Induction of robust de novo centrosome amplification, high-grade spindle multipolarity and metaphase catastrophe: a novel chemotherapeutic approach

Centrosome amplification (CA) and resultant chromosomal instability have long been associated with tumorigenesis. However, exacerbation of CA and relentless centrosome declustering engender robust spindle multipolarity (SM) during mitosis and may induce cell death. Recently, we demonstrated that a noscapinoid member, reduced bromonoscapine, (S)-3-(R)-9-bromo-5-(4,5-dimethoxy-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-1-yl)-4-methoxy-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,3]dioxolo-[4,5-g]isoquinoline (Red-Br-nos), induces reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated autophagy and caspase-independent death in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Herein, we show that Red-Br-nos induces ROS-dependent DNA damage that resulted in high-grade CA and SM in PC-3 cells. Unlike doxorubicin, which causes double-stranded DNA breaks and chronic G2 arrest accompanied by ‘templated'' CA, Red-Br-nos-mediated DNA damage elicits de novo CA during a transient S/G2 stall, followed by checkpoint abrogation and mitotic entry to form aberrant mitotic figures with supernumerary spindle poles. Attenuation of multipolar phenotype in the presence of tiron, a ROS inhibitor, indicated that ROS-mediated DNA damage was partly responsible for driving CA and SM. Although a few cells (∼5%) yielded to aberrant cytokinesis following an ‘anaphase catastrophe'', most mitotically arrested cells (∼70%) succumbed to ‘metaphase catastrophe,'' which was caspase-independent. This report is the first documentation of rapid de novo centrosome formation in the presence of parent centrosome by a noscapinoid family member, which triggers death-inducing SM via a unique mechanism that distinguishes it from other ROS-inducers, conventional DNA-damaging agents, as well as other microtubule-binding drugs.     

Let's huddle to prevent a muddle: centrosome declustering as an attractive anticancer strategy

Nearly a century ago, cell biologists postulated that the chromosomal aberrations blighting cancer cells might be caused by a mysterious organelle-the centrosome-that had only just been discovered. For years, however, this enigmatic structure was neglected in oncologic investigations and has only recently reemerged as a key suspect in tumorigenesis. A majority of cancer cells, unlike healthy cells, possess an amplified centrosome complement, which they manage to coalesce neatly at two spindle poles during mitosis. This clustering mechanism permits the cell to form a pseudo-bipolar mitotic spindle for segregation of sister chromatids. On rare occasions this mechanism fails, resulting in declustered centrosomes and the assembly of a multipolar spindle. Spindle multipolarity consigns the cell to an almost certain fate of mitotic arrest or death. The catastrophic nature of multipolarity has attracted efforts to develop drugs that can induce declustering in cancer cells. Such chemotherapeutics would theoretically spare healthy cells, whose normal centrosome complement should preclude multipolar spindle formation. In search of the 'Holy Grail' of nontoxic, cancer cell-selective, and superiorly efficacious chemotherapy, research is underway to elucidate the underpinnings of centrosome clustering mechanisms. Here, we detail the progress made towards that end, highlighting seminal work and suggesting directions for future research, aimed at demystifying this riddling cellular tactic and exploiting it for chemotherapeutic purposes. We also propose a model to highlight the integral role of microtubule dynamicity and the delicate balance of forces on which cancer cells rely for effective centrosome clustering. Finally, we provide insights regarding how perturbation of this balance may pave an inroad for inducing lethal centrosome dispersal and death selectively in cancer cells.     

Suppression of centrosome duplication and amplification by deacetylases

Centrosome duplication is controlled both negatively and positively by a number of proteins. The activities and stabilities of those regulatory proteins are in many cases controlled by posttranslational modifications. Although acetylation and deacetylation are highly common posttranslational modifications, their roles in the regulation of centrosome duplication had not been closely examined. Here, through focusing on the deacetylases, we investigated the role of acetylation/deacetylation in the regulation of centrosome duplication and induction of abnormal amplification of centrosomes. We found that the deacetylation event negatively controls centrosome duplication and amplification. Of the 18 total known deacetylases (HDAC1–11, SIRT1–7), ten deacetylases possess the activity to suppress centrosome amplification, and their centrosome amplification suppressing activities are strongly associated with their abilities to localize to centrosomes. Among them, HDAC1, HDAC5 and SIRT1 show the highest suppressing activities, but each of them suppresses centrosome duplication and/or amplification with its unique mechanism.     

