scholarly journals Structure vs. Function of TRIB1—Myeloid Neoplasms and Beyond

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3060
Author(s):  
Hamish D McMillan ◽  
Karen Keeshan ◽  
Anita K Dunbier ◽  
Peter D Mace
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Conformational Switching ◽  
Myeloid Neoplasms ◽  
Exciting Potential ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Prostate Cancers ◽  
Predict Treatment Response

The Tribbles family of proteins—comprising TRIB1, TRIB2, TRIB3 and more distantly related STK40—play important, but distinct, roles in differentiation, development and oncogenesis. Of the four Tribbles proteins, TRIB1 has been most well characterised structurally and plays roles in diverse cancer types. The most well-understood role of TRIB1 is in acute myeloid leukaemia, where it can regulate C/EBP transcription factors and kinase pathways. Structure–function studies have uncovered conformational switching of TRIB1 from an inactive to an active state when it binds to C/EBPα. This conformational switching is centred on the active site of TRIB1, which appears to be accessible to small-molecule inhibitors in spite of its inability to bind ATP. Beyond myeloid neoplasms, TRIB1 plays diverse roles in signalling pathways with well-established roles in tumour progression. Thus, TRIB1 can affect both development and chemoresistance in leukaemia; glioma; and breast, lung and prostate cancers. The pervasive roles of TRIB1 and other Tribbles proteins across breast, prostate, lung and other cancer types, combined with small-molecule susceptibility shown by mechanistic studies, suggests an exciting potential for Tribbles as direct targets of small molecules or biomarkers to predict treatment response.

scholarly journals Small molecule inhibitors of the mitochondrial ClpXP protease possess cytostatic potential and re-sensitize chemo-resistant cancers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Meßner ◽  
Melanie M. Mandl ◽  
Mathias W. Hackl ◽  
Till Reinhardt ◽  
Maximilian A. Ardelt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Small Molecule Inhibitors ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Transport Chain ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Major Attention

AbstractThe human mitochondrial ClpXP protease complex (HsClpXP) has recently attracted major attention as a target for novel anti-cancer therapies. Despite its important role in disease progression, the cellular role of HsClpXP is poorly characterized and only few small molecule inhibitors have been reported. Herein, we screened previously established S. aureus ClpXP inhibitors against the related human protease complex and identified potent small molecules against human ClpXP. The hit compounds showed anti-cancer activity in a panoply of leukemia, liver and breast cancer cell lines. We found that the bacterial ClpXP inhibitor 334 impairs the electron transport chain (ETC), enhances the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and thereby promotes protein carbonylation, aberrant proteostasis and apoptosis. In addition, 334 induces cell death in re-isolated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) leukemia cells, potentiates the effect of DNA-damaging cytostatics and re-sensitizes resistant cancers to chemotherapy in non-apoptotic doses.

scholarly journals Mimicking growth factors: role of small molecule scaffold additives in promoting tissue regeneration and repair

RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (32) ◽  
pp. 18124-18146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nowsheen Goonoo ◽  
Archana Bhaw-Luximon
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factors ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Tissue Regeneration ◽  
Tissue Repair

Scaffold loaded with small molecules mimicking the action of growth factors for tissue repair.

Small molecule induced poly(A) single strand to self-structure conformational switching: evidence for the prominent role of H-bonding interactions

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1000-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabyasachi Chatterjee ◽  
Gopinatha Suresh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Structure Formation ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Single Strand ◽  
Conformational Switching ◽  
Bonding Interaction

Evidence for H-bonding interaction between alkaloid and poly(A) for self-structure formation is presented.

scholarly journals Small-Molecule Acetylation by GCN5-Related N-Acetyltransferases in Bacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Burckhardt ◽  
Jorge C. Escalante-Semerena
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Domain Architecture ◽  
Primary Amines ◽  
Structural Domain ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Initial Discovery ◽  
Cellular Pathways ◽  
Wall Components

SUMMARY Acetylation is a conserved modification used to regulate a variety of cellular pathways, such as gene expression, protein synthesis, detoxification, and virulence. Acetyltransferase enzymes transfer an acetyl moiety, usually from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA), onto a target substrate, thereby modulating activity or stability. Members of the GCN5-N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) protein superfamily are found in all domains of life and are characterized by a core structural domain architecture. These enzymes can modify primary amines of small molecules or of lysyl residues of proteins. From the initial discovery of antibiotic acetylation, GNATs have been shown to modify a myriad of small-molecule substrates, including tRNAs, polyamines, cell wall components, and other toxins. This review focuses on the literature on small-molecule substrates of GNATs in bacteria, including structural examples, to understand ligand binding and catalysis. Understanding the plethora and versatility of substrates helps frame the role of acetylation within the larger context of bacterial cellular physiology.

Acid ceramidase, a double-edged sword in cancer aggression: A minireview

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Shiphrah Vethakanraj ◽  
Niveditha Chandrasekaran ◽  
Ashok Kumar Sekar
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Acid Ceramidase ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate ◽  
Key Enzyme

: Acid ceramidase (AC), the key enzyme of the ceramide metabolic pathway hydrolyzes pro-apoptotic ceramide to sphingosine, which by the action of sphingosine-1-kinase is metabolized to mitogenic sphingosine-1-phosphate. The intracellular level of AC determines ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat which in turn decides the cell fate. The upregulated AC expression during cancerous condition acts as a “double-edged sword” by converting pro-apoptotic ceramide to anti-apoptotic sphingosine-1-phosphate, wherein on one end, the level of ceramide is decreased and on the other end, the level of sphingosine-1-phosphate is increased, thus altogether aggravating the cancer progression. In addition, cancer cells with upregulated AC expression exhibited increased cell proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance, radioresistance and numerous strategies were developed in the past to effectively target the enzyme. Gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition of AC sensitized the resistant cells to chemo/radiotherapy thereby promoting cell death. The core objective of this review is to explore AC mediated tumour progression and the potential role of AC inhibitors in various cancer cell lines/models.

Role of MicroRNAs in Colon Cancer Progression and Metastasis

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruthi Sanjitha Sampath ◽  
Sivaramakrishnan Venkatabalsubramanian ◽  
Satish Ramalingam
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Colon Cancer Progression ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

: MicroRNAs regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level by binding to the mRNA of their target genes. The dysfunction of miRNAs is strongly associated with the inflammation of the colon. Besides, some microRNAs are shown to suppress tumours while others promote tumour progression and metastasis. Inflammatory bowel diseases include Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis which increase the risk factor for inflammation-associated colon cancer. MicroRNAs are shown to be involved in gastrointestinal pathologies, by targeting the transcripts encoding proteins of the intestinal barrier and their regulators that are associated with inflammation and colon cancer. Detection of these microRNAs in the blood, serum, tissues, faecal matter, etc will enable us to use these microRNAs as biomarkers for early detection of the associated malignancies and design novel therapeutic strategies to overcome the same. Information on MicroRNAs can be applied for the development of targeted therapies against inflammation-mediated colon cancer.

scholarly journals STEM-20. A CANCER STEM CELL-SELECTIVE APOPTOSIS-INDUCING SMALL MOLECULE FOR THE TREATMENT OF GBM

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii200-ii200
Author(s):  
Stephen Skirboll ◽  
Natasha Lucki ◽  
Genaro Villa ◽  
Naja Vergani ◽  
Michael Bollong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Caspase 1 ◽  
Activation Assay

Abstract INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer. A subpopulation of multipotent cells termed GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in tumor initiation and maintenance, drug resistance, and recurrence following surgery. New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of GBM have recently focused on targeting CSCs. Here we have used an unbiased large-scale screening approach to identify drug-like small molecules that induce apoptosis in GBM CSCs in a cell type-selective manner. METHODS A luciferase-based survival assay of patient-derived GBM CSC lines was established to perform a large-scale screen of ∼one million drug-like small molecules with the goal of identifying novel compounds that are selectively toxic to chemoresistant GBM CSCs. Compounds found to kill GBM CSC lines as compared to control cell types were further characterized. A caspase activation assay was used to evaluate the mechanism of induced cell death. A xenograft animal model using patient-derived GBM CSCs was employed to test the leading candidate for suppression of in vivo tumor formation. RESULTS We identified a small molecule, termed RIPGBM, from the cell-based chemical screen that induces apoptosis in primary patient-derived GBM CSC cultures. The cell type-dependent selectivity of RIPGBM appears to arise at least in part from redox-dependent formation of a proapoptotic derivative, termed cRIPGBM, in GBM CSCs. cRIPGBM induces caspase 1-dependent apoptosis by binding to receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) and acting as a molecular switch, which reduces the formation of a prosurvival RIPK2/TAK1 complex and increases the formation of a proapoptotic RIPK2/caspase 1 complex. In an intracranial GBM xenograft mouse model, RIPGBM was found to significantly suppress tumor formation. CONCLUSIONS Our chemical genetics-based approach has identified a small molecule drug candidate and a potential drug target that selectively targets cancer stem cells and provides an approach for the treatment of GBMs.

Role of long interspersed nuclear element-1 in the regulation of chromatin landscapes and genome dynamics

2021 ◽  
pp. 153537022110312
Author(s):  
Kenneth S Ramos ◽  
Pasano Bojang ◽  
Emma Bowers
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Mobile Element ◽  
Cancer Diagnostics ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Genome Dynamics ◽  
Human Illness ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Stressful Environments

LINE-1 retrotransposon, the most active mobile element of the human genome, is subject to tight regulatory control. Stressful environments and disease modify the recruitment of regulatory proteins leading to unregulated activation of LINE-1. The activation of LINE-1 influences genome dynamics through altered chromatin landscapes, insertion mutations, deletions, and modulation of cellular plasticity. To date, LINE-1 retrotransposition has been linked to various cancer types and may in fact underwrite the genetic basis of various other forms of chronic human illness. The occurrence of LINE-1 polymorphisms in the human population may define inter-individual differences in susceptibility to disease. This review is written in honor of Dr Peter Stambrook, a friend and colleague who carried out highly impactful cancer research over many years of professional practice. Dr Stambrook devoted considerable energy to helping others live up to their full potential and to navigate the complexities of professional life. He was an inspirational leader, a strong advocate, a kind mentor, a vocal supporter and cheerleader, and yes, a hard critic and tough friend when needed. His passionate stand on issues, his witty sense of humor, and his love for humanity have left a huge mark in our lives. We hope that that the knowledge summarized here will advance our understanding of the role of LINE-1 in cancer biology and expedite the development of innovative cancer diagnostics and treatments in the ways that Dr Stambrook himself had so passionately envisioned.

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