Hedgehog-interacting protein acts in the habenula to regulate nicotine intake.

Hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) sequesters Hedgehog ligands to repress Smoothened (SMO)-mediated recruitment of the GLI family of transcription factors. Allelic variation in HHIP confers risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other smoking-related lung diseases, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. Using single-cell and cell-type-specific translational profiling, we show that HHIP expression is highly enriched in medial habenula (MHb) neurons, particularly MHb cholinergic neurons that regulate aversive behavioral responses to nicotine. HHIP deficiency dysregulated the expression of genes involved in cholinergic signaling in the MHb and disrupted the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) through a PTCH-1/cholesterol-dependent mechanism. Further, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genomic cleavage of the Hhip gene in MHb neurons enhanced the motivational properties of nicotine in mice. These findings suggest that HHIP influences vulnerability to smoking-related lung diseases in part by regulating the actions of nicotine on habenular aversion circuits.

Gene splicing SETs the scene for cocaine addiction.

Cocaine triggers gene splicing in brain reward circuits, but the mechanisms and importance of this response are unclear. In this issue of Neuron, Xu et al. (2021) show that the histone modification H3K36me3 marks genes spliced in response to cocaine and, using epigenome editing, establish a causal relationship between gene splicing and addiction-related behavioral responses.

An increase in VGF expression through a rapid, transcription-independent, autofeedback mechanism improves cognitive function.

The release of neuropeptides from dense core vesicles (DCVs) modulates neuronal activity and plays a critical role in cognitive function and emotion. The granin family is considered a master regulator of DCV biogenesis and the release of DCV cargo molecules. The expression of the VGF protein (nonacronymic), a secreted neuropeptide precursor that also belongs to the extended granin family, has been previously shown to be induced in the brain by hippocampus-dependent learning, and its downregulation is mechanistically linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other mood disorders. Currently, whether changes in translational efficiency of Vgf and other granin mRNAs may be associated and regulated with learning associated neural activity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that either contextual fear memory training or the administration of TLQP-62, a peptide derived from the C-terminal region of the VGF precursor, acutely increases the translation of VGF and other granin proteins, such as CgB and Scg2, via an mTOR-dependent signaling pathway in the absence of measurable increases in mRNA expression. Luciferase-based reporter assays confirmed that the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of the Vgf mRNA represses VGF translation. Consistently, the truncation of the endogenous Vgf mRNA 3'UTR results in substantial increases in VGF protein expression both in cultured primary neurons and in brain tissues from knock in mice expressing a 3'UTR-truncation mutant encoded by the modified Vgf gene. Importantly, Vgf 3'UTR-truncated mice exhibit enhanced memory performance and reduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Our results therefore reveal a rapid, transcription-independent induction of VGF and other granin proteins after learning that are triggered by the VGF-derived peptide TLQP-62. Our findings suggest that the rapid, positive feedforward increase in the synthesis of granin family proteins might be a general mechanism to replenish DCV cargo molecules that have been released in response to neuronal activation and is crucial for memory function and mood stability.

Habenular TCF7L2 links nicotine addiction to diabetes.

Diabetes is far more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers, but the underlying mechanisms of vulnerability are unknown. Here we show that the diabetes-associated gene Tcf7l2 is densely expressed in the medial habenula (mHb) region of the rodent brain, where it regulates the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Inhibition of TCF7L2 signalling in the mHb increases nicotine intake in mice and rats. Nicotine increases levels of blood glucose by TCF7L2-dependent stimulation of the mHb. Virus-tracing experiments identify a polysynaptic connection from the mHb to the pancreas, and wild-type rats with a history of nicotine consumption show increased circulating levels of glucagon and insulin, and diabetes-like dysregulation of blood glucose homeostasis. By contrast, mutant Tcf7l2 rats are resistant to these actions of nicotine. Our findings suggest that TCF7L2 regulates the stimulatory actions of nicotine on a habenula-pancreas axis that links the addictive properties of nicotine to its diabetes-promoting actions.

