title: CCG-1423: a small-molecule inhibitor of RhoA transcriptional signaling.
abstract: Lysophosphatidic acid receptors stimulate a Galpha(12/13)/RhoA-dependent gene transcription program involving the serum response factor (SRF) and its coactivator and oncogene, megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1). Inhibitors of this pathway could serve as useful biological probes and potential cancer therapeutic agents. Through a transcription-based high-throughput serum response element-luciferase screening assay, we identified two small-molecule inhibitors of this pathway. Mechanistic studies on the more potent CCG-1423 show that it acts downstream of Rho because it blocks SRE.L-driven transcription stimulated by Galpha(12)Q231L, Galpha(13)Q226L, RhoA-G14V, and RhoC-G14V. The ability of CCG-1423 to block transcription activated by MKL1, but not that induced by SRF-VP16 or GAL4-VP16, suggests a mechanism targeting MKL/SRF-dependent transcriptional activation that does not involve alterations in DNA binding. Consistent with its role as a Rho/SRF pathway inhibitor, CCG-1423 displays activity in several in vitro cancer cell functional assays. CCG-1423 potently (<1 mumol/L) inhibits lysophosphatidic acid-induced DNA synthesis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells, and whereas it inhibits the growth of RhoC-overexpressing melanoma lines (A375M2 and SK-Mel-147) at nanomolar concentrations, it is less active on related lines (A375 and SK-Mel-28) that express lower levels of Rho. Similarly, CCG-1423 selectively stimulates apoptosis of the metastasis-prone, RhoC-overexpressing melanoma cell line (A375M2) compared with the parental cell line (A375). CCG-1423 inhibited Rho-dependent invasion by PC-3 prostate cancer cells, whereas it did not affect the Galpha(i)-dependent invasion by the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line. Thus, based on its profile, CCG-1423 is a promising lead compound for the development of novel pharmacologic tools to disrupt transcriptional responses of the Rho pathway in cancer.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical Center, 1301 MSRB III, Room 2220D, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0632, USA.
authors: Chris R
authors: CR
authors: Evelyn
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Wade
authors: Qin
authors: Q
authors: Wang
authors: Mei
authors: M
authors: Wu
authors: Jorge A
authors: JA
authors: Iñiguez-Lluhí
authors: Sofia D
authors: SD
authors: Merajver
authors: Richard R
authors: RR
authors: Neubig
mesh_terms: D000813:Anilides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D027602:Serum Response Element / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000813:Anilides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; C523455:CCG 1423; D008156:Luciferases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein