Depletion Of Chk1 Research Articles

CHK1-CDC25A-CDK1 regulate cell cycle progression and protect genome integrity in early mouse embryos.

After fertilization, remodeling of the oocyte and sperm genomes is essential to convert these highly differentiated and transcriptionally quiescent cells into early cleavage-stage blastomeres that are transcriptionally active and totipotent. This developmental transition is accompanied by cell cycle adaptation, such as lengthening or shortening of the gap phases G1 and G2. However, regulation of these cell cycle changes is poorly understood, especially in mammals. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a protein kinase that regulates cell cycle progression in somatic cells. Here, we show that CHK1 regulates cell cycle progression in early mouse embryos by restraining CDK1 kinase activity due to CDC25A phosphatase degradation. CHK1 kinase also ensures the long G2 phase needed for genome activation and reprogramming gene expression in two-cell stage mouse embryos. Finally, Chk1 depletion leads to DNA damage and chromosome segregation errors that result in aneuploidy and infertility.

Abstract 226: Novel Athero-protective Role Of Chk1-induced Senp2 S344 Phosphorylation Under Laminar Flow

Atherosclerosis (AthS) tends to form at arterial regions exposed to disturbed (DF) but not laminar (LF) flow. Previously, we reported the significant role of SUMOylation in DF-induced endothelial (EC) activation and subsequent AthS formation via upregulating p53 and ERK5 SUMOylation. LF can inhibit the basal levels of p53 and ERK5 SUMOylation, but how LF inhibits SUMOylation remains unknown. A chemical genetics approach with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the cell-cycle checkpoint kinases CHK1 can phosphorylate SENP2 S344 site, but the functional role remains largely unknown. We aimed to study the functional role of CHK1 in SENP2 function and subsequent AthS. First, we generated phospho-specific SENP2 S344 antibody, and found that LF, but not DF, increases SENP2 S344 phosphorylation. We found the increase of CHK1 S280 phosphorylation (related to nuclear translocation) after LF, suggesting LF-induced nuclear translocation of CHK1. The CHK1 specific inhibitor of GDC0575 and the depletion of CHK1 inhibited LF-induced SENP2 S344 phsophorylation and increased both p53 and ERK5 SUMOylation in ECs. These data suggested the crucial role of CHK1 in LF-induced SENP2 S344 phosphorylation and upregulating de-SUMOylation activity. Next, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-induced Senp2 S344A knock-in (KI) and found that the mutation of SENP2 S344A accelerated p53 and ERK5 SUMOylation. LF-induced reduction of p21, cleaved caspase 3, and ICAM-1 were all reversed by SENP2 S344A mutation. Lastly, we found that the significant acceleration of AthS formation in both ascending aorta/arch (DF area) and descending aorta (LF area) in KI mice compared to wild type (WT) mice after receiving AAV-PCSK9 and high fat diet. We also performed bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after 13 Gy whole body radiation, and larger AthS but only in the aortic arch was observed in BMT mice from WT donor to KI recipient, but not in BMT mice from WT donor to WT recipient, supporting the role of endothelial SENP2 S344 phosphorylation on AthS. The radiation reduced CHK1 expression in ECs, which may explain the different regulatory pattern under BMT or non-BMT. Taken together, these results suggest the critical role of CHK1-mediated SENP2 S344 phosphorylation on LF-induced anti-AthS effects.

Reciprocal regulation of p21 and Chk1 controls the cyclin D1-RB pathway to mediate senescence onset after G2 arrest.

Senescence is an irreversible withdrawal from cell proliferation that can be initiated after DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest in G2 phase to prevent genomic instability. Senescence onset in G2 requires p53 (also known as TP53) and retinoblastoma protein (RB, also known as RB1) family tumour suppressors, but how they are regulated to convert a temporary cell cycle arrest into a permanent one remains unknown. Here, we show that a previously unrecognised balance between the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and the checkpoint kinase Chk1 controls cyclin D-CDK activity during G2 arrest. In non-transformed cells, p21 activates RB in G2 by inhibiting cyclin D1 complexed with CDK2 or CDK4. The resulting G2 exit, which precedes the appearance of senescence markers, is associated with a mitotic bypass, Chk1 downregulation and reduction in the number of DNA damage foci. In p53/RB-proficient cancer cells, a compromised G2 exit correlates with sustained Chk1 activity, delayed p21 induction, untimely cyclin E1 re-expression and genome reduplication. Conversely, Chk1 depletion promotes senescence by inducing p21 binding to cyclin D1- and cyclin E1-CDK complexes and downregulating CDK6, whereas knockdown of the checkpoint kinase Chk2 enables RB phosphorylation and delays G2 exit. In conclusion, p21 and Chk2 oppose Chk1 to maintain RB activity, thus promoting the onset of senescence induced by DNA damage in G2.

PARP Activity Fine-tunes the DNA Replication Choreography of Chk1-depleted Cells

Checkpoint Kinase 1 (Chk1) prevents DNA damage by adjusting the replication choreography in the face of replication stress. Chk1 depletion provokes slow and asymmetrical fork movement, yet the signals governing such changes remain unclear. We sought to investigate whether poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), key players of the DNA damage response, intervene in the DNA replication of Chk1-depleted cells. We demonstrate that PARP inhibition selectively alleviates the reduced fork elongation rates, without relieving fork asymmetry in Chk1-depleted cells. While the contribution of PARPs to fork elongation is not unprecedented, we found that their role in Chk1-depleted cells extends beyond fork movement. PARP-dependent fork deceleration induced mild dormant origin firing upon Chk1 depletion, augmenting the global rates of DNA synthesis. Thus, we have identified PARPs as novel regulators of replication fork dynamics in Chk1-depleted cells.

HDAC6 Regulates Radiosensitivity of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Promoting Degradation of Chk1.

We have previously discovered that HDAC6 regulates the DNA damage response (DDR) via modulating the homeostasis of a DNA mismatch repair protein, MSH2, through HDAC6’s ubiquitin E3 ligase activity. Here, we have reported HDAC6’s second potential E3 ligase substrate, a critical cell cycle checkpoint protein, Chk1. We have found that HDAC6 and Chk1 directly interact, and that HDAC6 ubiquitinates Chk1 in vivo and in vitro. Specifically, HDAC6 interacts with Chk1 via the DAC1 domain, which contains its ubiquitin E3 ligase activity. During the cell cycle, Chk1 protein levels fluctuate, peaking at the G2 phase, subsequently resolving via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and thereby allowing cells to progress to the M phase. However, in HDAC6 knockdown non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, Chk1 is constitutively active and fails to resolve post-ionizing radiation (IR), and this enhanced Chk1 activity leads to preferential G2 arrest in HDAC6 knockdown cells accompanied by a reduction in colony formation capacity and viability. Depletion or pharmacological inhibition of Chk1 in HDAC6 knockdown cells reverses this radiosensitive phenotype, suggesting that the radiosensitivity of HDAC6 knockdown cells is dependent on increased Chk1 kinase activity. Overall, our results highlight a novel mechanism of Chk1 regulation at the post-translational level, and a possible strategy for sensitizing NSCLC to radiation via inhibiting HDAC6’s E3 ligase activity.

Pds5A and Pds5B Display Non-redundant Functions in Mitosis and Their Loss Triggers Chk1 Activation.

BackgroundPds5 is an abundant HEAT-repeat-containing protein that binds to cohesin and mediates sister chromatid cohesion. In vertebrates, Pds5A and Pds5B are known to protect DNA replication fork, as their loss leads to DNA damage. Pds5 interacts directly with Wapl, to remove cohesin during mitosis.AimTo analyze the effects of the loss of Pds5 proteins-mediated DNA damage on the cell cycle checkpoints and to examine the possibility that Pds5 proteins have an overlapping function.MethodsWe first analyzed the cell cycle regulation of Pds5 proteins and defects in S-phase; DNA damage was confirmed after Pds5A/B knockdown. The activation of cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis were examined by the level of p-Chk1S317, MAD2 localization, and the level of pro-apoptotic markers, respectively.ResultsPds5 proteins dissociated from chromatin in a stepwise manner, and their loss led to activation of pro-apoptotic markers associated with the phosphorylation of Chk1S317 due to DNA damage. Depletion of either Pds5A or Pds5B alone increased Smc3 acetylation in perturbed cell cycle, while depletion of both proteins severely impaired Smc3 acetylation. Moreover, the loss of Pds5A/Pds5B activated the SAC in an ATR-Chk1-dependent manner and stabilized Wapl on chromatin. The depletion of Chk1 rescued the S-phase delay associated with Pds5 depletion and significantly increased mitotic catastrophe.ConclusionPds5A and Pds5B display overlapping functions in facilitating Smc3 acetylation. Somewhat paradoxically, they also have non-redundant functions in terms of cohesin removal due to the activated surveillance mechanism that leads to phosphorylation of Chk1S317.

G-quadruplex ligand RHPS4 radiosensitizes glioblastoma xenograft in vivo through a differential targeting of bulky differentiated- and stem-cancer cells.

BackgroundGlioblastoma is the most aggressive and most lethal primary brain tumor in the adulthood. Current standard therapies are not curative and novel therapeutic options are urgently required. Present knowledge suggests that the continued glioblastoma growth and recurrence is determined by glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), which display self-renewal, tumorigenic potential, and increased radio- and chemo-resistance. The G-quadruplex ligand RHPS4 displays in vitro radiosensitizing effect in GBM radioresistant cells through the targeting and dysfunctionalization of telomeres but RHPS4 and Ionizing Radiation (IR) combined treatment efficacy in vivo has not been explored so far.MethodsRHPS4 and IR combined effects were tested in vivo in a heterotopic mice xenograft model and in vitro in stem-like cells derived from U251MG and from four GBM patients. Cell growth assays, cytogenetic analysis, immunoblotting, gene expression and cytofluorimetric analysis were performed in order to characterize the response of differentiated and stem-like cells to RHPS4 and IR in single and combined treatments.ResultsRHPS4 administration and IR exposure is very effective in blocking tumor growth in vivo up to 65 days. The tumor volume reduction and the long-term tumor control suggested the targeting of the stem cell compartment. Interestingly, RHPS4 treatment was able to strongly reduce cell proliferation in GSCs but, unexpectedly, did not synergize with IR. Lack of radiosensitization was supported by the GSCs telomeric-resistance observed as the total absence of telomere-involving chromosomal aberrations. Remarkably, RHPS4 treatment determined a strong reduction of CHK1 and RAD51 proteins and transcript levels suggesting that the inhibition of GSCs growth is determined by the impairment of the replication stress (RS) response and DNA repair.ConclusionsWe propose that the potent antiproliferative effect of RHPS4 in GSCs is not determined by telomeric dysfunction but is achieved by the induction of RS and by the concomitant depletion of CHK1 and RAD51, leading to DNA damage and cell death. These data open to novel therapeutic options for the targeting of GSCs, indicating that the combined inhibition of cell-cycle checkpoints and DNA repair proteins provides the most effective means to overcome resistance of GSC to genotoxic insults.

Chk1-mediated Cdc25A degradation as a critical mechanism for normal cell cycle progression.

Chk1 (encoded by CHEK1 in mammals) is an evolutionarily conserved protein kinase that transduces checkpoint signals from ATR to Cdc25A during the DNA damage response (DDR). In mammals, Chk1 also controls cellular proliferation even in the absence of exogenous DNA damage. However, little is known about how Chk1 regulates unperturbed cell cycle progression, and how this effect under physiological conditions differs from its regulatory role in DDR. Here, we have established near-diploid HCT116 cell lines containing endogenous Chk1 protein tagged with a minimum auxin-inducible degron (mAID) through CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing. Establishment of these cells enabled us to induce specific and rapid depletion of the endogenous Chk1 protein, which resulted in aberrant accumulation of DNA damage factors that induced cell cycle arrest at S or G2 phase. Cdc25A was stabilized upon Chk1 depletion before the accumulation of DNA damage factors. Simultaneous depletion of Chk1 and Cdc25A partially suppressed the defects caused by Chk1 single depletion. These results indicate that, similar to its function in DDR, Chk1 controls normal cell cycle progression mainly by inducing Cdc25A degradation.

Using HSP90 Inhibitors to Target DNA Repair Proteins in AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease of proliferative and abnormally differentiated myeloid cells(Döhner, Weisdorf, & Bloomfield, 2015) that is characterized by chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations that influence outcome(De Kouchkovsky & Abdul-Hay, 2016). Despite the approval of targeted therapies, induction therapy with cytarabine (Ara-C) and anthracycline has remained the standard of care for AML(Dombret & Gardin, 2016; Showel & Levis, 2014). Newer chemotherapeutics such as Sapacitabine have shown comparable clinical outcomes to Ara-C in older patients(Burnett et al., 2015). Ara-C is a nucleoside analog which incorporates during DNA replication and stalls replication(Liu et al., 2010) while Sapacitabine induces single stranded nicks in the DNA leading to double stranded breaks which are repaired by Homologous Recombination (HR)(Burnett et al., 2015; Lim & Jamieson, 2014). However, eventually patients develop resistance to chemotherapy leading to poor prognosis after relapse(Wu, Duan, Chen, & Chen, 2017). One aspect of this is due to upregulation of DNA damage repair proteins leading to increased repair of any DNA lesions primarily through HR. We therefore are interested in developing a way to target DNA repair to extend nucleoside analog therapy in AML.HSP90 is a molecular chaperone that is critical for the folding and proper function of multiple key proteins of various DNA repair pathways(Dote, Burgan, Camphausen, & Tofilon, 2006). Relevant to such repair, ATM and Chk1 become recruited to DNA double strand breaks to activate defined downstream signaling cascades that result in cell cycle arrest and DNA repair(Ceccaldi, Rondinelli, & D'Andrea, 2016). Of these,γ-H2AX acts a sensor of DNA damage and repair by forming foci at the sites of damaged DNA that get resolved upon successful repair(Sharma, Singh, & Almasan, 2012). Similarly, the Rad51 helicase plays a key role in HR repair and the presence of Rad51 foci can be used as a marker for successful HR(Gachechiladze, Škarda, Soltermann, & Joerger, 2017). To determine whether inhibiting HSP90 compromised DNA repair, we treated both AML cell lines OCI-AML3 and MV4-11 with HSP90 inhibitor, onalespib. OCI-AML3 cells show a time dependent decrease in DNA damage repair proteins Chk1 and Rad51 by western blotting. Furthermore, primary patient samples treated with onalespib for 24 and 36 hours also show a depletion of Chk1 and Rad51. We then used ionizing radiation (IR) to induce dsbreaks and induce signaling and repair(Ceccaldi et al., 2016). Using immunofluorescence, we found that in OCI-AML3 after exposure to IR there was a significant increase in number of Rad51 foci after 6 hours. The large number of γ-H2AX foci formed at .5 hour after IR decrease by 6 hours post-IR. This suggests that there is a successful HR repair occurring in this AML cell line. When OCI-AML3 cells were pretreated with onalespib, Rad51 foci are no longer present and γ-H2AX foci remained present at 6 hours suggesting unrepaired dsbreaks. Using the colony forming assay we see that there is a slight decrease in viability of OCI-AML3 cells exposed to onalespib however, in MV4-11 cells there is a steep decline which could be due to the differential expression of genes such as FLT3-ITD, a client protein of HSP90. Low doses of cytarabine or sapacitabine modestly decreased colony growth of OCI-AML3 and MV4-11 cells but exposing cells to onalespib for 24 hours sensitized the cells to both cytarabine and sapacitabine. Finally, we have also evaluated effects of onalespib in an in-vivo MOLM13 driven mouse model of AML and have shown that treatment with onalespib extended survival in this mouse model. DisclosuresMims:Abbvie Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy.

Loss of PTEN-assisted G2/M checkpoint impedes homologous recombination repair and enhances radio-curability and PARP inhibitor treatment response in prostate cancer

Here we report that PTEN contributes to DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair via homologous recombination (HR), as evidenced by (i) inhibition of HR in a reporter plasmid assay, (ii) enhanced sensitivity to mitomycin-C or olaparib and (iii) reduced RAD51 loading at IR-induced DSBs upon PTEN knockdown. No association was observed between PTEN-status and RAD51 expression either in-vitro or in-vivo in a tissue microarray of 1500 PTEN-deficient prostate cancer (PC) samples. PTEN depletion and sustained activation of AKT sequestered CHK1 in the cytoplasm, thus impairing the G2/M-checkpoint after irradiation. Consistently, AKT inhibition recovered the G2/M-checkpoint and restored HR efficiency in PTEN-depleted cells. We show that, although PTEN loss correlates with a worse prognosis, it may predict for improved response of PC patients to radiotherapy. Further, we provide evidence for the use of PTEN as a biomarker for predicting the response to PARP inhibitors as radiosensitizing agents in prostate cancer. Collectively, these data implicate PTEN in maintaining genomic stability by delaying G2/M-phase progression of damaged cells, thus allowing time for DSB repair by HR. Furthermore, we identify PTEN-status in PC as a putative predictor of (i) radiotherapy response and (ii) response to treatment with PARP inhibitor alone or combined with radiotherapy.

Checkpoint kinase 1 inhibition sensitises transformed cells to dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition.

Reduction in nucleotide pools through the inhibition of mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) has been demonstrated to effectively reduce cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth. The current study sought to investigate whether this antiproliferative effect could be enhanced by combining Chk1 kinase inhibition. The pharmacological activity of DHODH inhibitor teriflunomide was more selective towards transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts than their primary or immortalised counterparts, and this effect was amplified when cells were subsequently exposed to PF477736 Chk1 inhibitor. Flow cytometry analyses revealed substantial accumulations of cells in S and G2/M phases, followed by increased cytotoxicity which was characterised by caspase 3-dependent induction of cell death. Associating PF477736 with teriflunomide also significantly sensitised SUM159 and HCC1937 human triple negative breast cancer cell lines to dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition. The main characteristic of this effect was the sustained accumulation of teriflunomide-induced DNA damage as cells displayed increased phospho serine 139 H2AX (γH2AX) levels and concentration-dependent phosphorylation of Chk1 on serine 345 upon exposure to the combination as compared with either inhibitor alone. Importantly a similar significant increase in cell death was observed upon dual siRNA mediated depletion of Chk1 and DHODH in both murine and human cancer cell models. Altogether these results suggest that combining DHODH and Chk1 inhibitions may be a strategy worth considering as a potential alternative to conventional chemotherapies.

Abstract 3190: Using a genome-wide shRNA screen to investigate the mechanism of stroma-conferred gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify mechanisms of resistance to gemcitabine in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using an in vitro coculture system. The inherent resistance of PDAC to first line treatments such as gemcitabine has been attributed to the dense fibrotic stroma. Targeting stromal components, in particular cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the activated form of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), is a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. We have demonstrated previously the induction of gemcitabine resistance when co-culturing KRAS G12D; p53 R172H; Pdx-cre (KPC) mouse PDAC-derived tumour cells with αSMA+ fibroblast-like cells from PDAC tumour (FLCs), in comparison to PDAC cells co-cultured with PSCs or in monoculture. This resistance-inducing effect is specific to cells of mesenchymal phenotype, is transient in nature and a product of cell-cell contact. To investigate the exact mechanism by which PDAC cells become resistant to gemcitabine in coculture, we undertook a genome-wide shRNA depletion viability screen, infecting KPC mouse PDAC cells with a pooled shERWOOD UltramiR shRNA library both in mono- and co-culture with FLCs, in the presence and absence of gemcitabine. Next-generation sequencing and differential expression analysis, using DESeq2, identified shRNAs depleted through 6 cycles of gemcitabine treatment in coculture, indicating they target genes driving the resistance effect. Pathway analysis of differential expression using MetaCore implicated DNA damage repair and protein modification pathways in the gemcitabine resistance effect. Depletion of p97, ATR, or Chk1 all sensitised PDAC cells to gemcitabine in coculture, corroborating findings with translational value in previous studies. Further evaluation is ongoing using validation shRNA dropout assays in combination with targeted literature reviews to collate a candidate list of targetable genes with translational value in preventing and combating chemotherapy resistance in patients with PDAC. Citation Format: Graham D. Mills, Nicolas Erard, Frances M. Richards, Gregory J. Hannon, Duncan I. Jodrell. Using a genome-wide shRNA screen to investigate the mechanism of stroma-conferred gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3190. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3190

Sphingosine Kinase Inhibitors Effectively Inhibit Growth of Mast Cells with D816V-KIT Mutations

Abstract Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that promotes cell proliferation and prevents apoptosis in a variety of cells and its increased synthesis by Sphingosine Kinase (SphK) has been associated with oncogenesis and cancer prognosis. Mastocytosis is a disorder characterized by excessive mast cell (MC) proliferation and accumulation in tissues. Treatment therapies for aggressive mastocytosis have to date been partially effective, and thus the search of new pharmacological targets is warranted. We thus investigated the involvement of SphK isoforms (SphK1 and SphK2) and generation of S1P in the regulation of abnormal MC growth. The specific SphK1 and SphK2 inhibitors, SKI-178 and ABC294640, respectively, were used in this study. The effect of SphK1 and SphK2 inhibition on human (LAD2, HMC1.1 and HMC1.2) and murine (P815) neoplastic MC proliferation and survival was evaluated. SphK2 inhibition retarded entry into the cell cycle in all MC lines with no significant effect on cell survival. However, SphK1 inhibition led to cell cycle arrest in G2/M and apoptosis predominantly in MCs carrying D816V-KIT mutation. The effect of SKI-178 was associated with an alteration in the damage response cascade. This included activation of checkpoint kinase 2 (chk2) combined with a depletion of chk1, leading respectively to p53- and caspase2-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest mediated by cdc25c depletion. Both SphK inhibitors reduced MC accumulation in an in vivo mouse model of aggressive mastocytosis and the number of cultured bone marrow MCs and MC progenitors from a patient with systemic mastocytosis. These results support further consideration for SphK inhibitors as a cytoreductive strategy in proliferative MC disorders.

Alternative Chk1-independent S/M checkpoint in somatic cells that prevents premature mitotic entry.

Genomic instability is the hallmark of cancer. Checkpoint kinase-1 (Chk1) is required for cell cycle delay after DNA damage or blocked DNA replication. Chk1-depleted tumor cells undergo premature mitosis and apoptosis. Here we analyzed the depletion of Chk1 in normal somatic cells in the absence of DNA damage in order to investigate alternative cell cycle checkpoint mechanism(s). By means of adenoviruses, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and Western blotting, Chk1-depleted mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were investigated. Chk1-/- MEFs arrested at the S/G2 boundary of the cell cycle with decreased protein levels of many cell cycle key players. Cyclin B1 was predominantly cytoplasmic. Interestingly, overexpression of nuclear dominant Cyclin B1 leads to nuclear translocation and premature mitosis. Chk1-/- MEFs exhibited the absence of double-strand breaks, yet cells showed delayed DNA damage recovery with pan-nuclear immunostaining pattern of Histone H2AX. Activation of this checkpoint would elicit a senescent-like phenotype. Taken together, our elaborated data revealed the existence of an additional S/M checkpoint functioning via γH2AX signaling and cytoplasmic retention of Cyclin B1 in somatic cells.

Checkpoint kinase inhibitor AZD7762 strongly sensitises urothelial carcinoma cells to gemcitabine

BackgroundMore effective chemotherapies are urgently needed for bladder cancer, a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We therefore explored the efficacy of the combination of gemcitabine and AZD7762, a checkpoint kinase 1/2 (CHK1/2) inhibitor, for bladder cancer.MethodsViability, clonogenicity, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were assessed in urothelial cancer cell lines and various non-malignant urothelial cells treated with gemcitabine and AZD7762. DNA damage was assessed by γH2A.X and 53-BP1 staining and checkpoint activation was followed by Western blotting. Pharmacological inhibition of CHK1 and CHK2 was compared to downregulation of either CHK1 or CHK2 using siRNAs.ResultsCombined use of gemcitabine and AZD7762 synergistically reduced urothelial carcinoma cell viability and colony formation relative to either single treatment. Non-malignant urothelial cells were substantially less sensitive to this drug combination. Gemcitabine plus AZD7762 inhibited cell cycle progression causing cell accumulation in S-phase. Moreover, the combination induced pronounced levels of apoptosis as indicated by an increase in the fraction of sub-G1 cells, in the levels of cleaved PARP, and in caspase 3/7 activity. Mechanistic investigations showed that AZD7762 treatment inhibited the repair of gemcitabine-induced double strand breaks by interference with CHK1, since siRNA-mediated depletion of CHK1 but not of CHK2 mimicked the effects of AZD7762.ConclusionsAZD7762 enhanced sensitivity of urothelial carcinoma cells to gemcitabine by inhibiting DNA repair and disturbing checkpoints. Combining gemcitabine with CHK1 inhibition holds promise for urothelial cancer therapy.