Suppression of centrosome duplication and amplification by deacetylases

Centrosome duplication is controlled both negatively and positively by a number of proteins. The activities and stabilities of those regulatory proteins are in many cases controlled by posttranslational modifications. Although acetylation and deacetylation are highly common posttranslational modifications, their roles in the regulation of centrosome duplication had not been closely examined. Here, through focusing on the deacetylases, we investigated the role of acetylation/deacetylation in the regulation of centrosome duplication and induction of abnormal amplification of centrosomes. We found that the deacetylation event negatively controls centrosome duplication and amplification. Of the 18 total known deacetylases (HDAC1–11, SIRT1–7), ten deacetylases possess the activity to suppress centrosome amplification, and their centrosome amplification suppressing activities are strongly associated with their abilities to localize to centrosomes. Among them, HDAC1, HDAC5 and SIRT1 show the highest suppressing activities, but each of them suppresses centrosome duplication and/or amplification with its unique mechanism.     

Cadmium induces cell centrosome amplification via reactive oxygen species as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway

There is evidence that cadmium can initiate carcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. There is also evidence that moderate centrosome amplification can initiate tumorigenesis. The present study investigated whether cadmium could trigger cell centrosome amplification, and examined the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that cadmium was able to cause cell centrosome amplification at the subtoxic concentrations, in a dose-dependent manner. It could cause centrosome amplification via the signaling of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proteomic analysis revealed that cadmium caused differential expressions of three proteins, which included HSPA1A which is associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Western blot analysis confirmed that cadmium upregulated HSPA1A. Further analyses showed that cadmium upregulated Bip and decreased the phosphorylation of ASK1 as well as increased the phosphorylation of MKK7 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). Knockdown of JNK2 using small interfering RNA inhibited the cadmium-induced centrosome amplification but not the level of ROS. N-acetylcysteine did not inhibit the cadmium-activated ER stress pathway. In conclusion, our results suggest that cadmium can induce cell centrosome amplification via ROS as well as ER stress through the Bip–TRAF2–ASK1–MKK7–JNK signaling route, in parallel. More studies are required to clarify whether centrosome amplification underlies cadmium-induced carcinogenesis.     

A phenotypic screen identifies microtubule plus end assembly regulators that can function in mitotic spindle orientation

Proper regulation of microtubule dynamics during mitosis is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. In fact, recently we discovered increased microtubule plus end assembly rates that are frequently observed in human cancer cells as an important mechanism leading to whole chromosome missegregation and chromosomal instability (CIN). However, the genetic alterations responsible for increased microtubule polymerization rates in cancer cells remain largely unknown. The identification of such lesions is hampered by the fact that determining dynamic parameters of microtubules usually involves analyses of living cells, which is technically difficult to perform in large-scale screening settings. Therefore, we sought to identify alternative options to systematically identify regulators of microtubule plus end polymerization. Here, we introduce a simple and robust phenotypic screening assay that is based on the analyses of monopolar mitotic spindle structures that are induced upon inhibition of the mitotic kinesin Eg5/KIF11. We show that increased microtubule polymerization causes highly asymmetric monoasters in the presence of Eg5/KIF11 inhibition and this phenotype can be reliably assessed in living as well as in fixed cells. Using this assay we performed a siRNA screen, in which we identify several microtubule plus end binding proteins as well as centrosomal and cortex associated proteins as important regulators of microtubule plus end assembly. Interestingly, we demonstrate that a subgroup of these regulators function in the regulation of spindle orientation through their role in dampening microtubule plus end polymerization.     

Parkin deficiency contributes to pancreatic tumorigenesis by inducing spindle multipolarity and misorientation

Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase well known for its role in the pathogenesis of juvenile Parkinson disease, has been considered as a candidate tumor suppressor in certain types of cancer. It remains unknown whether parkin is involved in the development of pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Herein, we demonstrate the downregulation and copy number loss of the parkin gene in human pancreatic cancer specimens. The expression of parkin negatively correlates with clinicopathological parameters indicating the malignancy of pancreatic cancer. In addition, knockdown of parkin expression promotes the proliferation and tumorigenic properties of pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in mice. We further find that parkin deficiency increases the proportion of cells with spindle multipolarity and multinucleation. Parkin-depleted cells also show a significant increase in spindle misorientation. These findings indicate crucial involvement of parkin deficiency in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer.     

