Florida-California Cancer Research, Education and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center: Structure, Innovations, and Initial Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The Florida-California Cancer Research, Education, and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center is a triad partnership committed to increasing institutional capacity for cancer disparity research, the diversity of the cancer workforce, and community empowerment. This article provides an overview of the structure, process innovations, and initial outcomes from the first 4 years of the CaRE2 triad partnership. METHODS: CaRE2 serves diverse populations in Florida and California using a "molecule to the community and back" model. We prioritize research on the complex intersection of biological, environmental, and social determinants health, working together with scientific and health disparities communities, sharing expertise across institutions, bidirectional training, and community outreach. Partnership progress and outcomes were assessed using mixed methods and four Program Steering Committee meetings. RESULTS: Research capacity was increased through development of a Living Repository of 81 cancer model systems from minority patients for novel cancer drug development. CaRE2 funded 15 scientific projects resulting in 38 publications. Workforce diversity entailed supporting 94 cancer trainees (92 URM) and 34 ESIs (32 URM) who coauthored 313 CaRE2-related publications and received 48 grants. Community empowerment was promoted via outreaching to more than 3000 individuals, training 145 community cancer advocates (including 28 Community Scientist Advocates), and publishing 10 community reports. CaRE2 members and trainees together have published 639 articles, received 61 grants, and 57 awards. CONCLUSION: The CaRE2 partnership has achieved its initial aims. Infrastructure for translational cancer research was expanded at one partner institution, and cancer disparities research was expanded at the two cancer centers.

New analogs of SYA013 as sigma-2 ligands with anticancer activity.

Our previous study has revealed 4-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,4-diazepan-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)butan-1-one·2HCl (SYA013) 1 as a sigma ligand with moderate selectivity for the sigma-2 receptor. Given the overexpression of sigma receptors in solid tumors and reports of sigma ligands with anticancer activities, we selected 1 for evaluation in several solid tumor cell lines. In addition, we have synthesized new analogs of 1 and now report that several of them bind preferentially at the sigma-2 receptor and have shown inhibition of several cancer cell lines including MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-486, A549, PC-3, MIA PaCa-2 and Panc-1 cells. In particular, compounds 1 and 12 have demonstrated sub-micromolar activity against the Panc-1 cell line. It has also been observed that several of these compounds demonstrate selective toxicity toward cancer cells, when compared to normal cells.

Nerve growth factor induces neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells by promoting Gßγ-microtubule interaction.

BACKGROUND: Assembly and disassembly of microtubules (MTs) is critical for neurite outgrowth and differentiation. Evidence suggests that nerve growth factor (NGF) induces neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells by activating the receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkA. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as well as heterotrimeric G proteins are also involved in regulating neurite outgrowth. However, the possible connection between these pathways and how they might ultimately converge to regulate the assembly and organization of MTs during neurite outgrowth is not well understood. RESULTS: Here, we report that Gßγ, an important component of the GPCR pathway, is critical for NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. We have found that NGF promoted the interaction of Gßγ with MTs and stimulated MT assembly. While Gßγ-sequestering peptide GRK2i inhibited neurite formation, disrupted MTs, and induced neurite damage, the Gßγ activator mSIRK stimulated neurite outgrowth, which indicates the involvement of Gßγ in this process. Because we have shown earlier that prenylation and subsequent methylation/demethylation of γ subunits are required for the Gßγ-MTs interaction in vitro, small-molecule inhibitors (L-28 and L-23) targeting prenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) were tested in the current study. We found that these inhibitors disrupted Gßγ and ΜΤ organization and affected cellular morphology and neurite outgrowth. In further support of a role of Gßγ-MT interaction in neuronal differentiation, it was observed that overexpression of Gßγ in PC12 cells induced neurite outgrowth in the absence of added NGF. Moreover, overexpressed Gßγ exhibited a pattern of association with MTs similar to that observed in NGF-differentiated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results demonstrate that ßγ subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins play a critical role in neurite outgrowth and differentiation by interacting with MTs and modulating MT rearrangement.

