Tankyrase Inhibitors Research Articles

Expression/activation of α5β1 integrin is linked to the β-catenin signaling pathway to drive migration in glioma cells.

The Wnt/beta catenin pathway has been highlighted as an important player of brain tumors aggressiveness and resistance to therapies. Increasing knowledges of the regulation of beta-catenin transactivation point out its hub position in different pathophysiological outcomes in glioma such as survival and migration. Crosstalks between integrins and beta-catenin pathways have been suggested in several tumor tissues. As we demonstrated earlier that α5β1 integrin may be considered as a therapeutic target in high grade glioma through its contribution to glioma cell migration and resistance to chemotherapy, we addressed here the potential relationship between α5β1 integrin and beta-catenin activation in glioma cells. We demonstrated that overexpression and activation by fibronectin of α5β1 integrin allowed the transactivation of beta-catenin gene targets included in an EMT-like program that induced an increase in cell migration. Hampering of beta catenin activation and cell migration could be similarly achieved by a specific integrin antagonist. In addition we showed that α5β1 integrin/AKT axis is mainly involved in these processes. However, blockade of beta-catenin by XAV939 (tankyrase inhibitor leading to beta-catenin degradation) did not synergize with p53 activation aiming to cell apoptosis as was the case with integrin antagonists. We therefore propose a dual implication of α5β1 integrin/AKT axis in glioma cell resistance to therapies and migration each supported by different signaling pathways. Our data thus suggest that α5β1 integrin may be added to the growing list of beta-catenin modulators and provide new evidences to assign this integrin as a valuable target to fight high grade glioma.

Formation of Tankyrase Inhibitor-Induced Degradasomes Requires Proteasome Activity.

In canonical Wnt signaling, the protein levels of the key signaling mediator β-catenin are under tight regulation by the multimeric destruction complex that mediates proteasomal degradation of β-catenin. In colorectal cancer, destruction complex activity is often compromised due to mutations in the multifunctional scaffolding protein Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC), leading to a stabilization of β-catenin. Recently, tankyrase inhibitors (TNKSi), a novel class of small molecule inhibitors, were shown to re-establish a functional destruction complex in APC-mutant cancer cell lines by stabilizing AXIN1/2, whose protein levels are usually kept low via poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by the tankyrase enzymes (TNKS1/2). Surprisingly, we found that for the formation of the morphological correlates of destruction complexes, called degradasomes, functional proteasomes are required. In addition we found that AXIN2 is strongly upregulated after 6 h of TNKS inhibition. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 counteracted TNKSi-induced degradasome formation and AXIN2 stabilization, and this was accompanied by reduced transcription of AXIN2. Mechanistically we could implicate the transcription factor FoxM1 in this process, which was recently shown to be a transcriptional activator of AXIN2. We observed a substantial reduction in TNKSi-induced stabilization of AXIN2 after siRNA-mediated depletion of FoxM1 and found that proteasome inhibition reduced the active (phosphorylated) fraction of FoxM1. This can explain the decreased protein levels of AXIN2 after MG132 treatment. Our findings have implications for the design of in vitro studies on the destruction complex and for clinical applications of TNKSi.

Tankyrase Inhibitor Sensitizes Lung Cancer Cells to Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibition via Stabilizing Angiomotins and Inhibiting YAP Signaling

