M1-NP1 interfering-peptide inhibits cancer cell proliferation and migration by targeting the transcription factor FOXM1

Multiple cancers overexpress forkhead (FOX) box M1 (FOXM1), a transcription factor (TF) that holds great promise for developing cancer drugs. Herein, through yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) screening, we obtained a novel FOXM1-targeting peptide M1-NP1, which significantly inhibited the cell cycle and migration of cancer cells. Mechanistically, M1-NP1 bound to the C-terminal region of FOXM1 and disrupted its interactions with the cell cycle-related kinase polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and the transcriptional co-activator cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP), thus inhibiting FOXM1 transcriptional activities. Additionally, M1-NP1 affected FOXM1 distribution in cells, preventing FOXM1 from infiltrating the nucleus to exert its effects. Furthermore, M1-NP1 treatment in cancer cells downregulated the gene sets of cell cycle phase transition and upregulated the gene sets of cell adhesion. Moreover, M1-NP1’s anti-cancer effects were confirmed in wild-type (WT) mice, without any notable toxic or side effects. In addition to its good safety indications, such as the low levels of immunogenicity and hemolysis, M1-NP1 also exhibited a favorable profile regarding stability and distribution in mice. Overall, M1-NP1 targets FOXM1 for cancer therapy.