Abstract | BACKGROUND: The p73 protein is a tumor suppressor that shares structural and functional similarity with p53. p73 is expressed in two major isoforms; the TA isoform that interacts with p53 pathway, thus acting as tumor suppressor and the N-terminal truncated ΔN isoform that inhibits TAp73 and p53 and thus, acts as an oncogene. RESULTS: By employing a drug repurposing approach, we found that protoporphyrin IX ( PpIX), a metabolite of aminolevulinic acid applied in photodynamic therapy of cancer, stabilizes TAp73 and activates TAp73-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells lacking p53. The mechanism of TAp73 activation is via disruption of TAp73/MDM2 and TAp73/MDMX interactions and inhibition of TAp73 degradation by ubiquitin ligase Itch. Finally, PpIX showed potent antitumor effect and inhibited the growth of xenograft human tumors in mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings may in future contribute to the successful repurposing of PpIX into clinical practice.
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Authors | Alicja Sznarkowska, Anna Kostecka, Anna Kawiak, Pilar Acedo, Mattia Lion, Alberto Inga, Joanna Zawacka-Pankau |
Journal | Cell division
(Cell Div)
Vol. 13
Pg. 10
( 2018)
ISSN: 1747-1028 [Print] England |
PMID | 30603043
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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