YAP signaling pathway plays critical roles in tissue homeostasis, and aberrant activation of YAP signaling has been implicated in cancers. To identify tractable targets of YAP pathway, we have performed a pathway-based pooled CRISPR screen and identified tankyrase and its associated E3 ligase RNF146 as positive regulators of YAP signaling. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of tankyrase prominently suppresses YAP activity and YAP target gene expression. Using a proteomic approach, we have identified angiomotin family proteins, which are known negative regulators of YAP signaling, as novel tankyrase substrates. Inhibition of tankyrase or depletion of RNF146 stabilizes angiomotins. Angiomotins physically interact with tankyrase through a highly conserved motif at their N terminus, and mutation of this motif leads to their stabilization. Tankyrase inhibitor-induced stabilization of angiomotins reduces YAP nuclear translocation and decreases downstream YAP signaling. We have further shown that knock-out of YAP sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer to EGFR inhibitor Erlotinib. Tankyrase inhibitor, but not porcupine inhibitor, which blocks Wnt secretion, enhances growth inhibitory activity of Erlotinib. This activity is mediated by YAP inhibition and not Wnt/β-catenin inhibition. Our data suggest that tankyrase inhibition could serve as a novel strategy to suppress YAP signaling for combinatorial targeted therapy.

The Discovery and Characterization of K-756, a Novel Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Inhibitor Targeting Tankyrase.

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a well-known oncogenic pathway. Its suppression has long been considered as an important challenge in treating cancer patients. Among colon cancer patients in particular, most patients carry an adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation that leads to an aberration of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. To discover the small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, we conducted high-throughput screening in APC-mutant colon cancer DLD-1 cells using a transcriptional reporter assay, which identified a selective Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor, K-756. K-756 stabilizes Axin and reduces active β-catenin, and inhibits the genes downstream of endogenous Wnt/β-catenin. We subsequently identified that K-756 is a tankyrase (TNKS) inhibitor. TNKS, which belongs to the PARP family, poly-ADP ribosylates Axin and promotes Axin degradation via the proteasome pathway. K-756 binds to the induced pocket of TNKS and inhibits its enzyme activity. Moreover, PARP family enzyme assays showed that K-756 is a selective TNKS inhibitor. K-756 inhibited the cell growth of APC-mutant colorectal cancer COLO 320DM and SW403 cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. An in vivo study showed that the oral administration of K-756 inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colon cancer xenografts in mice. To further explore the therapeutic potential of K-756, we also evaluated the effects of K-756 in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Although a single treatment of K-756 did not induce antiproliferative activity, when K-756 was combined with an EGFR inhibitor (gefitinib), it showed a strong synergistic effect. Therefore, K-756, a novel selective TNKS inhibitor, could be a leading compound in the development of anticancer agents. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1525-34. ©2016 AACR.

Tankyrase inhibition aggravates kidney injury in the absence of CD2AP.

Inappropriate activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been indicated in podocyte dysfunction and injury, and shown to contribute to the development and progression of nephropathy. Tankyrases, multifunctional poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) superfamily members with features of both signaling and cytoskeletal proteins, antagonize Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We found that tankyrases interact with CD2-associated protein (CD2AP), a protein essential for kidney ultrafiltration as CD2AP-knockout (CD2AP−/−) mice die of kidney failure at the age of 6–7 weeks. We further observed that tankyrase-mediated total poly-(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), a post-translational modification implicated in kidney injury, was increased in mouse kidneys and cultured podocytes in the absence of CD2AP. The data revealed increased activity of β-catenin, and upregulation of lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) (mediator of Wnt/β-catenin pathway) and fibronectin (downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin) in CD2AP−/− podocytes. Total PARylation and active β-catenin were reduced in CD2AP−/− podocytes by tankyrase inhibitor XAV939 treatment. However, instead of ameliorating podocyte injury, XAV939 further upregulated LEF1, failed to downregulate fibronectin and induced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) that associates with podocyte injury. In zebrafish, administration of XAV939 to CD2AP-depleted larvae aggravated kidney injury and increased mortality. Collectively, the data reveal sustained activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CD2AP−/− podocytes, contributing to podocyte injury. However, we observed that inhibition of the PARylation activity of tankyrases in the absence of CD2AP was deleterious to kidney function. This indicates that balance of the PARylation activity of tankyrases, maintained by CD2AP, is essential for normal kidney function. Furthermore, the data reveal that careful contemplation is required when targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway to treat proteinuric kidney diseases associated with impaired CD2AP.

The Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Enzyme Tankyrase Antagonizes Activity of the β-Catenin Destruction Complex through ADP-ribosylation of Axin and APC2

Most colon cancer cases are initiated by truncating mutations in the tumor suppressor, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). APC is a critical negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway that participates in a multi-protein "destruction complex" to target the key effector protein β-catenin for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Prior work has established that the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme Tankyrase (TNKS) antagonizes destruction complex activity by promoting degradation of the scaffold protein Axin, and recent work suggests that TNKS inhibition is a promising cancer therapy. We performed a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen and uncovered TNKS as a putative binding partner of Drosophila APC2, suggesting that TNKS may play multiple roles in destruction complex regulation. We find that TNKS binds a C-terminal RPQPSG motif in Drosophila APC2, and that this motif is conserved in human APC2, but not human APC1. In addition, we find that APC2 can recruit TNKS into the β-catenin destruction complex, placing the APC2/TNKS interaction at the correct intracellular location to regulate β-catenin proteolysis. We further show that TNKS directly PARylates both Drosophila Axin and APC2, but that PARylation does not globally regulate APC2 protein levels as it does for Axin. Moreover, TNKS inhibition in colon cancer cells decreases β-catenin signaling, which we find cannot be explained solely through Axin stabilization. Instead, our findings suggest that TNKS regulates destruction complex activity at the level of both Axin and APC2, providing further mechanistic insight into TNKS inhibition as a potential Wnt pathway cancer therapy.

The ADP-ribose polymerase Tankyrase regulates adult intestinal stem cell proliferation during homeostasis in Drosophila.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation, and is aberrantly activated in colorectal cancer. Inhibitors of the ADP-ribose polymerase Tankyrase (Tnks) have become lead therapeutic candidates for Wnt-driven cancers, following the recent discovery that Tnks targets Axin, a negative regulator of Wnt signaling, for proteolysis. Initial reports indicated that Tnks is important for Wnt pathway activation in cultured human cell lines. However, the requirement for Tnks in physiological settings has been less clear, as subsequent studies in mice, fish and flies suggested that Tnks was either entirely dispensable for Wnt-dependent processes in vivo, or alternatively, had tissue-specific roles. Here, using null alleles, we demonstrate that the regulation of Axin by the highly conserved Drosophila Tnks homolog is essential for the control of ISC proliferation. Furthermore, in the adult intestine, where activity of the Wingless pathway is graded and peaks at each compartmental boundary, Tnks is dispensable for signaling in regions where pathway activity is high, but essential where pathway activity is relatively low. Finally, as observed previously for Wingless pathway components, Tnks activity in absorptive enterocytes controls the proliferation of neighboring ISCs non-autonomously by regulating JAK/STAT signaling. These findings reveal the requirement for Tnks in the control of ISC proliferation and suggest an essential role in the amplification of Wnt signaling, with relevance for development, homeostasis and cancer.

Angiomotin stabilization by tankyrase inhibitors antagonizes constitutive TEAD-dependent transcription and proliferation of human tumor cells with Hippo pathway core component mutations.

The evolutionarily conserved Hippo inhibitory pathway plays critical roles in tissue homeostasis and organ size control, while mutations affecting certain core components contribute to tumorigenesis. Here we demonstrate that proliferation of Hippo pathway mutant human tumor cells exhibiting high constitutive TEAD transcriptional activity was markedly inhibited by dominant negative TEAD4, which did not inhibit the growth of Hippo wild-type cells with low levels of regulatable TEAD-mediated transcription. The tankyrase inhibitor, XAV939, identified in a screen for inhibitors of TEAD transcriptional activity, phenocopied these effects independently of its other known functions by stabilizing angiomotin and sequestering YAP in the cytosol. We also identified one intrinsically XAV939 resistant Hippo mutant tumor line exhibiting lower and less durable angiomotin stabilization. Thus, angiomotin stabilization provides a new mechanism for targeting tumors with mutations in Hippo pathway core components as well as a biomarker for sensitivity to such therapy.

