Therapeutic targeting of RBPJ, an upstream regulator of ETV6 gene, abrogates ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene transformations in glioblastoma.

Fusion genes are abnormal genes resulting from chromosomal translocation, insertion, deletion, inversion, etc. ETV6, a rather promiscuous partner forms fusions with several other genes, most commonly, the NTRK3 gene. This fusion leads to the formation of a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase which activates the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/AKT/MAPK pathways, leading the cells through cycles of uncontrolled division and ultimately resulting in cancer. Targeted therapies against this ETV6-NTRK3 fusion protein are much needed. Therefore, to find a targeted approach, a transcription factor RBPJ regulating the ETV6 gene was established and since the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene is downstream of the ETV6 promoter/enhancer, this fusion protein is also regulated. The regulation of the ETV6 gene via RBPJ was validated by ChIP analysis in human glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines and patient tissue samples. This study was further followed by the identification of an inhibitor, Furamidine, against transcription factor RBPJ. It was found to be binding with the DNA binding domain of RBPJ with antitumorigenic properties and minimal organ toxicity. Hence, a new target RBPJ, regulating the production of ETV6 and ETV6-NTRK3 fusion protein was found along with a potent RBPJ inhibitor Furamidine.

TGF-ß1 induced autophagy in cancer associated fibroblasts during hypoxia contributes EMT and glycolysis via MCT4 upregulation.

The Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF- ß1) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is the major cytokine that acts as a mediator of tumor-stroma crosstalk, which in fact has a dual role in either promoting or suppressing tumor development. The cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major cell types in the TME, and the interaction with most of the epithelial cancers is the prime reason for cancer survival. However, the molecular mechanisms, associated with the TGF- ß1 induced tumor promotion through tumor-CAF crosstalk are not well understood. In the Reverse Warburg effect, CAFs feed the adjacent cancer cells by lactate produced during the aerobic glycolysis. We hypothesized that the monocarboxylate transporter, MCT4 which is implicated in lactate efflux from the CAFs, must be overexpressed in the CAFs. Contextually, to explore the role of TGF- ß1 in the hypoxia-induced autophagy in CAFs, we treated CoCl2 and external TGF- ß1 to the human dermal fibroblasts and L929 murine fibroblasts. We demonstrated that hypoxia accelerated the TGF- ß1 signaling and subsequent transformation of normal fibroblasts to CAFs. Moreover, we elucidated that synergistic induction of autophagy by hypoxia and TGF- ß1 upregulate the aerobic glycolysis and MCT4 expression in CAFs. Furthermore, we showed a positive correlation between glucose consumption and MCT4 expression in the CAFs. Autophagy was also found to be involved in the EMT in hypoxic CAFs. Collectively, these findings reveal the unappreciated role of autophagy in TME, which enhances the CAF transformation and that promotes tumor migration and metastasis via the reverse Warburg effect.

An insight into the ubiquitin-proteasomal axis and related therapeutic approaches towards central nervous system malignancies.

The Ubiquitin-Protease system (UPS) is a major destruction system responsible for eliminating dysfunctional/misfolded proteins, thus acting as a pivotal regulator of protein homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. In this review, the UPS system and its various functions in the cell and their detailed impact such as cell cycle control, DNA damage response, apoptosis, and cellular stress regulations have been elucidated with a focus on the central nervous system. Since the Ubiquitin-Protease pathway(UPP) plays a prominent role in the sculpting of the CNS cells and their maintenance, it is naturally deeply involved in many malignancies that develop due to dysregulation of the UPS. Understanding the major disruptive players of the UPS in the development of these malignancies, for example, insoluble protein aggregates or inclusion bodies deposits due to malfunctioning of the UPS has paved the pathway for the development of new therapeutics. Here, the de-regulation of the UPS at various checkpoints in CNS malignancies has been detailed, thus facilitating an easy comprehension of the different targets that remain to be explored yet. The present therapeutic advancements in the field of CNS malignancies management through UPS targeting have also been included thus broadening the scope of drug development. Thus, this review while shedding sufficient light on the details of the UPS system and its connection to CNS malignancies, also opens new avenues for therapeutic advancements in the form of novel targetable UPP proteins and their interactions.

ETV6 gene aberrations in non-haematological malignancies: A review highlighting ETV6 associated fusion genes in solid tumors.