Characterization of Ceap-11 and Ceap-16, two novel splicing-variant-proteins, associated with centrosome, microtubule aggregation and cell proliferation

A novel human gene, encoding two polypeptide-isoforms, has been identified from human fetal liver cDNA library. These two alternatively spliced polypeptide-variants are associated with centrosomes, and are designated Ceap-11 and Ceap-16, respectively, according to the acronym Ceap for centrosomal-associated protein and the approximate relative molecular mass. The high degree of sequence similarity between Ceap proteins of divergent species indicates that the Ceap homologous genes are significantly conserved in evolution and constitute a new gene family without any functional information until now. Human Ceap gene is mapped on 10q24.2. These two Ceap cDNA isoforms are generated by RNA alternative splicing on the 5' terminus of the Ceap gene, and are composed of four and five exons, respectively. Ceap-11 and Ceap-16 are co-immunoprecipitated and co-located with gamma-tubulin; ectopic overexpression of these two proteins in NIH3T3 cells induces microtubule aggregation and cell proliferation; the protein level of Ceap in certain tumors is significantly higher than that in corresponding normal tissues. Taken together, our data provide the first evidence for the function of Ceap-11 and Ceap-16, the two novel human proteins, namely, association with centrosome, microtubule aggregation and cell proliferation.     

Over-expression of Plk4 induces centrosome amplification,loss of primary cilia and associated tissue hyperplasia in the mouse

To address the long-known relationship between supernumerary centrosomes and cancer, we have generated a transgenic mouse that permits inducible expression of the master regulator of centriole duplication, Polo-like-kinase-4 (Plk4). Over-expression of Plk4 from this transgene advances the onset of tumour formation that occurs in the absence of the tumour suppressor p53. Plk4 over-expression also leads to hyperproliferation of cells in the pancreas and skin that is enhanced in a p53 null background. Pancreatic islets become enlarged following Plk4 over-expression as a result of equal expansion of α- and β-cells, which exhibit centrosome amplification. Mice overexpressing Plk4 develop grey hair due to a loss of differentiated melanocytes and bald patches of skin associated with a thickening of the epidermis. This reflects an increase in proliferating cells expressing keratin 5 in the basal epidermal layer and the expansion of these cells into suprabasal layers. Such cells also express keratin 6, a marker for hyperplasia. This is paralleled by a decreased expression of later differentiation markers, involucrin, filaggrin and loricrin. Proliferating cells showed an increase in centrosome number and a loss of primary cilia, events that were mirrored in primary cultures of keratinocytes established from these animals. We discuss how repeated duplication of centrioles appears to prevent the formation of basal bodies leading to loss of primary cilia, disruption of signalling and thereby aberrant differentiation of cells within the epidermis. The absence of p53 permits cells with increased centrosomes to continue dividing, thus setting up a neoplastic state of error prone mitoses, a prerequisite for cancer development.     

BRCA1 and FancJ cooperatively promote interstrand crosslinker induced centrosome amplification through the activation of polo-like kinase 1

DNA damage response (DDR) and the centrosome cycle are 2 of the most critical cellular processes affecting the genome stability in animal cells. Yet the cross-talks between DDR and the centrosome are poorly understood. Here we showed that deficiency of the breast cancer 1, early onset gene (BRCA1) induces centrosome amplification in non-stressed cells as previously reported while attenuating DNA damage-induced centrosome amplification (DDICA) in cells experiencing prolonged genotoxic stress. Mechanistically, the function of BRCA1 in promoting DDICA is through binding and recruiting polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) to the centrosome. In a recent study, we showed that FancJ also suppresses centrosome amplification in non-stressed cells while promoting DDICA in both hydroxyurea and mitomycin C treated cells. FancJ is a key component of the BRCA1 B-complex. Here, we further demonstrated that, in coordination with BRCA1, FancJ promotes DDICA by recruiting both BRCA1 and PLK1 to the centrosome in the DNA damaged cells. Thus, we have uncovered a novel role of BRCA1 and FancJ in the regulation of DDICA. Dysregulation of DDR or centrosome cycle leads to aneuploidy, which is frequently seen in both solid and hematological cancers. BRCA1 and FancJ are known tumor suppressors and have well-recognized functions in DNA damage checkpoint and DNA repair. Together with our recent findings, we demonstrated here that BRCA1 and FancJ also play an important role in centrosome cycle especially in DDICA. DDICA is thought to be an alternative fail-safe mechanism to prevent cells experiencing severe DNA damage from becoming carcinogenic. Therefore, BRCA1 and FancJ are potential liaisons linking early DDR with the DDICA. We propose that together with their functions in DDR, the role of BRCA1 and FancJ in the activation of DDICA is also crucial for their tumor suppression functions in vivo.     

