Proteomic analysis of acute promyelocytic leukemia

We applied mass spectrometry based approach to explore the proteins differentially regulated by PML-RARalpha a translocation characteristic of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Differentialy expressed proteins, a number of which are related to cell cycle function, including OP18, HSP70, GRP75 and Pin1 were identified by mass spectrometry. Further analysis of the OP18 pathway indicated that mRNA expression of OP18 was higher in APL patients and the increased OP18 protein expression upon PML-RAR induction was overcome by retinoic acid treatment. PML-RARalpha induced cell cycle progression and led to mitotic exit. RNA interference experiments revealed that siRNA against OP18 overcomes PML-RARalpha effects on cell cycle progression. In addition to increased OP18 expression by PML-RARalpha, 2D gel electrophoresis revealed an isomer of OP18, subsequently confirmed as Ser63 phosphomer to be downregulated by PML-RARalpha. Based on these findings, point mutation experiments indicated that decreased phosphorylation of Ser63 in OP18 is important for PML-RARalpha mediated cell cycle and mitotic index effects since constitutive phosphorylated mutant (Ser63-asp) of OP18 overcame the PML-RARalpha effects in U937-PR cells, NB4 and APL patients. In summary, our results demonstrate that the effect of PML-RAR on cell cycle progression and mitotic exit is via two mechanisms: increasing the expression of OP18 and decreasing the phosphorylation of OP18 at Ser63

Identification and Characterization of AES-135, a Hydroxamic Acid-Based HDAC Inhibitor That Prolongs Survival in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive, incurable cancer with a 20% 1 year survival rate. While standard-of-care therapy can prolong life in a small fraction of cases, PDAC is inherently resistant to current treatments, and novel therapies are urgently required. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are effective in killing pancreatic cancer cells in in vitro PDAC studies, and although there are a few clinical studies investigating combination therapy including HDAC inhibitors, no HDAC drug or combination therapy with an HDAC drug has been approved for the treatment of PDAC. We developed an inhibitor of HDACs, AES-135, that exhibits nanomolar inhibitory activity against HDAC3, HDAC6, and HDAC11 in biochemical assays. In a three-dimensional coculture model, AES-135 kills low-passage patient-derived tumor spheroids selectively over surrounding cancer-associated fibroblasts and has excellent pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. In an orthotopic murine model of pancreatic cancer, AES-135 prolongs survival significantly, therefore representing a candidate for further preclinical testing

Development of HDAC Inhibitors Exhibiting Therapeutic Potential in T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia

Epigenetic targeting has emerged as an efficacious therapy for hematological cancers. The rare and incurable T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is known for its aggressive clinical course. Current epigenetic agents such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are increasingly used for targeted therapy. Through a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, we developed an HDAC6 inhibitor KT-531, which exhibited higher potency in T-PLL compared to other hematological cancers. KT-531 displayed strong HDAC6 inhibitory potency and selectivity, on-target biological activity, and a safe therapeutic window in nontransformed cell lines. In primary T-PLL patient cells, where HDAC6 was found to be overexpressed, KT-531 exhibited strong biological responses, and safety in healthy donor samples. Notably, combination studies in T-PLL patient samples demonstrated KT-531 synergizes with approved cancer drugs, bendamustine, idasanutlin, and venetoclax. Our work suggests HDAC inhibition in T-PLL could afford sufficient therapeutic windows to achieve durable remission either as standalone or in combination with targeted drugs.Peer reviewe

Activated Rac1 requires gp130 for Stat3 activation, cell proliferation and migration

Rac1 (Rac) is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases which controls cell migration by regulating the organization of actin filaments. Previous results suggested that mutationally activated forms of the Rho GTPases can activate the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3), but the exact mechanism is a matter of controversy. We recently demonstrated that Stat3 activity of cultured cells increases dramatically following E-cadherin engagement. To better understand this pathway, we now compared Stat3 activity levels in mouse HC11 cells before and after expression of the mutationally activated Rac1 (RacV12), at different cell densities. The results revealed for the first time a dramatic increase in protein levels and activity of both the endogenous Rac and RacV12 with cell density, which was due to inhibition of proteasomal degradation. In addition, RacV12-expressing cells had higher Stat3, tyrosine-705 phosphorylation and activity levels at all densities, indicating that RacV12 is able to activate Stat3. Further examination of the mechanism of Stat3 activation showed that RacV12 expression caused a surge in mRNA of Interleukin-6 (IL6) family cytokines, known potent Stat3 activators. Knockdown of gp130, the common subunit of this family reduced Stat3 activity, indicating that these cytokines may be responsible for the Stat3 activation by RacV12. The upregulation of IL6 family cytokines was required for cell migration and proliferation induced by RacV12, as shown by gp130 knockdown experiments, thus demonstrating that the gp130/Stat3 axis represents an essential effector of activated Rac for the regulation of key cellular functions

Stat3 and Gap Junctions in Normal and Lung Cancer Cells

Gap junctions are channels linking the interiors of neighboring cells. A reduction in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) correlates with high cell proliferation, while oncogene products such as <i>Src</i> suppress GJIC, through the Ras/Raf/Erk and other effector pathways. High <i>Src</i> activity was found to correlate with high levels of the <i>Src</i> effector, Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3) in its tyrosine-705 phosphorylated, <i>i.e.</i>, transcriptionally activated form, in the majority of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer lines examined. However, Stat3 inhibition did not restore GJIC in lines with high <i>Src</i> activity. In the contrary, Stat3 inhibition in normal cells or in lines with low <i>Src</i> activity and high GJIC eliminated gap junctional communication. Therefore, despite the fact that Stat3 is growth promoting and in an activated form acts like an oncogene, it is actually required for junctional permeability

The R(H)Oads To Stat3: Stat3 Activation By The Rho Gtpases

The signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) is a member of the STAT family of cytoplasmic transcription factors. Overactivation of Stat3 is detected with high frequency in human cancer and is considered a molecular abnormality that supports the tumor phenotype. Despite concerted investigative efforts, the molecular mechanisms leading to the aberrant Stat3 activation and Stat3-mediated transformation and tumorigenesis are still not clearly defined. Recent evidence reveals a crosstalk close relationship between Stat3 signaling and members of the Rho family of small GTPases, including Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA. Specifically, Rac1, acting in a complex with the MgcRacGAP (male germ cell RacGAP), promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3 by the IL6-receptor family/Jak kinase complex, as well as its translocation to the nucleus. Studies have further revealed that the mutational activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 results in Stat3 activation, which occurs in part through the upregulation of IL6 family cytokines that in turn stimulates Stat3 through the Jak kinases. Interestingly, evidence also shows that the engagement of cadherins, cell to cell adhesion molecules, specifically induces a striking increase in Rac1 and Cdc42 protein levels and activity, which in turn results in Stat3 activation. In this review we integrate recent findings clarifying the role of the Rho family GTPases in Stat3 activation in the context of malignant progression. © 2011 Elsevier Inc

Stat3 and Gap Junctions in Normal and Lung Cancer Cells

Gap junctions are channels linking the interiors of neighboring cells. A reduction in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) correlates with high cell proliferation, while oncogene products such as Src suppress GJIC, through the Ras/Raf/Erk and other effector pathways. High Src activity was found to correlate with high levels of the Src effector, Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3) in its tyrosine-705 phosphorylated, i.e., transcriptionally activated form, in the majority of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer lines examined. However, Stat3 inhibition did not restore GJIC in lines with high Src activity. In the contrary, Stat3 inhibition in normal cells or in lines with low Src activity and high GJIC eliminated gap junctional communication. Therefore, despite the fact that Stat3 is growth promoting and in an activated form acts like an oncogene, it is actually required for junctional permeability

PI3k and Stat3: Oncogenes that are Required for Gap Junctional, Intercellular Communication

Gap junctional, intercellular communication (GJIC) is interrupted in cells transformed by oncogenes such as activated Src. The Src effector, Ras, is required for this effect, so that Ras inhibition restores GJIC in Src-transformed cells. Interestingly, the inhibition of the Src effector phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3k) or Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3) pathways does not restore GJIC. In the contrary, inhibition of PI3k or Stat3 in non-transformed rodent fibroblasts or epithelial cells or certain human lung carcinoma lines with extensive GJIC inhibits communication, while mutational activation of PI3k or Stat3 increases GJIC. Therefore, it appears that oncogenes such as activated Src have a dual role upon GJIC; acting as inhibitors of communication through the Ras pathway, and as activators through activation of PI3k or Stat3. In the presence of high Src activity the inhibitory functions prevail so that the net effect is gap junction closure. PI3k and Stat3 constitute potent survival signals, so that their inhibition in non-transformed cells triggers apoptosis which, in turn, has been independently demonstrated to suppress GJIC. The interruption of gap junctional communication would confine the apoptotic event to single cells and this might be essential for the maintenance of tissue integrity. We hypothesize that the GJIC activation by PI3k or Stat3 may be linked to their survival function