Patent Application
20240041842
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting metastasis of cancer.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among both sexes, and accounts for 15% of all cancers. According to a report by the American Cancer Society in 2011, more than 220,000 cases of lung cancer are diagnosed annually, and about 70% of such cases result in death, accounting for 27% of all cancer deaths. Among lung cancer types, non-small lung cancer is a type of carcinoma and refers to all epithelial lung cancers except small lung cancer, which accounts for about 85% to 90% of all lung cancers. Non-small lung cancer is relatively less sensitive to chemotherapy than small lung cancer, and cancer stages are divided based on the TNM classification: the size of the tumor, degree of cancer spread to regional lymph nodes, and the presence or absence of cancer metastasis. In the treatment of non-small lung cancer, surgery is usually performed with adjuvant chemotherapy involving cisplatin containing platinum because early non-metastatic non-small lung cancer has very low sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation. On the other hand, in the case of metastatic non-small lung cancer past the early stage, various chemotherapy and radiation treatments are used. Symptoms of non-small lung cancer include persistent coughs, chest pain, weight loss, nail damage, joint pain, and shortness of breath, but there are few symptoms in the early stages because non-small lung cancer usually progresses slowly. Therefore, early detection and treatment of non-small lung cancer is difficult, and it is highly likely to be detected after metastasis throughout the body, such as to the bone, liver, small intestine and brain. Despite the high incidence and mortality rates, no drug or treatment method capable of overcoming non-small lung cancer has yet been developed, and therefore the need for it has emerged. Non-small lung cancer is divided into several subtypes according to the size, shape, and chemical composition of the cancer cells and representative examples include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is the most frequently occurring type of lung cancer, accounting for more than 40% of all lung cancers, is found in the outer region of the lung, and tends to progress more slowly than other lung cancers, but shows a high metastatic tendency in the early stages and a high radiation resistance. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of non-small lung cancer that accounts for 25-30% of all lung cancer, and begins in the early version of cells constituting the airway, and shows a high incidence rate mainly in smokers. In addition, large cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 10-15% of all lung cancers, can develop in any part of the lung, and its progression is as fast as that of small cell lung cancer, so its treatment is still emerging as a challenge.
One of the most important biological properties of cancer is its ability to metastasize, which is considered one of the biggest obstacles to cancer treatment. In fact, about 60% of all solid tumor patients already have cancer that has clinically metastasized, albeit microscopically, at the time of diagnosis of the primary tumor, and it is already well known that metastasis is an important cause of death for most cancer patients.
In the process of metastasis, angiogenesis is a phenomenon that is accompanied by the invasion of local tissues by cancer, which involves tumor angiogenic factors, and since new blood vessels created by tumors are often defective, they are easily invaded by cancer cells. In addition, in the process of invasion and metastasis of cancer, numerous enzymes, growth factors, autocrine motility factors, and cancer genes necessary for dissolving the stroma of normal tissues, such as receptors on the surface of cancer cells, such as laminin receptors required for adhesion to tissue matrix and basement membrane, type IV collagenase, plasminogen activator, cathepsin D, and the like need to be expressed.
Currently, expectations for the development substances with cancer metastasis inhibitory action are very high, but there are very few examples of substances actually developed for the purpose of suppressing cancer metastasis. Sulfated polysaccharides, N-diazoacetylglycine derivatives, noiraminitase, and fibronectin degrading enzyme (FNS) have been reported to have such inhibitory effects, but there is no report of their practical uses yet, and they themselves have not reported an inhibitory effect on cancer metastasis. Therefore, if a method capable of effectively inhibiting cancer metastasis is developed, it is possible to develop a useful treatment method capable of effectively controlling death due to cancer metastasis.
An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition capable of inhibiting metastasis in cancer, preferably cancer in which autophagy is activated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for screening metastasis inhibitors of cancer, preferably cancer in which autophagy is activated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for providing information for predicting the therapeutic response of a metastasis inhibitor of cancer, preferably cancer in which autophagy is activated.
However, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting metastasis of cancer comprising at least one inhibitor of the activity or expression of a protein selected frond calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2) and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), or an expression inhibitor of the gene encoding the protein as an active ingredient.
In the present invention, the CAMKK2 protein may consist of amino acids represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the ACLY protein may consist of amino acids represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention the CAMKK2 or ACLY protein activity or expression inhibitor may comprise any one or more selected from the group consisting of compounds, peptides, peptide mimetics, aptamers, antibodies, and natural products that specifically bind to the protein.
The “peptide mimetics” as used herein refers to peptides or non-peptides that inhibit the protein. It can be created by using the β-turn dipeptide core (Nagai et al. Tetrahedron Lett 26:647, 1985), keto-methylene pseudopeptides, azeoines, benzodiazepines, β-aminoalcohols and substituted gamma-lactam rings as major residues of non-hydrolyzable peptide analogs.
The aptamer as used herein refers to a single-stranded nucleic acid (DNA, RNA, or modified nucleic acid) that has a stable tertiary structure as it is and can bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Since the first development of aptamer discovery technology called SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) (Ellington, A D and Szostak, J W., Nature 346:818-822, 1990), many aptamers that can bind to various target molecules, such as small-molecular organic substances, peptides and membrane proteins, have been continuously discovered. Aptamers are comparable to single antibodies because of their inherent high affinity (usually pM level) and ability to specifically bind to target molecules, and in particular, they have high potential as alternative antibodies to the extent that they are called “chemical antibodies”.
The “antibody” as used herein can be either manufactured through protein injection or purchased commercially. In addition, the antibody comprises polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies and epitope-binding fragments, and the like. Here, the polyclonal antibody may be produced by a conventional method of injecting a protein into an animal and collecting blood from the animal to obtain antibody-containing serum. Such polyclonal antibodies can be purified by any method known in the art, and can be made from any animal species host, such as goat, rabbit, sheep, monkey, horse, pig, cow, dog, and the like. In addition, the monoclonal antibody can be produced using any technique that provides the production of antibody molecules through the cultivation of continuous cell lines. Such technologies include, but are not limited to, hybridoma technology, human B-cell line hybridoma technology, and EBV-hybridoma technology.
In addition, in the present invention, an antibody fragment comprising a specific binding site for the protein can be prepared. For example, but not limited to, F(ab′)2 fragments can be prepared by pepsin digestion of antibody molecules, and Fab fragments can be prepared by reducing disulfide bridges of F(ab′)2 fragments. Alternatively, by miniaturizing the Fab expression library, monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity can be quickly and conveniently identified.
In the present invention, the antibody may be bound to a solid substrate to facilitate subsequent steps such as washing or separation of complexes. Solid substrates include, for example, synthetic resins, nitrocellulose, glass substrates, metal substrates, glass fibers, microspheres and microbeads. In addition, the synthetic resin includes polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, PVDF, and nylon.
As an example of the present invention, the activity or expression inhibitor of the CAMKK2 protein may be STO-609, SGC-CAMKK2-1, KN62, KN93, AIP, ACS-I, and berbamine, but is not limited thereto.
As an example of the present invention, the activity or expression inhibitor of the ACLY protein may be BMS303141, NDI-091143, SB-204990, ETC-1002, radicicol, (−)-hydroxycitric acid and 2-chloro-1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthrone, and the like, but are not limited thereto.
In the present invention, expression inhibitors of the gene encoding CAMKK2 or ACLY comprise any one or more selected from the group consisting of antisense nucleotides, short interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and ribozymes that complementarily bind to the gene.
The ‘antisense nucleotide’ as used herein, as defined in Watson-Crick base pairing, binds (hybridizes) to a complementary nucleotide sequence of DNA, immature-mRNA or mature mRNA to interfere with the flow of genetic information from DNA to protein. The nature of specificity of antisense nucleotides to their target sequences makes them exceptionally multifunctional. Since antisense nucleotides are long chains of monomeric units, they can be easily synthesized against the target RNA sequence. Recently, many studies have demonstrated the usefulness of antisense nucleotides as a biochemical means to study target proteins. Since many recent advances have been made in the field of oligonucleotide chemistry and nucleotide synthesis exhibiting improved cell line adsorption, target binding affinity and nuclease resistance, the use of antisense nucleotides can be considered as a new type of inhibitor.
The “siRNA” and “shRNA” as used herein refer to nucleic acid molecules capable of mediating RNA interference or gene silencing, and can inhibit the expression of a target gene, thereby providing an efficient gene knockdown method or gene therapy, shRNA is a hairpin structure formed by binding between complementary sequences within a single-stranded oligonucleotide, and in vivo, the shRNA is cleaved by dicer into small RNA fragments of 21 to 25 nucleotides in size to become double-stranded oligonucleotide siRNA, and can specifically bind to mRNA with a complementary sequence and suppress its expression. Therefore, which means of shRNA and siRNA to use can be determined by a person skilled in the art, and if the mRNA sequences they target are the same, similar expression reduction effects can be expected. For the purpose of the present invention, by specifically acting on the gene encoding the CAMKK2 or ACLY protein to cleave these genes (eg. mRNA molecules) to induce RNA interference (RNAi), the CAMKK2 or ACLY protein can be suppressed. siRNAs can be synthesized chemically or enzymatically. The method for preparing siRNA is not particularly limited, and methods known in the art may be used. Methods include, for example, a method for chemically synthesizing siRNA directly, a method for synthesizing siRNA using in vitro transcription, a method for cutting long double-stranded RNA synthesized by in vitro transcription using an enzyme, expression method through intracellular delivery of shRNA expression plasmid or viral vector, and expression method through intracellular delivery of PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-induced siRNA expression cassette, but is not limited thereto.
The “ribozyme” as used herein refers to an RNA molecule having a catalytic activity. Ribozymes with various activities are known, and ribozymes of the CAMKK2 or ACLY gene comprise known or artificially produced ribozymes, and ribozymes having target-specific RNA cleavage activity can be selectively prepared by known standard techniques.
In the present invention, the cancer is a cancer in which autophagy, preferably macroautophagy, is activated, and may comprise at least one of the KRAS gene and the LKB1 gene, preferably the KRAS gene, and more preferably the KRAS gene and mutations in both the LKB1 gene.
In the present invention, acetylation of Snail (zinc finger protein SNAI1) transcription factor increases in cancers in which the autophagy is activated, and as a result, Snail is stabilized, so that cancer cells are converted via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer metastasis is promoted. More specifically, upon activation of autophagy, CAMKK2 promotes the supply of citrate necessary for acetyl-CoA synthesis, and ACLY catalyzes the synthesis of acetyl-CoA from the supplied citrate. The increased acetyl-CoA binds to Snail by the CBP/p300 enzyme, resulting in increased acetylation of Snail. Therefore, in the present invention, by using an activity or expression inhibitor of the CAMKK2 or ACLY protein or an expression inhibitor of the gene encoding the protein, the deacetylation of the Snail is increased and the Snail is destabilized, thereby preventing conversion to the EMT subtype and inhibiting cancer metastasis.
The “autophagy” as used herein refers to a destructive mechanism that naturally degrades unnecessary or nonfunctional cellular components in the regulatory process, and while, in the early stages of cancer, mutations, cell damage, and various stresses are relatively low so that autophagy removes carcinogenic factors and contributes as a tumor suppressor, in the late stages of cancer progression, already formulated tumors become malignant and in the process of becoming a cancer with the ability to metastasize, rapid cell division, cell growth, and angiogenesis reactions are maximized, requiring a large amount of energy supply, during which autophagy contributes greatly as a tumor[ promoter by helping cancer cells acquire building blocks for synthesizing ATP and biomolecules (Kimmelman, Alec C and Eileen White. Cell metabolism 25.5 (2017) 1037-1043),
The “macroautophagy” as used herein refers to a type of autophagy, and cells form double-membrane vesicles, that is, “autophagosomes”, around the cytoplasm. These autophagosomes eventually fuse with lysosomes to degrade substances contained therein, such as unnecessary or damaged organelles, cytoplasmic proteins, and invasive microorganisms. These decomposed substances are released back into the cytoplasm to produce energy or protect cells to maintain cell viability even under stressful conditions. On the other hand, when these autophagosomes mature, they fuse with lysosomes to form autophagolysosomes and decompose the components captured in an acidic environment mediated by acid hydrolases.
The ‘mutation’ as used herein refers to a permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of an existing gene, and may include, without limitation, changes in chromosome structure or number, or changes in one or several nucleotides. As a specific example, the mutation may be one or more selected from deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation, base substitution, insertion, and fusion, but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the cancer may be breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, parathyroid cancer, lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gallbladder cancer, biliary tract cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, blood cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, bone cancer, skin cancer, head cancer, uterine cancer, rectal cancer, brain tumor, perianal cancer, fallopian tube carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, vaginal cancer, vulvar carcinoma, esophageal cancer, small intestine cancer, endocrine adenocarcinoma, adrenal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, urethral cancer, penile cancer, ureteral cancer, renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvic carcinoma, central nervous system (CNS) tumor, primary CNS lymphoma, spinal cord tumor, brainstem glioma or pituitary adenoma, and may preferably be, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, but is not limited thereto.
The “metastasis” as used herein refers to a state in which a malignant tumor has spread to other tissues away from an organ where it has developed. As a malignant tumor that started in one organ progresses, it spreads from that organ, which is the primary site where it first developed, to other tissues, and the spreading from the primary site to other tissues can be referred to as metastasis. Metastasis can be said to be a phenomenon accompanying the progression of malignant tumors, and metastasis can occur while acquiring new genetic traits as malignant tumor cells proliferate and cancer progresses. Metastasis can occur when tumor cells that have acquired new genetic traits invade blood vessels and lymph glands, circulate along the blood and lymph, and settle and proliferate in other tissues. Depending on the tissue in which metastasis occurs, various cancer diseases such as liver cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer can be induced. The composition of the present invention can prevent and treat the spread of cancer by inhibiting metastasis.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be in the form of capsules, tablets, granules, injections, ointments, powders or beverages, and the pharmaceutical composition may be intended for humans.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is not limited, but may be formulated in the form of oral formulations such as powders, granules, capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions, external preparations, suppositories and sterile injection solutions according to conventional methods. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may include binders, lubricants, disintegrants, excipients, solubilizers, dispersants, stabilizers, suspending agents, pigments, flavors, and the like for oral administration, may be mixed with buffers, preservatives, analgesics, solubilizers, isotonic agents, stabilizers and the like in the case of injections, and may include bases, excipients, lubricants, preservatives and the like for topical administration. Formulations of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be variously prepared by mixing with the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as described above. For example, for oral administration, it can be prepared in the form of tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafer and the like, and in the case of injections, it can be prepared in unit dosage ampoules or multiple dosage forms. In addition, it may be formulated into solutions, suspensions, tablets, capsules, sustained-release preparations, and the like.
On the other hand, examples of carriers, excipients and diluents suitable for formulation include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starch, gum acacia, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, Water, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate or mineral oil. In addition, fillers, anti-agglomerating agents, lubricants, wetting agents, flavoring agents, emulsifiers, preservatives, and the like may be further comprised.
The route of administration of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprise, but are not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intracardiac, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, intestinal, topical, sublingual or rectal. Oral or parenteral administration is preferred.
The parenteral methods of the present invention comprise subcutaneous, intradermal, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may also be administered in the form of a suppository for rectal administration.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can vary widely depending on various factors including the activity of the specific compound used, age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, administration time, route of administration, excretion rate. drug combination and severity of the specific disease to be prevented or treated, and the dosage of the pharmaceutical composition varies depending on the patient's condition, body weight, disease severity, drug type, administration route and period, but may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art, and can be administered at 0.0001 to 50 mg/kg or 0.001 to 50 mg/kg per day. Administration may be administered once a day, or may be administered in several divided doses. The above dosage does not limit the scope of the present invention in any way. The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be formulated into a pill, dragee, capsule, liquid, gel, syrup, slurry, or suspension.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, it relates to a method for screening cancer metastasis inhibitors comprising the step of processing a candidate substance with respect to the separated biological sample; and
The “screening” as used herein refers to the selection of a substance having a specific target property from a candidate group composed of various substances by a specific manipulation or evaluation method.
In the present invention, the isolated biological sample may be a biological sample isolated from a subject with or without cancer. Specifically, the biological sample may comprise whole blood, leukocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, buffy coat, plasma, serum, sputum, tears, mucus, nasal washes, nasal aspirate, breath, urine, semen, saliva, peritoneal washings, pelvic fluids, cystic fluid, meningeal fluid, amniotic fluid, glandular fluid, pancreatic fluid, lymph fluid, pleural fluid, nipple aspirate, bronchial aspirate, synovial fluid, joint aspirate, organ secretions, cells, cell extracts, or cerebrospinal fluids, but are not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the candidate substance may be at least one selected from the group consisting of natural compounds, synthetic compounds, RNA, DNA, polypeptides, enzymes, proteins, ligands, antibodies, antigens, bacterial or fungal metabolites, and bioactive molecules, but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the agent for measuring the activity or expression level of the CAMKK2 or ACLY protein is not particularly limited, but may comprise for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an oligopeptide, a ligand, a peptide nucleic add (PNA), and an aptamer that binds specifically to the CAMKK2 or ACLY.
The “antibody” as used herein refers to a substance that specifically binds to an antigen and causes an antigen-antibody reaction. For the purposes of the present invention, an antibody refers to an antibody that specifically binds to the biomarker protein. Antibodies of the present invention comprise polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies and recombinant antibodies. Such antibodies can be readily prepared using techniques well known in the art. For example, polyclonal antibodies can be produced by a method well known in the art, which includes a process of injecting an antigen of the biomarker protein into an animal, collecting blood from the animal, and obtaining serum containing the antibody. Such monoclonal antibodies can be prepared from any animal such as goat, rabbit, sheep, monkey, horse, pig, cow, dog, and the like. In addition, monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using the hybridoma method (see Kohler and Milstein (1976) European Journal of Immunology 6:511-519), or the phage antibody library technique (see Clackson et al, Nature, 352:624-628, 1991; Marks et al, J. Mol, Biol., 222:58, 1-597, 1991) well known in the art. The antibody prepared by the above method may be separated and purified using methods such as gel electrophoresis, dialysis, salt precipitation, ion exchange chromatography, and affinity chromatography. In addition, the antibodies of the present invention include functional fragments of antibody molecules as well as complete forms having two full-length light chains and two full-length heavy chains. A functional fragment of an antibody molecule means a fragment having at least an antigen-binding function, and includes Fab, F(ab′), F(ab′)2, and Fv.
The “PNA (peptide nucleic acid)” as used herein refers to an artificially synthesized polymer similar to DNA or RNA, and was first introduced in 1991 by Professors Nielsen, Egholm, Berg and Buchardt of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Whereas DNA has a phosphate-ribose backbone, PNA has a repeated N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine backbone linked by peptide bonds, which greatly increases the binding force and stability to DNA or RNA, and is thus used in molecular biology diagnostic assays and antisense therapies. PNA is described in detail in reference [Nielsen P E, Egholm M, Berg R H, Buchardt O (December 1991). “Sequence-selective recognition of DNA by strand displacement with a thymine-substituted polyamide”. Science 254 (5037): 1497-1500j.
The “aptamer” as used herein refers oligonucleic acid or peptide molecule, and a general description of the aptamer is described in reference [Bock L C et al., Nature 355(6380):5646(1992); Hoppe-Seyler F, Butz K “Peptide aptamers: powerful new tools for molecular medicine”. J Mol Med. 78(8):42630(2000); Cohen B A, Colas P, Brent R. “An artificial cell-cycle inhibitor isolated from a combinatorial library”. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 95(24): 142727(1998)].
In the present invention, methods for measuring or analytically comparing the activity or expression level of the protein comprise protein chip analysis, immunoassay, ligand binding assay, MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorptionilonization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry) analysis, SELDI-TOF (Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry) analysis. radiation immunity assay, radioimmuno-diffusion method, Oukteroni immunodiffusion method, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, tissue immunostaining, complement fixation assay, two-dimensional electrophoretic assay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSIMS), Western blotting or ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbentassay), but are limited thereto.
In the present invention, the agent for measuring the expression level of the gene encoding CAMKK2 or ACLY may comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of primers, probes, and antisense nucleotides that specifically bind to the gene encoding CAMKK2 or ACLY.
The “primer” used herein refers to a fragment that recognizes a target gene sequence, and comprises a forward and reverse primer pair, but is preferably a primer pair that provides an analysis result having specificity and sensitivity. High specificity can be imparted when the primers amplify the target gene sequence containing complementary primary binding sites while not causing non-specific amplification because the nucleic acid sequence of the primer is inconsistent with the non-target sequence present in the sample.
In the present invention, the “probe” refers to a substance that can specifically bind to a target substance to be detected in a sample, and a substance that can specifically confirm the presence of a target substance in a sample through binding. Given probes are commonly used in the art, the type of probe is not limited, but preferably can be peptide nucleic acid (PNA), locked nucleic acid (LNA), peptide, polypeptide, protein, RNA, or DNA, with PNA being the most preferred. More specifically, the probe is a biomaterial that includes those derived from or similar to those derived from living organisms or those manufactured in vitro, for example, enzymes, proteins, antibodies, microorganisms, animal and plant cells and organs, nerve cells, DNA, and RNA. DNA may comprise cDNA, genomic DNA and oligonucleotides, while RNA may comprise genomic RNA, mRNA, oligonucleotides, while proteins may comprise antibodies, antigens, enzymes, peptides, and the like.
In the present invention, the “LNA (locked nucleic acids)” refers to a nucleic acid analog comprising a 2′-O, 4′-C methylene bridge. LNA nucleosides comprise the common nucleic acid bases of DNA and RNA, and can base pair according to the Watson-Crick base pairing rules. However, because of the locking of molecules due to the methylene bridge, LNA is unable to form an ideal shape in Watson-Crick base pairing. When LNAs are comprised in the oligonucleotides of DNA or RNA, LNAs can more rapidly pair with complementary nucleotide chains to increase the stability of the double helix.
In the present invention, the “antisense” refers to oligomers with a sequence of nucleotide bases and an inter-subunit backbone, in which the antisense oligomer is hybridized with a target sequence in RNA by Watson-Crick base pair formation, allowing the formation of mRNA and RNA:oligomer heteroduplexes in the target sequence. Oligomers can have a sequence that has exactly or near complementarity to the target sequence.
Since the information regarding CAMKK2 or ACLY or the gene encoding them are known, those skilled in the art can easily design primers, probes or antisense nucleotides that specifically bind to the gene encoding the protein based on this information.
In the present invention, in the process of confirming the presence and expression level of the gene, analysis methods for measuring the expression level of the gene comprise reverse transcription polymerase reaction (RT-PCR), competitive reverse transcription polymerase reaction (Competitive RT-PCR), real-time reverse transcription polymerase reaction (Real-time RT-PCR), RNase protection assay (RPA), Northern blotting or DNA chip, but are not limited thereto.
In the present invention, when the activity or expression level of at least one of CAMKK2 and ACLY measured in the biological sample is reduced after treatment of the candidate material, or the expression level of the gene encoding the protein is reduced, the method may further comprise the step of determining the candidate substance as a cancer metastasis inhibitor.
In the present invention, the cancer is a cancer which autophagy, preferably macroautophagy, is activated, and may comprise at least one of the KRAS gene and the LKB1 gene. preferably the KRAS gene, and more preferably the KRAS gene and mutations in both the LKB1 gene.
In the present invention, the cancer may be breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, parathyroid cancer, lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gallbladder cancer, biliary tract cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, blood cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, bone cancer, skin cancer, head cancer, uterine cancer, rectal cancer, brain tumor, perianal cancer, fallopian tube carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, vaginal cancer, vulvar carcinoma, esophageal cancer, small intestine cancer, endocrine adenocarcinoma, adrenal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, urethral cancer, penile cancer, ureteral cancer, renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvic carcinoma, central nervous system (CNS) tumor, primary CNS lymphoma, spinal cord tumor, brainstem glioma or pituitary adenoma, and may preferably be, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, but is not limited thereto.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, it relates to a method for providing information for predicting the therapeutic response of a metastasis inhibitor of cancer comprising the step of detecting the existence of a mutation in at least one gene of KRAS and LKB1 in a biological sample isolated from a target individual.
The “target individual” as used herein refers to an individual who has developed cancer or has a high possibility of developing cancer. Here, the individual is a mammal including humans, and may be at least one selected from the group consisting of humans, rates, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, monkeys, dogs, cats, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats, and may preferably be humans, but is not limited thereto.
The “biological sample” as used herein refers to any material, biological fluid, tissue or cell obtained from or derived from an individual, and may comprise, for example, whole blood, leukocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, buffy coat, plasma, serum, sputum, tears, mucus, nasal washes, nasal aspirate, breath, urine, semen, saliva, peritoneal washings, pelvic fluids, cystic fluid, meningeal fluid, amniotic fluid, glandular fluid, pancreatic fluid, lymph fluid, pleural fluid, nipple aspirate, bronchial aspirate, synovial fluid, joint aspirate, organ secretions, cells, cell extracts, or cerebrospinal fluids, but may preferably be cancer tissue.
In the present invention, analysis methods for detecting mutations in the gene or confirming the expression level of the gene may comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of reverse transcription polymerase reaction (RT-PCR), competitive reverse transcription polymerase reaction (Competitive RT-PCR), real-time reverse transcription polymerase reaction (Real-time RT-PCR), RNase protection assay (RPA), Northern blotting, DNA chip and RNA sequencing, but are not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the agent for detecting mutations in the gene or measuring the expression level of the gene may comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of primers, probes, and antisense nucleotides that specifically bind to the gene or the transcript of the gene.
In addition, in the present invention, a method of detecting, measuring, or comparatively analyzing the expression level of a protein encoded by the gene can be performed to detect whether or not the gene is mutated, and more concretely may be performed by at feast one method selected from the group consisting of protein chip analysis, immunoassay, ligand binding assay, MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry) analysis, SELDI-TOP (Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry) analysis, radiation immunity assay, radioimmuno-diffusion method, Oukteroni immunodiffusion method, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, tissue immunostaining, complement fixation assay, two-dimensional electrophoretic assay, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Western blotting or ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbentassay), but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the agent for measuring the expression level of the protein comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an oligopeptide, a ligand, a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), and an aptamer that binds specifically to the protein, but is not limited thereto.
In addition, the method of providing information of the present invention may further comprise the step of detecting whether or not the Snail protein is acetylated in the biological sample.
In the present invention, the Snail protein may consist of amino acids represented by SEQ ID NO: 3, but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the method for detecting the presence or degree of acetylation of the Snail protein may comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, when a mutation is present in at least one gene of KRAS and LKB1 in the biological sample, and furthermore, when Snail protein acetylation is increased compared to the control group, it can be predicted that the cancer metastasis inhibitor has high therapeutic response. Here, the control group may be the level of acetylation of Snail protein in a corresponding sample from a normal individual, the acetylation level of Snail protein in a corresponding sample from an individual with or at high risk of developing cancer, or its median value or its average value, or the acetylation level of Snail protein in a corresponding sample from an individual who has or has a high possibility of developing cancer without mutations in KRAS and LKB1, or a median value thereof, or an average value thereof, but is not limited thereto.
In the present invention, the cancer metastasis inhibitor may be an activity or expression inhibitor of CAMKK2 or ACLY protein, or an expression inhibitor of a gene encoding the protein.
In the present invention, the activity or expression inhibitor of the CAMKK2 or ACLY protein may comprise any one or more selected from the group consisting of compounds, peptides, peptide mimetics, aptamers, antibodies, and natural products that specifically bind to the protein.
As an example of the present invention, the activity or expression inhibitor of the CAMKK2 protein may be STO-609, SGC-CAMKK2-1, KN62, KN93, AIP, ACS-I, and berbamine, but is not limited thereto.
