Small-molecule targeting of MUSASHI RNA-binding activity in acute myeloid leukemia.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Minuesa G, Albanese S, Xie W, Kazansky Y, Worroll D, Chow A, Schurer A, Park S, Rotsides C, Taggart J, Rizzi A, Naden L, Chou T, Gourkanti S, Cappel D, Passarelli M, Fairchild L, Adura C, Glickman J, Schulman J, Famulare C, Patel M, Eibl J, Ross G, Bhattacharya S, Tan D, Leslie C, Beuming T, Patel D, Goldgur Y, Chodera J, Kharas M
Journal Nat Commun
Volume 10
Issue 1
Pagination 2691
Date Published 06/19/2019
ISSN 2041-1723
Keywords Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic, Leukemia, Experimental, Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute, Pteridines, RNA-Binding Proteins
Abstract The MUSASHI (MSI) family of RNA binding proteins (MSI1 and MSI2) contribute to a wide spectrum of cancers including acute myeloid leukemia. We find that the small molecule Ro 08-2750 (Ro) binds directly and selectively to MSI2 and competes for its RNA binding in biochemical assays. Ro treatment in mouse and human myeloid leukemia cells results in an increase in differentiation and apoptosis, inhibition of known MSI-targets, and a shared global gene expression signature similar to shRNA depletion of MSI2. Ro demonstrates in vivo inhibition of c-MYC and reduces disease burden in a murine AML leukemia model. Thus, we identify a small molecule that targets MSI's oncogenic activity. Our study provides a framework for targeting RNA binding proteins in cancer.
DOI 10.1038/s41467-019-10523-3
PubMed ID 31217428
PubMed Central ID PMC6584500
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