Transcriptional mechanisms of drug addiction
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Drugs of abuse can modify gene expression in brain reward and motivation centers, which contribute to the structural and functional remodeling of these circuits that impacts the emergence of a state of addiction. Our understanding of how addictive drugs induce transcriptomic plasticity in addiction-relevant brain regions, particularly in the striatum, has increased dramatically in recent years. Intracellular signaling machineries, transcription factors, chromatin modifications, and regulatory noncoding RNAs have all been implicated in the mechanisms through which addictive drugs act in the brain. Here, we briefly summarize some of the molecular mechanisms through which drugs of abuse can exert their transcriptional effects in the brain region, with an emphasis on the role for microRNAs in this process.
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Las drogas de abuso pueden modificar la expresión génica en los centros cerebrales de recompensa y motivación, lo que contribuye a la remodelación estructural y funcional de estos circuitos favoreciendo la aparición de una adicción. En los últimos años ha habido un importante aumento en la comprensión acerca del modo en que las drogas adictivas inducen la plasticidad transcriptómica en las regiones cerebrales relevantes para la adicción, particularmente en el cuerpo estriado. Las maquinarias de señalización intracelular, los factores de transcripción, las modificaciones de la cromatina y los ARNs reguladores no codificadores se han implicado en los mecanismos a través de los cuales las drogas adictivas actúan en el cerebro. En este artículo se resumen algunos de los mecanismos moleculares a través de los cuales las drogas de abuso pueden ejercer sus efectos transcripcionales en el cerebro, con énfasis en el papel de los microARNs en este proceso.

Les stupéfiants peuvent modifier l'expression génique des centres cérébraux de récompense et de motivation, ce qui participe au remodelage structurel et fonctionnel de ces circuits influant sur l'apparition d'un état d'addiction. Notre compréhension du mécanisme selon lequel les substances addictives induisent une plasticité transcriptomique dans les régions cérébrales correspondant à l'addiction, surtout dans le striatum, a considérablement évolué au cours des dernières années. La signalisation intracellulaire, les facteurs de transcription, les modifications de la chromatine et les ARN de régulation non codants interviennent tous dans les mécanismes d'action des substances addictives sur le cerveau. Nous résumons brièvement ici certains des mécanismes moléculaires qui permettent aux stupéfiants d'exercer leurs effets transcriptionnels sur le cerveau, en insistant sur le rôle des microARN dans ce processus.

MicroRNAs and Drug Addiction.

Drug addiction is considered a disorder of neuroplasticity in brain reward and cognition systems resulting from aberrant activation of gene expression programs in response to prolonged drug consumption. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key regulators of almost all aspects of cellular physiology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (∼21-23 nucleotides) ncRNAs transcripts that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Recently, miRNAs were shown to play key roles in the drug-induced remodeling of brain reward systems that likely drives the emergence of addiction. Here, we review evidence suggesting that one particular miRNA, miR-212, plays a particularly prominent role in vulnerability to cocaine addiction. We review evidence showing that miR-212 expression is increased in the dorsal striatum of rats that show compulsive-like cocaine-taking behaviors. Increases in miR-212 expression appear to protect against cocaine addiction, as virus-mediated striatal miR-212 overexpression decreases cocaine consumption in rats. Conversely, disruption of striatal miR-212 signaling using an antisense oligonucleotide increases cocaine intake. We also review data that identify two mechanisms by which miR-212 may regulate cocaine intake. First, miR-212 has been shown to amplify striatal cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling through a mechanism involving activation of Raf1 kinase. Second, miR-212 was also shown to regulate cocaine intake by repressing striatal expression of methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), consequently decreasing protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The concerted actions of miR-212 on striatal CREB and MeCP2/BDNF activity greatly attenuate the motivational effects of cocaine. These findings highlight the unique role for miRNAs in simultaneously controlling multiple signaling cascades implicated in addiction.

Disubstituted piperidines as potent orexin (hypocretin) receptor antagonists.