ETV6 (translocation-Ets-leukemia virus) gene is a transcriptional repressor mainly involved in haematopoiesis and maintenance of vascular networks and has developed to be a major oncogene with the potential ability of forming fusion partners with many other genes with carcinogenic consequences. ETV6 fusions function primarily by constitutive activation of kinase activity of the fusion partners, modifications in the normal functions of ETV6 transcription factor, loss of function of ETV6 or the partner gene and activation of a proto-oncogene near the site of translocation. The role of ETV6 fusion gene in tumorigenesis has been well-documented and more variedly found in haematological malignancies. However, the role of the ETV6 oncogene in solid tumors has also risen to prominence due to an increasing number of cases being reported with this malignancy. Since, solid tumors can be well-targeted, the diagnosis of this genre of tumors based on ETV6 malignancy is of crucial importance for treatment. This review highlights the important ETV6 associated fusions in solid tumors along with critical insights as to existing and novel means of targeting it. A consolidation of novel therapies such as immune, gene, RNAi, stem cell therapy and protein degradation hitherto unused in the case of ETV6 solid tumor malignancies may open further therapeutic avenues.

Lumefantrine, an antimalarial drug, reverses radiation and temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer without currently effective therapies. Radiation and temozolomide (radio/TMZ) resistance are major contributors to cancer recurrence and failed GBM therapy. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), through regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), provide mechanistic pathways contributing to the development of GBM and radio/TMZ-resistant GBM. The Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli-1) signaling network has been implicated in oncogenesis in GBM, making it an appealing target for advancing novel therapeutics. Fli-1 is linked to oncogenic transformation with up-regulation in radio/TMZ-resistant GBM, transcriptionally regulating HSPB1. This link led us to search for targeted molecules that inhibit Fli-1. Expression screening for Fli-1 inhibitors identified lumefantrine, an antimalarial drug, as a probable Fli-1 inhibitor. Docking and isothermal calorimetry titration confirmed interaction between lumefantrine and Fli-1. Lumefantrine promoted growth suppression and apoptosis in vitro in parental and radio/TMZ-resistant GBM and inhibited tumor growth without toxicity in vivo in U87MG GBM and radio/TMZ-resistant GBM orthotopic tumor models. These data reveal that lumefantrine, an FDA-approved drug, represents a potential GBM therapeutic that functions through inhibition of the Fli-1/HSPB1/EMT/ECM remodeling protein networks.

Transcriptional regulation of HSPB1 by Friend leukemia integration-1 factor modulates radiation and temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor and is invariably fatal. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) provide protein signatures/biomarkers for GBM that afford potential as targets for developing anti-GBM drugs. In GBM, elevated expression of hypoxia inducible factors under the influence of Ets family proteins significantly promotes the expression of HSPs. RNAseq analysis identified HSPB1 as a prominent upregulated HSP in GBM and in radiation resistant/temozolomide resistant (radio/TMZR) GBM. Here, we established friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli-1), a member of Ets family to be playing a transcriptional regulatory role on the HSPB1 gene. Fli-1 binds to nucleotide residues GGAA at binding sites 3, 6 and 7 in the 5-kb upstream region of HSPB1. Fli-1 has been linked to oncogenic transformation with upregulation in radio/TMZR GBM. Overexpression of Fli-1 in GBM promotes resistance, whereas Fli-1 knockdown in radio/TMZR GBM cells suppresses resistance. We identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of Fli-1-mediated regulation of HSPB1 that drive extracellular matrix remodeling and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in radio/TMZR GBM cells. This study uncovers Fli-1 as a potential therapeutic target for combating radiation and temozolomide resistance in GBM.

Delineation of crosstalk between HSP27 and MMP-2/MMP-9: A synergistic therapeutic avenue for glioblastoma management.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, are the two elemental processes promoting glioblastoma (GBM). In the present work we propose a mechanistic modelling of GBM and in process establish a hypothesis elucidating critical crosstalk between heat shock proteins (HSPs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with synergistic upregulation of EMT-like process and ECM remodeling. METHODS: The interaction and the precise binding site between the HSP and MMP proteins was assayed computationally, in-vitro and in GBM clinical samples. RESULTS: A positive crosstalk of HSP27 with MMP-2 and MMP-9 was established in both GBM patient tissues and cell-lines. This association was found to be of prime significance for ECM remodeling and promotion of EMT-like characteristics. In-silico predictions revealed 3 plausible interaction sites of HSP27 interacting with MMP-2 and MMP-9. Site-directed mutagenesis followed by in-vitro immunoprecipitation assay (IP) with 3 mutated recombinant HSP27, confirmed an interface stretch containing residues 29-40 of HSP27 to be a common interaction site for both MMP-2 and MMP-9. This was further validated with in-vitro IP of truncated (sans AA 29-40) recombinant HSP27 with MMP-2 and MMP-9. CONCLUSION: The association of HSP27 with MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins along with the identified interacting stretch has the potential to contribute towards drug development to inhibit GBM infiltration and migration. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Current findings provide a novel therapeutic target for GBM opening a new horizon in the field of GBM management.

