GPR35 antagonist CID-2745687 attenuates anchorage-independent cell growth by inhibiting YAP/TAZ activity in colorectal cancer cells

• Main Authors: Wuxiyar Otkur (Author), Xiaolong Liu (Author), Huan Chen (Author), Siyi Li (Author), Ting Ling (Author), Hanchen Lin (Author), Renyu Yang (Author), Tian Xia (Author), Huan Qi (Author), Hai-Long Piao (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1663-9812; 10.3389/fphar.2023.1126119
• Keywords: GPR35; colorectal cancer; YAP/TAZ; anchorage-independent growth; antagonist; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950
• Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology, Vol 14 (2023)

Background and purpose: GPR35, a member of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor, was recently implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether targeting GPR35 by antagonists can inhibit its pro-cancer role has yet to be answered.Experimental approach: We applied antagonist CID-2745687 (CID) in established GPR35 overexpressing and knock-down CRC cell lines to understand its anti-cell proliferation property and the underlying mechanism.Key results: Although GPR35 did not promote cell proliferation in 2D conditions, it promoted anchorage-independent growth in soft-agar, which was reduced by GPR35 knock-down and CID treatment. Furthermore, YAP/TAZ target genes were expressed relatively higher in GPR35 overexpressed cells and lower in GPR35 knock-down cells. YAP/TAZ activity is required for anchorage-independent growth of CRC cells. By detecting YAP/TAZ target genes, performing TEAD4 luciferase reporter assay, and examining YAP phosphorylation and TAZ protein expression level, we found YAP/TAZ activity is positively correlated to GPR35 expression level, which CID disrupted in GPR35 overexpressed cells, but not in GPR35 knock-down cells. Intriguingly, GPR35 agonists did not promote YAP/TAZ activity but ameliorated CID's inhibitory effect; GPR35-promoted YAP/TAZ activity was only partly attenuated by ROCK1/2 inhibitor.Conclusion and implications: GPR35 promoted YAP/TAZ activity partly through Rho-GTPase with its agonist-independent constitutive activity, and CID exhibited its inhibitory effect. GPR35 antagonists are promising anti-cancer agents that target hyperactivation and overexpression of YAP/TAZ in CRC.