The novel tankyrase inhibitor (AZ1366) enhances irinotecan activity in tumors that exhibit elevated tankyrase and irinotecan resistance.

BackgroundDysregulation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development as well as incipient stages of malignant transformation. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of AZ1366 (a novel tankyrase inhibitor) as a single agent and in combination with irinotecan in our patient derived CRC explant xenograft models.ResultsSix out of 18 CRC explants displayed a significant growth reduction to AZ1366. There was one CRC explant (CRC040) that reached the threshold of sensitivity (TGII ≤ 20%) in this study. In addition, the combination of AZ1366 + irinotecan demonstrated efficacy in 4 out of 18 CRC explants. Treatment effects on the WNT pathway revealed that tankyrase inhibition was ineffective at reducing WNT dependent signaling. However, the anti-tumor effects observed in this study were likely a result of alternative tankyrase effects whereby tankyrase inhibition reduced NuMA levels.Materials and MethodsEighteen CRC explants were treated with AZ1366 single agent or in combination for 28 days and treatment responses were assessed. Pharmacokinetic (AZ1366 drug concentrations) and pharmacodynamic effects (Axin2 levels) were investigated over 48 hours. Immunohistochemistry of nuclear β-catenin levels as well as western blot was employed to examine the treatment effects on the WNT pathway as well as NuMA.ConclusionsCombination AZ1366 and irinotecan achieved greater anti-tumor effects compared to monotherapy. Activity was limited to CRC explants that displayed irinotecan resistance and increased protein levels of tankyrase and NuMA.

Soluble (pro)renin receptor via β-catenin enhances urine concentration capability as a target of liver X receptor

The extracellular domain of the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) is cleaved to produce a soluble (pro)renin receptor (sPRR) that is detected in biological fluid and elevated under certain pathological conditions. The present study was performed to define the antidiuretic action of sPRR and its potential interaction with liver X receptors (LXRs), which are known regulators of urine-concentrating capability. Water deprivation consistently elevated urinary sPRR excretion in mice and humans. A template-based algorithm for protein-protein interaction predicted the interaction between sPRR and frizzled-8 (FZD8), which subsequently was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. A recombinant histidine-tagged sPRR (sPRR-His) in the nanomolar range induced a remarkable increase in the abundance of renal aquaporin 2 (AQP2) protein in primary rat inner medullary collecting duct cells. The AQP2 up-regulation relied on sequential activation of FZD8-dependent β-catenin signaling and cAMP-PKA pathways. Inhibition of FZD8 or tankyrase in rats induced polyuria, polydipsia, and hyperosmotic urine. Administration of sPRR-His alleviated the symptoms of diabetes insipidus induced in mice by vasopressin 2 receptor antagonism. Administration of the LXR agonist TO901317 to C57/BL6 mice induced polyuria and suppressed renal AQP2 expression associated with reduced renal PRR expression and urinary sPRR excretion. Administration of sPRR-His reversed most of the effects of TO901317. In cultured collecting duct cells, TO901317 suppressed PRR protein expression, sPRR release, and PRR transcriptional activity. Overall we demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, that sPRR exerts antidiuretic action via FZD8-dependent stimulation of AQP2 expression and that inhibition of this pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes insipidus induced by LXR agonism.

Tankyrase Inhibitors Stimulate the Ability of Tankyrases to Bind Axin and Drive Assembly of β-Catenin Degradation-Competent Axin Puncta.