As an example of the present invention, the activity or expression inhibitor of the ACLY protein may be BMS303141, NDI-091143, SB-204990, ETC-1002, radicicol, (−)-hydroxycitric acid and 2-chloro-1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthrone, and the like, but are not limited thereto.
In the present invention, expression inhibitors of the gene encoding CAMKK2 or ACLY may comprise any one or more selected from the group consisting of antisense nucleotides, short interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and ribozymes that complementarily bind to the gene.
In the present invention, the cancer may be a cancer in which autophagy, preferably macroautophagy, is activated.
In the present invention, the cancer may be breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, parathyroid cancer, lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gallbladder cancer, biliary tract cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, blood cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, colon cancer, bone cancer, skin cancer, head cancer, uterine cancer, rectal cancer, brain tumor, perianal cancer, fallopian tube carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, vaginal cancer, vulvar carcinoma, esophageal cancer, small intestine cancer, endocrine adenocarcinoma, adrenal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, urethral cancer, penile cancer, ureteral cancer, renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvic carcinoma, central nervous system (CNS) tumor, primary CNS lymphoma, spinal cord tumor, brainstem glioma or pituitary adenoma, and may preferably be, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, but is not limited thereto.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inhibiting metastasis of cancer comprising the step of administering the composition comprising an inhibitor of the activity of at least one protein of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2) and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), or an inhibitor of the expression of the gene encoding the protein as an active ingredient to a subject.
Descriptions of Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2), ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), an activity inhibitor of at least one protein of the present invention, and inhibitors of expression of genes encoding the proteins and carcinoma have already been described in detail, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted to avoid excessive redundancy.
When the composition of the present invention is used, cancer metastasis in cancers in which autophagy is activated can be effectively inhibited.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples. However, the examples are only for illustrating the present invention, and the contents of the present invention are not limited by these examples.
HBEC30 analogue cell progression series cell lines (HBEC30KT, HBEC-TP53, HBEC-K, and HBEC-KL cell lines) and 11 human NSCLC cell lines (A549, HCC44, NCI) were obtained from Michael A. White (UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas, USA) -H157, NCI-H647, NCI-H460, NCI-H1155, NCI-H358, NCI-H441, HCC461, NCI-H2030, NCI-H2122). Three human NSCLC cell lines (Calu-1, NCI-H1373, HCC1171) and a pancreatic cancer cell line were purchased from Korea Cell Line Bank (KCLB). Three pancreatic cancer cell lines (KP4, KP4-1 and PK-59) were purchased from Riken, and the A549-luciferase cell line was obtained from the JCRB cell bank.
A ACL4 RPMI 1640 [GIBCO, 2.05 mM L-giutamine] medium supplemented with 0.02 mg/ml insulin, 0.01 mg/ml transferrin, 25 nM sodium selenate, 50 nM hydrocortisone, 10 mM HEPES, 1 ng/ml EGF, 0.01 mM ethanolamine, 0.01 mM O-phosphoethanolamine, 0.1 nM Triiodothyronine, 2 mg/ml BSA, and 0.5 mM sodium pyruvate medium and supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum (GIBCO 16000-044) and 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco. 15140122) was used to culture the HBEC30KT progression series. NSCLC cell line and pancreatic cancer cell line were maintained in RPMI-1640 medium (Gibco, 11875-093) supplemented with 5% (v/v) and 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (GIBCO 16000-044), respectively, and 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco, 15140122) at 37° C. under 5% CO2 conditions. The A549-luciferase cell line was maintained at 37° C. under 5% CO2 condition in MEM alpha (Gibco, 12561-056) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (GIBCO 16000-044) and 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco, 15140122).
Cells were harvested, washed with PBS, and lysed on ice with RIPA buffer containing protease and phophatase inhibitor cocktail (GenDEPOT). After 15 minutes of incubation, the cell lysates were centrifuged at 15,000 rpm at 4° C. for 10 minutes. Protein concentration was measured by Bradford assay (Bio-rad, 500-0006). Equal amounts of total protein were placed on an SDS gel electrophoresis and transferred to a PVDF membrane (Bio-rad). The membrane was blocked with 5% skim milk for 1 hour at room temperature and incubated overnight at 4° C. with primary antibody in a buffer containing 0.1% Tween-20. Subsequently, the membrane was washed three times with Tween-PBS buffer and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature using a secondary antibody diluted in blocking buffer containing 0.1% Tween-20. Subsequently, the membrane was washed three times for 10 minutes each using Tween-TBS. Densitometry of Western blots was measured using ImageJ software.
For inhibition of autophagy, cells were treated with 50 μM chloroquine (Sigma, C6628) for 12 to 24 hours. For autophagy activation, cells were'treated with 2 μM rapamycin (Selleckchem, S1039) for 5 hours. Modulation of intracellular ROS was performed with N-acetyl-cysteine (10 mM) (Sigma, A7250), hydrogen peroxide solution (100 μM to 200 μM) (Sigma, 216763), or CDDO-ME NRF2 activator (50 nM, 100 nM) (Sellckchem, S8078) for 4 to 24 hours. Intercellular calcium signal control was performed for 1 hour using BAPTA-AM (20 μM) (Sigma, A1076) or Calmidazolium Chloride (2.5 μM) (Sigma, C3930). C646 (25 μM) (Sigma, SML0002), curcumin (10 μM) (Selleckchem, S1848) CBP/p300 inhibitor or vorinostat (3 pM) (Selleckchem, S1047) HDAC inhibitor was treated for 24 hours to modulate snail protein acetylation. and CHIR99021 GSK3b inhibitor (3 μM) (Sigma, SML1046) was treated for 24 hours to control Snail protein phosphorylation. For TFEB protein phosphorylation, tacrolimus (1 μM) (Selleckchem, S5003) was treated for 1 hour. For nutrient replenishment, cells were treated with 10 mM sodium acetate (Sigma, S2889), 8 mM methyl pyruvate (Sigma, 371173), or 3 mM dimethyl 2-oxoglutarate (Sigma, 349631) for 24 hours. For ACLY inhibitor treatment, cells were treated with 50 μM BMS303141 (Selleckchem, S0277) for 24 hours, and PPARr agonist rosiglitazone (Selleckchem, S2556) was treated with 200 μM concentration for 24 hours STO-809 (Sigma, S1318), a CAMKK2 inhibitor, was treated to cells at a concentration of 25 μM or 50 μM for 24 hours, and AMG-510 (Selleckchem 8830) a KRASG12C inhibitor, was treated to cells at a concentration of 100 nM or 1 μM for 48 hours. During siRNA treatment, each siRNA was treated to a concentration of 40 to 50 nM and treated together with Lipofectamine RNAiMax (Thermo Fisher Scientific, 13778150) for transformation, and were used for experiments 48 to 72 hours later. For cDNA treatment, each cDNA was treated to a concentration of 1 to 2 μg in a 6-well plate and treated with Lipofectamine 2000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, 11668019) for transformation, and were used for experiments 24 hours later.
For immunoprecipitation, equal amounts of lysate and Co-IP buffer (40 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 120 mM NaCl, 2 mM EDTA, 0.3% CHAPS (Sigma, 10810118001), 10 mM pyrophosphate (Sigma, 221368), 10 mM glycerophosphate (Sigma, G9422), 50 mM NaF, phosphatase and protease inhibitor mixture) were mixed. Cell lysates (1 μg protein) were incubated overnight at 4° C. on anti-FLAG® M2 Affinity Gel (Sigma, A2220) or anti-acetyl-lysine antibody coated agarose (ImmuneChem Pharmaceuticals, ICP0388). The immunoprecipitate was then washed three times in IP buffer, and the immunoprecipitated complex was dissolved and separated by boiling in IP buffer for 5 minutes.
For SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, the immunoprecipitated complex was transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane and the membrane was blocked and then incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with Primary antibody and secondary antibody (VeriBlot for IP Detection Reagent (HRP) (Abcam, #ab131366), and anti-mouse IgG tor IP (HRP) (Abeam, #ab131368)).
After washing 3 times, the membrane was incubated with the secondary antibody. Band signals were enhanced with the ECL Western Blot Substrate Kit (Pierce, 32106).
Intracellular acetyl-CoA levels were calculated in the pmol range using the PicoProbe Acetyl-CoA Assay Kit (Biovision, K317). Fluorescence levels were measured using Ex/Em=535/589 nm with an Envision Multimode Plate Reader (PerkinElmer 2105-0010, Waltham, MA, USA). After correcting the background in all readings, the value of each sample was determined and normalized to the protein concentration of each sample.
Intracellular citrate levels were calculated in the pmol range using a citrate assay kit (Biovision, K655). After sonication, proteins were removed from the supernatant using a 10 kDa molecular weight cutoff spin column, followed by incubation at room temperature for 30 minutes with 50 μl citrate reaction mixture comprising enzyme mixture, developer and citrate probe. Citrate content was measured by reading OD 570 nm with an Envision Multimode Plate Reader (PerkinElmer 2105-0010, Waltham, MA, USA). After correcting the background in all readings, the value of each sample was determined and normalized to the protein concentration of each sample.
For the 2D invasion assay, the inserts were pre-coated with 300 μg/ml Matrigel (Coming, 354234). After staining with tryptophan blue dye (Bio-Rad, 1450013), 1×105 live cells per 8-um-pore cell-culture insert (Costar. 3422) were seeded in 0.5% ACL medium. 10% ACL medium was added to the outside of the insert. In the case of lung cancer and pancreatic cancer cell lines, after inoculation in 1% RPMI medium, 20% RPMI medium was added to the outside of the insert. Plates were incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. After incubation, the insert was fixed with 3.7% PFA, washed, stained with 0.4% crystal violet, and the upper membrane was washed and dried.
The 3D spheroid cell invasion assay was performed using the Cultrex 3D spheroid cell invasion assay (R&D Systems, 3500-096-K). Briefly, cells resuspended in 1× spheroid-forming ECM solution were seeded at 4,000 viable cells per well of a 96-well plate and incubated at 37° C. for 48 hours to form spheroids. When the spheroids were formed, they were inserted into the infiltration matrix, supplemented with a culture medium containing STO-809 (Sigma, S1318) or DMSO, and reprocessed by replacing the medium for 3 days. After culturing the 3D spheroid invasion assay plate for 7 days, the degree of spheroid invasion was quantified using ImageJ software. Three independent protrusions at the furthest distance from the spheroid boundary per well were measured and used for analysis to compare spheroid invasiveness.
Cells were seeded onto coated glass coverslips and maintained in ACL medium for 48 hours. After washing the cells three times with PBS. they were incubated in 3.7% paraformaldehyde for 10 minutes and fixed. Thereafter, the cells were washed three times with PBS and subjected to cell permeabilizaton in PBS containing 0.1% Triton X-100 for 10 minutes. After washing with PBS three times, the sample was blocked for 30 minutes at room temperature with PBS containing 0.1% Triton X-100 and 5% goat serum. Samples were incubated with primary antibody (1:150). followed by incubation with anti-rabbit/mouse Alexa Fluor 488/568 secondary antibody (Thermo Fisher Scientific, A-11001, 11004, 11008. 11011) and ProLong Gold Antifade Mountant with DAPI (Thermo Fisher Scientific, P36931), Images were taken with an Axio imager M2 microscope (Carl Zeiss, Stockholm. Sweden) equipped with a 63× oil objective and analyzed with ZEN version 3.0 software.
At 72 hours after siRNA transfection (post-transfection) and 12 to 24 hours after chemical treatment, total RNA was isolated with the RNeasy miniprep kit (QIAGEN, 74134). After synthesizing complementary DNA (cDNA) using the TOPscript·8 cDNA synthesis kit (Enzynomics, EZ0054), gRT-PCR was performed with TCPreal™ gRCR 2× PreMIX (SYBR Green with low ROX) (Enzynomics, RT501M). GAPDH and beta-actin were used for RNA normalization. qRT-PCR was performed with a StepOne Plus (Applied Biosystems) instrument.
A mutant construct of Snail lysine (K) to arginine (R) was constructed by introducing a sense mutation into the SNAI1 coding sequence through site-specific mutation. A wild-type Snail expression vector was purchased from Origene and used as a mutation template. The primer sequences used were as follows: Snail K146R F: 5′-CTC TGA GGC CAG GGA TCT CCA GG-3′R: 5′- AGC TGG GCC AGC TGC TTG-3′. Snail K187R F: 5′-AAC CTG CGG GAG GGC CTT CTC TAG-3′
R: CCG CAG ACG CAG GGC AGC-3′. Snail's Lys146 and Lys187 were mutated, respectively.
ATG5 and negative control siRNA transfection was performed in five 100 cm2 dishes per group. The sample was used after culturing for 48 hours, and medium was aspirated as much as possible, and then the cells were washed with 5 ml of cold PBS (no Mg2+/Ca2+). After vacuum aspiration of the PBS, metabolites were extracted by adding 1 ml 80% methanol (−80° C.) per dish, and the lysate was collected with a cell scraper and transferred to an Eppendorf tube on dry ice. After vortexing for 10 minutes in a cold room, insoluble debris was removed by centrifugation at 13,300g at 4° C. for 10 minutes, the supernatant was transferred to an Eppendorf tube on dry ice, and the pooled extract was stored at −80° C. before LC-MS analysis.
UPLC analysis was performed using a Waters Acquity™ Ultra Performance LC system (Waters MS Technologies, Manchester, UK). Chromatographic separation was performed on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) at a column temperature of 40° C. The mobile phase consists of solvent A (0.1% aqueous formic acid, v/v) and solvent B (0.1% formic acid in methanol, v/v). Optimized UPLC dissolution conditions are as follows: 0.0-1.5 min, 1% B; 1.5-6.5 min, 10-20% B; 6.5-9.0 min, 20-70% 6; 9.0-12.0 min, 70-99%; 12.0-16.0 min, −99%; 17.0-20.0 min, 1% The flow rate was set to 0.3 mL/min and the injection volume was set to 5 ul, and the eluate was permeated into a SYNAPT™ G2 Quadrupole Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometer (Waters, Manchester, UK). For the positive electrospray mode, the capillary voltage and cone voltage were set to 3.1 kV and 40 V, respectively. For the negative electrospray mode, the capillary voltage and cone voltage were set to −2.5 kV and 40 V, respectively, The desolvation gas was set to 800 L/h at a temperature of 350° C., the cone gas was set to 50 L/h, and the source temperature was set to 120° C.
