ABSTRACT
Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1 A (DYRK1A) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the DYRK family of proteins, a subgroup of the evolutionarily conserved CMGC protein kinase superfamily. Due to its localization on chromosome 21, the biological significance of DYRK1A was initially characterized in the pathogenesis of Down syndrome (DS) and related neurodegenerative diseases. However, increasing evidence has demonstrated a prominent role in cancer through its ability to regulate biologic processes including cell cycle progression, DNA damage repair, transcription, ubiquitination, tyrosine kinase activity, and cancer stem cell maintenance. DYRK1A has been identified as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor in different models, underscoring the importance of cellular context in its function. Here, we review mechanistic contributions of DYRK1A to cancer biology and its role as a potential therapeutic target.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/metabolism , Humans , Neoplasms/genetics , Oncogenes , Phosphorylation , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Dyrk KinasesABSTRACT
DYRK1A is a serine/threonine kinase encoded on human chromosome 21 (HSA21) that has been implicated in several pathologies of Down syndrome (DS), including cognitive deficits and Alzheimer's disease. Although children with DS are predisposed to developing leukemia, especially B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), the HSA21 genes that contribute to malignancies remain largely undefined. Here, we report that DYRK1A is overexpressed and required for B-ALL. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of DYRK1A decreased leukemic cell expansion and suppressed B-ALL development in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that FOXO1 and STAT3, transcription factors that are indispensable for B cell development, are critical substrates of DYRK1A. Loss of DYRK1A-mediated FOXO1 and STAT3 signaling disrupted DNA damage and ROS regulation, respectively, leading to preferential cell death in leukemic B cells. Thus, we reveal a DYRK1A/FOXO1/STAT3 axis that facilitates the development and maintenance of B-ALL.
Subject(s)
Forkhead Box Protein O1/metabolism , Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Animals , Female , Forkhead Box Protein O1/genetics , Male , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Phosphorylation/genetics , Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics , Dyrk KinasesABSTRACT
Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRKs) hyperactivity has been linked to the development of a number of human malignancies. DYRK1A is the most studied family member, and the discovery of novel specific inhibitors is attracting considerable interest. The 8-cyclopropyl-2(pyridin-3-yl)thiazolo[5,4-f]quinazolin-9(8H)-one (also called FC162) was found to be a promising inhibitor of DYRK1A and was characterized in biological experiments, by western transfer and flow cytometry on SH-SY5Y and pre-B cells. Here, the results obtained with FC162 are compared to well-characterized known DYRK1A inhibitors (e.g., Leucettine L41 and EHT1610).