Further evaluation of the tropane analogs of haloperidol.

Previous work from our labs has indicated that a tropane analog of haloperidol with potent D2 binding but designed to avoid the formation of MPP(+)-like metabolites, such as 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl)pyridin-1-ium (BCPP(+)) still produced catalepsy, suggesting a strong role for the D2 receptor in the production of catalepsy in rats, and hence EPS in humans. This study tested the hypothesis that further modifications of the tropane analog to produce compounds with less potent binding to the D2 receptor than haloperidol, would produce less catalepsy. These tests have now revealed that while haloperidol produced maximum catalepsy, these compounds produced moderate to low levels of catalepsy. Compound 9, with the least binding affinity to the D2R, produced the least catalepsy and highest Minimum Adverse Effective Dose (MAED) of the analogs tested regardless of their affinities at other receptors including the 5-HT1AR. These observations support the hypothesis that moderation of the D2 binding of the tropane analogs could reduce catalepsy potential in rats and consequently EPS in man.

Identification of a new selective dopamine D4 receptor ligand.

The dopamine D4 receptor has been shown to play key roles in certain CNS pathologies including addiction to cigarette smoking. Thus, selective D4 ligands may be useful in treating some of these conditions. Previous studies in our laboratory have indicated that the piperazine analog of haloperidol exhibits selective and increased affinity to the DAD4 receptor subtype, in comparison to its piperidine analog. This led to further exploration of the piperazine moiety to identify new agents that are selective at the D4 receptor. Compound 27 (KiD4=0.84 nM) was the most potent of the compounds tested. However, it only had moderate selectivity for the D4 receptor. Compound 28 (KiD4=3.9 nM) while not as potent, was more discriminatory for the D4 receptor subtype. In fact, compound 28 has little or no binding affinity to any of the other four DA receptor subtypes. In addition, of the 23 CNS receptors evaluated, only two, 5HT1AR and 5HT2BR, have binding affinity constants better than 100 nM (Ki <100 nM). Compound 28 is a potentially useful D4-selective ligand for probing disease treatments involving the D4 receptor, such as assisting smoking cessation, reversing cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and treating erectile dysfunction. Thus, further optimization, functional characterization and evaluation in animal models may be warranted.

Inhibition of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase by synthetic musks induces cell degeneration.

Synthetic fragrances are persistent environmental pollutants that tend to bioaccumulate in animal tissues. They are widely used in personal care products and cleaning agents. Worldwide production of Galaxolide and Tonalide are in excess of 4500 tons annually. Because of their widespread production and use, they have been detected in surface waters and fish in the US and Europe. Consumption of contaminated water and fish from such sources leads to bioaccumulation and eventual toxicity. Since fragrances and flavors bear structural similarities to polyisoprenes, it was of interest to determine whether toxicity by Galaxolide and Tonalide may be linked with polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) inhibition. A concentration-dependent study of PMPMEase inhibition by Galaxolide and Tonalide as well as their effects on the degeneration of cultured cells were conducted. Galaxolide and Tonalide inhibited purified porcine liver PMPMEase with Ki values of 11 and 14 µM, respectively. Galaxolide and Tonalide also induced human cancer cell degeneration with EC50 values of 26 and 98 µM (neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells) and 58 and 14 µM (lung cancer A549 cells), respectively. The effects on cell viability correlate well with the inhibition of PMPMEase activity in the cultured cells. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the binding interactions are most likely between the fragrance molecules and hydrophobic amino acids in the active site of the enzyme. These results appear to suggest that the reported neurotoxicity of these compounds may be associated with their inhibition of PMPMEase. Exposure to fragrances may pose a significant risk to individuals predisposed to developing degenerative disorders.

Activation of MAP Kinase Pathway by Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors Causes Apoptosis and Disrupts Breast Cancer Cell Invasion.

Prognoses for TNBC remain poor due to its aggressive nature and the lack of therapies that target its "drivers". RASA1, a RAS-GAP or GTPase-activating protein whose activity inhibits RAS signaling, is downregulated in up to 77% of TNBC cases. As such, RAS proteins become hyperactive and similar in effect to mutant hyperactive RAS proteins with impaired GTPase activities. PCAIs are a novel class of agents designed to target and disrupt the activities of KRAS and other G-proteins that are hyperactive in various cancers. This study shows the anticancer mechanisms of the PCAIs in two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231. PCAIs (NSL-YHJ-2-27) treatment increased BRAF phosphorylation, whereas CRAF phosphorylation significantly decreased in both cell lines. Moreover, the PCAIs also stimulated the phosphorylation of MEK, ERK, and p90RSK by 116, 340, and 240% in MDA-MB-468 cells, respectively. However, in MDA-MB-231 cells, a significant increase of 105% was observed only in p90RSK phosphorylation. Opposing effects were observed for AKT phosphorylation, whereby an increase was detected in MDA-MB-468 cells and a decrease in MDA-MB-231 cells. The PCAIs also induced apoptosis, as observed in the increased pro-apoptotic protein BAK1, by 51%, after treatment. The proportion of live cells in PCAIs-treated spheroids decreased by 42 and 34% in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively, which further explains the PCAIs-induced apoptosis. The movement of the cells through the Matrigel was also inhibited by 74% after PCAIs exposure, which could have been due to the depleted levels of F-actin and vinculin punctate, resulting in the shrinkage of the cells by 76%, thereby impeding cell movement. These results show promise for PCAIs as potential therapies for TNBC as they significantly inhibit the hallmark processes and pathways that promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which result in poor prognoses for breast cancer patients.

Treatment of a mutant KRAS lung cancer cell line with polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors activates the MAPK pathway, inhibits cell migration and induces apoptosis.

KRAS mutations are the most common oncogenic mutations in lung adenocarcinoma in Black Americans. Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl amide Inhibitors (PCAIs) constitute a group of potential cancer therapy agents that we designed to specifically disrupt and suppress hyperactive G-protein signaling, such as that caused by mutated RAS proteins. Here we determine the effects of PCAIs on the viability, G-protein levels, downstream mediators, and apoptosis-related proteins on the KRAS-mutated, Black American-derived lung adenocarcinoma cell line, NCI-H23. Of the 17 PCAIs tested, compounds NSL-YHJ-2-27 and NSL-YHJ-2-46 showed the most potency with EC50 values of 2.7 and 3.3 µM, respectively. Western blotting was used to determine the effect of the PCAIs on the phosphorylation levels of MAPK pathway enzymes. After 48 h exposure to 5 µM of the PCAIs, NSL-YHJ-2-46, the MAPK proteins BRAF, MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and p90RSK were activated through phosphorylation by 90, 190, 150 and 120%, respectively. However, CRAF/RAF1 phosphorylation decreased by 40%, suggesting significant changes in the KRAS/MAPK signaling patterns. Furthermore, 5 µM of NSL-YHJ-2-27 depleted the singly polyisoprenylated monomeric G-proteins RAC 1/2/3 and CDC42 by 77 and 76%, respectively. The depletion of these key cytoskeletal proteins may account for the observed inhibition of cell migration and invasion, and spheroid invasion observed on exposure to NSL-YHJ-2-27 and NSL-YHJ-2-46. Treatment with 5 µM of NSL-YHJ-2-27 suppressed full-length inactive caspase 3 and 7 levels by 72 and 91%, respectively. An analysis of cells treated with the fluorescently labeled active caspase 3/7 irreversible inhibitor, CaspaTagTM Caspase-3/7 in situ reagent revealed a 124% increase in active caspase at 3 µM over controls. These findings clearly show the direct effects of the PCAIs on the RAS signaling pathway. Given the profound increases observed in RPS6KA1/p90RSK phosphorylation, future work will involve a determination whether the proapoptotic isoforms of RPS6KA1/p90RSK are phosphorylated due to the PCAIs treatments. These results support the potential use of the PCAIs as targeted therapies against cancers with KRAS mutations.

Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors deplete singly polyisoprenylated monomeric G-proteins in lung and breast cancer cell lines.

