Tubulin-Binding 3,5-Bis(styryl)pyrazoles as Lead Compounds for the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

The microtubule-binding taxanes, docetaxel and cabazitaxel, are administered intravenously for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) as the oral administration of these drugs is largely hampered by their low and highly variable bioavailabilities. Using a simple, rapid, and environmentally friendly microwave-assisted protocol, we have synthesized a number of 3,5-bis(styryl)pyrazoles 2a-l, thus allowing for their screening for antiproliferative activity in the androgen-independent PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Surprisingly, two of these structurally simple 3,5-bis(styryl)pyrazoles (2a and 2l) had concentrations which gave 50% of the maximal inhibition of cell proliferation (GI50) in the low micromolar range in the PC3 cell line and were thus selected for extensive further biologic evaluation (apoptosis and cell cycle analysis, and effects on tubulin and microtubules). Our findings from these studies show that 3,5-bis[(1E)-2(2,6-dichlorophenyl)ethenyl]-1H-pyrazole 2l 1) caused significant effects on the cell cycle in PC3 cells, with the vast majority of treated cells in the G2/M phase (89%); 2) induces cell death in PC3 cells even after the removal of the compound; 3) binds to tubulin [dissociation constant (Kd) 0.4 ± 0.1 µM] and inhibits tubulin polymerization in vitro; 4) had no effect upon the polymerization of the bacterial cell division protein FtsZ (a homolog of tubulin); 5) is competitive with paclitaxel for binding to tubulin but not with vinblastine, crocin, or colchicine; and 6) leads to microtubule depolymerization in PC3 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that 3,5-bis(styryl)pyrazoles warrant further investigation as lead compounds for the treatment of CRPC. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The taxanes are important components of prostate cancer chemotherapy regimens, but their oral administration is hampered by very low and highly variable oral bioavailabilities resulting from their poor absorption, poor solubility, high first-pass metabolism, and efficient efflux by P-glycoprotein. New chemical entities for the treatment of prostate cancer are thus required, and we report here the synthesis and investigation of the mechanism of action of some bis(styryl)pyrazoles, demonstrating their potential as lead compounds for the treatment of prostate cancer.

The histone chaperone complex FACT promotes proliferative switch of G0 cancer cells.

Cancer cell repopulation through cell cycle re-entry by quiescent (G0 ) cell is thought to be an important mechanism behind treatment failure and cancer recurrence. Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) is involved in DNA repair, replication and transcription by eviction of histones or loosening their contact with DNA. While FACT expression is known to be high in a range of cancers, the biological significance of the aberrant increase is not clear. We found that in prostate and lung cancer cells FACT mRNA and protein levels were low at G0 compared to the proliferating state but replenished upon cell cycle re-entry. Silencing of FACT with Dox-inducible shRNA hindered cell cycle re-entry by G0 cancer cells, which could be rescued by ectopic expression of FACT. An increase in SKP2, c-MYC and PIRH2 and a decrease in p27 protein levels seen upon cell cycle re-entry were prevented or diminished when FACT was silenced. Further, using mVenus-p27K- infected cancer cells to measure p27 degradation capacity, we confirm that inhibition of FACT at release from quiescence suppressed the p27 degradation capacity resulting in an increased mVenus-p27K- signal. In conclusion, FACT plays an important role in promoting the transition from G0 to the proliferative state and can be a potential therapeutic target to prevent prostate and lung cancer from progression and recurrence.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α sustains pAKT, pERK and AR levels in PTEN-null/mutated prostate cancer cells.

