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WRN inhibition leads to its chromatin-associated degradation via the PIAS4-RNF4-p97/VCP axis.
- Source :
- Nature Communications; 7/18/2024, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p1-17, 17p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Synthetic lethality provides an attractive strategy for developing targeted cancer therapies. For example, cancer cells with high levels of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) are dependent on the Werner (WRN) helicase for survival. However, the mechanisms that regulate WRN spatiotemporal dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we used single-molecule tracking (SMT) in combination with a WRN inhibitor to examine WRN dynamics within the nuclei of living cancer cells. WRN inhibition traps the helicase on chromatin, requiring p97/VCP for extraction and proteasomal degradation in a MSI-H dependent manner. Using a phenotypic screen, we identify the PIAS4-RNF4 axis as the pathway responsible for WRN degradation. Finally, we show that co-inhibition of WRN and SUMOylation has an additive toxic effect in MSI-H cells and confirm the in vivo activity of WRN inhibition using an MSI-H mouse xenograft model. This work elucidates a regulatory mechanism for WRN that may facilitate identification of new therapeutic modalities, and highlights the use of SMT as a tool for drug discovery and mechanism-of-action studies. New optical methods for investigating the activity of small molecules in cells may facilitate development of anticancer therapeutics. Here, the authors use a super-resolution optical platform and single molecule tracking to gain insight into WRN regulation in cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- DRUG discovery
SINGLE molecules
SMALL molecules
CANCER cells
LABORATORY mice
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 178529713
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50178-3