Finding effective therapies against cancers driven by mutant and/or overexpressed hyperactive G-proteins remains an area of active research. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) are agents that mimic the essential posttranslational modifications of G-proteins. It is hypothesized that PCAIs work as anticancer agents by disrupting polyisoprenylation-dependent functional interactions of the G-Proteins. This study tested this hypothesis by determining the effect of the PCAIs on the levels of RAS and related monomeric G-proteins. Following 48 h exposure, we found significant decreases in the levels of KRAS, RHOA, RAC1, and CDC42 ranging within 20-66% after NSL-YHJ-2-27 (5 µM) treatment in all four cell lines tested, A549, NCI-H1299, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468. However, no significant difference was observed on the G-protein, RAB5A. Interestingly, 38 and 44% decreases in the levels of the farnesylated and acylated NRAS were observed in the two breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468, respectively, while HRAS levels showed a 36% decrease only in MDA-MB-468 cells. Moreover, after PCAIs treatment, migration, and invasion of A549 cells were inhibited by 72 and 70%, respectively while the levels of vinculin and fascin dropped by 33 and 43%, respectively. These findings implicate the potential role of PCAIs as anticancer agents through their direct interaction with monomeric G-proteins.

Lack of racial and ethnic diversity in lung cancer cell lines contributes to lung cancer health disparities.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide, and a major source of cancer health disparities. Lung cancer cell lines provide key in vitro models for molecular studies of lung cancer development and progression, and for pre-clinical drug testing. To ensure health equity, it is imperative that cell lines representing different lung cancer histological types, carrying different cancer driver genes, and representing different genders, races, and ethnicities should be available. This is particularly relevant for cell lines from Black men, who experience the highest lung cancer mortality in the United States. Here, we undertook a review of the available lung cancer cell lines and their racial and ethnic origin. We noted a marked imbalance in the availability of cell lines from different races and ethnicities. Cell lines from Black patients were strongly underrepresented, and we identified no cell lines from Hispanic/Latin(x) (H/L), American Indian/American Native (AI/AN), or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) patients. The majority of cell lines were derived from White and Asian patients. Also missing are cell lines representing the cells-of-origin of the major lung cancer histological types, which can be used to model lung cancer development and to study the effects of environmental exposures on lung tissues. To our knowledge, the few available immortalized alveolar epithelial cell lines are all derived from White subjects, and the race and ethnicity of a handful of cell lines derived from bronchial epithelial cells are unknown. The lack of an appropriately diverse collection of lung cancer cell lines and lung cancer cell-of-origin lines severely limits racially and ethnically inclusive lung cancer research. It impedes the ability to develop inclusive models, screen comprehensively for effective compounds, pre-clinically test new drugs, and optimize precision medicine. It thereby hinders the development of therapies that can increase the survival of minority and underserved patients. The noted lack of cell lines from underrepresented groups should constitute a call to action to establish additional cell lines and ensure adequate representation of all population groups in this critical pre-clinical research resource.

Design and Realization of Lung Organoid Cultures for COVID-19 Applications.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been spreading globally and threatening public health. Advanced in vitro models that recapitulate the architecture and functioning of specific tissues and organs are in high demand for COVID-19-related pathology studies and drug screening. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cultures such as self-assembled and engineered organoid cultures surpass conventional two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal models with respect to the increased cellular complexity, better human-relevant environment, and reduced cost, thus presenting as promising platforms for understanding viral pathogenesis and developing new therapeutics. This review highlights the recent advances in self-assembled and engineered organoid technologies that are used for COVID-19 studies. The challenges and future perspectives are also discussed.