Constitutive phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) is a common feature of cancer caused by genetic alteration in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene and is associated with poor prognosis. This study determined the role of cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) in AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and androgen receptor (AR) signaling in PTEN-null/mutated prostate cancer cells. Doxycycline (Dox)-induced expression of cPLA2α led to an increase in pAKT, pGSK3ß and cyclin D1 levels in LNCaP cells that possess a PTEN frame-shift mutation. In contrast, silencing cPLA2α expression with siRNA decreased pAKT, pGSK3ß and cyclin D1 levels in both PC-3 (PTEN deletion) and LNCaP cells. Silencing of cPLA2α decreased pERK and AR protein levels. The inhibitory effect of cPLA2α siRNA on pAKT and AR protein levels was reduced by the addition of arachidonic acid (AA), whereas the stimulatory effect of AA on pAKT, pERK and AR levels was decreased by an inhibitor of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid production. Pharmacological blockade of cPLA2α with Efipladib reduced pAKT and AR levels with a concomitant inhibition of PC-3 and LNCaP cell proliferation. These results demonstrate an important role for cPLA2α in sustaining AKT, ERK and AR signaling in PTEN-null/mutated prostate cancer cells and provide a potential molecular target for treating prostate cancer.

Decrease in expression or activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha increases cyclooxygenase-1 action: A cross-talk between key enzymes in arachidonic acid pathway in prostate cancer cells.

The eicosanoid pathway is activated in many types of cancers including prostate. Eicosanoids are synthesized from intracellular arachidonic acid (AA), which is released from membrane glycerophospholipids mainly by the action of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha). Thus, targeting cPLA(2)alpha has been proposed as a treatment option. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cPLA(2)alpha inhibition on cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and PGE(2) production. Inhibition of cPLA(2)alpha expression by siRNA or activity by Efipladib in prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and LNCaP) led to an increase in COX-1 protein and PGE(2) levels in a dose-dependent manner from 24 to 72 h. The COX-2 response was less evident. Efipladib treatment increased COX-1 promoter transcriptional activity without changing the rate of COX-1 protein degradation. Treatment with Efipladib also led to a decrease in most LOX products (HETEs) as measured by LC/MS/MS. Replenishing 5- and 12-HETEs abolished Efipladib-induced COX-1 and PGE(2) levels. Decreasing 5- and 12-HETE production, as a result of treating cells with inhibitors MK886 and Baicalein, respectively, mimicked the effect of Efipladib on COX-1 and PGE(2) levels. Hence, the mechanism underlying the cPLA(2)alpha inhibition-induced COX-1 is likely due to a decrease in LOX products, which may exert a negative feedback on COX-1 gene expression in prostate cancer cells. Considering that PGE(2) is a potent promoter of cancer cell proliferation and survival, understanding the mechanism coupling cPLA(2)alpha with COX-1 is of potential clinical significance.

Food extracts consumed in Mediterranean countries and East Asia reduce protein concentrations of androgen receptor, phospho-protein kinase B, and phospho-cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha in human prostate cancer cells.

Active surveillance is an emerging management option for the rising number of men with low-grade, clinically localized prostate cancer. However, 30-40% of men on active surveillance will progress to high-grade disease over 5 y. With the ultimate aim of developing a food-based chemoprevention strategy to retard cancer progression in these otherwise healthy men, we have developed a blend of food extracts commonly consumed in Mediterranean countries and East Asia. The effect of the food extracts known as Blueberry Punch (BBP) on prostate cancer cell growth and key signaling pathways were examined in vitro and in vivo. BBP reduced prostate cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner (0.08-2.5%) at 72 h in vitro due to the reduction in cell proliferation and viability. Prostate cancer cell xenograft-bearing mice, administered 10% BBP in drinking water for 2 wk, had a 25% reduction in tumor volume compared with the control (water only). In vitro, BBP reduced protein concentrations in 3 signaling pathways necessary for the proliferation and survival of prostate cancer cells, namely androgen receptor, phospho-protein kinase B/protein kinase B, and phospho-cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha. The downstream effectors of these pathways, including prostate-specific antigen and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta, were also reduced. Thus, this palatable food supplement is a potential candidate for testing in clinical trials and may ultimately prove effective in retarding the progression of low-grade, early-stage prostate cancer in men managed by active surveillance.

