scholarly journals A drug library screen identifies Carbenoxolone as novel FOXO inhibitor that overcomes FOXO3-mediated chemoprotection in high-stage neuroblastoma

Oncogene ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1080-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Salcher ◽  
Gilles Spoden ◽  
Judith Hagenbuchner ◽  
Sebastian Führer ◽  
Teresa Kaserer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Angiogenesis ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Drug Repositioning ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
High Stage

Abstract The transcription factor FOXO3 has been associated in different tumor entities with hallmarks of cancer, including metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, maintenance of tumor-initiating stem cells, and drug resistance. In neuroblastoma (NB), we recently demonstrated that nuclear FOXO3 promotes tumor angiogenesis in vivo and chemoresistance in vitro. Hence, inhibiting the transcriptional activity of FOXO3 is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, as no FOXO3 inhibitor is clinically available to date, we used a medium-throughput fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) screening in a drug-repositioning approach to identify compounds that bind to the FOXO3-DNA-binding-domain (DBD). Carbenoxolone (CBX), a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, was identified as a potential FOXO3-inhibitory compound that binds to the FOXO3-DBD with a binding affinity of 19 µM. Specific interaction of CBX with the FOXO3-DBD was validated by fluorescence-based electrophoretic mobility shift assay (FAM-EMSA). CBX inhibits the transcriptional activity of FOXO3 target genes, as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), DEPP-, and BIM promoter reporter assays, and real-time RT-PCR analyses. In high-stage NB cells with functional TP53, FOXO3 triggers the expression of SESN3, which increases chemoprotection and cell survival. Importantly, FOXO3 inhibition by CBX treatment at pharmacologically relevant concentrations efficiently repressed FOXO3-mediated SESN3 expression and clonogenic survival and sensitized high-stage NB cells to chemotherapy in a 2D and 3D culture model. Thus, CBX might be a promising novel candidate for the treatment of therapy-resistant high-stage NB and other “FOXO-resistant” cancers.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Regulation of PEN-2, a Key Component of the γ-Secretase Complex, by CREB

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruishan Wang ◽  
Yun-wu Zhang ◽  
Ping Sun ◽  
Runzhong Liu ◽  
Xian Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Start Codon ◽  
Gamma Secretase ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Endoproteolytic Cleavage ◽  
Notch Cleavage ◽  
Translational Start

ABSTRACT Gamma-secretase, which is responsible for the intramembranous cleavage of Alzheimer's β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), the signaling receptor Notch, and many other substrates, is a multiprotein complex consisting of at least four components: presenilin (PS), nicastrin, APH-1, and PEN-2. Despite the fact that PEN-2 is known to mediate endoproteolytic cleavage of full-length PS and APH-1 and nicastrin are required for maintaining the stability of the complex, the detailed physiological function of each component remain elusive. Unlike that of PS, the transcriptional regulation of PEN-2, APH-1, and nicastrin has not been investigated. Here, we characterized the upstream regions of the human PEN-2 gene and identified a 238-bp fragment located 353 bp upstream of the translational start codon as the key region necessary for the promoter activity. Further analysis revealed a CREB binding site located in the 238-bp region that is essential for the transcriptional activity of the PEN-2 promoter. Mutation of the CREB site abolished the transcriptional activity of the PEN-2 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed the binding of CREB to the PEN-2 promoter region both in vitro and in vivo. Activation of the CREB transcriptional factor by forskolin dramatically promoted the expression of PEN-2 mRNA and protein, whereas the other components of the γ-secretase complex remained unaffected. Forskolin treatment slightly increases the secretion of soluble APPα and Aβ without affecting Notch cleavage. These results demonstrate that expression of PEN-2 is regulated by CREB and suggest that the specific control of PEN-2 expression may imply additional physiological functions uniquely assigned to PEN-2.

Genetic evidence for the transcriptional-activating function of Homothorax during adult fly development

Development ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 128 (18) ◽  
pp. 3405-3413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adi Inbal ◽  
Naomi Halachmi ◽  
Charna Dibner ◽  
Dale Frank ◽  
Adi Salzberg
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Native Form ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Activating Function

Homothorax (HTH) is a homeobox-containing protein, which plays multiple roles in the development of the embryo and the adult fly. HTH binds to the homeotic cofactor Extradenticle (EXD) and translocates it to the nucleus. Its function within the nucleus is less clear. It was shown, mainly by in vitro studies, that HTH can bind DNA as a part of ternary HTH/EXD/HOX complexes, but little is known about the transcription regulating function of HTH-containing complexes in the context of the developing fly. Here we present genetic evidence, from in vivo studies, for the transcriptional-activating function of HTH. The HTH protein was forced to act as a transcriptional repressor by fusing it to the Engrailed (EN) repression domain, or as a transcriptional activator, by fusing it to the VP16 activation domain, without perturbing its ability to translocate EXD to the nucleus. Expression of the repressing form of HTH in otherwise wild-type imaginal discs phenocopied hth loss of function. Thus, the repressing form was working as an antimorph, suggesting that normally HTH is required to activate the transcription of downstream target genes. This conclusion was further supported by the observation that the activating form of HTH caused typical hth gain-of-function phenotypes and could rescue hth loss-of-function phenotypes. Similar results were obtained with XMeis3, the Xenopus homologue of HTH, extending the known functional similarity between the two proteins. Competition experiments demonstrated that the repressing forms of HTH or XMeis3 worked as true antimorphs competing with the transcriptional activity of the native form of HTH. We also describe the phenotypic consequences of HTH antimorph activity in derivatives of the wing, labial and genital discs. Some of the described phenotypes, for example, a proboscis-to-leg transformation, were not previously associated with alterations in HTH activity. Observing the ability of HTH antimorphs to interfere with different developmental pathways may direct us to new targets of HTH. The HTH antimorph described in this work presents a new means by which the transcriptional activity of the endogenous HTH protein can be blocked in an inducible fashion in any desired cells or tissues without interfering with nuclear localization of EXD.

scholarly journals Modulating PKCα Activity to Target Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Colon Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Dupasquier ◽  
Philippe Blache ◽  
Laurence Picque Lasorsa ◽  
Han Zhao ◽  
Jean-Daniel Abraham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Extracellular Signal

Inactivating mutations of the tumor suppressor Adenomatosis Polyposis Coli (APC), which are found in familial adenomatosis polyposis and in 80% of sporadic colorectal cancers (CRC), result in constitutive activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and tumor development in the intestine. These mutations disconnect the Wnt/β-catenin pathway from its Wnt extracellular signal by inactivating the APC/GSK3-β/axin destruction complex of β-catenin. This results in sustained nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, followed by β-catenin-dependent co-transcriptional activation of Wnt/β-catenin target genes. Thus, mechanisms acting downstream of APC, such as those controlling β-catenin stability and/or co-transcriptional activity, are attractive targets for CRC treatment. Protein Kinase C-α (PKCα) phosphorylates the orphan receptor RORα that then inhibits β-catenin co-transcriptional activity. PKCα also phosphorylates β-catenin, leading to its degradation by the proteasome. Here, using both in vitro (DLD-1 cells) and in vivo (C57BL/6J mice) PKCα knock-in models, we investigated whether enhancing PKCα function could be beneficial in CRC treatment. We found that PKCα is infrequently mutated in CRC samples, and that inducing PKCα function is not deleterious for the normal intestinal epithelium. Conversely, di-terpene ester-induced PKCα activity triggers CRC cell death. Together, these data indicate that PKCα is a relevant drug target for CRC treatment.

scholarly journals Binding of the RING Polycomb Proteins to Specific Target Genes in Complex with the grainyhead-Like Family of Developmental Transcription Factors

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1936-1946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annabel Tuckfield ◽  
David R. Clouston ◽  
Tomasz M. Wilanowski ◽  
Lin-Lin Zhao ◽  
John M. Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Polycomb Proteins ◽  
Complex Forms ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

ABSTRACT The Polycomb group (PcG) of proteins represses homeotic gene expression through the assembly of multiprotein complexes on key regulatory elements. The mechanisms mediating complex assembly have remained enigmatic since most PcG proteins fail to bind DNA. We now demonstrate that the human PcG protein dinG interacts with CP2, a mammalian member of the grainyhead-like family of transcription factors, in vitro and in vivo. The functional consequence of this interaction is repression of CP2-dependent transcription. The CP2-dinG interaction is conserved in evolution with the Drosophila factor grainyhead binding to dring, the fly homologue of dinG. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that the grh-dring complex forms on regulatory elements of genes whose expression is repressed by grh but not on elements where grh plays an activator role. These observations reveal a novel mechanism by which PcG proteins may be anchored to specific regulatory elements in developmental genes.

Characterization of the LacI-type transcriptional repressor RbsR controlling ribose transport in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svenja S. Nentwich ◽  
Karina Brinkrolf ◽  
Lars Gaigalat ◽  
Andrea T. Hüser ◽  
Daniel A. Rey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Transcriptional Induction

The gene products of the rbsRACBD (rbs) operon of C. glutamicum (cg1410–cg1414) encode a ribose-specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system and its corresponding regulatory protein (RbsR). Deletion of the structural genes rbsACBD prohibited ribose uptake. Deletion of the regulatory gene rbsR resulted in an increased mRNA level of the whole operon. Analysis of the promoter region of the rbs operon by electrophoretic mobility shift assays identified a catabolite-responsive element (cre)-like sequence as the RbsR-binding site. Additional RbsR-binding sites were identified in front of the recently characterized uriR operon (uriR-rbsK1-uriT-uriH) and the ribokinase gene rbsK2. In vitro, the repressor RbsR bound to its targets in the absence of an effector. A probable negative effector of RbsR in vivo is ribose 5-phosphate or a derivative thereof, since in a ribokinase (rbsK1 rbsK2) double mutant, no derepression of the rbs operon in the presence of ribose was observed. Analysis of the ribose stimulon in the C. glutamicum wild-type revealed transcriptional induction of the uriR and rbs operons as well as of the rbsK2 gene. The inconsistency between the existence of functional RbsR-binding sites upstream of the ribokinase genes, their transcriptional induction during growth on ribose, and the missing induction in the rbsR mutant suggested the involvement of a second transcriptional regulator. Simultaneous deletion of the regulatory genes rbsR and uriR finally demonstrated a transcriptional co-control of the rbs and uriR operons and the rbsK2 gene by both regulators, RbsR and UriR, which were furthermore shown to recognize the same cognate DNA sequences in the operators of their target genes.

scholarly journals Delineation of the Protein Module That Anchors HMGN Proteins to Nucleosomes in the Chromatin of Living Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 2872-2883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Ueda ◽  
Frédéric Catez ◽  
Gabi Gerlitz ◽  
Michael Bustin
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Generic Structure ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Nucleosome Core

ABSTRACT Numerous nuclear proteins bind to chromatin by targeting unique DNA sequences or specific histone modifications. In contrast, HMGN proteins recognize the generic structure of the 147-bp nucleosome core particle. HMGNs alter the structure and activity of chromatin by binding to nucleosomes; however, the determinants of the specific interaction of HMGNs with chromatin are not known. Here we use systematic mutagenesis, quantitative fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, fluorescence imaging, and mobility shift assays to identify the determinants important for the specific binding of these proteins to both the chromatin of living cells and to purified nucleosomes. We find that several regions of the protein affect the affinity of HMGNs to chromatin; however, the conserved sequence RRSARLSA, is the sole determinant of the specific interaction of HMGNs with nucleosomes. Within this sequence, each of the 4 amino acids in the R-S-RL motif are the only residues absolutely essential for anchoring HMGN protein to nucleosomes, both in vivo and in vitro. Our studies identify a new chromatin-binding module that specifically recognizes nucleosome cores independently of DNA sequence or histone tail modifications.

n-Propyl gallate activates hypoxia-inducible factor 1 by modulating intracellular oxygen-sensing systems

2008 ◽  
Vol 411 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motohide Kimura ◽  
Satoshi Takabuchi ◽  
Tomoharu Tanaka ◽  
Miyahiko Murata ◽  
Kenichiro Nishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propyl Gallate ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Oxygen Sensing ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1

HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor 1) is a master regulator of cellular adaptive responses to hypoxia. The expression and transcriptional activity of the HIF-1α subunit is stringently controlled by intracellular oxygen tension through the action of prolyl and asparaginyl hydroxylases. In the present study we demonstrate that PG (n-propyl gallate) activates HIF-1 and expression of its downstream target genes under normoxic conditions in cultured cells and in mice. The stability and transcriptional activity of HIF-1α are increased by PG. PG treatment inhibits the interaction between HIF-1α and VHL (von Hippel–Lindau protein) and promotes the interaction between HIF-1α and p300, indicating that PG inhibits the activity of both prolyl and asparaginyl HIF-1α hydroxylases. We conclude that PG activates HIF-1 and enhances the resultant gene expression by directly affecting the intracellular oxygen sensing system in vitro and in vivo and that PG represents a lead compound for the development of a non-toxic activator of HIF-1.

scholarly journals Protein Inhibitor of Activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 Interacts with the N-Terminal Domain of Mineralocorticoid Receptor and Represses Its Transcriptional Activity: Implication of Small Ubiquitin-Related Modifier 1 Modification

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 2529-2542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Pascual-Le Tallec ◽  
Olivier Kirsh ◽  
Marie-Christine Lecomte ◽  
Say Viengchareun ◽  
Maria-Christina Zennaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Signal Transducer ◽  
Protein Inhibitor ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Terminal Domain

Abstract Molecular mechanisms underlying mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-mediated gene expression are not fully understood but seem to largely depend upon interactions with specific coregulators. To identify novel human MR (hMR) molecular partners, yeast two-hybrid screenings performed using the N-terminal domain as bait, allowed us to isolate protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (PIAS)1 and PIASxβ, described as SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) E3-ligases. Specific interaction between PIAS1 and hMR was confirmed by glutathione-S-transferase pull-down experiments and N-terminal subdomains responsible for physical contacts were delineated. Transient transfections demonstrated that PIAS1 is a corepressor of aldosterone-activated MR transactivation but has no significant effect on human glucocorticoid receptor transactivation. The agonist or antagonist nature of the bound ligand also determines PIAS1 corepressive action. We provided evidence that PIAS1 conjugated SUMO-1 to hMR both in vitro and in vivo. Deciphering the unique sumoylation pattern of hMR, which possesses five consensus SUMO-1 binding sites, by combinatorial lysine substitutions, revealed a major impact of sumoylation on hMR properties. Using a murine mammary tumor virus promoter, PIAS1 action was independent of sumoylation whereas with glucocorticoid response element promoter, PIAS1 corepressive action depended on hMR sumoylation status. Taken together, our results identify a novel function for PIAS1 which interacts with the N-terminal domain of hMR and represses its ligand-dependent transcriptional activity, at least in part, through SUMO modifications.

scholarly journals CcpC-Dependent Regulation of citB and lmo0847 in Listeria monocytogenes

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Jin Kim ◽  
Meghna Mittal ◽  
Abraham L. Sonenshein
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Exponential Growth Phase ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
Mobility Shift

ABSTRACT In Bacillus subtilis, the catabolite control protein C (CcpC) plays a critical role in regulating the genes encoding the enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid branch of the Krebs citric acid cycle. A gene encoding a potential CcpC homolog and two potential target genes were identified in the Listeria monocytogenes genome. In vitro gel mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting experiments showed that L. monocytogenes CcpC (CcpCLm) interacts with the promoter regions of citBLm (the gene that is likely to encode aconitase) and lmo0847 (encoding a possible glutamine transporter) and that citrate is a specific inhibitor of this interaction. To study in vivo promoter activity, a new lacZ reporter system was developed. This system allows stable integration into the chromosome of a promoter region transcriptionally fused to a promoterless lacZ gene at a nonessential, ectopic locus. Analysis of strains carrying a citBLm -lacZ or lmo0847-lacZ fusion revealed that CcpCLm represses citBLm and lmo0847 in media containing an excess of glucose and glutamine. In addition, regulation of citBLm expression in rich medium was growth phase dependent; during exponential growth phase, expression was very low even in the absence of CcpCLm, but a higher level of citBLm expression was induced in stationary phase, suggesting the involvement of another, as yet unidentified regulatory factor.

Correlation between in vitro and in vivo Data of Radiolabeled Peptide for Tumor Targeting

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 950-960
Author(s):  
Soghra Farzipour ◽  
Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Targeting ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Radiolabeled Peptides

Tumor-targeting peptides have been generally developed for the overexpression of tumor specific receptors in cancer cells. The use of specific radiolabeled peptide allows tumor visualization by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) tools. The high affinity and specific binding of radiolabeled peptide are focusing on tumoral receptors. The character of the peptide itself, in particular, its complex molecular structure and behaviors influence on its specific interaction with receptors which are overexpressed in tumor. This review summarizes various strategies which are applied for the expansion of radiolabeled peptides for tumor targeting based on in vitro and in vivo specific tumor data and then their data were compared to find any correlation between these experiments. With a careful look at previous studies, it can be found that in vitro unblock-block ratio was unable to correlate the tumor to muscle ratio and the success of radiolabeled peptide for in vivo tumor targeting. The introduction of modifiers’ approaches, nature of peptides, and type of chelators and co-ligands have mixed effect on the in vitro and in vivo specificity of radiolabeled peptides.

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