Development of UTX-143, a selective sodium-hydrogen exchange subtype 5 inhibitor, using amiloride as a lead compound.

NHE5, an isoform of the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) protein, is an ion-transporting membrane protein that regulates intracellular pH and is highly expressed in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Therefore, we hypothesized that NHE5 inhibitors can be used as anticancer drugs. However, because NHE1 is ubiquitously expressed in all cells, it is extremely important to demonstrate its selective inhibitory activity against NHE5. We used amiloride, an NHE non-selective inhibitor, as a lead compound and created UTX-143, which has NHE5-selective inhibitory activity, using a structure-activity relationship approach. UTX-143 showed selective cytotoxic effects on cancer cells and reduced the migratory and invasive abilities of cancer cells. These results suggest a new concept wherein drugs exhibit cancer-specific cytotoxic effects through selective inhibition of NHE5 and the possibility of UTX-143 as a lead NHE5-selective inhibitor.

ASH2L, a COMPASS core subunit, is involved in the cell invasion and migration of triple-negative breast cancer cells through the epigenetic control of histone H3 lysine 4 methylation.

ASH2L (Absent-Small-Homeotic-2-Like protein) is a core subunit of the COMPASS (COMplex of Proteins ASsociated with Set1) complex, the most notable writer of the methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). The COMPASS complex regulates active promoters or enhancers for gene expression, and its dysfunction is associated with aberrant development and disease. Here, we demonstrated that ASH2L mediated the cell invasion and migration activity of triple-negative breast cancer cells through the interaction with the COMPASS components and the target genomic regions. Transcriptome analysis indicated a potential correlation between ASH2L and the genes involved in inflammatory/immune responses. Among them, we found that the intrinsic expression of IL1B (interleukin 1 beta), an essential proinflammatory gene, was directly regulated by ASH2L. These results revealed a novel role of ASH2L on the maintenance of breast cancer malignancy possibly through H3K4 methylation of the target inflammatory/immune responsive genes.

m6A RNA methylation regulates the transcription factors JUN and JUNB in TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal chemical modification of mRNAs involved in many pathological processes including various cancers. In this study, we investigated the m6A-dependent regulation of JUN and JUNB transcription factors (TFs) during transforming growth factor-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of A549 and LC2/ad lung cancer cell lines, as the function and regulation of these TFs within this process remains to be clarified. We found that JUN and JUNB played an important and nonredundant role in the EMT-inducing gene expression program by regulating different mesenchymal genes and that their expressions were controlled by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) m6A methyltransferase. METTL3-mediated regulation of JUN expression is associated with the translation process of JUN protein but not with the stability of JUN protein or mRNA, which is in contrast with the result of m6A-mediated regulation of JUNB mRNA stability. We identified the specific m6A motifs responsible for the regulation of JUN and JUNB in EMT within 3'UTR of JUN and JUNB. Furthermore, we discovered that different m6A reader proteins interacted with JUN and JUNB mRNA and controlled m6A-dependent expression of JUN protein and JUNB mRNA. These results demonstrate that the different modes of m6A-mediated regulation of JUN and JUNB TFs provide critical input in the gene regulatory network during transforming growth factor-beta-induced EMT of lung cancer cells.

Structure-Activity Relationships of UTX-121 Derivatives for the Development of Novel Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/9 Inhibitors.

Celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been reported to have antitumor and antimetastatic activities, and it has potential for application in cancer treatments. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 is strongly correlated with cancer malignancy, and inhibition of these MMPs is believed to be effective in improving the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of drugs. We have previously revealed that UTX-121, which converted the sulfonamide of celecoxib to methyl ester, has more potent MMP-2/9 inhibitory activity than celecoxib. Based on these findings, we identified compounds with improved MMP inhibitory activity through a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study, using UTX-121 as a lead compound. Among them, compounds 9c and 10c, in which the methyl group of the p-tolyl group was substituted for Cl or F, showed significantly higher antitumor activity than UTX-121, and suppressed the expression of MMP-2/9 and activation of pro MMP-2. Our findings suggest that compounds 9c and 10c may be potent lead compounds for the development of more effective antitumor drugs targeting MMP.

Erratum: TGF-ß1 facilitates MT1-MMP-mediated proMMP-9 activation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (BBREP_101072).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101072.].

TGF-ß1 facilitates MT1-MMP-mediated proMMP-9 activation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, also known as gelatinases or type IV collagenases, are recognized as major contributors to the proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix during tumor invasion. Latent MMP-2 (proMMP-2) is activated by membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) on the cell surface of tumor cells. We previously reported that cell-bound proMMP-9 is activated by the MT1-MMP/MMP-2 axis in HT1080 cells treated with concanavalin A in the presence of exogenous proMMP-2. However, the regulatory mechanism of proMMP-9 activation remains largely unknown. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 is frequently overexpressed in tumor tissues and is associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. In this study, we examined the role of TGF-ß1 on MT1-MMP-mediated proMMP-9 activation using human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. TGF-ß1 significantly increased the expression of MMP-9. By adding exogenous proMMP-2, TGF-ß1-induced proMMP-9 was activated during collagen gel culture, which was suppressed by the inhibition of TGF-ß1 signaling or MT1-MMP activity. This MT1-MMP-mediated proMMP-9 activation was needed to facilitate TGF-ß1-induced cell invasion into collagen gel. Thus, TGF-ß1 may facilitate MT1-MMP-mediated MMP-9 activation and thereby stimulate invasion of tumor cells in collaboration with MT1-MMP and MMP-2.

KDM2B is involved in the epigenetic regulation of TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung and pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Polycomb repressive complex-1 (PRC1) induces transcriptional repression by regulating monoubiquitination of lysine 119 of histone H2A (H2AK119) and as such is involved in a number of biological and pathological processes including cancer development. Previously we demonstrated that PRC2, which catalyzes the methylation of histone H3K27, has an essential function in TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lung and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Since the cooperative activities of PRC1 and PRC2 are thought to be important for transcriptional repression in EMT program, we investigated the role of KDM2B, a member of PRC1 complex, on TGF-ß-induced EMT in this study. Knockdown of KDM2B inhibited TGF-ß-induced morphological conversion of the cells and enhanced cell migration and invasion potentials as well as the expression changes of EMT-related marker genes. Overexpression of KDM2B influenced the expression of several epithelial marker genes such as CDH1, miR200a, and CGN and enhanced the effects of TGF-ß. Mechanistic investigations revealed that KDM2B specifically recognized the regulatory regions of CDH1, miR200a, and CGN genes and induced histone H2AK119 monoubiquitination as a component of PRC1 complex, thereby mediating the subsequent EZH2 recruitment and histone H3K27 methylation process required for gene repression. Studies using KDM2B mutants confirmed that its DNA recognition property but not its histone H3 demethylase activity was indispensable for its function during EMT. This study demonstrated the significance of the regulation of histone H2A ubiquitination in EMT process and provided the possibility to develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer metastasis.

Isolation of Highly Migratory and Invasive Cells in Three-Dimensional Gels.

We developed a modified invasion assay in three-dimensional (3D) gels that permits isolation of invading cells as living cells, termed an invading cell-trapping (iCT) assay. A small cell strainer consisting of nylon mesh with pores of 40-µm square is used in this assay. A layer of gel composed of extracellular-matrix components is formed on each side of the nylon mesh, which permits cell migration or invasion from one gel layer to the other. At the end of the assay, the two gel layers are removed from the apparatus and easily separated from each other. Invading cells from the primary gel are trapped in the secondary gel, which maintains the morphology and other properties of the invasive cells in a 3D matrix. The cells that have invaded are observed and counted with a standard light microscope without cell staining. There is no need for a specialized microscope, imaging analysis software, or advanced cell-biological technical knowledge in this assay. This assay can also reduce measurement of nonspecific cell invasion by monitoring the upward invasion of cells. The viability of both invading and non-invading cells trapped in the gels can be assessed by typical colorimetric assays, if desired. This assessment characterizes the total number of cells (invading and non-invading cells) and the ratio of invading cells to total cells. By repeating the iCT assay, further enrichment of invasive and noninvasive cells can be attained. Thus, this assay improves comparative analyses between invasive and noninvasive cells. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1: Measuring upward cell invasion into collagen gel Basic Protocol 2: Measuring cell invasion from Matrigel into collagen gel Basic Protocol 3: Isolation and enrichment of highly invasive cells.

The m6A methyltransferase METTL3 contributes to Transforming Growth Factor-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lung cancer cells through the regulation of JUNB.