7- to 9-week-old BALB/c-nu Sic mice were obtained from SLC, Inc. (Shizuoka, Japan) and used, A549-luc cells (#JCRB1414) or SNAI1 shRNA-mediated knockdown A549-luc cells were injected at 3-4.5×106 cells through the tail vein of mice. After 3 to 4 weeks, metastasis was monitored by bioluminescence imaging analysis. More specifically, after injecting D-luciferin (75 mg/kg) (PerkinElmer, 122799) into the abdominal cavity of the mouse, images were obtained using an IVIS imaging system (IVIS 200, PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA) in the supine position. Lung tissue was obtained for histopathological analysis. Images were analyzed using commercially available software (ImageScope; Aperio Technologies). In the STO-609 efficacy test, STO-609 (25 mg, 100 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to mice on the day of injection. In the BMS303141 efficacy test, BMS303141 (100 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to mice on the day of injection.
The HBEC-KL cell line stably expressing the TFEB reporter stably expressing the CLEAR motif-driven luciferase reporter construct were obtained through puromycin selection after Lenti-5× CLEAR Rluc-CMV-mCherry-T2A-Puro-expressing fentiviral particles were transduced, After each treatment, the luciferase activity was confirmed using the Renilla Luciferase Assay System (Promega, E2810). To compare the TFEB reporter activity with other cell lines (HBEC30KT, HBEC-K, and HBEC-KL), the pGL4.70 5× CLEAR Rluc and pSt4.14 Fluc vectors were transiently co-transfected and normalized luciferase activity was measured in Dual-Measured by Luciferase® Reporter Assay System (Promega, E1910),
Intracellular ROS was detected using CM-H2DCFDA (Thermo Fisher Scientific, C6827). Specifically, after inocutating 5,000 cells for each cell line, 1 day later, the cells were stained with CM-H2DCFDA at 37° C. for 30 minutes, and the medium was replaced with EBBS, Fluorescence was detected at Ex/Em=485/535 nm using a Varioskan Flash Spectral Scanning Multimode Reader (Thermo Asher Scientific 4.00.53). Background was corrected for all readings, and the values of each sample were determined and normalized to the CTO assay values. Mitochondrial ROS was detected using the MitoSox. Mitochondrial Superoxide indicator (Thermo Fisher Scientific. M36008). 3,000 to 7,000 cells per each cell line were initially inoculated, and after 1 day, the cells were cultured in MitoSOX at 37° C. for 20 minutes, and then the medium was replaced with EBBS. Fluorescence was detected at Ex/Em=510/580 nm using a Varioskan Flash Spectral Scanning Multimode Reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific 4.00.53). Background was corrected for all readings, and the values of each sample were determined and normalized to the CTG assay values.
Human TMA paraffin sections of human lung adenoma tissue microarrays from 92 lung cancer patients were purchased from US Biomax. For immunohistochemical analysis, paraffin was removed from the paraffin sections, rehydrated, and antigen retrieval was as performed with boiled 10 mM sodium citrate pH6. Epitope retrieval was performed using the BOND Epitope Retrieval Solution 2 kit (Leica Biosystems, AR9640). Immunofluorescence signals were visualized using OPAL 7-Color automation IHC kit (Akoya, NEL82100KT), TSA dyes 520 (LAMP2, Rabbit polyclonal anti-LAMP2 Atlas Antibodies Cat #HP A029100 RRID: AB_10795022, 1:1200), 690 (Acetyl lysine, Rabbit polyclonal anti-acetyl lysine Immunofluorescence signal visualization using Cell Signaling Technology Cat #9441: RRID: AB_331805, 1:400), 620 (Snail, Rabbit polyclonal anti-Snail Atlas Antibodies Cat #HPA069985: RRID: AB_2732146, 1:300) and spectral DAPI. Stained slides were covered with HIGHDEF® IHC fluoromount (Enzo, ADI-950-260-0025) and scanned using the Vectra® 3.0 Automated Quantitative Pathology Imaging System (PerkinElmer). To obtain image data, color separation, cell segmentation, and cell phenotyping were performed using inForm Advanced image analysis software (version 2.2, PerkinElmer). For analysis, a representative value was calculated by multiplying the median intensity of cells classified as positive for each marker by the percentage.
After directly downloading the gene expression of the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) LUAD (Lung Adenocarcinoma) sample using the TCGAbiolinks R package, the FPKM value was transformed with log2 (FPKM+1), and the sample was converted to z-score. Gene expression microarray datasets (GEO accession GSE41271, GSE72094) were downloaded and log2-transformed.
Mutation and metabolome data of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) were downloaded from the CCLE data portal (https://portals.broadinstitute.org/ccle). A cell line comprising a missense mutation in KRAS and a non-silent mutation in LKB1 was termed “KL cell line”. Cells comprising a KRAS mutation but no mutation in LKB1 were termed “K cell lines”.
All statistical experiments were performed using R statistical software (ver. 4.0.0). A two-sided Student's t-test was performed. A Spearman rank correlation test was performed to evaluate the relationship between the two variables.
Only genes showing a significant correlation (P<0.05, spearman rank correlation test) with the expression of each transcription factor in TCGA-LUAD were considered targets. Genes with positive correlations were considered up-regulated, and genes with negative correlations were considered down-regulated. For each sample, a modified version of gene-set enrichment analysis (single-sample GSEA, ssGSEA) was performed with target genes of transcription factors. The activity of each transcription factor was calculated by subtracting the ssGSEA score of the downregulated gene from the ssGSEA score of the upregulated gene.
Clinical data were collected from the LUAD cohort (TCGA, GSE41271, GSE72094). Based on the gene expression level or ssGSEA score for each sample, the samples were divided into two groups, prognosis was predicted using the Kaplan-Meier survival rater, and significant differences were evaluated using the log-rank test. Hazard ratio (HR) was calculated to define the direction of prognosis, and a poor prognosis was predicted when the HR was greater than 0 and the gene expression or ssGSEA score was high
For TMA survival analysis, total or nuclear Snail protein expression by immunohistochemistry was ranked and used as a threshold value to determine low and high groups. The difference in overall survival between the low and high expression level groups was evaluated by the log-rank test.
After inducing cancer progression from normal human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) through inhibition of p53 (HBEC30KT-shTP53; HBEC-TP53 cells), KRAS G12V expression (HBEC30KT-shTP53/KRAS G12V; HBEC-K cells) and inhibition of LKBI (HBEC30KT-shTP53/KRAS G12V/shLKB1; HBEC-KL cells) (
In order to confirm whether KRAS and LKB1 mutations induce resistance to anticancer treatment, the results of confirming the resistance of three KL NSCLC cell lines having KRAS-G12C mutation to anticancer treatment (KRAS(G12C) inhibitor AMG-510) showed that in the case of the H2122 cell line, complete resistance was exhibited even at high concentration (10 umol/L), and in the case of the other HCC44 and H2030 cell lines, the cell growth inhibitory effect was only insignificant (
Through this, it was found that KRAS (G12C) inhibitors showed limited therapeutic effects in KRAS and LKB1 mutant cancers and promoted cancer metastasis. In addition, it was found that increased Snail expression levels in KRAS/LKB1 mutant lung cancer cells increased cell invasiveness and induced resistance to anticancer treatment.