An Evaluation of the Anticancer Properties of SYA014, a Homopiperazine-Oxime Analog of Haloperidol in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer associated with early metastasis, poor prognosis, high relapse rates, and mortality. Previously, we demonstrated that SYA013, a selective σ2RL, could inhibit cell proliferation, suppress migration, reduce invasion, and induce mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell lines, although we were unable to demonstrate the direct involvement of sigma receptors. This study aimed to determine the anticancer properties and mechanisms of action of SYA014, [4-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,4-diazepan-1-yl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)butan-1-one oxime], an oxime analogue of SYA013, the contribution of its sigma-2 receptor (σ2R) binding, and its possible synergistic use with cisplatin to improve anticancer properties in two TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 (Caucasian) and MDA-MB-468 (Black). In the present investigation, we have shown that SYA014 displays anticancer properties against cell proliferation, survival, metastasis and apoptosis in the two TNBC cell lines. Furthermore, a mechanistic investigation was conducted to identify the apoptotic pathway by which SYA014 induces cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells. Since SYA014 has a higher binding affinity for σ2R compared to σ1R, we tested the role of σ2R on the antiproliferative property of SYA014 with a σ2R blockade. We also attempted to evaluate the combination effect of SYA014 with cisplatin in TNBC cells.

Synthetic Optimization and MAPK Pathway Activation Anticancer Mechanism of Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors.

Abnormalities of the MAPK pathway play vital roles in cancer initiation and progression. RAS GTPases that are key upstream mediators of the pathway are mutated in 30% of human cancers. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) were designed as potential targeted therapies against the RAS-driven cancers. The current study reports on the optimization of the PCAIs and the determination of their mechanisms of action in KRAS-mutant cancer cells. They display ClogP values ranging from 3.01 to 6.35, suppressing the viabilities of KRAS-mutant MDA-MB-231, A549, MIA PaCa-2, and NCI-H1299 cells in 2D and 3D cultures with EC50 values of 2.2 to 6.8, 2.2 to 7.6, 2.3 to 6.5 and 5.0 to 14 µM, respectively. When A549 cells were treated with the PCAIs, NSL-YHJ-2-27, for 48 h, no significant difference was observed in the levels of total or phosphorylated B- and C-Raf proteins. However, at 5 µM, it stimulated the phosphorylation of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and p90RSK by 84%, 59%, and 160%, respectively, relative to controls. A non-farnesylated analog, NSL-YHJ-2-62, did not elicit similar effects. These data reveal that effects on the RAS-MAPK signaling axis most likely contribute to the anticancer effects of the PCAIs, possibly through the proapoptotic isoforms of p90RSK. The PCAIs may thus have the potential to serve the unmet therapeutic needs of patients with aberrant hyperactive G-protein signaling.

Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors: A Novel Approach to Controlling Cancers with Hyperactive Growth Signaling.

Aberrant activation of monomeric G-protein signaling pathways drives some of the most aggressive cancers. Suppressing these hyperactivities has been the focus of efforts to obtain targeted therapies. Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) is overexpressed in various cancers. Its inhibition induces the death of cancer cells that harbor the constitutively active K-Ras proteins. Furthermore, the viability of cancer cells driven by factors upstream of K-Ras, such as overexpressed growth factors and their receptors or the mutationally-activated receptors, is also susceptible to PMPMEase inhibition. Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) were thus designed to target cancers with hyperactive signaling pathways involving the G-proteins. The PCAIs were, however, poor inhibitors of PMPMEase, with Ki values ranging from 3.7 to 20 µM. On the other hand, they inhibited cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, induced apoptosis in cells with mutant K-Ras and inhibited cell migration and invasion with EC50 values of 1 to 3 µM. HUVEC tube formation was inhibited at submicromolar concentrations through their disruption of actin filament organization. At the molecular level, the PCAIs at 2 to 5 µM depleted monomeric G-proteins such as K-Ras, RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1. The PCAIs also deplete vinculin and fascin that are involved in actin organization and function while disrupting vinculin punctates in the process. These demonstrate a polyisoprenylation-dependent mechanism that explains the observed PCAIs' inhibition of the proliferative, invasive and angiogenic processes that promote both tumor growth and metastasis.

