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Targeting G(i/o) protein-coupled receptor signaling blocks HER2-induced breast cancer development and enhances HER2-targeted therapy
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Targeting G(i/o) protein-coupled receptor signaling blocks HER2-induced breast cancer development and enhances HER2-targeted therapy

Cancan Lyu, Yuanchao Ye, Maddison M. Lensing, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Ronald J. Weigel and Songhai Chen
JCI insight, Vol.6(18), e150532
09/22/2021
DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150532
PMCID: PMC8492335
PMID: 34343132
url
https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.150532View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

GPCRs are highly desirable drug targets for human disease. Although GPCR dysfunction drives development and progression of many tumors, including breast cancer (BC), targeting individual GPCRs has limited efficacy as a cancer therapy because numerous GPCRs are activated. Here, we sought a new way of blocking GPCR activation in HER2(+) BC by targeting a subgroup of GPCRs that couple to G(i/o) proteins (G(i/o)-GPCRs). In mammary epithelial cells of transgenic mouse models, and BC cell lines, HER2 hyperactivation altered GPCR expression, particularly, G(i/o)-GPCR expression. G(i/o)-GPCR stimulation transactivated EGFR and HER2 and activated the PI3K/AKT and Src pathways. If we uncoupled G(i/o)-GPCRs from their cognate G(i/o) proteins by pertussis toxin (PTx), then BC cell proliferation and migration was inhibited in vitro and HER2-driven tumor formation and metastasis were suppressed in vivo. Moreover, targeting G(i/o)-GPCR signaling via PTx, PI3K, or Src inhibitors enhanced HER2-targeted therapy. These results indicate that, in BC cells, HER2 hyperactivation drives aberrant G(i/o)-GPCR signaling and G(i/o)-GPCR signals converge on the PI3K/AKT and Src signaling pathways to promote cancer progression and resistance to HER2-targeted therapy. Our findings point to a way to pharmacologically deactivate GPCR signaling to block tumor growth and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Life Sciences & Biomedicine Medicine, Research & Experimental Research & Experimental Medicine Science & Technology

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