CHIP/STUB1 Ubiquitin Ligase Functions as a Negative Regulator of ErbB2 by Promoting Its Early Post-Biosynthesis Degradation

Simple Summary

Overexpressed ErbB2/HER2 receptor drives up to a quarter of breast cancers. One aspect of ErbB2 biology that is poorly understood is how it reaches the cell surface following biosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, the authors show that the CHIP (C-terminus of HSC70-Interacting protein)/STUB1 (STIP1-homologous U-Box containing protein 1) protein targets the newly synthesized ErbB2 for ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent degradation in the ER and Golgi, identifying a novel mechanism that negatively regulates cell surface expression of ErbB2. These findings provide one explanation for frequent loss of CHIP expression is ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. The authors further show that ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells with low CHIP expression exhibit higher ER stress inducibility, and ER stress-inducing anticancer drug Bortezomib synergizes with ErbB2-targeted humanized antibody Trastuzumab to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. These new insights suggest that reduced CHIP expression may specify ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers suitable for combined treatment with Trastuzumab and ER stress inducing agents.

Abstract

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family member ErbB2 (HER2) drives oncogenesis in up to 25% of invasive breast cancers. ErbB2 expression at the cell surface is required for oncogenesis but mechanisms that ensure the optimal cell surface display of overexpressed ErbB2 following its biosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum are poorly understood. ErbB2 is dependent on continuous association with HSP90 molecular chaperone for its stability and function as an oncogenic driver. Here, we use knockdown and overexpression studies to show that the HSP90/HSC70-interacting negative co-chaperone CHIP (C-terminus of HSC70-Interacting protein)/STUB1 (STIP1-homologous U-Box containing protein 1) targets the newly synthesized, HSP90/HSC70-associated, ErbB2 for ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, thus identifying a novel mechanism that negatively regulates cell surface ErbB2 levels in breast cancer cells, consistent with frequent loss of CHIP expression previously reported in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells with low CHIP expression exhibited higher endoplasmic reticulum stress inducibility. Accordingly, the endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducing anticancer drug Bortezomib combined with ErbB2-targeted humanized antibody Trastuzumab showed synergistic inhibition of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cell proliferation. Our findings reveal new insights into mechanisms that control the surface expression of overexpressed ErbB2 and suggest that reduced CHIP expression may specify ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers suitable for combined treatment with Trastuzumab and ER stress inducing agents.

Loss of the Nuclear Pool of Ubiquitin Ligase CHIP/STUB1 in Breast Cancer Unleashes the MZF1-Cathepsin Pro-oncogenic Program

CHIP/STUB1 ubiquitin ligase is a negative co-chaperone for HSP90/HSC70, and its expression is reduced or lost in several cancers, including breast cancer. Using an extensive and well-annotated breast cancer tissue collection, we identified the loss of nuclear but not cytoplasmic CHIP to predict more aggressive tumorigenesis and shorter patient survival, with loss of CHIP in two thirds of ErbB2⁺ and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and in one third of ER⁺ breast cancers. Reduced CHIP expression was seen in breast cancer patient-derived xenograft tumors and in ErbB2⁺ and TNBC cell lines. Ectopic CHIP expression in ErbB2⁺ lines suppressed in vitro oncogenic traits and in vivo xenograft tumor growth. An unbiased screen for CHIP-regulated nuclear transcription factors identified many candidates whose DNA-binding activity was up- or downregulated by CHIP. We characterized myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) as a CHIP target, given its recently identified role as a positive regulator of cathepsin B/L (CTSB/L)-mediated tumor cell invasion downstream of ErbB2. We show that CHIP negatively regulates CTSB/L expression in ErbB2⁺ and other breast cancer cell lines. CTSB inhibition abrogates invasion and matrix degradation in vitro and halts ErbB2⁺ breast cancer cell line xenograft growth. We conclude that loss of CHIP remodels the cellular transcriptome to unleash critical pro-oncogenic pathways, such as the matrix-degrading enzymes of the cathepsin family, whose components can provide new therapeutic opportunities in breast and other cancers with loss of CHIP expression.Significance: These findings reveal a novel targetable pathway of breast oncogenesis unleashed by the loss of tumor suppressor ubiquitin ligase CHIP/STUB1. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2524-35. ©2018 AACR.

