title: Small molecule kinase inhibitor LRRK2-IN-1 demonstrates potent activity against colorectal and pancreatic cancer through inhibition of doublecortin-like kinase 1.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is emerging as a tumor specific stem cell marker in colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of inhibiting DCLK1 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) as well as genetically targeting the DCLK1+ cell for deletion. However, the effects of inhibiting DCLK1 kinase activity have not been studied directly. Therefore, we assessed the effects of inhibiting DCLK1 kinase activity using the novel small molecule kinase inhibitor, LRRK2-IN-1, which demonstrates significant affinity for DCLK1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we report that LRRK2-IN-1 demonstrates potent anti-cancer activity including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Additionally we found that it regulates stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and oncogenic targets on the molecular level. Moreover, we show that LRRK2-IN-1 suppresses DCLK1 kinase activity and downstream DCLK1 effector c-MYC, and demonstrate that DCLK1 kinase activity is a significant factor in resistance to LRRK2-IN-1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given DCLK1's tumor stem cell marker status, a strong understanding of its biological role and interactions in gastrointestinal tumors may lead to discoveries that improve patient outcomes. The results of this study suggest that small molecule inhibitors of DCLK1 kinase should be further investigated as they may hold promise as anti-tumor stem cell drugs.
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weygant
authors.forename: Dongfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Randal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Parthasarathy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chandrakesan
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Sripathi M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sureban
authors.forename: Naushad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Janknecht
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. courtney-houchen@ouhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Courtney W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Houchen
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D000089742:Doublecortin-Like Kinases; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D007797:Laminin; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D011485:Protein Binding; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D004338:Drug Combinations; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; C582847:LRRK2-IN1; D007797:Laminin; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011743:Pyrimidines; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen; C117347:DCLK1 protein, human; D000089742:Doublecortin-Like Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases