Peters, H. C. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2024

Small molecule targeting of FBXO21 mediated p85αubiquitylation in acute myeloid leukemia

PI3K inhibitors that target the catalytic sub-unit p110 are used in cancer therapy to inhibit overactive PI3K signaling pathway. However, their clinical use is limited by severe adverse effects and development of resistance, highlighting the need for further research on regulation of the PI3K pathway. We have identified that FBXO21 ubiquitinates regulatory PI3K subunit p85, and silencing of FBXO21 inhibits canonical PI3K signaling. To target FBXO21, we developed a small molecule designed to interfere with substrate:ligase interaction. Our novel small molecule effectively blocks p85 ubiquitination leading to decreased PI3K pathway activation and cell death in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, our studies demonstrate selectivity for AML cells over healthy counterparts, and elimination of AML in vivo, emphasizing FBXO21s potential as a promising therapeutic target for AML. Targeting substrate:ligase interactions provide new avenues for drug discovery that may enhance the efficacy of current therapies and benefits for improving patient outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEOur studies highlight the potential of the ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXO21 as an alternative therapeutic target for the PI3K signaling pathway, not only in AML but in cancers with aberrant PI3K signaling.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Progerin-Expressing Endothelial Cells are Unable to Adapt to Shear Stress

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disease caused by a single-point mutation in the lamin A gene, resulting in a truncated and farnesylated form of lamin A. This mutant lamin A protein, known as progerin, accumulates at the periphery of the nuclear lamina, resulting in both an abnormal nuclear morphology and nuclear stiffening. HGPS patients experience rapid onset of atherosclerosis, with death from heart attack or stroke as teenagers. Progerin expression has been shown to cause dysfunction in both vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells (ECs). In this study we examined how progerin-expressing ECs adapt to fluid shear stress, the principal mechanical force from blood flow. We compared the response to shear stress for progerin-expressing, wild-type lamin A overexpressing, and control ECs to physiological levels of fluid shear stress. Additionally, we also knocked down ZMPSTE24 in ECs, which results in increased farnesylation of lamin A and similar phenotypes to HGPS. Our results showed that ECs either expressing progerin or with ZMPSTE24 knockdown were unable to adapt to shear stress, experiencing significant cell loss at a longer duration of exposure to shear stress (3 days). ECs overexpressing wild-type lamin A also exhibited similar impairments in adaptation to shear stress, including similar levels of cell loss. Quantification of nuclear morphology showed that progerin-expressing ECs had similar nuclear abnormalities in both static and shear conditions. Treatment of progerin-expressing cells and ZMPSTE24 KD cells with lonafarnib and methystat, drugs previously shown to improve HGPS nuclear morphology, resulted in improvements in adaptation to shear stress. Additionally, pre-alignment of cells to shear stress prior to progerin-expression prevented cell loss. Our results demonstrate that changes in nuclear lamins can affect the ability of EC to properly adapt to shear stress.

biophysics↗