Caprin-1 plays a role in cell proliferation and Warburg metabolism of esophageal carcinoma by regulating METTL3 and WTAP

BACKGROUND

Cytoplasmic activation/proliferation-associated protein-1 (Caprin-1) is implicated in cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis; however, its role in the development of esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) has not been examined.

METHODS

Biological methods and data analysis were used to investigate the expression of Caprin-1 in ESCA tissue and cell lines. We comprehensively analyzed the mRNA expression and prognostic values, signalling pathways of CAPRIN1 in ESCA using public databases online. Biological functions of CAPRIN1 were performed by clorimetric growth assay, EdU staining, colony formation, flow cytometry, apoptosis analysis, Western blot, lactate detection assay, extracellular acidification rates. The underlying mechanism was determined via flow cytometric analysis, Western blot and rescue experiments. In addition, xenograft tumor model was constructed to verify the phenotypes upon CAPRIN1 silencing.

RESULTS

Caprin-1 expression was significantly elevated in both ESCA tumor tissues and cell lines compared with that in normal adjacent tissues and fibroblasts. Increased CAPRIN1 mRNA expression was significantly associated with clinical prognosis and diagnostic accuracy. The GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis CAPRIN1 might be related to immune-related terms, protein binding processes, and metabolic pathways. A significant positive correlation was observed between high Caprin-1 protein levels and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.031), ki-67 (P = 0.023), and 18F- FDG PET/CT parameters (SUVmax (P = 0.002) and SUV mean (P = 0.005)) in 55 ESCA patients. At cut-off values of SUVmax 17.71 and SUVmean 10.14, 18F- FDG PET/CT imaging predicted Caprin-1 expression in ESCA samples with 70.8% sensitivity and 77.4% specificity. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that Caprin-1 knockdown affected ESCA tumor growth. Silencing Caprin-1 inhibited ESCA cell proliferation and glycolysis, and decreased the expression of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) and Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP). However, this effect could be partially reversed by the restoration of METTL3 and WTAP expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that Caprin-1 could serve as a prognostic biomarker and has an oncogenic role in ESCA.

Investigation of novel ligand targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) for cancer drug discovery: complete pharmacophore approach

The Bromodomain (BRD4) and extra-terminal (BET) protein family are reversible; lysine-acetylated epigenetic readers identified as key important epigenetic regulators for protein recognition in posttranslational modifications for targeting cancer for its role in super-enhancers and transcription of oncogene expression in cancer and other forms of cancer and various diseases. Firstly, JQ-1a small potent BET inhibitors, targeting BET proteins were currently in clinical trials to ablate cancer. The identified compounds were taken from the library of preexisting therapeutically potent molecules. The objective of the present study is to identify the potential small molecule inhibitors against BRD4 through in-silico approach for the treatment of cancer. In present study, designed an in-silico screening of small molecules through ligand-based pharmacophore studies against bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD-4) protein and used for virtual screening through Database and their binding affinity and interaction of identified molecules were predicted through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations for 12 fixed time period, Molecular mechanics (MMGBSA) binding free energy calculations, ADME with drug-likeness properties including violations of lipinski's rule of 5, Jorgensens rule of 3 and other parameters were studied. The docking results indicate from the reported database screened molecules were validated with docking score -7.92 to -4.27Kcal/mol for BRD4-BD1 and the best model identified 21 hits. Among these two drugs were filtered and scrutinized for their ability based on binding modes and common interaction, MMGBSA of the highest affinity -54.53 Kcal/mol of BRD4-BD1 and ADME properties of selected molecules were predicted for its various parameters, dynamics studies evaluating its binding stability using Maestro software. In Conclusion, two BRD4 inhibitors were found to bind strongly in the similar binding sites as JQ-1, highlighting the role of BRD4-BD1. These compounds were identified as promising new options for regulating epigenetics and understanding the structural needs of BRD4 protein, further research in these areas could lead to the development of more effective and targeted cancer drugs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Identification of therapeutic sensitivities in a spheroid drug combination screen of Neurofibromatosis Type I associated High Grade Gliomas

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop an array of benign and malignant tumors, of which Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST) and High Grade Gliomas (HGG) have a dismal prognosis. About 15-20% of individuals with NF1 develop brain tumors and one third of these occur outside of the optic pathway. These non-optic pathway gliomas are more likely to progress to malignancy, especially in adults. Despite their low frequency, high grade gliomas have a disproportional effect on the morbidity of NF1 patients. In vitro drug combination screens have not been performed on NF1-associated HGG, hindering our ability to develop informed clinical trials. Here we present the first in vitro drug combination screen (21 compounds alone or in combination with MEK or PI3K inhibitors) on the only human NF1 patient derived HGG cell line available and on three mouse glioma cell lines derived from the NF1-P53 genetically engineered mouse model, which sporadically develop HGG. These mouse glioma cell lines were never exposed to serum, grow as spheres and express markers that are consistent with an Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell (OPC) lineage origin. Importantly, even though the true cell of origin for HGG remains elusive, they are thought to arise from the OPC lineage. We evaluated drug sensitivities of the three murine glioma cell lines in a 3D spheroid growth assay, which more accurately reflects drug sensitivities in vivo. Excitingly, we identified six compounds targeting HDACs, BRD4, CHEK1, BMI-1, CDK1/2/5/9, and the proteasome that potently induced cell death in our NF1-associated HGG. Moreover, several of these inhibitors work synergistically with either MEK or PI3K inhibitors. This study forms the basis for further pre-clinical evaluation of promising targets, with an eventual hope to translate these to the clinic.

Targeting BRD4 and PI3K signaling pathways for the treatment of medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant pediatric brain tumor which shows upregulation of MYC and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. SHH inhibitors face acquired resistance, which is a major cause of relapse. Further, direct MYC oncogene inhibition is challenging, inhibition of MYC upstream insulin-like growth factor/ phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (IGF/PI3K) is a promising alternative. While PI3K inhibition activates resistance mechanisms, simultaneous inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and PI3K can overcome resistance. We synthesized a new molecule 8-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b] [1, 4] dioxin-6-yl)-2-morpholino-4H-chromen-4-one (MDP5) that targets both BRD4 and PI3K pathways. We used X-ray crystal structures and a molecular modeling approach to confirm the interactions between MDP5 with bromo domains (BDs) from both BRD2 and BRD4, and molecular modeling for PI3K binding. MDP5 was shown to inhibit target pathways and MB cell growth in vitro and in vivo. MDP5 showed higher potency in DAOY cells (IC50 5.5 μM) compared to SF2523 (IC50 12.6 μM), and its IC50 values in HD-MB03 cells were like SF2523. Treatment of MB cells with MDP5 significantly decreased colony formation, increased apoptosis, and halted cell cycle progression. Further, MDP5 was well tolerated in NSG mice bearing either xenograft or orthotopic MB tumors at the dose of 20 mg/kg, and significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged animal survival.

Placental transcriptomic signatures of prenatal exposure to Hydroxy-Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

BACKGROUND

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants originating from petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. PAH compounds can cross the placenta, and prenatal PAH exposure is linked to adverse infant and childhood health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

In this first human transcriptomic assessment of PAHs in the placenta, we examined associations between prenatal PAH exposure and placental gene expression to gain insight into mechanisms by which PAHs may disrupt placental function.

METHODS

The ECHO PATHWAYS Consortium quantified prenatal PAH exposure and the placental transcriptome from 629 pregnant participants enrolled in the CANDLE study. Concentrations of 12 monohydroxy-PAH (OH-PAH) metabolites were measured in mid-pregnancy urine using high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Placental transcriptomic data were obtained using paired-end RNA sequencing. Linear models were fitted to estimate covariate-adjusted associations between maternal urinary OH-PAHs and placental gene expression. We performed sex-stratified analyses to evaluate whether associations varied by fetal sex. Selected PAH/gene expression analyses were validated by treating HTR-8/SVneo cells with phenanthrene, and quantifying expression via qPCR.

RESULTS

Urinary concentrations of 6 OH-PAHs were associated with placental expression of 8 genes. Three biological pathways were associated with 4 OH-PAHs. Placental expression of SGF29 and TRIP13 as well as the vitamin digestion and absorption pathway were positively associated with multiple metabolites. HTR-8/SVneo cells treated with phenanthrene also exhibited 23 % increased TRIP13 expression compared to vehicle controls (p = 0.04). Fetal sex may modify the relationship between prenatal OH-PAHs and placental gene expression, as more associations were identified in females than males (45 vs 28 associations).

DISCUSSION

Our study highlights novel genes whose placental expression may be disrupted by OH-PAHs. Increased expression of DNA damage repair gene TRIP13 may represent a response to double-stranded DNA breaks. Increased expression of genes involved in vitamin digestion and metabolism may reflect dietary exposures or represent a compensatory mechanism to combat damage related to OH-PAH toxicity. Further work is needed to study the role of these genes in placental function and their links to perinatal outcomes and lifelong health.

MRPL12 Acts as A Novel Prognostic Biomarker Involved in Immune Cell Infiltration and Tumor Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Mitochondrial ribosomal protein L7/L12 (MRPL12) is a member of the mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRPs). However, the biological function of MRPL12 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. The expression and prognostic value of MRPL12 in LUAD were systematically analyzed using UALCAN, TIMER, HPA, Kaplan-Meier plotter, and GEPIA databases. The relationship between MRPL12 and immune infiltrates was investigated using TIMER and TISIDB databases. The clinical significance of MRPL12 in LUAD patients was validated using a tissue microarray (TMA). Cellular functional experiments were carried out to examine the influences of MRPL12 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. MRPL12 was significantly upregulated in LUAD samples, and high MRPL12 expression was correlated with worse prognosis. MRPL12 expression was markedly associated with immunomodulators, chemokines, and infiltration levels of multiple immune cells. Furthermore, TMA results confirm the upregulation of MRPL12 expression in LUAD, and MRPL12 was identified as an independent prognostic factor in LUAD patients. MRPL12 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells. These data indicate that MRPL12 is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in LUAD. Therefore, MRPL12 shows potential as a therapeutic target for LUAD.