Inhibition of autophagy enhances DNA damage-induced apoptosis by disrupting CHK1-dependent S phase arrest

DNA damage has been shown to induce autophagy, but the role of autophagy in the DNA damage response and cell fate is not fully understood. BO-1012, a bifunctional alkylating derivative of 3a-aza-cyclopenta[a]indene, is a potent DNA interstrand cross-linking agent with anticancer activity. In this study, BO-1012 was found to reduce DNA synthesis, inhibit S phase progression, and induce phosphorylation of histone H2AX on serine 139 (γH2AX) exclusively in S phase cells. Both CHK1 and CHK2 were phosphorylated in response to BO-1012 treatment, but only depletion of CHK1, but not CHK2, impaired BO-1012-induced S phase arrest and facilitated the entry of γH2AX-positive cells into G2 phase. CHK1 depletion also significantly enhanced BO-1012-induced cell death and apoptosis. These results indicate that BO-1012-induced S phase arrest is a CHK1-dependent pro-survival response. BO-1012 also resulted in marked induction of acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) formation and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) processing and redistribution, features characteristic of autophagy. Depletion of ATG7 or co-treatment of cells with BO-1012 and either 3-methyladenine or bafilomycin A1, two inhibitors of autophagy, not only reduced CHK1 phosphorylation and disrupted S phase arrest, but also increased cleavage of caspase-9 and PARP, and cell death. These results suggest that cells initiate S phase arrest and autophagy as pro-survival responses to BO-1012-induced DNA damage, and that suppression of autophagy enhances BO-1012-induced apoptosis via disruption of CHK1-dependent S phase arrest.

Chk1 is required for the metaphase–anaphase transition via regulating the expression and localization of Cdc20 and Mad2

AimsThe checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) functions not only in genotoxic stresses but also in normal cell cycle progression, particularly in the initiation, progression and fidelity of unperturbed mitosis. In this study, we investigated the role of Chk1 in regulating the metaphase–anaphase transition in mammalian cells. Main methodsThe mitotic progression was monitored by flow cytometry analysis. The levels of cyclin B1, Cdc20 and Mad2 were measured by Western blotting. Metaphase chromosome alignment and the subcellular localization of Cdc20 and Mad2 were analyzed by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Key findingsCyclin B1 degradation and the metaphase–anaphase transition were severely blocked by Chk1 siRNA. Depletion of Chk1 induced chromosome alignment defect in metaphase cells. The kinetochore localization of Cdc20, Mad2 was disrupted in Chk1 depleted cells. Chk1 abrogation also dramatically reduced the protein expression levels of Cdc20 and Mad2. SignificanceThese results strongly suggest that Chk1 is required for the metaphase–anaphase transition via regulating the subcellular localization and the expression of Cdc20 and Mad2.

RRM1 maintains centrosomal integrity via CHK1 and CDK1 signaling during replication stress

DNA lesion-induced centrosomal abnormalities during the replication phase are relatively unknown. Here, we report that RNAi-mediated depletion of RRM1 induces cell-cycle arrest at the replication phase, along with severe DNA damage and centrosomal amplification. Interestingly, CHK1 depletion synergistically increased RRM1-depletion-induced centrosomal amplification. In response to hydroxyurea, CHK1 was delocalized from the centrosome by RRM1 depletion. Moreover, CDK1, which functions in centrosome separation and is inhibited by CHK1, was found to be essential for RRMI1-depletion-induced centrosomal amplification. Thus, we herein demonstrate that RRM1 preserves chromosomal stability via the CHK1- and CDK1-dependent stabilization of the centrosomal integrity at the replication stage.

Characterization and preclinical development of LY2603618: a selective and potent Chk1 inhibitor