AKT and cytosolic phospholipase A2α form a positive loop in prostate cancer cells.

Aberrant increase in protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation (pAKT), due to a gain-of-function mutation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) or loss-of-function mutation or deletion of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), is a common alteration in prostate cancer and associated with poor prognosis. Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) is a lipid modifying enzyme by catalyzing the hydrolysis of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipid. The released arachidonic acid and its metabolites contribute to survival and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. In this mini-review, we summarize the relationship between pAKT and cPLA2α in prostate cancer cells. There was a concordant increase in pAKT and cPLA2α levels in prostate tissue of prostate epithelial-specific PTEN-knockout mice compared to PTEN-wild type mice. Restoration of PTEN expression or inhibition of PI3K action decreased cPLA2α expression in PTEN-mutated or deleted prostate cancer cells. An increase in AKT phosphorylation elevated, whereas inhibition of AKT phosphorylation diminished, cPLA2α protein levels. pAKT had no influence on cPLA2α expression at mRNA levels but stabilized cPLA2α at protein levels by protecting it from degradation. Conversely, an induction of cPLA2α expression led to an increase in pAKT levels in PTEN-mutated or deleted prostate cancer cells, while silencing of cPLA2α expression or pharmacological blocking cPLA2α action decreased pAKT levels. The diminishment of pAKT by either genetic silencing or pharmacological blocking of cPLA2α was mitigated by the addition of arachidonic acid. The stimulatory effect of arachidonic acid on pAKT levels was lessened by inhibiting the production of arachidonic acid metabolites. These studies have revealed a link between oncogenic pathway and lipid metabolism and provided potential molecular targets for treating prostate cancer.

Loss of PTEN stabilizes the lipid modifying enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2α via AKT in prostate cancer cells.

Aberrant increase in pAKT, due to a gain-of-function mutation of PI3K or loss-of-function mutation or deletion of PTEN, occurs in prostate cancer and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) is a lipid modifying enzyme by catalyzing the hydrolysis of membrane arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid and its metabolites contribute to survival and proliferation of prostate cancer cells. We examined whether AKT plays a role in promoting cPLA2α action in prostate cancer cells. We found a concordant increase in pAKT and cPLA2α levels in prostate tissue of prostate epithelial-specific PTEN-knockout but not PTEN-wide type mice. Restoration of PTEN expression or inhibition of PI3K action decreased cPLA2α expression in PTEN-mutated or deleted prostate cancer cells. An increase in AKT by Myr-AKT elevated cPLA2α protein levels, which could be diminished by inhibition of AKT phosphorylation without noticeable change in total AKT levels. pAKT levels had no influence on cPLA2α at mRNA levels but reduced cPLA2α protein degradation. Anti-AKT antibody co-immunoprecipitated cPLA2α and vice versa. Hence, AKT plays a role in enhancing cPLA2α protein stability in PTEN-null prostate cancer cells, revealing a link between oncogenic pathway and lipid metabolism.

Targeting cytosolic phospholipase A2 α in colorectal cancer cells inhibits constitutively activated protein kinase B (AKT) and cell proliferation.

A constitutive activation of protein kinase B (AKT) in a hyper-phosphorylated status at Ser473 is one of the hallmarks of anti-EGFR therapy-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to examine the role of cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) on AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 and cell proliferation in CRC cells with mutation in phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 was resistant to EGF stimulation in CRC cell lines of DLD-1 (PIK3CAE545K mutation) and HT-29 (PIK3CAP499T mutation). Over-expression of cPLA2α by stable transfection increased basal and EGF-stimulated AKT phosphorylation and proliferation in DLD-1 cells. In contrast, silencing of cPLA2α with siRNA or inhibition with Efipladib decreased basal and EGF-stimulated AKT phosphorylation and proliferation in HT-29. Treating animals transplanted with DLD-1 with Efipladib (10 mg/kg, i.p. daily) over 14 days reduced xenograft growth by >90% with a concomitant decrease in AKT phosphorylation. In human CRC tissue, cPLA2α expression and phosphorylation were increased in 63% (77/120) compared with adjacent normal mucosa determined by immunohistochemistry. We conclude that cPLA2α is required for sustaining AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 and cell proliferation in CRC cells with PI3K mutation, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of CRC resistant to anti-EGFR therapy.

Successful transplantation of bovine testicular cells to heterologous recipients.

While heterologous germ cell transplantation was successful in pigs and goats, autologous transplantation alone has been reported to result in donor-derived spermatogenesis in cattle. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the transplantation of heterologous germ cells could result in colonization of recipient testes in cattle of different breeds. Testicular cells were isolated from 8 Bos taurus donor bull calves and then transferred into 15 Bos indicus-cross bull calves. All animals were prepubertal, donors were aged 5-7 months and recipients 5-11 months, and scrotal circumferences ranged from 15 to 22 cm. Single cell suspensions of donor testicular cells, prepared by enzymatic digestion, were labelled with fluorescent dyes PKH26 or CFDA-SE, before transfer into the rete testis of recipients under ultrasonographic guidance. To assess the longevity of colonization by donor cells, recipients were castrated 2-30 weeks after cell transfer. Donor cells were observed in 15/25 (60%) of the testes that received PKH26-labelled cells, whereas no CFDA-SE-positive cell was identified in any recipients. The maturity of the donors or recipients (measured by scrotal circumference) did not affect colonization potential. In freshly isolated tubules, clumps of PKH26-positive cells were observed, which indicated either cell division or extensive local colonization of specific areas of the tubules. In frozen sections, PKH26-positive cells were identified on the seminiferous tubule basement membrane, which indicated that these cells had successfully migrated from the tubule lumen and were likely to be spermatogonia. We conclude that PKH26 was more suitable for labelling donor testis cells and donor cells can be identified up to 6 months following transfer. These results indicate that allogeneic transplantation of testicular cells can occur between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle. Further studies will investigate functionality of transferred testicular cells.

Contraception in mice immunized with recombinant zona pellucida subunit 3 proteins correlates with Th2 responses and the levels of interleukin 4 expressed by CD4+ cells.

The immune responses and contraceptive effect in mice were tested following immunization with purified recombinant zona pellucida (ZP) proteins produced using a vaccinia (v) virus T7 mammalian expression system. Female BALB/c and CBA mice were immunized with recombinant mouse (m) ZP3 (vmZP3) or pig (p) ZPC (vpZPC) using Freund's adjuvants and boosted three times. Fertility and mean litter size were significantly reduced in groups of BALB/c mice immunized with recombinant vmZP3 and vpZPC compared with controls treated with Freund's adjuvants alone. In CBA mice, fertility and mean litter size were significantly reduced in groups of animals immunized with vmZP3 but not with vpZPC compared with the controls. Most infertile animals treated with vmZP3 and a single infertile BALB/c mouse treated with vpZPC lacked mature follicles in the ovaries, whilst no abnormalities were detected in the remaining vpZPC treated, fertile vmZP3 treated and control mice. All mice (both fertile and infertile) immunized with vmZP3 and vpZPC produced IgG antibodies, but the levels of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a did not correlate with infertility. All BALB/c and CBA mice immunized with vmZP3 and vpZPC showed greater delayed type hypersensitivity responses in the footpads after challenge with their respective antigens than controls, but these did not differ between the fertile and infertile mice. There was, however, a significant correlation between infertility and the levels of the Type 2 T helper cell (Th2) cytokine interleukin 4 produced by CD4+ cells from vmZP3 immunized mice in response to stimulation with vmZP3 and this did not apply to the levels of the Type 1 T helper cell (Th1) cytokine interferon gamma or the general proliferation response. The results support the conclusion that induction of Th2 responses in individual mice determines whether infertility develops in response to immunization with zona pellucida proteins.