The stilbenoid tyrosine kinase inhibitor, G6, suppresses Jak2-V617F-mediated human pathological cell growth in vitro and in vivo

J Biol Chem. 2011 Feb 11;286(6):4280-91. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.200774. Epub 2010 Dec 2.

Abstract

Using structure-based virtual screening, we previously identified a novel stilbenoid inhibitor of Jak2 tyrosine kinase named G6. Here, we hypothesized that G6 suppresses Jak2-V617F-mediated human pathological cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We found that G6 inhibited proliferation of the Jak2-V617F expressing human erythroleukemia (HEL) cell line by promoting marked cell cycle arrest and inducing apoptosis. The G6-dependent increase in apoptosis levels was concomitant with increased caspase 3/7 activity and cleavage of PARP. G6 also selectively inhibited phosphorylation of STAT5, a downstream signaling target of Jak2. Using a mouse model of Jak2-V617F-mediated hyperplasia, we found that G6 significantly decreased the percentage of blast cells in the peripheral blood, reduced splenomegaly, and corrected a pathologically low myeloid to erythroid ratio in the bone marrow by eliminating HEL cell engraftment in this tissue. In addition, drug efficacy correlated with the presence of G6 in the plasma, marrow, and spleen. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the stilbenoid compound, G6, suppresses Jak2-V617F-mediated aberrant cell growth. As such, G6 may be a potential therapeutic lead candidate against Jak2-mediated, human disease.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects*
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / enzymology*
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • STAT5 Transcription Factor
  • Stilbenes
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Jak2 protein, mouse
  • Janus Kinase 2