? ? Arsenic is a well-documented human carcinogen. Our goal is to address the central hypothesis that phosphorylation of histones and their upstream kinases play an important functional role in arsenic-induced cell transformation and carcinogenesis.
Specific Aim 1 is to study the role of histone phosphorylation in arsenic-induced cell transformation;
Specific Aim 2 is to investigate and identify the histone kinases that phosphorylate histone H3 and H2B at different amino acid residues;
Specific Aim 3 is to study the crystal structure of histone kinase RSK2, perform in- silico screening and design RSK2 inhibitors for suppressing arsenic-induced histone phosphorylation and cell transformation;
and Specific Aim 4 is to study the role of RSK2 in arsenic/ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced skin carcinogenesis and determine RSK2's potential as a target for chemoprevention of cancer. The strategy for Specific Aim 1 is to use point mutations at key phosphorylation sites of histone H3 and H2B siRNA gene knockdown and overexpressing stable cell lines to test the role of H3 and H2B in soft agar cell transformation assays.
For Specific Aim 2, we will use in vitro kinase assays, specific mutations, LTQ Orbitrap hybrid mass spectrometer analysis and RSK2 knockout cells as well as inhibitors of RSK2.
In Specific Aim 3, we will use x-ray crystallography to determine the structure of RSK2. Then we will use a super computer to screen a database of 2.5 million chemicals to find inhibitors for RSK2 to be tested in an in vitro kinase assay.
In Specific Aim 4, we will test the effect of the RSK2 inhibitor kaempferol and RSK2 knockout mice in UVA/arsenic-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis. Such knowledge will facilitate the design of more effective and specific strategies with fewer side effects for chemoprevention of arsenic- induced cancer.

Public Health Relevance

Environmental arsenic contamination is a major problem in many parts of the world and is a well-documented human carcinogen. By using state-of-the-art technology such as x-ray crystallography, super computer based molecular modeling and drug screen, cellular and molecular biology and gene knockout mice, we will study the novel mechanism involved in histone phosphorylation on arsenic-induced cell transformation to cancer and the carcinogenesis process. These studies will facilitate the development of more effective agents with fewer side effects for chemoprevention against environmental carcinogens such as arsenic- induced cancer. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01ES016548-01
Application #
7435451
Study Section
Chemo/Dietary Prevention Study Section (CDP)
Program Officer
Reinlib, Leslie J
Project Start
2008-02-01
Project End
2013-01-31
Budget Start
2008-02-01
Budget End
2009-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$339,750
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Kim, Dong Joon; Roh, Eunmiri; Lee, Mee-Hyun et al. (2016) Herbacetin Is a Novel Allosteric Inhibitor of Ornithine Decarboxylase with Antitumor Activity. Cancer Res 76:1146-1157
Kim, Hong-Gyum; Shi, Chengcheng; Bode, Ann M et al. (2016) p38? MAPK is required for arsenic-induced cell transformation. Mol Carcinog 55:910-7
Chen, Hanyong; Yao, Ke; Chang, Xiaoyu et al. (2015) Computational and Biochemical Discovery of RSK2 as a Novel Target for Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG). PLoS One 10:e0130049
Liu, Kangdong; Park, Chanmi; Chen, Hanyong et al. (2015) Eupafolin suppresses prostate cancer by targeting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mediated Akt signaling. Mol Carcinog 54:751-60
Jung, Sung Keun; Lee, Mee-Hyun; Lim, Do Young et al. (2015) Butein, a novel dual inhibitor of MET and EGFR, overcomes gefitinib-resistant lung cancer growth. Mol Carcinog 54:322-31
Lee, Mee-Hyun; Lim, Do Young; Kim, Myoung Ok et al. (2015) Genetic ablation of caspase-7 promotes solar-simulated light-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis: the involvement of keratin-17. Carcinogenesis 36:1372-80
Bode, Ann M; Dong, Zigang (2015) Toxic phytochemicals and their potential risks for human cancer. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 8:1-8
Li, Haitao; Zhu, Feng; Chen, Hanyong et al. (2014) 6-C-(E-phenylethenyl)-naringenin suppresses colorectal cancer growth by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1. Cancer Res 74:243-52
Kim, Myoung Ok; Lee, Mee-Hyun; Oi, Naomi et al. (2014) [6]-shogaol inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by directly regulating Akt1/2. Carcinogenesis 35:683-91
Wen, W; Peng, C; Kim, M O et al. (2014) Knockdown of RNF2 induces apoptosis by regulating MDM2 and p53 stability. Oncogene 33:421-8

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