1.Exploiting targeted degradation of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases for cancer therapeutics: a review.
Suya ZHENG ; Ye CHEN ; Zhipeng ZHU ; Nan LI ; Chunyu HE ; H Phillip KOEFFLER ; Xin HAN ; Qichun WEI ; Liang XU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(8):713-739
Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell proliferation. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been recognized as essential regulators of the intricate cell cycle, orchestrating DNA replication and transcription, RNA splicing, and protein synthesis. Dysregulation of the CDK pathway is prevalent in the development and progression of human cancers, rendering cyclins and CDKs attractive therapeutic targets. Several CDK4/6 inhibitors have demonstrated promising anti-cancer efficacy and have been successfully translated into clinical use, fueling the development of CDK-targeted therapies. With this enthusiasm for finding novel CDK-targeting anti-cancer agents, there have also been exciting advances in the field of targeted protein degradation through innovative strategies, such as using proteolysis-targeting chimera, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90)-mediated targeting chimera, hydrophobic tag-based protein degradation, and molecular glue. With a focus on the translational potential of cyclin- and CDK-targeting strategies in cancer, this review presents the fundamental roles of cyclins and CDKs in cancer. Furthermore, it summarizes current strategies for the proteasome-dependent targeted degradation of cyclins and CDKs, detailing the underlying mechanisms of action for each approach. A comprehensive overview of the structure and activity of existing CDK degraders is also provided. By examining the structure‒activity relationships, target profiles, and biological effects of reported cyclin/CDK degraders, this review provides a valuable reference for both CDK pathway-targeted biomedical research and cancer therapeutics.
Humans
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Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors*
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Cyclins/metabolism*
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Proteolysis
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Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*
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Molecular Targeted Therapy
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Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism*
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Animals
2.Correlations of degree of myopia in adolescents with axial length, corneal curvature, and axial ratio
Hengjing JI ; Liang LYU ; Like GUAN ; Tianqi HUO ; Chunyu ZHOU ; Lixiao ZHOU
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1678-1682
AIM: To investigate the correlation of degree of myopia in adolescents with axial length, corneal curvature and axial ratio.METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 246 adolescents(492 eyes)aged 8-18 years consecutively enrolled for orthokeratology lens fitting at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between 2021 and 2023 were included based on random sampling method, with 447 eyes finally included due to the elimination of 45 eyes that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Biometric measurements under scotopic conditions assessed axial length(AL), corneal radius of curvature(CR), and AL/CR ratio. Cycloplegic refraction determined spherical equivalent(SE), classifying eyes into mild(216 eyes)or moderate(231 eyes)myopia groups. Furthermore, the correlation of degree of myopia with AL, CR and AL/CR was analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in myopia severity was observed between the 8-12-year-old and 13-18-year-old age groups(all P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences between mild and moderate groups in SE, AL and AL/CR(all P<0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed significant negative correlations of SE with AL and AL/CR(r=-0.531, -0.598, all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve(AUC)for predicting moderate myopia were 0.812(95% CI: 0.773-0.852)for AL/CR combined with gender and age, 0.800(95% CI: 0.759-0.841)for AL/CR alone, 0.726(95% CI: 0.680-0.773)for AL alone, and 0.548(95% CI: 0.494-0.601)for CR alone. The optimal AL/CR cut-off value for predicting moderate myopia was 3.189(sensitivity: 0.632, specificity: 0.852), suggesting its potential as a clinical threshold.CONCLUSION: In adolescents with mild-to-moderate myopia, AL/CR, AL, and SE showed significant negative correlations. The combination of AL/CR with gender and age demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for SE. AL/CR shows independent predictive value for myopia degree in adolescents, irrespective of refractive status.
3.Imaging poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) in vivo with 18F-labeled brain penetrant positron emission tomography (PET) ligand.
Xin ZHOU ; Jiahui CHEN ; Jimmy S PATEL ; Wenqing RAN ; Yinlong LI ; Richard S VAN ; Mostafa M H IBRAHIM ; Chunyu ZHAO ; Yabiao GAO ; Jian RONG ; Ahmad F CHAUDHARY ; Guocong LI ; Junqi HU ; April T DAVENPORT ; James B DAUNAIS ; Yihan SHAO ; Chongzhao RAN ; Thomas L COLLIER ; Achi HAIDER ; David M SCHUSTER ; Allan I LEVEY ; Lu WANG ; Gabriel CORFAS ; Steven H LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5036-5049
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a multifunctional protein involved in diverse cellular functions, notably DNA damage repair. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP1 has therapeutic benefits for various pathologies. Despite the increased use of PARP inhibitors, challenges persist in achieving PARP1 selectivity and effective blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. The development of a PARP1-specific positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand is crucial for understanding disease biology and performing target occupancy studies, which may aid in the development of PARP1-specific inhibitors. In this study, we leverage the recently identified PARP1 inhibitor, AZD9574, to introduce the design and development of its 18F-isotopologue ([18F]AZD9574). Our comprehensive approach, encompassing pharmacological, cellular, autoradiographic, and in vivo PET imaging evaluations in non-human primates, demonstrates the capacity of [18F]AZD9574 to specifically bind to PARP1 and to successfully penetrate the BBB. These findings position [18F]AZD9574 as a viable molecular imaging tool, poised to facilitate the exploration of pathophysiological changes in PARP1 tissue abundance across various diseases.
4.Current status of cognition and skin care behavior in adolescent patients with acne: A survey in China.
Jing TIAN ; Hong SHU ; Qiufang QIAN ; Zhong SHEN ; Chunyu ZHAO ; Li SONG ; Ping LI ; Xiuping HAN ; Hua QIAN ; Jinping CHEN ; Hua WANG ; Lin MA ; Yuan LIANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(4):476-477
5.Study on the degree and axis of astigmatism in myopic primary and secondary school students
Tianqi HUO ; Lixiao ZHOU ; Liang LYU ; Like GUAN ; Hengjing JI ; Chunyu ZHOU
International Eye Science 2024;24(10):1672-1675
AIM: To study the degree of astigmatism, axial distribution and axial symmetry pattern of binocular astigmatism in primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years with myopia.METHODS:A total of 239 cases(478 eyes)of primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years who underwent keratoplasty for myopia correction at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2020 to 2022 were randomly selected, and optometry was performed under ciliary muscle paralysis and was statistically analyzed.RESULTS:Astigmatism degree: 0.25 to 1.00 D accounted for 78.5%, 1.25 to 2.00 D accounted for 17.1%, and >2.00 D accounted for 4.4%. The axial distribution of astigmatism: 86.6% was astigmatism with the rule, 5.9% was astigmatism against the rule, and 7.5% was oblique astigmatism; both genders and different astigmatism degrees were dominated by astigmatism with the rule, and there were differences with the other two axes(both P<0.05). Axial symmetry pattern of astigmatism: the median axial difference in astigmatism between the direct symmetry model and the mirror symmetry model was 7° and 10°, respectively, with no statistical significance in both models(P=0.158), and there was no difference between the two in gender, degree of astigmatism, and axial distribution of astigmatism, but in the age group of 7-12 years old, the difference between the axial astigmatism of the direct symmetry model and the mirror symmetry model was statistically significant(P=0.027).CONCLUSION:The axial distribution of binocular astigmatism in myopic primary and middle school students is mostly astigmatism with the rule; the degree of astigmatism is more common from 0.25 to 1.0 D; however, there is no tendency for axial symmetry pattern of astigmatism.
6.Targets and validation of Salvia miltiorrhiza in myopia through network pharmacology
Xiaonan LU ; Jie LI ; Guangqi AN ; Zhenhui LIU ; Chunyu LIANG ; Shuzhen DAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(4):322-328
Objective:To explore and validate the targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza in myopia using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods:The TCMSP database was used to extract the targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza.GeneCards, DisGeNET, Malacard and OMIM databases were used to extract the myopia-related targets.The target intersection was taken, and the intersecting targets were selected to extract the corresponding active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and construct the pharmacological regulatory network of TCM using Cytoscape.The protein interaction network map for the key target genes was constructed using the String database, and the relevant proteins were selected to download the three-dimensional structures of the active ingredients from the PubChem database, and molecular docking was performed using AutoDockvina software.Twelve 3-week-old guinea pigs were induced with lens-induced myopia (LIM) in the right eye and randomly divided into normal saline group and sodium danshensu group, with 6 animals in each group.During the maintenance of LIM, periocular injection of 1 ml normal saline or sodium danshensu was performed daily.The contralateral eye was used as a negative control.On days 0, 14, and 28 of the experiment, the axial length of both eyes was measured by A-scan ultrasonography, and the refractive status was assessed with a streak retinoscope.To avoid individual differences, relative spherical equivalent (treated eye-contralateral eye) and relative axial length (treated eye-contralateral eye) were compared.On day 28, the relative expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) proteins were determined by Western blot.The feeding and use of laboratory animals followed the 3R principle, and the research program was approved by the Ethics Committee of Experimental Animal Center of Zhengzhou University (No.ZZU-LAC 202320405[02]). Results:Sixteen intersecting key targets were screened for myopia and TCM components derived from Salvia divinorum.A TCM network pharmacology map and protein interaction map were constructed with Salvia divinorum as a drug candidate, and the corresponding proteins of target genes, such as MMP2, TGFB1, and MMP9 were screened to perform molecular docking with the active ingredients, such as lignocellulosic acid, danshensu, tanshinone ⅡA, and so on.After 14 days of induction, the relative spherical equivalent and relative axial length were (-4.67±1.03)D and (0.67±0.26)mm in sodium danshensu group, and (-6.30±1.22)D and (1.08±0.34)mm normal saline group, indicating slower myopia progression and axial elongation in sodium danshensu group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.412, P=0.039; t=2.750, P=0.049). The relative expression levels of HIF-1α protein were 0.20±0.01, 1.29±0.05 and 0.63±0.02, and the relative expression levels of TGF-β1 protein were 0.93±0.05, 0.25±0.01 and 0.74±0.05 in the negative control, normal saline and sodium danshensu groups, respectively.The expression of HIF-1α protein was higher in sodium danshensu group than in negative control group but lower than in the normal saline group, and the expression of TGF-β1 protein was lower in sodium danshensu group than in negative control group but higher than in the normal saline group, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Natural compounds extracted from Salvia divinorum extracts may serve as potential drug candidates to combat scleral hypoxia and improve scleral extracellular matrix remodeling.
