Hypoxia inducible factors (HIF-1 and HIF-2) are potential therapeutic targets for both cancer and ischemic disorders, particularly for hypoxic and angiogenic tumors that are usually resistant to traditional radiation and chemotherapy. Blocking tumor angiogenesis has been extensively explored as a novel treatment for cancers for the past decade. The identification of HIF function as a master regulator of multiple angiogenic signaling pathways and the complete dissection of the conventional regulatory mechanisms of HIF function provide the possibility to target HIF as a better alternative to current anti-angiogenesis therapies. The fact that HIF function also promotes cell proliferation and survival by non-angiogenic mechanisms adds additional benefits to therapies based-on modulating HIF. Interestingly, in addition to HIF inhibitors identified by compound screening processes, basic research and clinical trials have shown that several classes of structurally distinct new anti-cancer, small molecular weight compounds, including histone deacetylase inhibitors, heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, proteasomal inhibitors and compounds disturbing microtubule dynamics, block angiogenesis and suppress tumor growth, at least in part, through repressing HIF function. Since these compounds were not originally designed to target HIF, the unexpected convergence suggests that a coordinated process involving multiple basic cellular systems controls HIF function. We found that HDACI- mediated protein acetylation events might modify the function and interactions of the heat shock protein machinery with HIF-1a and an acetylated p60 protein. In addition, we have found that HDACIs stimulate the expression of HDAC3 and Sirt2, two potential repressors of HIF-1 activity. Our central hypotheses to be tested are: 1) an orchestrated quality control system (QCS) plays a central role in regulating HIF-1a stability, and this QCS involves Hsp70/Hsp90, vimentin, proteasome and microtubule function; and 2) histone deacetylase inhibitor-induced repression of HIF-1 transactivation potential involves one or more negative regulators. We will use HIF-1 as a model: 1) to investigate the roles of Hsp90, the acetyl p60 and their acetylation in the HIF- 11 QCS; 2) to investigate the molecular basis underlying the degradation-independent repression of HIF-1, 21 transactivation potential by HDACIs; and 3) to examine the relevance of identified deacetylases and substrates to tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in human endothelial culture, tumor cell culture, and in mouse xenograft/orthotopic tumor models. Results from this study will contribute to the development and improvement of new therapies for a variety of tumors and ischemic disorders. PULBIC

Public Health Relevance

This project studies the quality control and functional regulation of two important transcription factors (HIF-1, 2) that govern the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tumors and normal body parts, aiming to gain new knowledge that may eventually facilitate the development of novel, safe and efficient therapies for various tumors and disorders caused by insufficient blood supply, such as heart diseases and stroke.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01CA129494-02
Application #
7685925
Study Section
Basic Mechanisms of Cancer Therapeutics Study Section (BMCT)
Program Officer
Mietz, Judy
Project Start
2008-09-18
Project End
2013-07-31
Budget Start
2008-09-18
Budget End
2009-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$319,067
Indirect Cost
Name
Drexel University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002604817
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Chen, Shuyang; Sang, Nianli (2016) Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1: A Critical Player in the Survival Strategy of Stressed Cells. J Cell Biochem 117:267-78
Yin, Chengqian; He, Dan; Chen, Shuyang et al. (2016) Exogenous pyruvate facilitates cancer cell adaptation to hypoxia by serving as an oxygen surrogate. Oncotarget 7:47494-47510
Chen, Shuyang; Yin, Chengqian; Lao, Taotao et al. (2015) AMPK-HDAC5 pathway facilitates nuclear accumulation of HIF-1? and functional activation of HIF-1 by deacetylating Hsp70 in the cytosol. Cell Cycle 14:2520-36
Wang, Haizhi; Sang, Nianli; Zhang, Can et al. (2015) Cathepsin L Mediates the Degradation of Novel APP C-Terminal Fragments. Biochemistry 54:2806-16
Hu, Tu; He, Nengbin; Yang, Yunsong et al. (2015) DEC2 expression is positively correlated with HIF-1 activation and the invasiveness of human osteosarcomas. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 34:22
Qie, Shuo; Chu, Clarissa; Li, Weihua et al. (2014) ErbB2 activation upregulates glutaminase 1 expression which promotes breast cancer cell proliferation. J Cell Biochem 115:498-509
Lin, Shaojun; Guo, Qiaojuan; Wen, Jiangmei et al. (2014) Survival analyses correlate stanniocalcin 2 overexpression to poor prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinomas. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 33:26
Yin, Chengqian; Qie, Shuo; Sang, Nianli (2012) Carbon source metabolism and its regulation in cancer cells. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 22:17-35
Lao, Taotao; Chen, Shuyang; Sang, Nianli (2012) Two mutations impair the stability and function of ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1). J Cell Physiol 227:1561-8
Qie, Shuo; Liang, Dongming; Yin, Chengqian et al. (2012) Glutamine depletion and glucose depletion trigger growth inhibition via distinctive gene expression reprogramming. Cell Cycle 11:3679-90

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