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common internal chemical modification of mRNAs involved in many pathological processes including various cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lung cancer cell lines. The expression of METTL3 and m6A RNA modification were increased during TGF-ß-induced EMT of A549 and LC2/ad lung cancer cells. Knockdown of METTL3 inhibited TGF-ß-induced morphological conversion of the cells, enhanced cell migration potential and the expression changes of EMT-related marker genes such as CDH1/E-cadherin, FN1/Fibronectin and VIM/Vimentin. Mechanistic investigations revealed that METTL3 knockdown decreased the m6A modification, total mRNA level and mRNA stability of JUNB, one of the important transcriptional regulators of EMT. Over-expression of JUNB partially rescued the inhibitory effects of METTL3 knockdown in the EMT phenotypes. This study demonstrates that m6A methyltransferase METTL3 is indispensable for TGF-ß-induced EMT of lung cancer cells through the regulation of JUNB.

A novel celecoxib analog UTX-121 inhibits HT1080 cell invasion by modulating membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase.

We designed and synthesized a celecoxib derivative UTX-121 to enhance its anti-tumor activity. Similar to celecoxib, this compound could also inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity. In addition, UTX-121 suppressed membrane-type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP)-mediated pro-MMP-2 activation by disturbing the cell surface expression of MT1-MMP. UTX-121 also impeded the glycosylation of cell surface proteins, resulting in the suppression of cell attachment to fibronectin. This inhibition by UTX-121 caused the reduction of fibronectin-stimulated focal adhesion kinase activation, Akt activation, and cell migration. Consequently, UTX-121 treatment significantly inhibited fibronectin-induced HT1080 cell invasion into the Matrigel. UTX-121 may be a potent lead compound that can be used to develop a novel anti-tumor drug.

Simple and cost-effective assay for isolating invasive living cells.

A modified invasion assay using a three-dimensional collagen gel was developed that enables isolation of invasive living cells; it was named the invading cell trapping (iCT) assay. A small cell strainer consisting of a nylon mesh with 40-µm2 pores was used, and collagen gel layers formed across the membrane. Test cells were seeded in the lower gel layer and invasive cells were attracted upward and trapped in the upper gel. After incubation, the collagen gel layers in cell strainers were easily separated and living cells in the gel were counted and analyzed. An advantage of the iCT assay is that it can capture living invasive cells in the upper gel while leaving noninvasive ones in the lower layer. Further enrichment of the two cell populations can be achieved by repeating the assay. Thus, the iCT assay allows comparative analysis of invasive versus noninvasive cells.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Anti-metastatic Hypoxic Cytotoxin TX-2137 Targeting AKT Kinase.

BACKGROUND: The hypoxic microenvironment plays a crucial role in the malignant progression of tumor cells. Moreover, AKT, a serine/threonine kinase, is activated by various extracellular growth factors and is important for cell growth, survival, and motility of leukocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and tumor cells. Therefore, we aimed to design an anti-metastatic hypoxic cytotoxin which has inhibitory effects on AKT. RESULTS: TX-2137 was designed and synthesized based on the structural similarity of a preexisting AKT1/2 kinase inhibitor and a hypoxic cytotoxin tirapazamine. TX-2137 effectively reduced the expression of phosphorylated AKT and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and showed strong inhibition of the proliferation of B16-F10, HT-1080, and MKN-45 cells. In addition, TX-2137 exhibited hypoxia-selective cytotoxicity towards A549 cells and inhibited liver metastasis of B16-F10 cells in a xenograft chick embryo model in the same way as doxorubicin. CONCLUSION: TX-2137 may be a potent lead compound in the development of a novel anti-metastatic AKT kinase inhibitor.

Activation of MMP-9 by membrane type-1 MMP/MMP-2 axis stimulates tumor metastasis.

An artificial receptor for proMMP-9 was created by fusing tissue inhibitor of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) with type II transmembrane mosaic serine protease (MSP-T1). Expression of MSP-T1 in 293T cells induced binding of proMMP-9, which was processed by MMP-2 activated by membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP). HT1080 cells transfected with the MSP-T1 gene produced activated MMP-9 in collagen gel, and addition of proMMP-2 to the culture augmented it, which resulted in intensive collagen digestion. These cells metastasized into chick embryonic liver more than control cells. Treatment of HT1080 cells with concanavalin A in the presence of exogenous proMMP-2 induced activation of not only proMMP-2 but also proMMP-9. Knockdown of MT1-MMP or TIMP-2 expression with siRNA suppressed activation of both proMMP-2 and proMMP-9. Transfection of TIMP-1 siRNA suppressed cell binding and activation of proMMP-9, but not proMMP-2 activation. Knockdown of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) expression reduced cell binding and processing of proMMP-9. These results suggest that proMMP-9, which binds to a receptor complex containing TIMP-1 and ADAM10, is activated by the MT1-MMP/MMP-2 axis, and MMP-9 thus activated stimulates cellular proteolysis and metastasis.

miR-150-5p and miR-133a suppress glioma cell proliferation and migration through targeting membrane-type-1 matrix metalloproteinase.

Gliomas are the most frequent primary tumors of the brain, and there is no successful treatment for highly malignant gliomas. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in a variety of biological processes. Recent studies showed that miR-150-5p and miR-133a are downregulated in various human malignancies, and one of target mRNAs was shown to be membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) mRNA. However, their detailed role in the processes of cancer remains to be determined. Here we found that miR-150-5p and miR-133a expression was significantly downregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal tissues, and that MT1-MMP expression was inversely upregulated in glioma tissues. Knockdown of MT1-MMP by specific siRNAs in U87 and U251 glioma cells induced suppression of cell proliferation and invasion/migration. Transfection of miR-150-5p or miR-133a mimics into glioma cell lines reduced MT1-MMP expression and MMP-2 activation by these cells, and cell proliferation and invasion/migration were also suppressed by it. Co-transfection of specific inhibitor oligo DNA for miR-150-5p or miR-133a abrogated miR-150-5p or miR-133a mimic's actions, respectively. These results suggest that miR-150-5p and miR-133a may suppress malignancy of gliomas by targeting MT1-MMP, and could be used as an anti-metastatic therapy for glioma patients.

Tip60 regulates MT1-MMP transcription and invasion of glioblastoma cells through NF-κB pathway.

A histone acetyltransferase Tat-interacting protein 60 kDa (Tip60) regulates the DNA damage response by acetylating histone and remodeling chromatin. In addition to histone acetyltransferase activity, Tip60 is known to regulate a variety of cellular functions, including gene expression, DNA damage response, cell migration and apoptosis. Lower expression of Tip60 is observed in lymphomas, melanomas, breast, colon, and lung cancer. It is widely accepted that Tip60 functions as a tumor suppressor. However, a role of Tip60 in gliomas still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of Tip60 in the malignant behavior of human gliomas. By quantitative RT-PCR analysis using fresh human brain tumor tissues from 55 patients, we found that lower Tip60 expression and higher membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) expression are associated with advanced tumor grade in glioma tissues. Knockdown of Tip60 in glioblastoma cells promoted cell adhesion, spreading and MT1-MMP transcription and thereby invasion, which was suppressed by inhibition of MT1-MMP and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity. We demonstrate for the first time that tumor suppressor Tip60 down-regulates cell adhesion and MT1-MMP expression and thereby invasion of glioblastoma cells by suppressing NF-κB pathway.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3ß sustains invasion of glioblastoma via the focal adhesion kinase, Rac1, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase-mediated pathway.

The failure of current treatment options for glioblastoma stems from their inability to control tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Biologically targeted therapies offer great hope and one promising target is glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK3ß), implicated in various diseases, including cancer. We previously reported that inhibition of GSK3ß compromises the survival and proliferation of glioblastoma cells, induces their apoptosis, and sensitizes them to temozolomide and radiation. Here, we explore whether GSK3ß also contributes to the highly invasive nature of glioblastoma. The effects of GSK3ß inhibition on migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells were examined by wound-healing and Transwell assays, as well as in a mouse model of glioblastoma. We also investigated changes in cellular microarchitectures, cytoskeletal components, and proteins responsible for cell motility and invasion. Inhibition of GSK3ß attenuated the migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells in vitro and that of tumor cells in a mouse model of glioblastoma. These effects were associated with suppression of the molecular axis involving focal adhesion kinase, guanine nucleotide exchange factors/Rac1 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Changes in cellular phenotypes responsible for cell motility and invasion were also observed, including decreased formation of lamellipodia and invadopodium-like microstructures and alterations in the subcellular localization, and activity of Rac1 and F-actin. These changes coincided with decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Our results confirm the potential of GSK3ß as an attractive therapeutic target against glioblastoma invasion, thus highlighting a second role in this tumor type in addition to its involvement in chemo- and radioresistance.

