Down-regulation of myeloid cell leukemia-1 through inhibiting Erk/Pin 1 pathway by sorafenib facilitates chemosensitization in breast cancer

Cancer Res. 2008 Aug 1;68(15):6109-17. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-0579.

Abstract

Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1), a Bcl-2-like antiapoptotic protein, plays a role in cell immortalization and chemoresistance in a number of human malignancies. A peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase, Pin1 is involved in many cellular events, such as cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, and differentiation through isomerizing prophosphorylated substrates. It has been reported that down-regulation of Pin1 induces apoptosis, and that Erk phosphorylates and up-regulates Mcl-1; however, the underlying mechanisms for the two phenomena are not clear yet. Here, we showed that Pin 1 stabilizes Mcl-1, which is required for Mcl-1 posphorylation by Erk. First, we found expression of Mcl-1 and Pin1 were positively correlated and associated with poor survival in human breast cancer. We then showed that Erk could phosphorylate Mcl-1 at two consensus residues, Thr 92 and 163, which is required for the association of Mcl-1 and Pin1, resulting in stabilization of Mcl-1. Moreover, Pin1 is also required for the up-regulation of Mcl-1 by Erk activation. Based on this newly identified mechanism of Mcl-1 stabilization, two strategies were used to overcome Mcl-1-mediated chemoresistance: inhibiting Erk by Sorafenib, an approved clinical anticancer drug, or knocking down Pin1 by using a SiRNA technique. In conclusion, the current report not only unravels a novel mechanism to link Erk/Pin1 pathway and Mcl-1-mediated chemoresistance but also provides a plausible combination therapy, Taxol (Paclitaxel) plus Sorafenib, which was shown to be effective in killing breast cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzenesulfonates / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / metabolism*
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / physiology*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Sorafenib

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • NIMA-Interacting Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Pyridines
  • Niacinamide
  • Sorafenib
  • PIN1 protein, human
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase