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SPOP mutations increase PARP inhibitor sensitivity via CK2/PIAS1/SPOP axis in prostate cancer
Hui Zhang, Lili Kong, Jinhui Li, Zhihan Liu, Yiting Zhao, Xiuyi Lv, Liangpei Wu, Lin Chai, Hongjie You, Jiabei Jin, Xinyi Cao, Zhong Zheng, Yadong Liu, Zejun Yan, Xiaofeng Jin
Hui Zhang, Lili Kong, Jinhui Li, Zhihan Liu, Yiting Zhao, Xiuyi Lv, Liangpei Wu, Lin Chai, Hongjie You, Jiabei Jin, Xinyi Cao, Zhong Zheng, Yadong Liu, Zejun Yan, Xiaofeng Jin
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Research Article Cell biology Genetics Oncology

SPOP mutations increase PARP inhibitor sensitivity via CK2/PIAS1/SPOP axis in prostate cancer

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Abstract

It is well documented that impaired DNA damage repair (DDR) induces genomic instability that can efficiently increase the sensitivity of prostate cancer (PCa) cells to PARP inhibitors; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we found profound genomic instability in PCa cells with SPOP gene mutations and confirmed the sensitivity of SPOP-mutated PCa cells to olaparib-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, we identified olaparib-induced CK2-mediated phosphorylation of PIAS1-S468, which in turn mediated SUMOylation of SPOP, thus promoting its E3 ligase activity in the DDR. Moreover, an abnormal CK2/PIAS1/SPOP axis due to SPOP mutations or defects in CK2-mediated phosphorylation of PIAS1, as well as SPOP inhibitor treatment, led to impaired DDR, thus increasing olaparib-induced apoptosis of PCa cells and enhancing olaparib sensitivity in animal models and patient-derived organoids. This suggested that disruption of the CK2/PIAS1/SPOP signaling axis could serve as an indicator for targeted therapy of PCa using a PARP inhibitor.

Authors

Hui Zhang, Lili Kong, Jinhui Li, Zhihan Liu, Yiting Zhao, Xiuyi Lv, Liangpei Wu, Lin Chai, Hongjie You, Jiabei Jin, Xinyi Cao, Zhong Zheng, Yadong Liu, Zejun Yan, Xiaofeng Jin

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Figure 5

Dysregulation of CK2/PIAS1/SPOP axis leads to impaired DDR in PC-3 cells.

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Dysregulation of CK2/PIAS1/SPOP axis leads to impaired DDR in PC-3 cells...
(A) Diagram showing PCa-associated SPOP mutants. (B) Co-IP showing that SPOP mutants exhibit defects in their interaction with PIAS1 (left), and even inhibits the interaction between SPOP-WT and PIAS1 (right). (C) In vivo SUMOylation assays showing that PCa-associated SPOP mutants escape PIAS1-mediated SUMOylation (top) and inhibit PIAS1-mediated SUMOylation of SPOP-WT (bottom). (D) The comet assays revealed the overall DDR process in PC-3 cells under olaparib treatment (10 μM), and the representative images (top) and graph (bottom, n = 10) are shown. The comet assays were then performed and 10 cells from each sample were analyzed based on the tail moment, utilizing Komet software. (E) BRCA1 foci were stained (top) and the corresponding graph (bottom, n = 5) under olaparib (10 μM) treatment to determine the HR process in PC-3 cells. (F) Ku70 foci were stained (top) and corresponding graph (bottom, n = 5) under olaparib (10 μM) treatment to determine the NHEJ process in PC-3 cells. (G) The images of IHC staining for γH2AX and PIAS1 (left) in each SPOP-mutated PCa tissue, along with the corresponding statistical analysis of staining intensity (right); n = 6, r = 0.4813, P = 0.3338. Scale bars: 200 μm (D and G) and 20 μm (E and F). Data are shown as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001 by 2-tailed, unpaired Student’s t test.

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