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Characterization of a Steroid Receptor Coactivator Small Molecule Stimulator that Overstimulates Cancer Cells and
Lei Wang1, Yang Yu1, Dar-Chone Chow2
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
By integrating growth pathways on which cancer cells rely, steroid receptor coactivators (SRC-1, SRC-2, and SRC-3) represent emerging targets in cancer therapeutics. High-throughput screening for SRC small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) uncovered MCB-613 as a potent SRC small molecule "stimulator" (SMS). We demonstrate that MCB-613 can super-stimulate SRCs' transcriptional activity. Further investigation revealed that MCB-613 increases SRCs' interactions with other coactivators and markedly induces ER stress coupled to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because cancer cells overexpress SRCs and rely on them for growth, we show that we can exploit MCB-613 to selectively induce excessive stress in cancer cells. This suggests that over-stimulating the SRC oncogenic program can be an effective strategy to kill cancer cells.
Insights
Steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) are key for cancer growth. A new compound, MCB-613, over-stimulates SRCs, causing cancer cell death via excessive stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) are crucial for cancer cell growth and proliferation.
- SRCs are emerging as significant therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of targeting SRCs in cancer therapy.
- To identify and characterize small molecules that modulate SRC activity.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput screening was employed to identify SRC modulators.
- MCB-613 was identified as a potent SRC small molecule stimulator (SMS).
- The effects of MCB-613 on SRC transcriptional activity, coactivator interactions, ER stress, and ROS generation were analyzed.
Main Results:
- MCB-613 was found to super-stimulate SRC transcriptional activity.
- MCB-613 enhanced SRC interactions with other coactivators.
- MCB-613 induced significant ER stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
Conclusions:
- Over-stimulating the SRC oncogenic program with MCB-613 selectively induces excessive stress in cancer cells.
- Targeting SRCs through over-stimulation presents a novel strategy for cancer cell killing.
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