Yeon Ju Yang1,2, Jin Young Baek1, Jail Goo3, Yoonho Shin4, Jong Kuk Park5, Ji Yong Jang1, Su Bin Wang1, Woojin Jeong6, Hwa Jeong Lee1,7, Hong-Duck Um5, Sang Kook Lee4, Yongseok Choi3, Sue Goo Rhee8, Tong-Shin Chang1,7. 1. 1 Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. 2 Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. 3 College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 4. 4 College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 5. 5 Laboratory of Radiation Cancer Biology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. 6 Division of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 7. 7 College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University , Seoul, Republic of Korea. 8. 8 Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine , Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
AIMS: The intrinsic increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cancer cells after malignant transformation frequently induces redox adaptation, leading to enhanced antioxidant capacity. Peroxiredoxin I (PrxI), an enzyme responsible for eliminating hydrogen peroxide, has been found to be elevated in many types of cancer cells. Since overexpression of PrxI promoted cancer cells' survival and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, PrxI has been proposed as a therapeutic target for anticancer drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anticancer efficacy of a small molecule inhibitor of PrxI. RESULTS: By a high-throughput screening approach, we identified AMRI-59 as a potent inhibitor of PrxI. AMRI-59 increased cellular ROS, leading to the activation of both mitochondria- and apoptosis signal-regulated kinase-1-mediated signaling pathways, resulting in apoptosis of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma. AMRI-59 caused no significant changes in ROS level, proliferation, and apoptosis of PrxI-knockdown A549 cells by RNA interference. PrxI overexpression or N-acetylcysteine pretreatment abrogated AMRI-59-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. AMRI-59 rendered tumorigenic ovarian cells more susceptible to ROS-mediated death compared with nontumorigenic cells. Moreover, significant antitumor activity of AMRI-59 was observed in mouse tumor xenograft model implanted with A549 cells with no apparent acute toxicity. INNOVATION: This study offers preclinical proof-of-concept for AMRI-59, a lead small molecule inhibitor of PrxI, as an anticancer agent. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight a promising strategy for cancer therapy that preferentially eradicates cancer cells by targeting the PrxI-mediated redox-dependent survival pathways.
AIMS: The intrinsic increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cancer cells after malignant transformation frequently induces redox adaptation, leading to enhanced antioxidant capacity. Peroxiredoxin I (PrxI), an enzyme responsible for eliminating hydrogen peroxide, has been found to be elevated in many types of cancer cells. Since overexpression of PrxI promoted cancer cells' survival and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, PrxI has been proposed as a therapeutic target for anticancer drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anticancer efficacy of a small molecule inhibitor of PrxI. RESULTS: By a high-throughput screening approach, we identified AMRI-59 as a potent inhibitor of PrxI. AMRI-59 increased cellular ROS, leading to the activation of both mitochondria- and apoptosis signal-regulated kinase-1-mediated signaling pathways, resulting in apoptosis of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma. AMRI-59 caused no significant changes in ROS level, proliferation, and apoptosis of PrxI-knockdown A549 cells by RNA interference. PrxI overexpression or N-acetylcysteine pretreatment abrogated AMRI-59-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. AMRI-59 rendered tumorigenic ovarian cells more susceptible to ROS-mediated death compared with nontumorigenic cells. Moreover, significant antitumor activity of AMRI-59 was observed in mousetumor xenograft model implanted with A549 cells with no apparent acute toxicity. INNOVATION: This study offers preclinical proof-of-concept for AMRI-59, a lead small molecule inhibitor of PrxI, as an anticancer agent. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight a promising strategy for cancer therapy that preferentially eradicates cancer cells by targeting the PrxI-mediated redox-dependent survival pathways.