Mechanisms of Trastuzumab resistance in ErbB2-driven breast cancer and newer opportunities to overcome therapy resistance

The Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (Her2, ErbB2 or Neu) is overexpressed in about 20 – 25% of breast cancers and is causally linked to oncogenesis, providing opportunities for targeted therapy. Trastuzumab (Herceptin^™, Genentech Inc, San Francisco, CA), a humanized monoclonal antibody against ErbB2, is a successful example of this concept and has vastly improved the response to treatment and overall survival in a majority of ErbB2+ breast cancer patients. However, lack of response in some patients as well as relapse during the course of therapy in others, continue to challenge researchers and clinicians alike towards a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of Trastuzumab action and resistance to treatment. The exact in vivo mechanism of action of Trastuzumab remains enigmatic, given its direct effects on the ErbB2 signaling pathway as well as indirect contributions from the immune system, by virtue of the ability of Trastuzumab to elicit Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity. Consequently, multiple mechanisms of resistance have been proposed. We present here a comprehensive review of our current understanding of the mechanisms, both of Trastuzumab action and clinical resistance to Trastuzumab-based therapies. We also review newer strategies (based on ErbB2 receptor biology) that are being explored to overcome resistance to Trastuzumab therapy.

Anticancer activity of Celastrol in combination with ErbB2-targeted therapeutics for treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers

The receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2 is overexpressed in up to a third of breast cancers, allowing targeted therapy with ErbB2-directed humanized antibodies such as Trastuzumab. Concurrent targeting of ErbB2 stability with HSP90 inhibitors is synergistic with Trastuzumab, suggesting that pharmacological agents that can inhibit HSP90 as well as signaling pathways activated by ErbB2 could be useful against ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. The triterpene natural product Celastrol inhibits HSP90 and several pathways relevant to ErbB2-dependent oncogenesis including the NFκB pathway and the proteasome, and has shown promising activity in other cancer models. Here, we demonstrate that Celastrol exhibits in vitro antitumor activity against a panel of human breast cancer cell lines with selectivity towards those overexpressing ErbB2. Celastrol strongly synergized with ErbB2-targeted therapeutics Trastuzumab and Lapatinib, producing higher cytotoxicity with substantially lower doses of Celastrol. Celastrol significantly retarded the rate of growth of ErbB2-overexpressing human breast cancer cells in a mouse xenograft model with only minor systemic toxicity. Mechanistically, Celastrol not only induced the expected ubiquitinylation and degradation of ErbB2 and other HSP90 client proteins, but it also increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our studies show that the Michael Acceptor functionality in Celastrol is important for its ability to destabilize ErbB2 and exert its bioactivity against ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. These studies suggest the potential use of Michael acceptor-containing molecules as novel therapeutic modalities against ErbB2-driven breast cancer by targeting multiple biological attributes of the driver oncogene.

Negative regulation of EGFR-Vav2 signaling axis by Cbl ubiquitin ligase controls EGF receptor-mediated epithelial cell adherens junction dynamics and cell migration

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Casitas B lymphoma protein (Cbl) controls the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of EGF receptor (EGFR), but its role in regulating downstream signaling elements with which it associates and its impact on biological outcomes of EGFR signaling are less clear. Here, we demonstrate that stimulation of EGFR on human mammary epithelial cells disrupts adherens junctions (AJs) through Vav2 and Rac1/Cdc42 activation. In EGF-stimulated cells, Cbl regulates the levels of phosphorylated Vav2 thereby attenuating Rac1/Cdc42 activity. Knockdown of Cbl and Cbl-b enhanced the EGF-induced disruption of AJs and cell motility. Overexpression of constitutively active Vav2 activated Rac1/Cdc42 and reorganized junctional actin cytoskeleton; these effects were suppressed by WT Cbl and enhanced by a ubiquitin ligase-deficient Cbl mutant. Cbl forms a complex with phospho-EGFR and phospho-Vav2 and facilitates phospho-Vav2 ubiquitinylation. Cbl can also interact with Vav2 directly in a Cbl Tyr-700-dependent manner. A ubiquitin ligase-deficient Cbl mutant enhanced the morphological transformation of mammary epithelial cells induced by constitutively active Vav2; this effect requires an intact Cbl Tyr-700. These results indicate that Cbl ubiquitin ligase plays a critical role in the maintenance of AJs and suppression of cell migration through down-regulation of EGFR-Vav2 signaling.

Abstract 3559: Celastrol, a unique multifunctional pharmacophore with multiple targets as an effective therapeutic against ErbB2-overexpressing cancers

Celastrol, a novel triterpene natural product, has shown immense promise against various cancer models including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and melanoma. A unique property of Celastrol is its ability to affect multiple oncogenic cellular targets that include the proteasome, HSP90, I Kappa B Kinase and the cellular redox-balance system. Celastrol could therefore be viewed as a multifunctional pharmacophore simultaneously affecting multiple targets within oncogenically transformed cell. In this paper we explore the properties of this unique pharmacophore as therapeutic agent for treating ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. Celastrol not only induced ubiquitinylation and degradation of ErbB2 and other HSP90 client proteins; it also increased cellular ROS levels, and killed ErbB2-overexpressing cells with higher selectivity. Comparison of IC50 values amongst a panel of breast cancer cell lines indicated a strong correlation of basal ROS-levels to sensitivity to killing. ErbB2-overexpression led to increase in basal ROS and consequently ErbB2-high cells were more sensitive to Celastrol than ErbB2-low cells. Celastrol also strongly synergized with ErbB2-targeted therapeutics, Trastuzumab and Lapatinib, resulting in enhanced ErbB2-specific cellular cytotoxicity at substantially reduced doses of Celastrol. Pharmacogenomic expression analysis comparing 17-AAG and Celastrol confirmed several common signatures and revealed unique signatures. Celastrol, but not 17-AAG, could potently induce depletion of Aurora A Kinase at both the transcript as well as protein level, adding to the spectrum of targets, given the importance of Aurora Kinase as a target in development of anti-cancer therapeutics. In vivo xenograft experiments using ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer model confirmed the potential of Celastrol as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3559.

Aberrant trafficking of NSCLC-associated EGFR mutants through the endocytic recycling pathway promotes interaction with Src

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) controls a wide range of cellular processes, and altered EGFR signaling contributes to human cancer. EGFR kinase domain mutants found in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are constitutively active, a trait critical for cell transformation through activation of downstream pathways. Endocytic trafficking of EGFR is a major regulatory mechanism as ligand-induced lysosomal degradation results in termination of signaling. While numerous studies have examined mutant EGFR signaling, the endocytic traffic of mutant EGFR within the NSCLC milieu remains less clear.

RESULTS

This study shows that mutant EGFRs in NSCLC cell lines are constitutively endocytosed as shown by their colocalization with the early/recycling endosomal marker transferrin and the late endosomal/lysosomal marker LAMP1. Notably, mutant EGFRs, but not the wild-type EGFR, show a perinuclear accumulation and colocalization with recycling endosomal markers such as Rab11 and EHD1 upon treatment of cells with endocytic recycling inhibitor monensin, suggesting that mutant EGFRs preferentially traffic through the endocytic recycling compartments. Importantly, monensin treatment enhanced the mutant EGFR association and colocalization with Src, indicating that aberrant transit through the endocytic recycling compartment promotes mutant EGFR-Src association.

CONCLUSION

The findings presented in this study show that mutant EGFRs undergo aberrant traffic into the endocytic recycling compartment which allows mutant EGFRs to engage in a preferential interaction with Src, a critical partner for EGFR-mediated oncogenesis.

Distinct roles for Rho versus Rac/Cdc42 GTPases downstream of Vav2 in regulating mammary epithelial acinar architecture

Non-malignant mammary epithelial cells (MECs) undergo acinar morphogenesis in three-dimensional Matrigel culture, a trait that is lost upon oncogenic transformation. Rho GTPases are thought to play important roles in regulating epithelial cell-cell junctions, but their contributions to acinar morphogenesis remain unclear. Here we report that the activity of Rho GTPases is down-regulated in non-malignant MECs in three-dimensional culture with particular suppression of Rac1 and Cdc42. Inducible expression of a constitutively active form of Vav2, a Rho GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor activated by receptor tyrosine kinases, in three-dimensional MEC culture activated Rac1 and Cdc42; Vav2 induction from early stages of culture impaired acinar morphogenesis, and induction in preformed acini disrupted the pre-established acinar architecture and led to cellular outgrowths. Knockdown studies demonstrated that Rac1 and Cdc42 mediate the constitutively active Vav2 phenotype, whereas in contrast, RhoA knockdown intensified the Vav2-induced disruption of acini, leading to more aggressive cell outgrowth and branching morphogenesis. These results indicate that RhoA plays an antagonistic role to Rac1/Cdc42 in the control of mammary epithelial acinar morphogenesis.

A combination of Trastuzumab and 17-AAG induces enhanced ubiquitinylation and lysosomal pathway-dependent ErbB2 degradation and cytotoxicity in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells

ErbB2 (or Her2/Neu) overexpression in breast cancer signifies poorer prognosis, yet it has provided an avenue for targeted therapy as demonstrated by the success of the humanized monoclonal antibody Trastuzumab (Herceptin). Resistance to Trastuzumab and eventual failure in most cases, however, necessitate alternate ErbB2-targeted therapies. HSP90 inhibitors such as 17-allylaminodemethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), potently downregulate the cell surface ErbB2. While the precise mechanisms of Trastuzumab or 17-AAG action remain unclear, ubiquitinylation-dependent proteasomal or lysosomal degradation of ErbB2 appears to play a substantial role. As Trastuzumab and 17-AAG induce the recruitment of distinct E3 ubiquitin ligases, Cbl and CHIP respectively, to ErbB2, we hypothesized that 17-AAG and Trastuzumab combination could induce a higher level of ubiquitinylation and downregulation of ErbB2 as compared to single drug treatments. We present biochemical and cell biological evidence that combined 17-AAG and Trastuzumab treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cell lines leads to enhanced ubiquitinylation, downregulation from the cell surface and lysosomal degradation of ErbB2. Importantly, combined 17-AAG and Trastuzumab treatment induced synergistic growth arrest and cell death specifically in ErbB2-overexpressing but not in ErbB2-low breast cancer cells. Our results suggest the 17-AAG and Trastuzumab combination as a mechanism-based combinatorial targeted therapy for ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer patients.

Experimental brain injury in the dog. The pharmacological effects of pentobarbital and sodium nitroprusside

✓ Brain injury was created in anesthetized dogs by the inflation and subsequent deflation of an epidural balloon. Animals in which intracranial pressure (ICP) increased to 40 torr within 3 hours after balloon removal were included in a randomized treatment protocol that included three treatment groups. Group I (control animals) received no additional treatment. Group II animals received 40 mg/kg pentobarbital initially, plus hourly doses. Group III animals received sufficient sodium nitroprusside to reduce systemic arterial pressure (SAP) to 80 to 90 torr. Pentobarbital reduced ICP compared to control animals, but cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was also reduced. Barbiturate treatment also prevented plateau waves. Progressive parallel deterioration in CPP occurred with time in control and pentobarbital-treated animals. The viability of the central nervous system was not improved by pentobarbital. Profound systemic hypotension, a major complication of pentobarbital treatment, required mephentermine to reverse it. Sodium nitroprusside failed to reduce ICP and caused a rapid, profound deterioration in CPP which far exceeded that observed in control or barbiturate-treated animals. Plateau waves were not prevented by nitroprusside. Barbiturates were more potent than nitroprusside in combatting systemic hypertension caused by elevated ICP. Pentobarbital may act by suppression of a central neurogenic mechanism for systemic hypertension and cerebral vasoparalysis. As a cerebral vasodilator, nitroprusside when used in the presence of an intracranial mass, brain edema, or cerebral vasoparalysis, will cause a rise in ICP and a fall in SAP, as well as a drastic reduction in CPP. Its use is probably contraindicated in these situations. Furthermore, it is inferior to barbiturates in reducing ICP and SAP and in preventing plateau waves.