title: Enhanced killing of melanoma cells by simultaneously targeting Mcl-1 and NOXA.
abstract: By deciphering the dysregulation of apoptosis in melanoma cells, new treatment approaches exploiting aberrant control mechanisms regulating cell death can be envisioned. Among the Bcl-2 family, a BH3-only member, NOXA, functions in a specific mitochondrial-based cell death pathway when melanoma cells are exposed to a proteasome inhibitor (e.g., bortezomib). Some therapeutic agents, such as bortezomib, not only induce proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members and active conformational changes in Bak and Bax but also are associated with undesirable effects, including accumulation of antiapoptotic proteins, such as Mcl-1. To enhance the bortezomib-mediated killing of melanoma cells, the apoptotic pathway involving NOXA was further investigated, leading to identification of an important target (i.e., the labile Bcl-2 homologue Mcl-1 but not other survival proteins). To reduce Mcl-1 levels, melanoma cells were pretreated with several different agents, including Mcl-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA), UV light, or the purine nucleoside analogue fludarabine. By simultaneously triggering production of NOXA (using bortezomib) as well as reducing Mcl-1 levels (using siRNA, UV light, or fludarabine), significantly enhanced killing of melanoma cells was achieved. These results show binding interactions between distinct Bcl-2 family members, such as NOXA and Mcl-1, in melanoma cells, paving the way for novel and rational therapeutic combination strategies, which target guardians of the proapoptotic Bak- and Bax-mediated pathways, against this highly aggressive and often fatal malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
authors.forename: Jian-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Leonid A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sitailo
authors.forename: Mitchell F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Denning
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Nickoloff
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C494772:BAK1 protein, human; C494826:BAX protein, human; D001897:Boronic Acids; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C498702:PMAIP1 protein, human; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011719:Pyrazines; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D000069286:Bortezomib; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine