Role of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) in the mechanisms of resistance to histone deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a new group of anticancer drugs with tumor selective toxicity. Normal cells are relatively resistant to HDACi-induced cell death compared with cancer cells. Previously, we found that vorinostat induces DNA breaks in normal and transformed cells, which normal but not cancer cells can repair. In this study, we found that checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), a component of the G2 DNA damage checkpoint, is important in the resistance of normal cells to HDACi in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of Chk1 activity with Chk1 inhibitor (UCN-01, AZD7762, or CHIR-124) in normal cells increases their sensitivity to HDACi (vorinostat, romidepsin, or entinostat) induced cell death, associated with extensive mitotic disruption. Mitotic abnormalities included loss of sister chromatid cohesion and chromosomal disruption. Inhibition of Chk1 did increase HDACi-induced cell death of transformed cells. Thus, Chk1 is an important factor in the resistance of normal cells, and some transformed cells, to HDACi-induced cell death. Use of Chk1 inhibitors in combination with anticancer agents to treat cancers may be associated with substantial toxicity.