Essential role of TAK1 in regulating mantle cell lymphoma survival

Blood. 2012 Jul 12;120(2):347-55. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-07-369397. Epub 2012 May 30.

Abstract

TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the MAPK kinase family, plays a key role in B-cell growth and development. In the present study, we examined the potential role of TAK1 as a therapeutic target for lymphoma. Here, we show that the active phosphorylated form of TAK1 is abundantly expressed in a panel of lymphoma cell lines, including mantle cell, anaplastic large cell, and Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines. Silencing TAK1 expression via the use of siRNA inhibited the activation of NF-κB and p38 and induced apoptosis in lymphoma cell lines. Moreover, submicromolar concentrations of AZ-TAK1, a novel ATP-competitive small molecule inhibitor of TAK1, dephosphorylated TAK1, p38, and IκB-α in lymphoma cell lines. These molecular events were associated with the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis, activation of caspase 9, and induction of apoptosis. We also demonstrate that primary lymphoma cells express TAK1 and pTAK1 and were sensitive to AZ-TAK1-mediated cell death. Collectively, our data demonstrate an essential role for TAK1 in regulating critical survival mechanisms in lymphoma and suggest that it may serve as a therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Hodgkin Disease / enzymology
  • Hodgkin Disease / genetics
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / enzymology
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / enzymology*
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / genetics
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / pathology
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / chemistry
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / physiology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFKBIA protein, human
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP kinase kinase kinase 7