A series of orexin receptor antagonists was synthesized based on a substituted piperidine scaffold. Through traditional medicinal chemistry structure-activity relationships (SAR), installation of various groups at the 3-6-positions of the piperidine led to modest enhancement in receptor selectivity. Compounds were profiled in vivo for plasma and brain levels in order to identify candidates suitable for efficacy in a model of drug addiction.

Methylation, memory and addiction.

Dynamic chromatin remodeling is at the heart of most biological processes including gene transcription, DNA replication and repair, cell differentiation and apoptosis. Chromatin remodeling as a result of covalent histone modifications, including histone acetylation, methylation or SUMOylation, play important roles in these processes. Similarly, direct chemical modification of DNA, most notably DNA methylation, also plays a key role in controlling gene expression and basic aspects of cell biology. Memory, one of the most fundamental of all brain functions, is a complex process involving diverse cellular signaling cascades and coordinated regulation of entire networks of genes. Synaptic plasticity, which is defined as activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength between neurons, provides the cellular basis of memory. The role for covalent histone modifications in synaptic plasticity and in learning and memory has been now been firmly established. In contrast, much less had been known concerning DNA methylation in memory formation and storage. Emerging evidence now suggests that DNA methylation plays a central role in these processes, likely by directly influencing the expression of genes involved in synaptic plasticity.

MeCP2 controls BDNF expression and cocaine intake through homeostatic interactions with microRNA-212.

The X-linked transcriptional repressor methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), known for its role in the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, is emerging as an important regulator of neuroplasticity in postmitotic neurons. Cocaine addiction is commonly viewed as a disorder of neuroplasticity, but the potential involvement of MeCP2 has not been explored. Here we identify a key role for MeCP2 in the dorsal striatum in the escalating cocaine intake seen in rats with extended access to the drug, a process that mimics the increasingly uncontrolled cocaine use seen in addicted humans. MeCP2 regulates cocaine intake through homeostatic interactions with microRNA-212 (miR-212) to control the effects of cocaine on striatal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. These data suggest that homeostatic interactions between MeCP2 and miR-212 in dorsal striatum may be important in regulating vulnerability to cocaine addiction.

Striatal microRNA controls cocaine intake through CREB signalling.

Cocaine addiction is characterized by a gradual loss of control over drug use, but the molecular mechanisms regulating vulnerability to this process remain unclear. Here we report that microRNA-212 (miR-212) is upregulated in the dorsal striatum of rats with a history of extended access to cocaine. Striatal miR-212 decreases responsiveness to the motivational properties of cocaine by markedly amplifying the stimulatory effects of the drug on cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signalling. This action occurs through miR-212-enhanced Raf1 activity, resulting in adenylyl cyclase sensitization and increased expression of the essential CREB co-activator TORC (transducer of regulated CREB; also known as CRTC). Our findings indicate that striatal miR-212 signalling has a key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction, reveal new molecular regulators that control the complex actions of cocaine in brain reward circuitries and provide an entirely new direction for the development of anti-addiction therapeutics based on the modulation of noncoding RNAs.

Hydroxamic acid analogue histone deacetylase inhibitors attenuate estrogen receptor-alpha levels and transcriptional activity: a result of hyperacetylation and inhibition of chaperone function of heat shock protein 90.

PURPOSE: The molecular chaperone heat shock protein (hsp)-90 maintains estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha in an active conformation, allowing it to bind 17beta-estradiol (E2) and transactivate genes, including progesterone receptor (PR)-beta and the class IIB histone deacetylase HDAC6. By inhibiting HDAC6, the hydroxamic acid analogue pan-HDAC inhibitors (HA-HDI; e.g., LAQ824, LBH589, and vorinostat) induce hyperacetylation of the HDAC6 substrates alpha-tubulin and hsp90. Hyperacetylation of hsp90 inhibits its chaperone function, thereby depleting hsp90 client proteins. Here, we determined the effect of HA-HDIs on the levels and activity of ERalpha, as well as on the survival of ERalpha-expressing, estrogen-responsive human breast cancer MCF-7 and BT-474 cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Following exposure to HA-HDIs, hsp90 binding, polyubiquitylation levels, and transcriptional activity of ERalpha, as well as apoptosis and loss of survival, were determined in MCF-7 and BT-474 cells. RESULTS: Treatment with HA-HDI induced hsp90 hyperacetylation, decreased its binding to ERalpha, and increased polyubiquitylation and depletion of ERalpha levels. HA-HDI treatment abrogated E2-induced estrogen response element-luciferase expression and attenuated PRbeta and HDAC6 levels. Exposure to HA-HDI also depleted p-Akt, Akt, c-Raf, and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 levels, inhibited growth, and sensitized ERalpha-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that treatment with HA-HDI abrogates ERalpha levels and activity and could sensitize ERalpha-positive breast cancers to E2 depletion or ERalpha antagonists.

Cotreatment with vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) enhances activity of dasatinib (BMS-354825) against imatinib mesylate-sensitive or imatinib mesylate-resistant chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.

PURPOSE: We determined the effects of vorinostat [suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA)] and/or dasatinib, a dual Abl/Src kinase (tyrosine kinase) inhibitor, on the cultured human (K562 and LAMA-84) or primary chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells, as well as on the murine pro-B BaF3 cells with ectopic expression of the unmutated and kinase domain-mutant forms of Bcr-Abl. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Following exposure to dasatinib and/or vorinostat, apoptosis, loss of clonogenic survival, as well as the activity and levels of Bcr-Abl and its downstream signaling proteins were determined. RESULTS: Treatment with dasatinib attenuated the levels of autophosphorylated Bcr-Abl, p-CrkL, phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (p-STAT5), p-c-Src, and p-Lyn; inhibited the activity of Lyn and c-Src; and induced apoptosis of the cultured CML cells. Combined treatment of cultured human CML and BaF3 cells with vorinostat and dasatinib induced more apoptosis than either agent alone, as well as synergistically induced loss of clonogenic survival, which was associated with greater depletion of Bcr-Abl, p-CrkL, and p-STAT5 levels. Cotreatment with dasatinib and vorinostat also attenuated the levels of Bcr-AblE255K and Bcr-AblT315I and induced apoptosis of BaF3 cells with ectopic expression of the mutant forms of Bcr-Abl. Finally, cotreatment of the primary CML cells with vorinostat and dasatinib induced more loss of cell viability and depleted Bcr-Abl or Bcr-AblT315I, p-STAT5, and p-CrkL levels than either agent alone. CONCLUSIONS: As shown here, the preclinical in vitro activity of vorinostat and dasatinib against cultured and primary CML cells supports the in vivo testing of the combination in imatinib mesylate-sensitive and imatinib mesylate-resistant CML cells.

Combined effects of novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor AMN107 and histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 against Bcr-Abl-expressing human leukemia cells.

AMN107 (Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland) has potent in vitro and in vivo activity against the unmutated and most common mutant forms of Bcr-Abl. Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 (Novartis) depletes Bcr-Abl levels. We determined the effects of AMN107 and/or LBH589 in Bcr-Abl-expressing human K562 and LAMA-84 cells, as well as in primary chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells. AMN107 was more potent than imatinib mesylate (IM) in inhibiting Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase (TK) activity and attenuating p-STAT5, p-AKT, Bcl-x(L), and c-Myc levels in K562 and LAMA-84 cells. Cotreatment with LBH589 and AMN107 exerted synergistic apoptotic effects with more attenuation of p-STAT5, p-ERK1/2, c-Myc, and Bcl-x(L) and increases in p27 and Bim levels. LBH589 attenuated Bcr-Abl levels and induced apoptosis of mouse pro-B BaF3 cells containing ectopic expression of Bcr-Abl or the IM-resistant, point-mutant Bcr-AblT315I and Bcr-AblE255K. Treatment with LBH589 also depleted Bcr-Abl levels and induced apoptosis of IM-resistant primary human CML cells, including those with expression of Bcr-AblT315I. As compared with either agent alone, cotreatment with AMN107 and LBH589 induced more loss of cell viability of primary IM-resistant CML cells. Thus, cotreatment with LBH589 and AMN107 is active against cultured or primary IM-resistant CML cells, including those with expression of Bcr-AblT315I.

