THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF TARGETING IRES-DEPENDENT c-MYC TRANSLATION IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA CELLS DURING ER STRESS

摘要

Protein translation is inhibited by the unfolded protein response (UPR)-induced eIF-2α phosphorylation to protect against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In addition, we found additional inhibition of protein translation due to diminished mTORC1 activity in ER-stressed multiple myeloma (MM) cells. However, c-myc protein levels and myc translation was maintained. To ascertain how c-myc was maintained, we studied myc IRES function which does not require mTORC1 activity. Myc IRES activity was upregulated in MM cells during ER stress induced by thapsigargin, tunicamycin or the myeloma therapeutic bortezomib. IRES activity was dependent upon upstream MAPK and MNK1 signaling. A screen identified hnRNP A1 (A1) and RPS 25 as IRES-binding trans factors required for ER stress-activated activity. A1 associated with RPS25 during ER stress and this was prevented by a MNK inhibitor. In a proof of principle, we identified a compound that prevented binding of A1 to the myc IRES and specifically inhibited myc IRES activity in MM cells. This compound, when used alone, was not cytotoxic nor did it inhibit myc translation or protein expression. However, when combined with ER stress inducers, especially bortezomib, a remarkable synergistic cytotoxicity ensued with associated inhibition of myc translation and expression. These results underscore the potential for targeting A1-mediated myc IRES activity in MM cells during ER stress.