A Mechanistic Investigation on the Anticancer Properties of SYA013, a Homopiperazine Analogue of Haloperidol with Activity against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most malignant cancers associated with early metastasis, poor clinical prognosis, and high recurrence rate. TNBC is a distinct subtype of breast cancer that lacks estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors (HER2). Development of effective TNBC therapies has been limited partially due to the lack of specific molecular targets and chemotherapy involving different cytotoxic drugs suffers from significant side effects and drug-resistance development. Therefore, there is an unmet need for the development of novel and efficient therapeutic drugs with reduced side effects to treat TNBC. We have previously reported that certain analogues of haloperidol (a typical antipsychotic drug used for treating mental/mood disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) suppress the viability of a variety of solid tumor cell lines, and we have identified 4-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,4-diazepan-1-yl)-1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)butan-1-one (SYA013) with such antiproliferative properties. Interestingly, unlike haloperidol, SYA013 shows moderate selectivity toward σ2 receptors. In this study, we explored the potential of SYA013 in modulating the important biological events associated with cell survival and progression as well as the mechanistic aspects of apoptosis in a representative TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231). Our results indicate that SYA013 inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and suppresses cell migration and invasion. Apoptotic studies were also conducted in MDA-MB-468 cells (cells derived from a 51-year old Black female with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast.). In addition, we have demonstrated that SYA013 induces MDA-MB-231 cell death through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and may suppress tumor progression and metastasis. Taken together, our study presents a mechanistic pathway of the anticancer properties of SYA013 against TNBC cell lines and suggests a potential for exploring SYA013 as a lead agent for development against TNBC.

Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors Deplete K-Ras and Induce Caspase-dependent Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) harboring mutation-induced dysregulation of Ras signaling present some of the most difficult-to-manage cases, since directly targeting the constitutively active mutant Ras proteins has not resulted in clinically useful drugs. Therefore, modulating Ras activity for targeted treatment of cancer remains an urgent healthcare need. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we investigated a novel class of compounds, the polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs), for their anticancer molecular mechanisms using the NSCLC cell panel with K-Ras and/or other mutant genes. METHODS: The effect of the PCAIs on intracellular K-Ras levels, cell viability, apoptosis, spheroid and colony formation were determined. RESULTS: Treatment of the lung cancer cells with the PCAIs, NSL-RD-035, NSL-BA-036, NSL-BA- 040 and NSL-BA-055 resulted in concentration-dependent cell death in both K-Ras mutant (A549, NCI-H460, and NCI-H1573), N-Ras mutant (NCI-H1299) and other (NCI-H661, NCI-H1975, NCIH1563) NSCLC cells. The PCAIs at 1.0 -10 µM induced the degeneration of 3D spheroid cultures, inhibited clonogenic cell growth and induced marked apoptosis via the extrinsic pathway. The most potent of the PCAIs, NSL-BA-055, at 5 µM induced a seven-fold increase in the activity of caspase- 3/7 and a 75% selective depletion of K-Ras protein levels relative to GAPDH in A549 cells that correlated with PCAIs-induced apoptosis. NSL-BA-040 and NSL-BA-055 also induced the phosphorylation of MAP kinase (ERK 1/2). CONCLUSION: Taken together, PCAIs may be potentially useful as targeted therapies that suppress NSCLC progression through disruption of Ras-mediated growth signaling.

Liver prenylated methylated protein methyl esterase is the same enzyme as Sus scrofa carboxylesterase.

The C-terminal --COOH of prenylated proteins is methylated to --COOCH3. The --COOCH3 ester forms are hydrolyzed by prenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase) to the original acid forms. This is the only reversible step of the prenylation pathway. PMPMEase has not been purified and identified and is therefore understudied. Using a prenylated-L-cysteine methyl ester as substrate, PMPMEase was purified to apparent homogeneity from porcine liver supernatant. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed an apparent mass of 57 kDa. Proteomics analyses identified 17 peptides (242 amino acids). A Mascot database search revealed these as portions of the Sus scrofa carboxylesterase, a 62-kDa serine hydrolase with the C-terminal HAEL endoplasmic reticulum-retention signal. It is at least 71% identical to such mammalian carboxylesterases as human carboxylesterase 1 with affinities toward hydrophobic substrates and known to activate prodrugs, metabolize active drugs, as well as detoxify various substances such as cocaine and food-derived esters. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed benzoyl-Gly-farnesyl-L-cysteine methyl ester and hydrocinamoyl farnesyl-L-cysteine methyl ester with Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) values of 33 +/- 4 and 25 +/- 4 microM and V(max) values of 4.51 +/- 0.28 and 6.80 +/- 0.51 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. It was inhibited by organophosphates, chloromethyl ketones, ebelactone A and B, and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.