Interference with DNA damage checkpoints has been demonstrated preclinically to be a highly effective means of increasing the cytotoxicity of a number of DNA-damaging cancer therapies. Cell cycle arrest at these checkpoints protects injured cells from apoptotic cell death until DNA damage can be repaired. In the absence of functioning DNA damage checkpoints, cells with damaged DNA may proceed into premature mitosis followed by cell death. A key protein kinase involved in activating and maintaining the S and G2/M checkpoints is Chk1. Pharmacological inhibition of Chk1 in the absence of p53 functionality leads to abrogation of DNA damage checkpoints and has been shown preclinically to enhance the activity of many standard of care chemotherapeutic agents. LY2603618 is a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of Chk1 protein kinase activity in vitro (IC(50) = 7 nM) and the first selective Chk1 inhibitor to enter clinical cancer trials. Treatment of cells with LY2603618 produced a cellular phenotype similar to that reported for depletion of Chk1 by RNAi. Inhibition of intracellular Chk1 by LY2603618 results in impaired DNA synthesis, elevated H2A.X phosphorylation indicative of DNA damage and premature entry into mitosis. When HeLa cells were exposed to doxorubicin to induce a G2/M checkpoint arrest, subsequent treatment with LY2603618 released the checkpoint, resulting in cells entering into metaphase with poorly condensed chromosomes. Consistent with abrogation of the Chk1 and p53-dependent G2/M checkpoint, mutant TP53 HT-29 colon cancer cells were more sensitive to gemcitabine when also treated with LY2603618, while wild-type TP53 HCT116 cells were not sensitized by LY2603618 to gemcitabine. Treatment of Calu-6 human mutant TP53 lung cancer cell xenografts with gemcitabine resulted in a stimulation of Chk1 kinase activity that was inhibited by co-administration of LY2603618. By all criteria, LY2603618 is a highly effective inhibitor of multiple aspects of Chk1 biology.

Abstract 1011: Induction of ‘BRCAness’ by treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors sensitizes human triple negative breast cancer cells to PARP inhibitor and cisplatinum.

Abstract During DNA damage response (DDR), stability and activity of ATR and CHK1 is essential for the cell cycle arrest and subsequent DNA repair through BRCA1-regulated homologous recombination (HR). We have previously reported that ATR and CHK1 are hsp90 client proteins and treatment with hsp90 inhibitor sensitizes cancer cells to DNA damage. In the present studies, we determined that treatment with pan-HDAC inhibitors vorinostat (VS) and panobinostat (PS) induced hyper-acetylation and inhibition of chaperone function of nuclear hsp90, leading to proteasomal degradation and depletion of ATR, CHK1 and BRCA1. This led to inhibition of DDR and DNA repair following ionizing radiation (IR) through destabilization of ATR-CHK1 and BRCA1 proteins. Specific siRNA-mediated knockdown of HDAC3 but not of HDAC1 or HDAC2 also induced hyper-acetylation of the nuclear hsp90 and depletion of ATR and CHK1, indicating that among the class I HDACs, HDAC3 is the deacetylase for the nuclear hsp90. We next determined whether, by depleting DDR proteins and BRCA1 and inducing ‘BRCAness’, treatment with VS would sensitize the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) SUM159PT and MB-231 (lacking BRCA1 mutation) as well as BRCA1 mutant HCC1937 cells to the PARP inhibitor ABT888 (veliparib). Indeed, combined treatment with VS or PS and ABT888 (10 to 20 μM) for 48 hours synergistically induced apoptosis (combination indices (CI) by isobologram analysis being < 1.0) of TNBC cells with (HCC1937) or without BRCA1 mutation (MB-231 and SUM159PT cells). As compared to treatment with each agent alone, co-treatment with VS and ABT888 also induced significantly more DNA strand breaks, as demonstrated by higher γ-H2AX levels. Combined treatment also induced markedly greater tail moment, as determined by the comet assay that evaluates the SYBR® Green-stained DNA tails by fluorescent microscopy. Co-treatment with VS and ABT888 also induced more BH3 domain-only pro-death protein BIM, while knockdown of BIM by shRNA significantly reduced the apoptosis induced by co-treatment with VS and ABT888. It is noteworthy that treatment with VS also sensitized the TNBC cells to cisplatin (2.0 to 10 μM)-induced apoptosis. Moreover, co-treatment with VS and ciplatin synergistically induced apoptosis of TNBC cells (CIs < 1.0). These findings indicate that treatment with pan-HDAC inhibitors VS or PS creates ‘BRCAness’, and in combination with a PARP inhibitor or cisplatin synergistically induces apoptosis in human TNBC cells. These findings support a compelling rationale to confirm whether the combination of VS or PS with ABT888 and cisplatin would be a highly active treatment of human TNBC, irrespective of its expression of mutant BRCA1. Citation Format: Warren C. Fiskus, Rekha Rao, Soumyasri Das Gupta, Lata Chauhan, Kapil N. Bhalla. Induction of ‘BRCAness’ by treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors sensitizes human triple negative breast cancer cells to PARP inhibitor and cisplatinum. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1011. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1011