Activation of the wnt signaling pathway is a major cause of colon cancer development. Tankyrase inhibitors (TNKSi) have recently been developed to block the wnt pathway by increasing axin levels to promote degradation of the wnt-regulator β-catenin. TNKSi bind to the PARP (poly(ADP)ribose polymerase) catalytic region of tankyrases (TNKS), preventing the PARylation of TNKS and axin that normally control axin levels through ubiquitination and degradation. TNKSi treatment of APC-mutant SW480 colorectal cancer cells can induce axin puncta which act as sites for assembly of β-catenin degradation complexes, however this process is poorly understood. Using this model system, we found that siRNA knockdown of TNKSs 1 and 2 actually blocked the ability of TNKSi drugs to induce axin puncta, revealing that puncta formation requires both the expression and the inactivation of TNKS. Immunoprecipitation assays showed that treatment of cells with TNKSi caused a strong increase in the formation of axin-TNKS complexes, correlating with an increase in insoluble or aggregated forms of TNKS/axin. The efficacy of TNKSi was antagonized by proteasome inhibitors, which stabilized the PARylated form of TNKS1 and reduced TNKSi-mediated assembly of axin-TNKS complexes and puncta. We hypothesise that TNKSi act to stimulate TNKS oligomerization and assembly of the TNKS-axin scaffold that form puncta. These new insights may help in optimising the future application of TNKSi in anticancer drug design.

Recent Developments on 1,2,4-Triazole Nucleus in Anticancer Compounds: A Review.

1,2,4-triazole is an important nucleus present in a large number of compounds. More than thirty-five compounds containing this nucleus are introduced into the market. 1,2,4-triazole nucleus is stable to metabolism and acts as an important pharmacophore by interacting at the active site of a receptor as hydrogen bond acceptor and as a donor. Due to its polar nature, the triazole nucleus can increase the solubility of the ligand and it can significantly improve the pharmacological profile of the drug. A large number of 1,2,4-triazole derivatives are reported to possess a wide range of bioactivities including anti-cancer activity. This review article describes the role of 1,2,4-triazole nucleus in different types of anti-cancer agents such as nucleoside based anti-cancer agents, kinase inhibitors, tubulin modulators, aromatase and steroid sulfatase inhibitors, methionine aminopeptidase inhibitors, tankyrase inhibitors and metal complex based anti-cancer agents. It is expected that the current review article will provide insight into various ligand-receptor interactions and help in the rational design and development of novel 1,2,4-triazole based anti-cancer drugs with improved selectivity for cancer cells.

Abstract A18: The tankyrase inhibitor G007-LK inhibits small intestine Lgr5+ stem cell proliferation without altering tissue morphology

Abstract Tankyrase enzymes play crucial roles in the Wnt signaling pathway, involved in the regulation of intestinal stem cells and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant Wnt signaling is known to cause intestinal cancers and the tankyrase inhibitor G007-LK has previously been shown to inhibit tumor growth in an APC-mutant colorectal cancer xenograft model. We have used in vivo models to address the effect of G007-LK on small intestine tissue homeostasis. The mice were treated for up to 3 weeks with the tankyrase inhibitor, without affecting the body mass or observed clinical condition of the mice. H&E staining of fixed small intestine tissue sections showed no significant differences in the general tissue morphology between control and G007-LK treated mice. In the presence of G007-LK, lineage tracing from the Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells was significantly reduced compared to control mice. When the G007-LK treatment was stopped two days prior to initiation of lineage tracing, there were no significant difference in the number of traced cells between the mice pretreated with G007-LK and untreated control group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for the proliferation marker Ki67 showed a slight reduction in the number of positive cells in the small intestine of the G007-LK treated compared to control mice. As expected, in the crypt base cells there was a reduction of nuclei staining positive for β-catenin in the G007-LK treated compared to control mice, suggesting repressed Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Taken together, our data show that the tankyrase inhibitor G007-LK is well tolerated by the mice. The tankyrase inhibitor reduced the proliferative activity of the small intestine Lgr5+ stem cells, without altering the general morphology or function of the tissue. Citation Format: Jens Henrik Norum, Ellen Skarpen, Andreas Brech, Raoul Kuiper, Jo Waaler, Stefan Krauss, Therese Sørlie. The tankyrase inhibitor G007-LK inhibits small intestine Lgr5+ stem cell proliferation without altering tissue morphology. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A18.