7.Mechanism of Zishen Qinggan Prescription in Improving Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Based on Transcriptomics
Jingcun WANG ; Chunyu TIAN ; Fan ZHANG ; Xiaojin LA ; Fanwu WU ; Liang ZHU ; Leilei MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):109-117
ObjectiveBased on network pharmacology and transcriptomics, the mechanism of Zishen Qinggan prescription (ZSQGF) in improving glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) model rats was explored. MethodBased on network pharmacology analysis of the differential genes between ZSQGF and T2DM, gene ontology(GO)analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) analysis were conducted, and molecular docking analysis was used to verify the binding between components and targets. A T2DM rat model was established by high-fat feeding and injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, metformin (Met, 72 mg·kg-1) group, and ZSQGF high-, medium-, and low-dose groups (ZSQGF-H, ZSQGF-M, and ZSQGF-L, with 4.8, 2.4, and 1.2 g·kg-1 raw drug in the solution). The living status of rats was monitored and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in rat serum were detected. The liver tissues were subjected to Hematoxylin eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining. The differential genes were analyzed through transcriptomics, GO and KEGG analysis, and the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was obtained to screen key targets. With network pharmacology and transcriptomics analysis results, the protein pathways were identified. The expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-1 and MMP-9 proteins in liver tissues were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) modifying factor(BMF), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4), and fatty acid synthase(FASN) was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). The expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in the liver was detected by immunofluorescence staining. ResultTranscriptomics and network pharmacology analysis suggested that ZSQGF may protect the liver through the glucose and lipid metabolism pathway and the inflammation pathway. Experiments showed that after 8 weeks of administration, the body weight, blood sugar, serum indicators, and pathological staining results of rats were improved. Western blot results indicated a decrease in the relative expression levels of NF-κB, MMP-1 and MMP-9 proteins in the liver. Real-time PCR results showed a decrease in the transcriptional expression of BMF, NOX4, and FASN in the ZSQGF-H group, while immunofluorescence staining results present decreased expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in the ZSQGF groups. ConclusionZSQGF can improve the glucose and lipid metabolism by inhibiting the expression of FASN, reducing lipid synthesis, and regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway.
8.Results of Lung Cancer Screening with Low-dose Computed Tomography and Exploration of Risk Factors in Guangzhou
LU XUANZHUANG ; QIU QIUXIA ; YANG CHUNYU ; LI CAICHEN ; LI JIANFU ; XIONG SHAN ; CHENG BO ; ZHOU CHUJING ; DU XIAOQIN ; ZHANG YI ; HE JIANXING ; LIANG WENHUA ; ZHONG NANSHAN
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;27(5):345-358
Background and objective Both of lung cancer incidence and mortality rank first among all cancers in China.Previous lung cancer screening trials were mostly selective screening for high-risk groups such as smokers.Non-smoking women accounted for a considerable proportion of lung cancer cases in Asia.This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of community-based mass screening in Guangzhou and identify the high-risk factors for lung cancer.Methods Residents aged 40-74 years in Guangzhou were screened with low-dose computed tomography(LDCT)for lung cancer and the pulmonary nodules were classified and managed according to China National Lung Cancer Screening Guideline with Low-dose Computed Tomography(2018 version).The detection rate of positive nodules was calculated.Before the LDCT examination,residents were required to complete a"lung cancer risk factors questionnaire".The risk factors of the questionnaire were analyzed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)penalized Logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 6256 residents were included in this study.1228 positive nodules(19.63%)and 117 lung cancers were confirmed,including 6 cases of Tis,103 cases of stage Ⅰ(accounting for 88.03%of lung cancer).The results of LASSO penalized Logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥50 yr(OR=1.07,95%CI:1.06-1.07),history of cancer(OR=3.29,95%CI:3.22-3.37),textile industry(OR=1.10,95%CI:1.08-1.13),use coal for cooking in childhood(OR=1.14,95%CI:1.13-1.16)and food al-lergy(OR=1.10,95%CI:1.07-1.13)were risk factors of lung cancer for female in this district.Conclusion This study highlighted that numerous early stages of lung cancer cases were detected by LDCT,which could be applied to screen-ing of lung cancer in women.Besides,age ≥50 yr,personal history of cancer,textile industry and use coal for cooking in childhood are risk factors for women in this district,which suggested that it's high time to raise the awareness of early lung cancer screening in this group.