Coxsackievirus A16 infection triggers apoptosis in RD cells by inducing ER stress

Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) infection, which is responsible for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), has become a common health problem in Asia due to the prevalence of the virus. Thus, it is important to understand the pathogenesis of CA16 infection. Viruses that induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are confronted with the unfolded protein response (UPR), which may lead to apoptotic cell death and influence viral replication. In this study, we found that CA16 infection could induce apoptosis and ER stress in RD cells. Interestingly, apoptosis via the activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9 in the extrinsic or intrinsic apoptotic pathways in RD cells was inhibited by 4-phenyl butyric acid (4PBA), a chemical chaperone that reduces ER stress. These results suggest that CA16 infection leads to ER stress, which in turn results in prolonged ER stress-induced apoptosis. This study provides a new basis for understanding CA16 infection and host responses.     

AdoMet triggers apoptosis in head and neck squamous cancer by inducing ER stress and potentiates cell sensitivity to cisplatin

S-Adenosyl-l -methionine (AdoMet) is a naturally and widely occurring sulfonium compound that plays a primary role in cell metabolism and acts as the principal methyl donor in many methylation reactions. AdoMet also exhibits antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities in different cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects exerted by AdoMet have only been partially studied. In the current study, we evaluated the antiproliferative effect of AdoMet on Cal-33 oral and JHU-SCC-011 laryngeal squamous cancer cells to define the underlying mechanisms. We demonstrated that AdoMet induced apoptosis in Cal-33 and JHU-SCC-011 cells, involving a caspase-dependent mechanism paralleled by an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, we showed, for the first time, that AdoMet induced ER-stress in Cal-33 cells and activated the unfolded protein response, which can be responsible for apoptosis induction through the activation of CHOP and JNK. In addition, AdoMet-induced ER-stress was followed by autophagy with a consistent increase in the levels of the autophagic marker LC3B-II, which was indeed potentiated by the autophago-lysosome inhibitor chloroquine. As both escape from apoptosis and decreased activation of JNK are mechanisms of resistance to cisplatin (cDPP), an agent usually used in cancer therapy, we have evaluated the effects of AdoMet in combination with cDPP on Cal-33 cells. Our data showed that the combined treatment resulted in a strong synergism in inhibiting cell proliferation and in enhancing apoptosis via intrinsic mechanism. These results demonstrate that AdoMet has ER-stress-mediated antiproliferative activity and synergizes with cDDP on cell growth inhibition, thus providing the basis for its use in new anticancer strategies.     

A novel microtubule depolymerizing colchicine analogue triggers apoptosis and autophagy in HCT‐116 colon cancer cells

Colchicine is a tubulin‐binding natural product isolated from Colchicum autumnale. Here we report the in vitro anticancer activity of C‐ring modified semi‐synthetic derivative of colchicine; N‐[(7S)‐1,2,3‐trimethoxy‐9‐oxo‐10‐(4‐phenyl‐piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5,6,7,9 tetrahydrobenzo[a]heptalen‐7‐yl]acetamide ( 4h ) on colon cancer HCT‐116 cell line. The compound 4h was screened for anti‐proliferative activity against different human cancer cell lines and was found to exhibit higher cytotoxicity against colon cancer cell lines HCT‐116 and Colo‐205 with IC₅₀ of 1 and 0.8 μM respectively. Cytotoxicity of the compound to the normal fR2 breast epithelial cells and normal HEK293 human embryonic kidney cells was evaluated in concentration and time‐dependent manner to estimate its selectivity for cancer cells which showed much better selectivity than that of colchicine. Compound 4h induced cell death in HCT‐116 cells by activating apoptosis and autophagy pathways. Autophagy inhibitor 3‐MA blocked the production of LC3‐II and reduced the cytotoxicity in response to 4h , but did not affect apoptosis, suggesting thereby that these two were independent events. Reactive oxygen species scavenger ascorbic acid pretreatment not only decreased the reactive oxygen species level but also reversed 4h induced cytotoxicity. Treatment with compound 4h depolymerized microtubules and the majority of cells arrested at the G2/M transition. Together, these data suggest that 4h has better selectivity and is a microtubule depolymerizer, which activates dual cell‐death machineries, and thus, it could be a potential novel therapeutic agent in cancer therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dexamethasone inhibits bone resorption by indirectly inducing apoptosis of the bone-resorbing osteoclasts via the action of osteoblastic cells

Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are physiologically essentialfor bone metabolism, it is generally accepted that high dosesof GCs cause bone loss through a combination of decreased boneformation and increased bone resorption. However, the actionof GCs on mature osteoclasts remains contradictory. In thisstudy, we have examined the effect of GCs on osteoclasticbone-resorbing activity and osteoclast apoptosis, by using twodifferent cell types, rabbit unfractionated bone cells andhighly enriched mature osteoclasts (>95% of purity).Dexamethasone (Dex, 10^-10–10^-7 M) inhibited resorption pit formation on a dentine slice by the unfractionated bone cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.However, Dex had no effect on the bone-resorbing activity of the isolated mature osteoclasts. When the isolated osteoclastswere co-cultured with rabbit osteoblastic cells, the osteoclastic bone resorption decreased in response to Dex,dependent on the number of osteoblastic cells. Like the effecton the bone resorption, Dex induced osteoclast apoptosis in cultures of the unfractionated bone cells, whereas it did not promote the apoptosis of the isolated osteoclasts. An inhibitorof caspases, Z-Asp-CH2-DCB attenuated both the inhibitory effecton osteoclastic bone resorption and the stimulatory effect onthe osteoclast apoptosis. In addition, the osteoblastic cellswere required for the osteoclast apoptosis induced by Dex. These findings indicate that the main target cells of GCs arenon-osteoclastic cells such as osteoblasts and that GCsindirectly inhibit bone resorption by inducing apoptosis ofthe mature osteoclasts through the action of non-osteoclasticcells. This study expands our knowledge about the multifunctional roles of GCs in bone metabolism.     

Transmembrane protein 106A is silenced by promoter region hypermethylation and suppresses gastric cancer growth by inducing apoptosis

Inactivation of tumour suppressor genes by promoter methylation plays an important role in the initiation and progression of gastric cancer (GC). Transmembrane 106A gene (TMEM106A) encodes a novel protein of previously unknown function. This study analysed the biological functions, epigenetic changes and the clinical significance of TMEM106A in GC. Data from experiments indicate that TMEM106A is a type II membrane protein, which is localized to mitochondria and the plasma membrane. TMEM106A was down‐regulated or silenced by promoter region hypermethylation in GC cell lines, but expressed in normal gastric tissues. Overexpression of TMEM106A suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis in GC cell lines, and retarded the growth of xenografts in nude mice. These effects were associated with the activation of caspase‐2, caspase‐9, and caspase‐3, cleavage of BID and inactivation of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). In primary GC samples, loss or reduction of TMEM106A expression was associated with promoter region hypermethylation. TMEM106A was methylated in 88.6% (93/105) of primary GC and 18.1% (2/11) in cancer adjacent normal tissue samples. Further analysis suggested that TMEM106A methylation in primary GCs was significantly correlated with smoking and tumour metastasis. In conclusion, TMEM106A is frequently methylated in human GC. The expression of TMEM106A is regulated by promoter hypermethylation. TMEM106A is a novel functional tumour suppressor in gastric carcinogenesis.     

Discovery of novel quinoline-based analogues of combretastatin A-4 as tubulin polymerisation inhibitors with apoptosis inducing activity and potent anticancer effect

A new series of quinoline derivatives of combretastatin A-4 have been designed, synthesised and demonstrated as tubulin polymerisation inhibitors. These novel compounds showed significant antiproliferative activities, among them, 12c exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against different cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HL-60, HCT-116 and HeLa) with IC₅₀ ranging from 0.010 to 0.042 µM, and with selectivity profile against MCF-10A non-cancer cells. Further mechanistic studies suggest that 12c can inhibit tubulin polymerisation and cell migration, leading to G₂/M phase arrest. Besides, 12c induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial-dependant apoptosis pathway and caused reactive oxygen stress generation in MCF-7 cells. These results provide guidance for further rational development of potent tubulin polymerisation inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

Highlights

• A novel series of quinoline derivatives of combretastatin A-4 have been designed and synthesised.
• Compound 12c showed significant antiproliferative activities against different cancer cell lines.
• Compound 12c effectively inhibited tubulin polymerisation and competed with [³H] colchicine in binding to tubulin.
• Compound 12c arrested the cell cycle at G₂/M phase, effectively inducing apoptosis and inhibition of cell migration.