol concentration, with no variation in their relative ratios. Eugenol-treated MCF-7 cells overexpressing Bcl-2 exhibited results similar to those of MCF-7. Our findings indicate that eugenol toxicity is non-apoptotic Bcl-2 independent, affecting mitochondrial function and plasma membrane integrity with no effect on migration or invasion. We report here the chemo-sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to eugenol, a phytochemical with anticancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Al Wafai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Warde El-Rabih
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Meghri Katerji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Remi Safi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Omar El-Rifai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Julnar Usta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Katerji M, Barada K, Jomaa M, Kobeissy F, Makkawi AK, Abou-Kheir W, Usta J. Chemosensitivity of U251 Cells to the Co-treatment of D-Penicillamine and Copper: Possible Implications on Wilson Disease Patients. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:10. [PMID: 28197071 PMCID: PMC5281637 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
D-Penicillamine (PA), a copper chelator, and one of the recommended drugs for treatment of Wilson disease (WD) has been reported to worsen the symptoms of patients with neurologic presentations. However, the cause of this paradoxical response has not been fully elucidated and requires further investigations. Accordingly, we have studied the in vitro effect of Copper (Cu) and/or PA treatment on human glioblastoma U251 cells as an in vitro model of Cu cytotoxicity. Treatment of U251 cells with either Cu or PA exerted no significant effect on their morphology, viability or ROS level. In contrast, co-treatment with Cu-PA caused a decrease in viability, altered glutathione and ceruloplasmin expression coupled with marked increase in ROS; depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential; and an increase in Sub G0 phase; along with alpha-Fodrin proteolysis. These findings along with the absence of LDH release in these assays, suggest that combined Cu-PA exposure induced apoptosis in U251 cells. In addition, pre-/or co-treatment with antioxidants showed a protective effect, with catalase being more effective than N-acetyl cysteine or trolox in restoring viability and reducing generated ROS levels. By comparison, a similar analysis using other cell lines showed that rat PC12 cells were resistant to Cu and/or PA treatment, while the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was sensitive to either compound alone, resulting in decreased viability and increased ROS level. Taken together, this study shows that glioblastoma U251 cells provide a model for Cu-PA cytotoxicity mediated by H2O2. We postulate that PA oxidation in presence of Cu yields H2O2 which in turn permeates the plasma membrane and induced apoptosis. However, other cell lines exhibited different responses to these treatments, potentially providing a model for cell type- specific cytotoxic responses in the nervous system. The sensitivity of different neural and glial cell types to Cu-PA treatment may therefore underlie the neurologic worsening occurring in some PA-treated WD patients. Our results also raise the possibility that the side effects of PA treatment might be reduced or prevented by administering antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghri Katerji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Kassem Barada
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mustapha Jomaa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmad-Kareem Makkawi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Julnar Usta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
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