Suppression of focal adhesion formation may account for the suppression of cell migration, invasion and growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells following treatment with polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors.

Migratory cells form extracellular matrix attachments called focal-adhesions. Focal adhesion assembly and disassembly are regulated by the Rho family of small GTPases. We previously reported that polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors (PCAIs) suppress Rho protein levels, disrupting F-actin cytoskeleton remodeling in the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia. In this study, we investigated whether these observations effect focal adhesion formation, which involves cell surface receptors known as integrins and several signaling/adaptor proteins such as vinculin, α-actinin, Rock kinases and phospho-Myosin Light Chain-2 (p-MLC-2), that foster the linkage of the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. We observed that treatment of H1299 cells with 5 µM PCAIs for 24 h markedly diminished the level of full-length integrin α4 by at least 24% relative to controls. PCAIs at 5 µM, diminished the levels of vinculin by at least 50%. Immunofluorescent analysis showed at least a 76% decrease in the number of vinculin-focal adhesion punctates. In addition, PCAIs diminished Rock1 levels by 25% and its substrate, p-MLC-2 by 75%. PCAIs did not significantly alter the levels of integrin ß5, α-actinin, and Rock2, suggesting that the effects of the PCAIs are target specific. Our data indicate that the PCAIs alter the levels of the Rho proteins and their effectors to abrogate their functions in cytoskeleton remodeling thereby suppressing focal adhesion formation. This in turn results in a PCAIs-induced decrease in cell invasion, thus making the PCAIs propitious agents for the inhibition of cancer growth and metastasis.

6-Hydroxydopamine induces cystatin C-mediated cysteine protease suppression and cathepsin D activation.

Alteration in the lysosomal system (LS) may represent a central mechanism in neurodegeneration. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induces oxidative stress and cell death in catecholaminergic cells. The LS and caspases participate in apoptosis, although the mechanism(s) that is involved is not completely understood. Here, we show that Pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells exposed to 6-OHDA results in lysosomal dysregulation, caspase activation and cell death. Cells exposed to 6-OHDA increased expression and release of cystatin C (CC) and suppressed cathepsin B (CB). CB activity significantly declined 24h following exposure to 6-OHDA, however neutralization of CC restored CB activity. Cathepsin D (CD) and caspase-3 activity also increased following exposure to 6-OHDA. Inhibition of CD and caspase-3 with pepstatin A (PA) and DEVD-Cho, respectively, attenuated the 6-OHDA induced cell death at 48 and 72 h. However, the CB inhibitor CA-074 Me failed to protect cells. Additionally, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage was evaluated after exposure to 6-OHDA and PA, CA-074 Me, and DEVD-Cho. Only DEVD-Cho significantly decreased PARP cleavage following exposure to 6-OHDA. Hence, caspase-3 mediated PARP cleavage following exposure to 6-OHDA appears independent of CB and CD alterations. These studies suggest alternate pathways and potential therapeutic targets of cell death associated with oxidative stress, CC, and lysosomal dysregulation.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme as a target for the development of novel insect growth regulators.

Insect angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc metallopeptidase capable of inactivating a variety of small to medium size peptide hormones by cleavage of C-terminal dipeptides and dipeptideamides. High levels of ACE activity are found in the hemolymph and in reproductive tissues of insects, where the enzyme is considered to have an important role in the metabolism of bioactive peptides. Therefore, inhibiting ACE activity is expected to interfere with the peptidergic endocrine system and to have detrimental effects on growth, development and reproduction. We will review the studies showing that ACE inhibitors do indeed disrupt growth and reproduction in various insect species. We will also present some new genetic and pharmacological data that strengthens our conclusion that ACE should be considered as a potential target for the development of new insect growth regulators.