Kinome-wide RNAi studies in human multiple myeloma identify vulnerable kinase targets, including a lymphoid-restricted kinase, GRK6

Blood. 2010 Feb 25;115(8):1594-604. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-09-243980. Epub 2009 Dec 7.

Abstract

A paucity of validated kinase targets in human multiple myeloma has delayed clinical deployment of kinase inhibitors in treatment strategies. We therefore conducted a kinome-wide small interfering RNA (siRNA) lethality study in myeloma tumor lines bearing common t(4;14), t(14;16), and t(11;14) translocations to identify critically vulnerable kinases in myeloma tumor cells without regard to preconceived mechanistic notions. Fifteen kinases were repeatedly vulnerable in myeloma cells, including AKT1, AK3L1, AURKA, AURKB, CDC2L1, CDK5R2, FES, FLT4, GAK, GRK6, HK1, PKN1, PLK1, SMG1, and TNK2. Whereas several kinases (PLK1, HK1) were equally vulnerable in epithelial cells, others and particularly G protein-coupled receptor kinase, GRK6, appeared selectively vulnerable in myeloma. GRK6 inhibition was lethal to 6 of 7 myeloma tumor lines but was tolerated in 7 of 7 human cell lines. GRK6 exhibits lymphoid-restricted expression, and from coimmunoprecipitation studies we demonstrate that expression in myeloma cells is regulated via direct association with the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) chaperone. GRK6 silencing causes suppression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation associated with reduction in MCL1 levels and phosphorylation, illustrating a potent mechanism for the cytotoxicity of GRK6 inhibition in multiple myeloma (MM) tumor cells. As mice that lack GRK6 are healthy, inhibition of GRK6 represents a uniquely targeted novel therapeutic strategy in human multiple myeloma.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromosomes, Human / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human / metabolism
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases / genetics
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases / metabolism*
  • Gene Silencing / drug effects
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / enzymology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / genetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Translocation, Genetic / drug effects
  • Translocation, Genetic / genetics

Substances

  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Protein Kinases
  • G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases
  • G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 6