9.Regulation of Suaeda salsa in renal AIM and macrophage polarization in rats with diabetes kidney disease
Fan ZHANG ; Chunyu TIAN ; Jingcun WANG ; Xiaojin LA ; Liang ZHU ; Hong CHANG ; Biwei ZHANG ; Ji'an LI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(9):1155-1162
Objective:To explore the regulatory effect of Suaeda salsa on renal apoprosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) and macrophage polarization in diabetes kidney disease (DKD) model rats.Methods:A DKD rat model was established using a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were divided into model group, metformin group, and Suaeda salsa high-, medium-, and low-dosage groups using a random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. The normal group was set with 8 rats in this group. The metformin group was given 85.71 mg/kg of metformin solution by gavage, while the Suaeda salsa high-, medium-, and low-dosage groups were given 3.08, 1.54, and 0.77 g/kg of Suaeda salsa suspension by gavage (raw dosage). The normal group and model group were given equal volumes of saline by gavage, once a day, administered by gavage for 12 weeks of intervention. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glucose tolerance (OGTT) were measured, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated; the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosylated serum protein (GSP) were detected; urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and 24-hour urine protein (24 hUP) were detected; HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the kidneys; Masson and PAS staining were used to observe renal tissue fibrosis; Western blot method was used for detecting AIM, CD206, CD86, TNF-α and IL-10 protein levels in renal tissue; Immunofluorescence was used to detect the average optical density values of AIM, CD206, and CD86 proteins in renal tissue.Results:Compared with the model group, the FBG, OGTT AUC, HbA1c, GSP of each dosage group of Suaeda salsa decreased ( P<0.01); the expression levels of AIM, CD206, and IL-10 proteins in renal tissue increased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), while the expression levels of CD86 and TNF-α protein significantly decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05); HE, Masson, and PAS staining results showed that compared with the model group, the changes in renal microvasculature and renal fibrosis of rats in each dosage group of Suaeda salsa were improved. Conclusion:Suaeda salsa may regulate AIM, promote polarization of M2 macrophages, improve the inflammatory microenvironment of macrophages, thereby lowering blood lipids of DKD rats, and improving renal pathological damage.
10.Structure-activity relationship of pyrazol-4-yl-pyridine derivatives and identification of a radiofluorinated probe for imaging the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4.
Ahmed HAIDER ; Xiaoyun DENG ; Olivia MASTROMIHALIS ; Stefanie K PFISTER ; Troels E JEPPESEN ; Zhiwei XIAO ; Vi PHAM ; Shaofa SUN ; Jian RONG ; Chunyu ZHAO ; Jiahui CHEN ; Yinlong LI ; Theresa R CONNORS ; April T DAVENPORT ; James B DAUNAIS ; Vahid HOSSEINI ; Wenqing RAN ; Arthur CHRISTOPOULOS ; Lu WANG ; Celine VALANT ; Steven H LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(1):213-226
There is an accumulating body of evidence implicating the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 4 (M4) in schizophrenia and dementia with Lewy bodies, however, a clinically validated M4 positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand is currently lacking. As such, the aim of this study was to develop a suitable M4 PET ligand that allows the non-invasive visualization of M4 in the brain. Structure-activity relationship studies of pyrazol-4-yl-pyridine derivates led to the discovery of target compound 12 - a subtype-selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM). The radiofluorinated analogue, [18F] 12, was synthesized in 28 ± 10% radiochemical yield, >37 GBq/μmol and an excellent radiochemical purity >99%. Initial in vitro autoradiograms on rodent brain sections were performed in the absence of carbachol and showed moderate specificity as well as a low selectivity of [18F] 12 for the M4-rich striatum. However, in the presence of carbachol, a significant increase in tracer binding was observed in the rat striatum, which was reduced by >60% under blocking conditions, thus indicating that orthosteric ligand interaction is required for efficient binding of [18F] 12 to the allosteric site. Remarkably, however, the presence of carbachol was not required for high specific binding in the non-human primate (NHP) and human striatum, and did not further improve the specificity and selectivity of [18F] 12 in higher species. These results pointed towards significant species-differences and paved the way for a preliminary PET study in NHP, where peak brain uptake of [18F] 12 was found in the putamen and temporal cortex. In conclusion, we report on the identification and preclinical development of the first radiofluorinated M4 PET radioligand with promising attributes. The availability of a clinically validated M4 PET radioligand harbors potential to facilitate drug development and provide a useful diagnostic tool for non-invasive imaging.

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