Hsp90 inhibitors are efficacious against Kaposi Sarcoma by enhancing the degradation of the essential viral gene LANA, of the viral co-receptor EphA2 as well as other client proteins

PLoS Pathog. 2012;8(11):e1003048. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003048. Epub 2012 Nov 29.

Abstract

Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors exhibit activity against human cancers. We evaluated a series of new, oral bioavailable, chemically diverse Hsp90 inhibitors (PU-H71, AUY922, BIIB021, NVP-BEP800) against Kaposi sarcoma (KS). All Hsp90 inhibitors exhibited nanomolar EC(50) in culture and AUY922 reduced tumor burden in a xenograft model of KS. KS is associated with KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We identified the viral latency associated nuclear antigen (LANA) as a novel client protein of Hsp90 and demonstrate that the Hsp90 inhibitors diminish the level of LANA through proteasomal degradation. These Hsp90 inhibitors also downregulated EphA2 and ephrin-B2 protein levels. LANA is essential for viral maintenance and EphA2 has recently been shown to facilitate KSHV infection; which in turn feeds latent persistence. Further, both molecules are required for KS tumor formation and both were downregulated in response to Hsp90 inhibitors. This provides a rationale for clinical testing of Hsp90 inhibitors in KSHV-associated cancers and in the eradication of latent KSHV reservoirs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proteolysis / drug effects
  • Receptor, EphA2 / genetics
  • Receptor, EphA2 / metabolism*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / drug therapy
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / metabolism*
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Virus Latency / drug effects
  • Virus Latency / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • latency-associated nuclear antigen
  • Receptor, EphA2