Abrogation of heat shock protein 70 induction as a strategy to increase antileukemia activity of heat shock protein 90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-demethoxy geldanamycin.

17-Allylamino-demethoxy geldanamycin (17-AAG) inhibits the chaperone association of heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) with the heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), which induces the mRNA and protein levels of hsp70. Increased hsp70 levels inhibit death receptor and mitochondria-initiated signaling for apoptosis. Here, we show that ectopic overexpression of hsp70 in human acute myelogenous leukemia HL-60 cells (HL-60/hsp70) and high endogenous hsp70 levels in Bcr-Abl-expressing cultured CML-BC K562 cells confers resistance to 17-AAG-induced apoptosis. In HL-60/hsp70 cells, hsp70 was bound to Bax, inhibited 17-AAG-mediated Bax conformation change and mitochondrial localization, thereby inhibiting the mitochondria-initiated events of apoptosis. Treatment with 17-AAG attenuated the levels of phospho-AKT, AKT, and c-Raf but increased hsp70 levels to a similar extent in the control HL-60/Neo and HL-60/hsp70 cells. Pretreatment with 17-AAG, which induced hsp70, inhibited 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine or etoposide-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Stable transfection of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to hsp70 completely abrogated the endogenous levels of hsp70 and blocked 17-AAG-mediated hsp70 induction, resulting in sensitizing K562/siRNA-hsp70 cells to 17-AAG-induced apoptosis. This was associated with decreased binding of Bax to hsp70 and increased 17-AAG-induced Bax conformation change. 17-AAG-mediated decline in the levels of AKT, c-Raf, and Bcr-Abl was similar in K562 and K562/siRNA-hsp70 cells. Cotreatment with KNK437, a benzylidine lactam inhibitor of hsp70 induction and thermotolerance, attenuated 17-AAG-mediated hsp70 induction and increased 17-AAG-induced apoptosis and loss of clonogenic survival of HL-60 cells. Collectively, these data indicate that induction of hsp70 attenuates the apoptotic effects of 17-AAG, and abrogation of hsp70 induction significantly enhances the antileukemia activity of 17-AAG.

Chemical ablation of androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells by the histone deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824.

Androgen receptor plays a critical role in the development of primary as well as advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Therefore, ablation of androgen receptor from prostate cancer cells is an interesting concept for developing a new therapy not only for androgen-dependent prostate cancer but also for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, for which there is no effective treatment available. We report here that LAQ824, a cinnamyl hydroxamatic acid histone deacetylase inhibitor currently in human clinical trials, effectively depleted androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells at nanomolar concentrations. LAQ824 seemed capable of depleting both the mutant and wild-type androgen receptors in either androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Although LAQ824 may exert its effect through multiple mechanisms, several lines of evidence suggest that inactivation of the heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) molecular chaperone is involved in LAQ824-induced androgen receptor depletion. Besides androgen receptor, LAQ824 reduced the level of Hsp90 client proteins HER-2 (ErbB2), Akt/PKB, and Raf-1 in LNCaP cells. Another Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-allyamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), also induced androgen receptor diminution. LAQ824 induced Hsp90 acetylation in LNCaP cells, which resulted in inhibition of its ATP-binding activity, dissociation of Hsp90-androgen receptor complex, and proteasome-mediated degradation of androgen receptor. Consequently, LAQ824 blocked androgen-induced prostate-specific antigen production in LNCaP cells. LAQ824 effectively inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of these prostate cancer cells. These results reveal that LAQ824 is a potent agent for depletion of androgen receptor and a potential new drug for prostate cancer.

Activity of suberoylanilide hydroxamic Acid against human breast cancer cells with amplification of her-2.

PURPOSE: We determined the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on hsp90 and its client proteins Her-2, AKT, and c-Raf, as well as evaluated the cytotoxic effects of co-treatment of SAHA with trastuzumab or docetaxel in human breast cancer BT-474 and SKBR-3 cells containing amplification of Her-2. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The cells were treated with SAHA (1.0-5.0 micromol/L) and/or trastuzumab (5-40 microg/mL) or docetaxel (5-20 nmol/L). Following this, apoptosis and the levels of p21(WAF1), p27(KIP1), AKT, c-Raf, and Her-2, as well as of the key regulators of apoptosis were determined. Synergistic interaction between drugs was evaluated by median dose-effect analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with SAHA up-regulated p21(WAF1) and p27(KIP1) levels, increased the percentage of cells in G2-M phase of the cell cycle, as well as induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This was associated with up-regulation of the pro-death Bak and Bim, as well as with attenuation of the levels of Her-2 and XIAP, survivin, Bcl-2, and Bcl-x(L) proteins. SAHA treatment induced acetylation of hsp90. This reduced the chaperone association of Her-2 with hsp90, promoting polyubiquitylation and degradation of Her-2. SAHA also attenuated the levels of c-Raf and AKT. Co-treatment with SAHA significantly increased trastuzumab or docetaxel-induced apoptosis of BT-474 and SKBR-3 cells. Additionally, median dose-effect analysis revealed that co-treatment with SAHA and trastuzumab or docetaxel induced synergistic cytotoxic effects against the breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: These preclinical findings support the development of SAHA in combination with docetaxel and/or trastuzumab against Her-2-amplified breast cancer.

Inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 acetylates and disrupts the chaperone function of heat shock protein 90: a novel basis for antileukemia activity of histone deacetylase inhibitors.

The hydroxamic acid (HAA) analogue pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDIs) LAQ824 and LBH589 have been shown to induce acetylation and inhibit the ATP binding and chaperone function of heat shock protein (HSP) 90. This promotes the polyubiquitylation and degradation of the pro-growth and pro-survival client proteins Bcr-Abl, mutant FLT-3, c-Raf, and AKT in human leukemia cells. HDAC6 is a member of the class IIB HDACs. It is predominantly cytosolic, microtubule-associated alpha-tubulin deacetylase that is also known to promote aggresome inclusion of the misfolded polyubiquitylated proteins. Here we demonstrate that in the Bcr-abl oncogene expressing human leukemia K562 cells, HDAC6 can be co-immunoprecipitated with HSP90, and the knock-down of HDAC6 by its siRNA induced the acetylation of HSP90 and alpha-tubulin. Depletion of HDAC6 levels also inhibited the binding of HSP90 to ATP, reduced the chaperone association of HSP90 with its client proteins, e.g. Bcr-Abl, and induced polyubiquitylation and partial depletion of Bcr-Abl. Conversely, the ectopic overexpression of HDAC6 inhibited LAQ824-induced acetylation of HSP90 and alpha-tubulin and reduced LAQ824-mediated depletion of Bcr-Abl, AKT, and c-Raf. Collectively, these findings indicate that HDAC6 is also an HSP90 deacetylase. Targeted inhibition of HDAC6 leads to acetylation of HSP90 and disruption of its chaperone function, resulting in polyubiquitylation and depletion of pro-growth and pro-survival HSP90 client proteins including Bcr-Abl. Depletion of HDAC6 sensitized human leukemia cells to HAA-HDIs and proteasome inhibitors.

Mechanistic role of heat shock protein 70 in Bcr-Abl-mediated resistance to apoptosis in human acute leukemia cells.

Bcr-Abl-expressing primary or cultured leukemia cells display high levels of the antiapoptotic heat shock protein (hsp) 70 and are resistant to cytarabine (Ara-C), etoposide, or Apo-2L/TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)-induced apoptosis. Conversely, a stable expression of the cDNA of hsp70 in the reverse orientation attenuated not only hsp70 but also signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) and Bcl-x(L) levels. This increased apoptosis induced by cytarabine, etoposide, or Apo-2L/TRAIL. Ectopic expression of hsp70 in HL-60 cells (HL-60/hsp70) inhibited Ara-C and etoposide-induced Bax conformation change and translocation to the mitochondria; attenuated the accumulation of cytochrome c, Smac, and Omi/HtrA2 in the cytosol; and inhibited the processing and activity of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Hsp70 was bound to death receptors 4 and 5 (DR4 and DR5) and inhibited Apo-2L/TRAIL-induced assembly and activity of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). HL-60/hsp70 cells exhibited increased levels and DNA binding activity of STAT5, which was associated with high levels of Pim-2 and Bcl-x(L) and resistance to apoptosis. Expression of the dominant negative (DN) STAT5 resensitized HL-60/hsp70 cells to cytarabine, etoposide, and Apo-2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that hsp70 inhibits apoptosis upstream and downstream of the mitochondria and is a promising therapeutic target for reversing drug-resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia-blast crisis and acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Combination of the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 and the hsp90 inhibitor 17-AAG is highly active against human CML-BC cells and AML cells with activating mutation of FLT-3.