As a result of comparing ROS expression levels in K (KRASmut, wild-type LKB1), HBEC-K (KRASmut, P53mut, LKB1), KL (KRASmut, wild-type LKB1) and HBEC-KL (KRASmut, P53mut, LKB1mut) cell lines, KL and HBEC-KL cell lines showed higher expression levels of ROS compared to HBEC-K and K cell lines, (
Under non-stress conditions, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) acts like an adapter for the E3 ubiquitin ligase, and NF-E2-related factor 2 (NF-E2-related factor 2; Nrf2) promotes proteosomal degradation. On the other hand, under oxidative stress conditions, increased p62 competes with Nrf2 for Keap1 binding, stabilizing the transcriptional activity of Nrf2 and its target genes. However, in the KL cell line, p62 was not induced under oxidative stress conditions (
As it is known that AMPK activation in cellular energy-stress is mediated by LKB1, whereas ROS-induced MIRK activation is achieved by an increase in intracellular calcium through CAMKK activation, as a result of confirming whether CAMKK activation induces AMPK activation in KL cells, it was confirmed that the level of phospho-CAMKII T286, which can be seen as a biomarker for intercellular calcium levels, was increased in HBEC-KL cells (
From this, it was found that the increase in ROS level due to the impaired antioxidant defense ability in KL lung cancer cells prolongs the activation of the ROS/Ca2+-CAMKK-AMPK pathway, thereby increasing the expression level of Snail and also increasing cell invasiveness.
Increased Invasiveness by Activation of CAMKK-AMPK-Dependent Autophagolysosome through Stabilization of Snail Protein Independent of GSK3β
81% of LysoTracker-positive cells in HBEC-KL cells co-localized with LC3 (
It was confirmed that at least part of the autophagic flux in the HBEC-KL cell line was due to increased CLEAR activity (
Next, upon genetic knockdown of ULK1, ATG5, and TFEB, which are critical regulators of autophagy, or inhibition of autophagy by chloroguine (CQ), it was confirmed that although the expression level of Snail protein was reduced (
Snail phosphorylation is regulated by GSK3β, and whether the stability of Snail protein regulated by autophagolysosomes depends on GSK3β activity was confirmed. Expression levels of total GSK3β and activated GSK3β (phospho-GSK3β Y216) were not increased in KL cells (
As a result of inhibiting autophagy through various drugs or genetic knockdown in HBEC-KL cell line and KL cell line in order to confirm whether the role of promoting cancer growth in the late stage of autophagy is due to invasiveness through EMT promotion and Snail stabilization, cell invasiveness and migration were reduced (
As a result of analyzing the CCLE metabolome dataset, it was confirmed that compared to K cells (N=30), NADP, anthranillic acid, glutathione, hexanolycarnitine, GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid), homocysteine, citrate, carnitine, propionlycarnitine and dimethylglycine, among 225 metabolites, were highly expressed in KL cancer cell lines (N=14). As a result of LC-MS (liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry) analysis, the expression levels of glutathione, GABA, citrate, and dimethylglycine among the 10 metabolites significantly decreased when autophagy was inhibited (
Citrate can be synthesized by two pathways: mitochondrial citrate synthase (CS) and cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). Acetyl-CoA is synthesized from citrate by ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) or from acetate by Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2). Acetyl-CoA is then used as a precursor to synthesize lipid substances or functions as an acetyl group donor for protein acetylation. In order to prove the correlation between citrate-acetyl-CoA and invasiveness of KL cells, the enzymes were knocked down with siRNA to confirm changes in invasiveness of KL cells. Acetyl-CoA levels were reduced upon ACLY and ACSS2 knockdown (
Acetyl-CoA is mainly used for fat synthesis and protein acetylation (
Increased Invasiveness Through CBP-Mediated Snail Acetylation of Autophagy-Induced acetyl-CoA in KL Cells
The expression level of Snail in KL cancer cells showed a high correlation with cell invasiveness (
Consistent with these results, protein acetylation was increased in the HBEC-KL cell compared to the HBEC-K cell line, and the level of acetylated Snail was also increased (
Since acetyltransferase CBP acetylates Snail using acetyl-CoA, and histone deacetylases (HDAC) class 1,2 deacetylate Snail, Snail expression levels were reduced upon siRNA-mediated CBP (siCREBBF) knockdown in HBEC-KL cell lines and KL cell lines (
From this, it was found that autophagy-induced acetyl CoA increases invasiveness of KL cells through CBP-mediated Snail acetylation.
In general, since the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activated by LKB1 loss is known to inhibit CLEAR activity through TFEB phosphorylation, inhibition of CLEAR activity in KL cell lines could not be predicted. Therefore, it was hypothesized that TFEB acetylation would be involved in CLEAR activation in KL cell lines. To confirm the effect of acetylation of TFEB on transcriptional regulatory activity, WT TFEB and acetylation-deficient TFEB [4KR] were overexpressed and CLEAR activity was measured. In fact, in the case of the acetylation-deficient TFEB [4KR] mutant in the HBEC-KL cell line, CLEAR activity was significantly reduced (
Based on the fact that overall protein acetylation was increased in the HBEC-KL cell line (
Since TFEB phosphorylation and acetylation occur simultaneously (
Next, it was confirmed whether inhibition of autophagy damages the positive feedback loop. As shown in
KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal carcinoma is characterized by increased dependence on autophagy and micropinocytosis, so the following experiment was performed to confirm that the same logic in the previous experiment can be applied to KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer cell lines physiologically similar to KL cells. As a result of analyzing CCLE metabolomic data, it was confirmed that citrate was expressed at a higher level in pancreatic cancer cell lines compared to other cancer cells (
The autophagylacetyl-CoNacetyl-Snail axis was clinically verified through survival data of lung cancer patients and tumor tissue microarray (TMA). Total snail and nuclear snail intensity were highly associated With poor prognosis (short overall survival) in the TMA cohort (
To confirm the pre-metastatic role of autophagy/acetyl-CoA/acetyl-Snail in vivo, a mouse model in which lung metastasis was induced by injecting A549-expressing luciferase through the mouse tail vein was used, STO-609 reduced acetylated Snail in A549 luciferase cell line in vitro (
Through this, it was found that autophagy-induced acetyl-CoA and Snail acetylation acts as the main mechanism of metastasis and malignancy not only in KL lung cancer but also in other types of carcinomas in which autophagy is activated, such as pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of various metastatic cancers can be expected through pharmacological inhibition of this axis.
Although the present invention has been described in detail above, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these specific techniques are only preferred embodiments, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the substantial scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2021-0017485 | Feb 2021 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2022/001890 | 2/8/2022 | WO |