Potential Use of Inhibitors of Tankyrases and PARP-1 as Treatment for Cancer and Other Diseases.

Summary: The invention in this patent application relates to 1-butanoylpiperidine derivatives represented generally by formula (I). These compounds inhibit the activity of tankyrases (TNKS) and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and may provide useful treatment for diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury, and different forms of inflammation. The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein superfamily performs several cellular processes such as DNA repair, Wnt-signaling, mitoticapparatusformation,andcelldeath.Membersofthefamilymediatethepost-translationalpoly(ADP-ribosyl)ationmodificationof targetedproteinsemployingthecatalyticfunctionofnicotinamideadeninedinucleotide(NAD).Theyalsomediatethepolymerizationof ADP-riboses via glycosidic bonds, creating long and branched ADP-ribose polymers. These polymers are thought to modify protein functions.Someof themembersofthisgrowingfamilyofenzymesarenamedpoly(ADP-ribose) polymerases(PARPs) such asPARP-1, PARP-2, PARP-3, and Vault-PARP. Other members of the family are named tankyrases (TNKS), such as TNKS-1 and TNKS-2. In humans, the PARP family members are encoded by 17 different genes. The first identified and the most studied member of the family is the nuclear enzyme PARP-1. For some time, it remained as the only known enzyme with poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity until studies showed that PARP-1 knock out mice can still perform poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation functions, suggesting the existence of other similar enzymes. Following these studies, researchers identified several other family members, although most of them are less studied. PARP-1 contains three major functional domains: an amino terminal DNA-binding domain (DBD), a central automodification domain (AMD),andacarboxyterminalcatalyticdomain(CD).StudieshaveshownthatPARP-1isoverexpressedinavarietyofcancersandhas been linked to prognosis of cancers, most notably breast cancer. A variety of endogenous and exogenous stress signals including those generated by oxidative, genotoxic, thermal, oncogenic, metabolic, and inflammatory stresses can trigger responses from PARP-1 that may in turn trigger pathological conditions such as cancer, inflammation related diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases,andmetabolicstresses.Thus,theinhibitionofPARP-1activitiesmaybebeneficialasatherapeutictargettotreatthesediseases. Tankyrasescontainankyrin-repeatproteininteractiondomain,asterile α-motifoligomerizationdomain(SAM),andaPARPcatalyticdomain (PCD),whichdifferentiates themfromothermembersof the PARPfamily.TNKS-1andTNKS-2(a.k.a.PARP-5AandPARP-5B) perform several cellular functions, including telomere homeostasis, mitotic spindle formation, vesicle transport linked to glucose metabolism, Wnt-β-catenin signaling, and viral replication. TNKS-1 activity appears to be essential for the polymerization of mitotic spindle-associated poly(ADP-ribose) andtheaccurateformationandmaintenanceofspindlebipolarity.Furthermore,itsactivityisrequiredfornormaltelomere

Tankyrase Inhibition Blocks Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Reverts Resistance to PI3K and AKT Inhibitors in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer.

Oncogenic mutations in the KRAS/PI3K/AKT pathway are one of the most frequent alterations in cancer. Although PI3K or AKT inhibitors show promising results in clinical trials, drug resistance frequently emerges. We previously revealed Wnt/β-catenin signaling hyperactivation as responsible for such resistance in colorectal cancer. Here we investigate Wnt-mediated resistance in patients treated with PI3K or AKT inhibitors in clinical trials and evaluate the efficacy of a new Wnt/tankyrase inhibitor, NVP-TNKS656, to overcome such resistance. Colorectal cancer patient-derived sphere cultures and mouse tumor xenografts were treated with NVP-TNKS656, in combination with PI3K or AKT inhibitors.We analyzed progression-free survival of patients treated with different PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in correlation with Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, oncogenic mutations, clinicopathological traits, and gene expression patterns in 40 colorectal cancer baseline tumors. Combination with NVP-TNKS656 promoted apoptosis in PI3K or AKT inhibitor-resistant cells with high nuclear β-catenin content. High FOXO3A activity conferred sensitivity to NVP-TNKS656 treatment. Thirteen of 40 patients presented high nuclear β-catenin content and progressed earlier upon PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition. Nuclear β-catenin levels predicted drug response, whereas clinicopathologic traits, gene expression profiles, or frequent mutations (KRAS, TP53, or PIK3CA) did not. High nuclear β-catenin content independently predicts resistance to PI3K and AKT inhibitors. Combined treatment with a Wnt/tankyrase inhibitor reduces nuclear β-catenin, reverts such resistance, and represses tumor growth. FOXO3A content and activity predicts response to Wnt/β-catenin inhibition and together with β-catenin may be predictive biomarkers of drug response providing a rationale to stratify colorectal cancer patients to be treated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors.

Tankyrase inhibition impairs directional migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by affecting microtubule dynamics and polarity signals

BackgroundTankyrases are poly(adenosine diphosphate)-ribose polymerases that contribute to biological processes as diverse as modulation of Wnt signaling, telomere maintenance, vesicle trafficking, and microtubule-dependent spindle pole assembly during mitosis. At interphase, polarized reshaping of the microtubule network fosters oriented cell migration. This is attained by association of adenomatous polyposis coli with the plus end of microtubules at the cortex of cell membrane protrusions and microtubule-based centrosome reorientation towards the migrating front.ResultsHere we report a new function for tankyrases, namely, regulation of directional cell locomotion. Using a panel of lung cancer cell lines as a model system, we found that abrogation of tankyrase activity by two different, structurally unrelated small-molecule inhibitors (one introduced and characterized here for the first time) or by RNA interference-based genetic silencing weakened cell migration, invasion, and directional movement induced by the motogenic cytokine hepatocyte growth factor. Mechanistically, the anti-invasive outcome of tankyrase inhibition could be ascribed to sequential deterioration of the distinct events that govern cell directional sensing. In particular, tankyrase blockade negatively impacted (1) microtubule dynamic instability; (2) adenomatous polyposis coli plasma membrane targeting; and (3) centrosome reorientation.ConclusionsCollectively, these findings uncover an unanticipated role for tankyrases in influencing at multiple levels the interphase dynamics of the microtubule network and the subcellular distribution of related polarity signals. These results encourage the further exploration of tankyrase inhibitors as therapeutic tools to oppose dissemination and metastasis of cancer cells.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-016-0226-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Induction of Functional 3D Ciliary Epithelium-Like Structure From Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

To generate ciliary epithelium (CE) from mouse induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Recently, a protocol for self-organizing optic cup morphogenesis in three-dimensional culture was reported, and it was suggested that ocular tissue derived from neural ectoderm could be differentiated. We demonstrated that a CE-like double-layered structure could be induced in simple culture by using a modified Eiraku differentiation protocol. Differentiation of a CE-like double-layered structure could be promoted by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor. Connexin43 and aquaporin1 were expressed in both thin layers, and induced CE-like cells expressed ciliary marker genes, such as cyclinD2, zic1, tgfb2, aldh1a3, wfdc1, otx1, BMP4, and BMP7. Increases in cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin in aggregates of the CE-like double-layered structure were confirmed by Western blot analysis. In addition, tankyrase inhibitor prevented the induction of the CE-like double-layered structure by GSK-3β inhibitor. Dye movement from pigmented cells to nonpigmented cells in the mouse iPS cell-derived CE-like structure was observed in a fluid movement experiment, consistent with the physiological function of CE in vivo. We could differentiate CE from mouse iPS cells in the present study. In the future, we hope that this CE-like complex will become useful as a graft for transplantation therapy in pathologic ocular hypotension due to CE dysfunction, and as a screening tool for the development of drugs for diseases associated with CE function.

Tankyrase inhibition promotes a stable human naïve pluripotent state with improved functionality.

The derivation and maintenance of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in stable naïve pluripotent states has a wide impact in human developmental biology. However, hPSCs are unstable in classical naïve mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) WNT and MEK/ERK signal inhibition (2i) culture. We show that a broad repertoire of conventional hESC and transgene-independent human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines could be reverted to stable human preimplantation inner cell mass (ICM)-like naïve states with only WNT, MEK/ERK, and tankyrase inhibition (LIF-3i). LIF-3i-reverted hPSCs retained normal karyotypes and genomic imprints, and attained defining mouse ESC-like functional features, including high clonal self-renewal, independence from MEK/ERK signaling, dependence on JAK/STAT3 and BMP4 signaling, and naïve-specific transcriptional and epigenetic configurations. Tankyrase inhibition promoted a stable acquisition of a human preimplantation ICM-like ground state via modulation of WNT signaling, and was most efficacious in efficiently reprogrammed conventional hiPSCs. Importantly, naïve reversion of a broad repertoire of conventional hiPSCs reduced lineage-primed gene expression and significantly improved their multilineage differentiation capacities. Stable naïve hPSCs with reduced genetic variability and improved functional pluripotency will have great utility in regenerative medicine and human disease modeling.

Human Cytomegalovirus Inhibits the PARsylation Activity of Tankyrase—A Potential Strategy for Suppression of the Wnt Pathway

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was reported to downregulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Induction of Axin1, the negative regulator of the Wnt pathway, has been reported as an important mechanism for inhibition of β-catenin. Since Tankyrase (TNKS) negatively regulates Axin1, we investigated the effect of HCMV on TNKS expression and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARsylation) activity, during virus replication. Starting at 24 h post infection, HCMV stabilized the expression of TNKS and reduced its PARsylation activity, resulting in accumulation of Axin1 and reduction in its PARsylation as well. General PARsylation was not changed in HCMV-infected cells, suggesting specific inhibition of TNKS PARsylation. Similarly, treatment with XAV939, a chemical inhibitor of TNKS’ activity, resulted in the accumulation of TNKS in both non-infected and HCMV-infected cell lines. Reduction of TNKS activity or knockdown of TNKS was beneficial for HCMV, evidenced by its improved growth in fibroblasts. Our results suggest that HCMV modulates the activity of TNKS to induce Axin1, resulting in inhibition of the β-catenin pathway. Since HCMV replication is facilitated by TNKS knockdown or inhibition of its activity, TNKS may serve as an important virus target for control of a variety of cellular processes.

Tankyrase Inhibition Causes Reversible Intestinal Toxicity in Mice with a Therapeutic Index < 1.

Activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is frequently associated with colorectal cancer. Wnt inhibitors, including tankyrase inhibitors, are being explored as potential anticancer agents. Wnt signaling is also critical for intestinal tissue homeostasis, and Wnt inhibitors have been shown to cause intestinal toxicity in mice by affecting intestinal stem cells. This study sought to characterize the intestinal toxicity of tankyrase inhibitors, including reversibility, and to assess their therapeutic index. Novel tankyrase inhibitor G-631 caused dose-dependent intestinal toxicity with a therapeutic index < 1 after 14 days of dosing in mice. At a tolerated subtherapeutic dose level, the intestinal toxicity was composed of enteritis characterized by villus blunting, epithelial degeneration, and inflammation, which fully reversed after 14 days of recovery. Doubled exposure showed weak antitumor activity in a xenograft colorectal cancer model but also caused more severe intestinal toxicity characterized by multifocal-regionally extensive necrotizing and ulcerative enteritis leading to morbidity or moribundity in some animals. This toxicity was only partially reversed after 14 days of recovery, with evidence of crypt and villus regeneration, mildly blunted villi, and/or scarring in association with chronic inflammation of the submucosa. Therefore, the clinical utility of tankyrase inhibitors is likely limited by the on-target intestinal toxicity and a therapeutic index < 1 in mice.