Present studies show that LBH589, a novel cinnamic hydroxamic acid analog histone deacetylase inhibitor, induces acetylation of histone H3 and H4 and of heat shock protein 90 (hsp90), increases p21 levels, as well as induces cell-cycle G(1) phase accumulation and apoptosis of the human chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis (CML-BC) K562 cells and acute leukemia MV4-11 cells with the activating length mutation of FLT-3. In MV4-11 cells, this was associated with marked attenuation of the protein levels of p-FLT-3, FLT-3, p-AKT, and p-ERK1/2. In K562 cells, exposure to LBH589 attenuated Bcr-Abl, p-AKT, and p-ERK1/2. Treatment with LBH589 inhibited the DNA binding activity of signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) in both K562 and MV4-11 cells. The hsp90 inhibitor 17-allyl-amino-demethoxy geldanamycin (17-AAG) also induced polyubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of FLT-3 and Bcr-Abl by reducing their chaperone association with hsp90. Cotreatment with LBH589 and 17-AAG exerted synergistic apoptosis of MV4-11 and K562 cells. In the imatinib mesylate (IM)-refractory leukemia cells expressing Bcr-Abl with the T315I mutation, treatment with the combination attenuated the levels of the mutant Bcr-Abl and induced apoptosis. Finally, cotreatment with LBH589 and 17-AAG also induced more apoptosis of IM-resistant primary CML-BC and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells (with activating mutation of FLT-3) than treatment with either agent alone.

Superior activity of the combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824 and the FLT-3 kinase inhibitor PKC412 against human acute myelogenous leukemia cells with mutant FLT-3.

PURPOSE: Mutant FLT-3 receptor tyrosine kinase is a client protein of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 and is commonly present and contributes to the leukemia phenotype in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). LAQ824, a cinnamyl hydroxamate histone deacetylase inhibitor, is known to induce acetylation and inhibition of heat shock protein 90. Here, we determined the effects of LAQ824 and/or PKC412 (a FLT-3 kinase inhibitor) on the levels of mutant FLT-3 and its downstream signaling, as well as growth arrest and cell-death of cultured and primary human AML cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The effect of LAQ824 and/or PKC412 treatment was determined on the levels of FLT-3 and phosphorylated (p)-FLT-3, on downstream pro-growth and pro-survival effectors, e.g., p-STAT5, p-AKT, and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and on the cell cycle status and apoptosis in the cultured MV4-11 and primary AML cells with mutant FLT-3. RESULTS: Treatment with LAQ824 promoted proteasomal degradation and attenuation of the levels of FLT-3 and p-FLT-3, associated with cell cycle G(1)-phase accumulation and apoptosis of MV4-11 cells. This was accompanied by attenuation of p-STAT5, p-AKT, and p-ERK1/2 levels. STAT-5 DNA-binding activity and the levels of c-Myc and oncostatin M were also down-regulated. Cotreatment with LAQ824 and PKC412 synergistically induced apoptosis of MV4-11 cells and induced more apoptosis of the primary AML cells expressing mutant FLT-3. This was also associated with more attenuation of p-FLT-3, p-AKT, p-ERK1/2, and p-STAT5. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of LAQ824 and PKC412 is highly active against human AML cells with mutant FLT-3, which merits in vivo studies of the combination against human AML.