Vinculin negatively regulates transcription of MT1-MMP through MEK/ERK pathway.

Vinculin regulates a variety of cellular functions partly through stabilization of tumor suppressor PTEN. In order to study the role of vinculin in tumor progression other than PTEN stabilization, vinculin was knocked down in PTEN-deficient squamous cell carcinoma HSC-4 cells. Knockdown of vinculin induced phenotypical change by reducing cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesions, and enhanced MT1-MMP expression at transcription level and subsequent cell migration. Up-regulation of MT1-MMP transcription by vinculin knockdown was abrogated by ERK inhibition. These results suggest that vinculin negatively regulates malignant phenotype of tumor cells including MT1-MMP transcription through MEK/ERK pathway.

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase regulates fibronectin assembly and N-cadherin adhesion.

Fibronectin matrix formation requires the increased cytoskeletal tension generated by cadherin adhesions, and is suppressed by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). In a co-culture of Rat1 fibroblasts and MT1-MMP-silenced HT1080 cells, fibronectin fibrils extended from Rat1 to cell-matrix adhesions in HT1080 cells, and N-cadherin adhesions were formed between Rat1 and HT1080 cells. In control HT1080 cells contacting with Rat1 fibroblasts, cell-matrix adhesions were formed in the side away from Rat1 fibroblasts, and fibronectin assembly and N-cadherin adhesions were not formed. The role of N-cadherin adhesions in fibronectin matrix formation was studied using MT1-MMP-silenced HT1080 cells. MT1-MMP knockdown promoted fibronectin matrix assembly and N-cadherin adhesions in HT1080 cells, which was abrogated by double knockdown with either integrin ß1 or fibronectin. Conversely, inhibition of N-cadherin adhesions by its knockdown or treatment with its neutralizing antibody suppressed fibronectin matrix formation in MT1-MMP-silenced cells. These results demonstrate that fibronectin assembly initiated by MT1-MMP knockdown results in increase of N-cadherin adhesions, which are prerequisite for further fibronectin matrix formation.

Ligand-dependent EphB1 signaling suppresses glioma invasion and correlates with patient survival.

BACKGROUND: Extensive evidence implicates the Eph receptor family of tyrosine kinases and its ligand, ephrin, in glioma invasion, but it remains incompletely understood how these receptors affect chemotactic behavior of glioma. We sought to identify the Eph family members that correlate with patients' survival and to reveal the function of Eph in glioma invasion. METHODS: Clinical relevance of EphB genes was confirmed in a clinically annotated expression data set of 195 brain biopsy specimens. The function of EphB was analyzed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Levels of mRNA of certain EphB members were significantly different in histological grades of glioma. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, only the EphB1 level among 5 members of EphB emerged to be a powerful predictor of favorable survival in malignant glioma (n = 97, P = .0048), although the levels of EphB1 expression did not vary across the tumor grades. Immunoprecipitation showed that tyrosine phosphorylated EphB1 was not detected in all glioma cells tested. Forced overexpression and autophosphorylation of EphB1 in low expressor cell lines (U251, U87) did not affect cell migration or invasion in vitro, whereas EphB1 phosphorylation induced by ephrin-B2/Fc significantly decreased migration and invasion. Cells expressing ephrin-B2 showed noteworthy morphological changes consistent with migration induction; this alteration was negated by EphB1 overexpression. Concomitantly, overexpression of EphB1 abrogated the increased migration and invasion induced by ephrin-B2 in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that ligand-dependent EphB1 signaling negatively regulates glioma cell invasion, identifying EphB1 as a favorable prognostic factor in malignant glioma.

MT1-MMP prevents growth inhibition by three dimensional fibronectin matrix.

The extracellular microenvironment plays a key role in regulation of cellular functions and growth control. We show here that membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) acts as a growth promoter in confluent culture. When MT1-MMP was silenced in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, cells created three dimensional (3D) fibronectin matrix in a confluent culture, and growth of cells embedded within it was retarded. Formation of 3D fibronectin matrix initiated by MT1-MMP silencing was impeded by knockdown of either FN or integrin ß1, which resulted in restoration of cell growth. When cells in 3D fibronectin matrix were treated with integrin ß1 inhibitory antibody, cells underwent S phase entry. These results suggest that MT1-MMP prevents growth suppression by 3D fibronectin matrix, which is mediated through integrin ß1.