Push-Pull Stilbene: Visible Light Activated Photoremovable Protecting Group for Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids with Fluorescence Reporting Employed for Drug Delivery.

For the first time we have utilized push-pull stilbene as a visible light activated photoremovable protecting group (PRPG) for the uncaging of alcohols and carboxylic acids. The PRPG efficiently release caged molecules with good photochemical quantum yield. It is capable of monitoring the release in real time owing to its fluorescence "turn on" phenomenon upon photorelease in polar medium. The efficient photorelease and real time monitoring abilities of push-pull stilbene were employed for in vitro drug delivery.

Targeting NFE2L2, a transcription factor upstream of MMP-2: A potential therapeutic strategy for temozolomide resistant glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant form of brain tumor posing a major threat to cancer amelioration. Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is one of the major hurdles towards GBM prognosis. Oxidative stress and ECM remodeling are the two important processes involved in gaining chemo-resistance. Here, we established NFE2L2, an important member of oxidative stress regulation elevated in resistant cells, to be playing a transcriptional regulatory role on MMP-2, an ECM remodeling marker. This link led us to further explore targeted molecules to inhibit NFE2L2, thus affecting MMP-2, an important member promoting chemo-resistance. Thus, diosgenin was proposed as a novel NFE2L2 inhibitor acting as an alternative strategy to prevent the high dose administration of TMZ. Combinatorial therapy of diosgenin and TMZ significantly reduced the dosage regimen of TMZ and also showed affectivity in hitherto TMZ resistant GBM cells. GBM cells underwent apoptosis and early cell cycle arrest with significant reduction in MMP-2 levels. Thus preclinical validation of molecular interaction between diosgenin and NFE2L2 down-regulating MMP-2, EMT markers and promoting apoptosis, offers rationale for new therapeutic horizons in the field of glioblastoma management.

Multi-nucleated cells use ROS to induce breast cancer chemo-resistance in vitro and in vivo.

Although there is a strong correlation between multinucleated cells (MNCs) and cancer chemo-resistance in variety of cancers, our understanding of how multinucleated cells modulate the tumor micro-environment is limited. We captured multinucleated cells from triple-negative chemo-resistant breast cancers cells in a time frame, where they do not proliferate but rather significantly regulate their micro-environment. We show that oxidatively stressed MNCs induce chemo-resistance in vitro and in vivo by secreting VEGF and MIF. These factors act through the RAS/MAPK pathway to induce chemo-resistance by upregulating anti-apoptotic proteins. In MNCs, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) stabilizes HIF-1α contributing to increase production of VEGF and MIF. Together the data indicate, that the ROS-HIF-1α signaling axis is very crucial in regulation of chemo-resistance by MNCs. Targeting ROS-HIF-1α in future may help to abrogate drug resistance in breast cancer.

Glioma progression through the prism of heat shock protein mediated extracellular matrix remodeling and epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Glial tumor is one of the intrinsic brain tumors with high migratory and infiltrative potential. This essentially contributes to the overall poor prognosis by circumvention of conventional treatment regimen in glioma. The underlying mechanism in gliomagenesis is bestowed by two processes- Extracellular matrix (ECM) Remodeling and Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Heat Shock Family of proteins (HSPs), commonly known as "molecular chaperons" are documented to be upregulated in glioma. A positive correlation also exists between elevated expression of HSPs and invasive capacity of glial tumor. HSPs overexpression leads to mutational changes in glioma, which ultimately drive cells towards EMT, ECM modification, malignancy and invasion. Differential expression of HSPs - a factor providing cytoprotection to glioma cells, also contributes towards its radioresistance /chemoresistance. Various evidences also display upregulation of EMT and ECM markers by various heat shock inducing proteins e.g. HSF-1. The aim of this review is to study in detail the role of HSPs in EMT and ECM leading to radioresistance/chemoresistance of glioma cells. The existing treatment regimen for glioma could be enhanced by targeting HSPs through immunotherapy, miRNA and exosome mediated strategies. This could be envisaged by better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying glial tumorigenesis in relation to EMT and ECM remodeling under HSPs influence. Our review might showcase fresh potential for the development of next generation therapeutics for effective glioma management.