Staurosporine and venetoclax induce the caspase-dependent proteolysis of MEF2D-fusion proteins and apoptosis in MEF2D-fusion (+) ALL cells

MEF2D-fusion (M-fusion) genes are newly discovered recurrent gene abnormalities that are detected in approximately 5 % of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases. Their introduction to cells has been reported to transform cell lines or increase the colony formation of bone marrow cells, suggesting their survival-supporting ability, which prompted us to examine M-fusion-targeting drugs. To identify compounds that reduce the protein expression level of MEF2D, we developed a high-throughput screening system using 293T cells stably expressing a fusion protein of MEF2D and luciferase, in which the protein expression level of MEF2D was easily measured by a luciferase assay. We screened 3766 compounds with known pharmaceutical activities using this system and selected staurosporine as a potential inducer of the proteolysis of MEF2D. Staurosporine induced the proteolysis of M-fusion proteins in M-fusion (+) ALL cell lines. Proteolysis was inhibited by caspase inhibitors, not proteasome inhibitors, suggesting caspase dependency. Consistent with this result, the growth inhibitory effects of staurosporine were stronger in M-fusion (+) ALL cell lines than in negative cell lines, and caspase inhibitors blocked apoptosis induced by staurosporine. We identified the cleavage site of MEF2D-HNRNPUL1 by caspases and confirmed that its caspase cleavage-resistant mutant was resistant to staurosporine-induced proteolysis. Based on these results, we investigated another Food and Drug Administration-approved caspase activator, venetoclax, and found that it exerted similar effects to staurosporine, namely, the proteolysis of M-fusion proteins and strong growth inhibitory effects in M-fusion (+) ALL cell lines. The present study provides novel insights into drug screening strategies and the clinical indications of venetoclax.