m6A writer WTAP targets NRF2 to accelerate bladder cancer malignancy via m6A-dependent ferroptosis regulation

Recent evidence have indicated that ferroptosis, a novel iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death, plays a critical role in human cancers. Besides, emerging literatures have revealed the ovel function of N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) in bladder cancer physiological. However, the underlying mechanism of m⁶A on bladder cancer is still unclear. Here, present work revealed that m⁶A methyltransferase ('writer') WTAP up-regulated in bladder cancer tissue and cells, indicating the poor prognosis of bladder cancer patients. Functionally, gain/loss-of-functional experiments illustrated that WTAP promoted the viability of bladder cancer cells and inhibited the erastin-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, there was a remarkable m⁶A modification site on 3'-UTR of endogenous antioxidant factor NRF2 RNA and WTAP could install its methylation. Moreover, m⁶A reader YTHDF1 recognized the m⁶A site on NRF2 mRNA and enhanced its mRNA stability. Therefore, these findings demonstrated potential therapeutic strategyies for bladder cancer via m⁶A-dependent manner.

Molecularly Defined Subsets of Ewing Sarcoma Tumors Differ in Their Responses to IGF1R and WEE1 Inhibition

PURPOSE

Targeted cancer therapeutics have not significantly benefited patients with Ewing sarcoma with metastatic or relapsed disease. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of drug resistance can lead to biomarker-driven treatment selection.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway activation was analyzed in tumor cells derived from a panel of Ewing sarcoma tumors, including primary and metastatic tumors from the same patient. Phospho-RTK arrays, Western blots, and IHC were used. Protein localization and the levels of key markers were determined using immunofluorescence. DNA damage tolerance was measured through PCNA ubiquitination levels and the DNA fiber assay. Effects of pharmacologic inhibition were assessed in vitro and key results validated in vivo using patient-derived xenografts.

RESULTS

Ewing sarcoma tumors fell into two groups. In one, IGF1R was predominantly nuclear (nIGF1R), DNA damage tolerance pathway was upregulated, and cells had low replication stress and RRM2B levels and high levels of WEE1 and RAD21. These tumors were relatively insensitive to IGF1R inhibition. The second group had high replication stress and RRM2B, low levels of WEE1 and RAD21, membrane-associated IGF1R (mIGF1R) signaling, and sensitivity to IGF1R or WEE1-targeted inhibitors. Moreover, the matched primary and metastatic tumors differed in IGF1R localization, levels of replication stress, and inhibitor sensitivity. In all instances, combined IGF1R and WEE1 inhibition led to tumor regression.

CONCLUSIONS

IGF1R signaling mechanisms and replication stress levels can vary among Ewing sarcoma tumors (including in the same patient), influencing the effects of IGF1R and WEE1 treatment. These findings make the case for using biopsy-derived predictive biomarkers at multiple stages of Ewing sarcoma disease management.

2: A Novel Potent Platinum(IV) Prodrug Enhances Chemo-Immunotherapy by Facilitating PD-L1 Degradation in the Cytoplasm and Cytomembrane

Platinum drugs as primary chemotherapy drugs have been applied to various cancer patients. However, their therapeutic applicability is limited due to the adverse effects and immunosuppression. To minimize the side effects and boost the immune response, we designed and synthesized platinum(IV) prodrugs that introduced BRD4 inhibitor JQ-1. Among them, CJ2 had the most potent therapeutic activity and less toxicity. With the introduction of ligand JQ-1, CJ2-reduced PD-L1 protein was found in the cytoplasm and cytomembrane for the first time. By interfering with the PD-L1 synthesis, CJ2 could arouse the immune system and promote CD8+ T cell infiltration. Meanwhile, CJ2 could accelerate PD-L1 degradation in the cytoplasm to block DNA damage repair. In vivo, CJ2 markedly suppressed tumor growth by reversing the immunosuppression microenvironment and enhancing DNA damage. These findings provide an effective approach to improve the selectivity and activity of the platinum drugs with elevated immune response.

An integrative pan-cancer analysis reveals the carcinogenic effects of NCAPH in human cancer

BACKGROUND

Non-chromosomal structure maintenance protein condensin complex I subunit H (NCAPH) has been reported to play a regulatory role in a variety of cancers and is associated with tumor poor prognosis. This study aims to explore the potential role of NCAPH with a view to providing insights on pathologic mechanisms.

METHODS

The expression of NCAPH in different tumors was explored by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx). The prognostic value of NCAPH was retrieved through GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases. Tumor Immunity Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to search for the association of NCAPH with tumor immune infiltration. The cBioPortal and PhosphoSite Plus databases showed NCAPH phosphorylation status in tumors. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed using bioinformatics.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that NCAPH showed high expression levels in a wide range of tumor types, and was strongly correlated with the prognosis of patients. Moreover, a higher phosphorylation level at S59, S67, S76, S190, S222 and T38 site was discovered in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). NCAPH overexpression was positively correlated with the infiltration level of CD8+T cells and myeloid dendritic infiltration in breast cancer and thymoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The up-regulation of NCAPH was significantly correlated with the poor prognosis and immune infiltration in pan-cancer, and NCAPH could be served as a potential immunotherapeutic target for cancers.

Therapeutic targets in cancer treatment: Cell cycle proteins

Cancer has been linked to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells and the overexpression of cell-cycle genes. The cell cycle machinery plays a crucial role in the regulation of the apoptosis to mitosis to growth phase progression. The mechanisms of the cell cycle also play an important role in preventing DNA damage. There are multiple members of the protein kinase family that are involved in the activities of the cell cycle. Essential cyclins effectively regulate cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which are themselves adversely regulated by naturally occurring CDK inhibitors. Despite the fact that various compounds can effectively block the cell cycle kinases and being investigated for their potential to fight cancer. This chapter explains the detail of cell cycle and checkpoint regulators, that are crucial to the malignant cellular process. The known CDKs inhibitors and their mechanism of action in various cancers have also been addressed as a step toward the development of a possibly novel technique for the design of new drugs against cell cycle kinase proteins.

Identification of STAG2-Mutant Bladder Cancers by Immunohistochemistry

Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States. Most bladder cancers are early-stage lesions confined to the mucosa or submucosa and are therefore classified as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A minority of tumors are diagnosed after they have invaded the underlying detrusor muscle and are classified as muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Mutational inactivation of the STAG2 tumor suppressor gene is common in bladder cancer, and we and others have recently demonstrated that STAG2 mutation status can be used as an independent prognostic biomarker to predict whether NMIBC will recur and/or progress to MIBC. Here we describe an immunohistochemistry-based assay for identifying the STAG2 mutational status of bladder tumors.

BRD4 Protein as a Target for Lung Cancer and Hematological Cancer Therapy: A Review

The BET protein family plays a crucial role in regulating the epigenetic landscape of the genome. Their role in regulating tumor-related gene expression and its impact on the survival of tumor cells is widely acknowledged. Among the BET family constituents, BRD4 is a significant protein. It is a bromodomain-containing protein located at the outer terminal that recognizes histones that have undergone acetylation. It is present in the promoter or enhancer region of the target gene and is responsible for initiating and sustaining the expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis. BRD4 expression is significantly elevated in various tumor types. Research has indicated that BRD4 plays a significant role in regulating various transcription factors and chromatin modification, as well as in repairing DNA damage and preserving telomere function, ultimately contributing to the survival of cancerous cells. The protein BRD4 has a significant impact on antitumor therapy, particularly in the management of lung cancer and hematological malignancies, and the promising potential of BRD4 inhibitors in the realm of cancer prevention and treatment is a topic of great interest. Therefore, BRD4 is considered a promising candidate for prophylaxis and therapy of neoplastic diseases. However, further research is required to fully comprehend the significance and indispensability of BRD4 in cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Anti‑silencing function 1B promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer by activating c‑Myc

The present study aimed to explore the role of histone chaperone anti‑silencing function 1B (ASF1B) in pancreatic cancer and the underlying mechanism. The biological function of ASF1B was investigated in pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC‑1 and SW1990) and a mouse xenograft model. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to detect the effect of ASF1B on the transcriptional activity of c‑Myc. ASF1B was highly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. ASF1B expression was positively associated with poor survival rates in patients with PAAD. Silencing of ASF1B in PANC‑1 and SW1990 cells inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, ASF1B increased H3K56 acetylation (H3K56ac) in a CREB‑binding protein (CBP)‑dependent manner. ASF1B promoted H3K56ac at the c‑Myc promoter and increased c‑Myc expression. In PANC‑1 and SW1990 cells, the CBP inhibitor curcumin and the c‑Myc inhibitor 10058‑F4 reversed the promoting effects of ASF1B on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In the mouse xenograft model, ASF1B silencing inhibited tumor growth, and was associated with low H3K56ac and c‑Myc expression. ASF1B promoted pancreatic cancer progression by activating c‑Myc via CBP‑mediated H3K56ac.

A homozygous KASH5 frameshift mutation causes diminished ovarian reserve, recurrent miscarriage, and non-obstructive azoospermia in humans

The meiosis-specific LINC complex, composed of the KASH5 and SUN1 proteins, tethers the moving chromosomes to the nuclear envelope to facilitate homolog pairing and is essential for gametogenesis. Here, we applied whole-exome sequencing for a consanguineous family with five siblings suffering from reproductive failure, and identified a homozygous frameshift mutation in KASH5 (c.1270_1273del, p.Arg424Thrfs*20). This mutation leads to the absence of KASH5 protein expression in testes and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) due to meiotic arrest before the pachytene stage in the affected brother. The four sisters displayed diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), with one sister never being pregnant but still having dominant follicle at 35 years old and three sisters suffering from at least 3 miscarriages occurring within the third month of gestation. The truncated KASH5 mutant protein, when expressed in cultured cells, displays a similar localization encircling the nucleus and a weakened interaction with SUN1, as compared with the full-length KASH5 proteins, which provides a potential explanation for the phenotypes in the affected females. This study reported sexual dimorphism for influence of the KASH5 mutation on human germ cell development, and extends the clinical manifestations associated with KASH5 mutations, providing genetic basis for the molecular diagnosis of NOA, DOR, and recurrent miscarriage.

Circular RNA 0000157 depletion protects human bronchial epithelioid cells from cigarette smoke extract-induced human bronchial epithelioid cell injury through the microRNA-149-5p/bromodomain containing 4 pathway

BACKGROUND

Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported to regulate respiratory diseases. In the study, we aimed to elucidate the role of circ_0000157 in smoke-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the inner mechanism.

METHODS

COPD-like cell injury was induced by treating human bronchial epithelioid cells (16HBE) with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). The expression of circ_0000157, miR-149-5p, bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4), BCL2-associated x protein (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blotting. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) production was detected by a lipid peroxidation MDA assay kit. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was analyzed by a SOD activity assay kit.

RESULTS

Circ_0000157 and BRD4 expression were upregulated, while miR-149-5p expression was downregulated in the blood of smokers with COPD and CSE-induced 16HBE cells compared with control groups. CSE treatment inhibited 16HBE cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress; however, these effects were remitted when circ_0000157 expression was decreased. In addition, circ_0000157 acted as a miR-149-5p sponge and regulated CSE-caused 16HBE cell damage by targeting miR-149-5p. The overexpression of BRD4, a target gene of miR-149-5p, attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-149-5p introduction on CSE-induced cell damage. Further, circ_0000157 modulated BRD4 expression by associating with miR-149-5p in CSE-treated 16HBE cells.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0000157 knockdown ameliorated CSE-caused 16HBE cell damage by targeting the miR-149-5p/BRD4 pathway, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for clinic intervention in COPD.

The driving power of the cell cycle: cyclin-dependent kinases, cyclins and their inhibitors

The cell cycle covers cell proliferation and growth and is strictly regulated by cyclin-dependent kinase, cyclins and their inhibitors. Cyclin-dependent kinases are serine/threonine kinases that are activated in certain phases of the cell cycle by regulatory subunits, cyclins, with which they form functional heterodimeric complexes. Under physiological conditions, the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases and cyclins is strictly controlled. The formation of these complexes is inhibited, as needed, either specifically or non-specifically, by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. Progression through the cell cycle is a critical process that drives many aspects of cellular function. The cell cycle is a series of events that occurs in a repeating pattern. Each cell cycle consists of two phases, interphase and mitotic phase. Their dysregulation leads to disruption of cell cycle coordination and uncontrollable cell proliferation, which is the main feature of tumorigenesis (Fig. 1, Ref. 69). Keywords: cell cycle, regulation, cyclin‑dependent kinases, cyclins, inhibitors.

Antitumor Activity of Piceamycin by Upregulation of N-Myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 1 in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Piceamycin (1), a macrocyclic lactam isolated from the silkworm's gut (Streptomyces sp. SD53 strain), reportedly possesses antibacterial activity. However, the potential anticancer activity and molecular processes underlying 1 have yet to be reported. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is high-risk cancer and accounts for 10% of all cancer cases worldwide. The high prevalence of resistance to radiation or chemotherapy means that patients with advanced CRC have a poor prognosis, with high recurrence and metastasis potential. Therefore, the present study investigated the antitumor effect and underlying mechanisms of 1 in CRC cells. The growth-inhibiting effect of 1 in CRC cells was correlated with the upregulation of a tumor suppressor, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1). Additionally, 1 induced G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibited the migration of CRC cells. Notably, 1 disrupted the interaction between NDRG1 and c-Myc in CRC cells. In a mouse model with HCT116-implanted xenografts, the antitumor activity of 1 was confirmed by NDRG1 modulation. Overall, these findings show that 1 is a potential candidate for CRC treatment through regulation of NDGR1-mediated functionality.

Stress-induced reversible cell-cycle arrest requires PRC2/PRC1-mediated control of mitophagy in Drosophila germline stem cells and human iPSCs

Following acute genotoxic stress, both normal and tumorous stem cells can undergo cell-cycle arrest to avoid apoptosis and later re-enter the cell cycle to regenerate daughter cells. However, the mechanism of protective, reversible proliferative arrest, "quiescence," remains unresolved. Here, we show that mitophagy is a prerequisite for reversible quiescence in both irradiated Drosophila germline stem cells (GSCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). In GSCs, mitofission (Drp1) or mitophagy (Pink1/Parkin) genes are essential to enter quiescence, whereas mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α) or fusion (Mfn2) genes are crucial for exiting quiescence. Furthermore, mitophagy-dependent quiescence lies downstream of mTOR- and PRC2-mediated repression and relies on the mitochondrial pool of cyclin E. Mitophagy-dependent reduction of cyclin E in GSCs and in hiPSCs during mTOR inhibition prevents the usual G1/S transition, pushing the cells toward reversible quiescence (G0). This alternative method of G1/S control may present new opportunities for therapeutic purposes.

Novel Approaches for the Solid-Phase Synthesis of Dihydroquinazoline-2(1H)-One Derivatives and Biological Evaluation as Potential Anticancer Agents

In the design of antineoplastic drugs, quinazolinone derivatives are often used as small molecule inhibitors for kinases or receptor kinases, such as the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib, p38MAP kinase inhibitor DQO-501, and BRD4 protein inhibitor PFI-1. A novel and convenient approach for the solid-phase synthesis of dihydroquinazoline-2(1H)-one derivatives was proposed and 19 different compounds were synthesized. Cytotoxicity tests showed that most of the target compounds had anti-proliferative activity against HepG-2, A2780 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Among them, compounds CA1-e and CA1-g had the most potent effect on A2780 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 22.76 and 22.94 μM, respectively. In addition, in an antioxidant assay, the IC₅₀ of CA1-7 was 57.99 μM. According to bioinformatics prediction, ERBB2, SRC, TNF receptor, and AKT1 were predicted to be the key targets and play an essential role in cancer treatment. ADMET prediction suggested 14 of the 19 compounds had good pharmacological properties, i.e., these compounds displayed clinical potential. The correct structure of the final compounds was confirmed based on LC/MS, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR.

Increased MYBL2 expression in aggressive hormone-sensitive prostate cancer

Loss of the histone demethylase KDM5D (lysine-specific demethylase 5D) leads to in vitro resistance of prostate cancer cells to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with and without docetaxel. We aimed to define downstream drivers of the KDM5D effect. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) of the LNCaP cell line (androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma) with and without silenced KDM5D, MYBL2-binding sites were analyzed. Associations between MYBL2 mRNA expression and clinical outcomes were assessed in cohorts of men with localized and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. In vitro assays with silencing and overexpression of MYBL2 and KDM5D in androgen receptor (AR)-positive hormone-sensitive prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and LAPC4, were used to assess their influence on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution, as well as sensitivity to androgen deprivation, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel. We found that silencing KDM5D increased histone H3 lysine K4 (H3K4) trimethylation and increased MYBL2 expression. KDM5D and MYBL2 were negatively correlated with some but not all clinical samples. Higher MYBL2 expression was associated with a higher rate of relapse in localized disease and poorer overall survival in men with metastatic disease in the CHAARTED trial. Lower MYBL2 levels enhanced LNCaP and LAPC4 sensitivity to androgen deprivation and taxanes. In vitro, modifications of KDM5D and MYBL2 altered cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in a cell line-specific manner. These results show that the transcription factor MYBL2 impacts in vitro hormone-sensitive prostate cancer sensitivity to androgen deprivation and taxanes, and lower levels are associated with better clinical outcomes in men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

NUTM1 -rearranged Carcinoma of the Thyroid : A Distinct Subset of NUT Carcinoma Characterized by Frequent NSD3 - NUTM1 Fusions

NUT carcinoma (NC) is a rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma defined by NUTM1 rearrangements encoding NUT fusion oncoproteins (the most frequent fusion partner being BRD4 ) that carries a very poor prognosis, with most patients dying in under 1 year. Only rare primary thyroid NCs have been reported. Here, we evaluated a series of 14 cases. The median patient age at diagnosis was 38 years (range: 17 to 72 y). Eight of 13 cases with slides available for review (62%) showed a morphology typical of NC, whereas 5 (38%) had a non-NC-like morphology, some of which had areas of cribriform or fused follicular architecture resembling a follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinoma. For cases with immunohistochemistry results, 85% (11/13) were positive for NUT on biopsy or resection, though staining was significantly decreased on resection specimens due to fixation; 55% (6/11) were positive for PAX8, and 54% (7/13) for TTF-1. Tumors with a non-NC-like morphology were all positive for PAX8 and TTF-1. The fusion partner was known in 12 cases: 9 (75%) cases had a NSD3-NUTM1 fusion, and 3 (25%) had a BRD4-NUTM1 fusion. For our cohort, the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 69%, and the 5-year OS was 58%. Patients with NC-like tumors had a significantly worse OS compared with that of patients with tumors with a non-NC-like morphology ( P =0.0462). Our study shows that NC of the thyroid can mimic other thyroid primaries, has a high rate of NSD3 - NUTM1 fusions, and an overall more protracted clinical course compared with nonthyroid primary NC.

Analysis of genome-wide knockout mouse database identifies candidate ciliopathy genes

We searched a database of single-gene knockout (KO) mice produced by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) to identify candidate ciliopathy genes. We first screened for phenotypes in mouse lines with both ocular and renal or reproductive trait abnormalities. The STRING protein interaction tool was used to identify interactions between known cilia gene products and those encoded by the genes in individual knockout mouse strains in order to generate a list of "candidate ciliopathy genes." From this list, 32 genes encoded proteins predicted to interact with known ciliopathy proteins. Of these, 25 had no previously described roles in ciliary pathobiology. Histological and morphological evidence of phenotypes found in ciliopathies in knockout mouse lines are presented as examples (genes Abi2, Wdr62, Ap4e1, Dync1li1, and Prkab1). Phenotyping data and descriptions generated on IMPC mouse line are useful for mechanistic studies, target discovery, rare disease diagnosis, and preclinical therapeutic development trials. Here we demonstrate the effective use of the IMPC phenotype data to uncover genes with no previous role in ciliary biology, which may be clinically relevant for identification of novel disease genes implicated in ciliopathies.

An inhibitor of BRD4, GNE987, inhibits the growth of glioblastoma cells by targeting C-Myc and S100A16

PURPOSE

Among children, glioblastomas (GBMs) are a relatively common type of brain tumor. BRD4 expression was elevated in GBM and negatively correlated with the prognosis of glioma. We investigated the anti-GBM effects of a novel BRD4 inhibitor GNE987.

METHODS

We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of GNE987 in vitro and in vivo by Western blot, CCK8, flow cytometry detection, clone formation, the size of xenografts, and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining, and combined ChIP-seq with RNA-seq techniques to find its anti-tumor mechanism.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments showed that GNE987 significantly degraded BRD4, inhibited the proliferation of GBM cells, blocked the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis. Similarly, in vivo experiments, GNE987 also inhibited GBM growth as seen from the size of xenografts and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining. Based on Western blotting, GNE987 can significantly reduce the protein level of C-Myc; meanwhile, we combined ChIP-seq with RNA-seq techniques to confirm that GNE987 downregulated the transcription of S100A16 by disturbing H3K27Ac. Furthermore, we validated that S100A16 is indispensable in GBM growth.

CONCLUSION

GNE987 may be effective against GBM that targets C-Myc expression and influences S100A16 transcription through downregulation of BRD4.

miR-155-5p accelerates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion inflammation injury and cell pyroptosis via DUSP14/ TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is stimulated by blood restoration after ischemic stroke. Inflammatory response and inflammasome activation exerted vital functions in the development of cerebral I/R injury. miR-155-5p regulates inflammatory response in some diseases, while its role in inflammatory response and inflammasome activation of cerebral I/R injury development is unclear. Hence, the research focuses on investigating if miR-155-5p attenuate cerebral I/R injury via regulating inflammatory response and inflammasome activation and exploring the potential mechanism.

METHODS

The oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model and the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model were constructed. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were reflected by CCK-8 assay and LDH activity. The inflammatory cytokines secretion was determined using ELISA assay. Brain tissue infarction was evaluated using TTC staining.

RESULTS

miR-155-5p, Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (TXNIP) and NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) were highly expressed in OGD/R model and MCAO rats. Knockdown of miR-155-5p alleviated cell injury, cell inflammation, and cell pyroptosis stimulated by OGD/R. Besides, miR-155-5p regulated TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway through modulating Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 14 (DUSP14) expression. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-155-5p improved brain tissue infarction and inhibited inflammation response and cell pyroptosis of MCAO rats.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of miR-155-5p attenuated I/R inflammation and cell pyroptosis of cerebral via modulating DUSP14/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway. These findings may provide a promising strategy to attenuate cerebral I/R injury.

Sensitivity of Pathogenic Bacteria Strains to Treated Mine Water

Mine water as a result of meteoric and/or underground water's contact with tailings and underground workings could have an elevated content of metals associated with sulfate, often acidic, due to the bio-oxidation of sulfides. When entering aquatic ecosystems, the mine water can cause significant changes in the species' trophic levels, therefore a treatment is required to adjust the alkalinity and to remove the heavy metals and metalloids. The conventional mine water treatment removes metals, but in many cases it does not reduce the sulfate content. This paper aimed to predict the impact of conventionally treated mine water on the receiving river by assessing the genotoxic activity on an engineered Escherichia coli and by evaluating the toxic effects generated on two Gram-negative bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Although the main chemical impact is the severe increases of calcium and sulfate concentrations, no significant genotoxic characteristics were detected on the Escherichia coli strain and on the cell-viability with a positive survival rate higher than 80%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more resistant than Escherichia coli in the presence of 1890 mg SO₄^2-/L. This paper reveals different sensitivities and adaptabilities of pathogenic bacteria to high concentrations of sulfates in mine waters.

Discovery of host-directed modulators of virus infection by probing the SARS-CoV-2-host protein-protein interaction network

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need to better understand virus-host interactions. We developed a network-based method that expands the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-host protein interaction network and identifies host targets that modulate viral infection. To disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 interactome, we systematically probed for potent compounds that selectively target the identified host proteins with high expression in cells relevant to COVID-19. We experimentally tested seven chemical inhibitors of the identified host proteins for modulation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in human cells that express ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Inhibition of the epigenetic regulators bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), along with ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP10), enhanced SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such proviral effect was observed upon treatment with compounds JQ1, vorinostat, romidepsin and spautin-1, when measured by cytopathic effect and validated by viral RNA assays, suggesting that the host proteins HDAC2, BRD4 and USP10 have antiviral functions. We observed marked differences in antiviral effects across cell lines, which may have consequences for identification of selective modulators of viral infection or potential antiviral therapeutics. While network-based approaches enable systematic identification of host targets and selective compounds that may modulate the SARS-CoV-2 interactome, further developments are warranted to increase their accuracy and cell-context specificity.

Target Mechanisms of the Cyanotoxin Cylindrospermopsin in Immortalized Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cyanobacterial toxin that occurs in aquatic environments worldwide. It is known for its delayed effects in animals and humans such as inhibition of protein synthesis or genotoxicity. The molecular targets and the cell physiological mechanisms of CYN, however, are not well studied. As inhalation of CYN-containing aerosols has been identified as a relevant route of CYN uptake, we analyzed the effects of CYN on protein expression in cultures of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o^-) using a proteomic approach. Proteins whose expression levels were affected by CYN belonged to several functional clusters, mainly regulation of protein stability, cellular adhesion and integration in the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and completion of cytokinesis. With a few exceptions of upregulated proteins (e.g., ITI inhibitor of serine endopeptidases and mRNA stabilizer PABPC1), CYN mediated the downregulation of many proteins. Among these, centrosomal protein 55 (CEP55) and osteonectin (SPARC) were significantly reduced in their abundance. Results of the detailed semi-quantitative Western blot analyses of SPARC, claudin-6, and CEP55 supported the findings from the proteomic study that epithelial cell adhesion, attenuation of cell proliferation, delayed completion of mitosis, as well as induction of genomic instability are major effects of CYN in eukaryotic cells.

BET inhibition triggers antitumor immunity by enhancing MHC class I expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BET inhibition has been shown to have a promising antitumor effect in multiple tumors. However, the impact of BET inhibition on antitumor immunity was still not well documented in HNSCC. In this study, we aim to assess the functional role of BET inhibition in antitumor immunity and clarify its mechanism. We show that BRD4 is highly expressed in HNSCC and inversely correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells. BET inhibition potentiates CD8+ T cell-based antitumor immunity in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, BRD4 acts as a transcriptional suppressor and represses the expression of MHC class I molecules by recruiting G9a. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic depletion of BRD4 potently increases the expression of MHC class I molecules in the absence and presence of IFN-γ. Moreover, compared to PD-1 blocking antibody treatment or JQ1 treatment individually, the combination of BET inhibition with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment significantly enhances the antitumor response in HNSCC. Taken together, our data unveil a novel mechanism by which BET inhibition potentiates antitumor immunity via promoting the expression of MHC class I molecules and provides a rationale for the combination of ICBs with BET inhibitors for HNSCC treatment.

The Neuroscience-based Nomenclature Child & Adolescent (NbN C&A) for Psychotropic Medications: Innovation in Progress

To address the issues with the current nomenclature of psychotropic agents, which may be misleading or confusing, the Neuroscience-based Nomenclature (NbN) started being developed in 2009. It was introduced as one approach to the classification of pharmacological treatments based on a medication's putative psychopharmacological mechanisms of action derived from preclinical and clinical studies. In 2018, the NbN-Child & Adolescent (NbN C&A) was released. Since then, the NbN C&A has been refined, and its website and app (https://nbnca.com/) have been implemented. JAACAP encourages its authors and readers to consider utilizing the NbN C&A and to keep abreast of its developments over time. This is in line with the core missions of the Journal: to contribute to the translation and implementation of the most up-to-date science into real-world clinical practice. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science.

1,4-Dihydropyridinebutyrolactone-derived ring-opened ester and amide analogs targeting BET bromodomains

Based on a previously reported 1,4-dihydropyridinebutyrolactone virtual screening hit, nine lactone ring-opened ester and seven amide analogs were prepared. The analogs were designed to provide interactions with residues at the entrance of the ZA loop of the testis-specific bromodomain (ZA) channel to enhance the affinity and selectivity for the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) subfamily of bromodomains. Compound testing by AlphaScreen showed that neither the affinity nor the selectivity of the ester and lactam analogs was improved for BRD4-1 and the first bromodomain of the testis-specific bromodomain (BRDT-1). The esters retained affinity comparable to the parent compound, whereas the affinity for the amide analogs was reduced 10-fold. A representative benzyl ester analog was found to retain high selectivity for BET bromodomains as shown by a BROMOscan. X-ray analysis of the allyl ester analog in complex with BRD4-1 and BRDT-1 revealed that the ester side chain is located next to the ZA loop and solvent exposed.

Genome-wide meta-analysis for Alzheimer's disease cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers

Amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) and phosphorylated tau (pTau) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reflect core features of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) more directly than clinical diagnosis. Initiated by the European Alzheimer & Dementia Biobank (EADB), the largest collaborative effort on genetics underlying CSF biomarkers was established, including 31 cohorts with a total of 13,116 individuals (discovery n = 8074; replication n = 5042 individuals). Besides the APOE locus, novel associations with two other well-established AD risk loci were observed; CR1 was shown a locus for Aβ42 and BIN1 for pTau. GMNC and C16orf95 were further identified as loci for pTau, of which the latter is novel. Clustering methods exploring the influence of all known AD risk loci on the CSF protein levels, revealed 4 biological categories suggesting multiple Aβ42 and pTau related biological pathways involved in the etiology of AD. In functional follow-up analyses, GMNC and C16orf95 both associated with lateral ventricular volume, implying an overlap in genetic etiology for tau levels and brain ventricular volume.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Over 170,000 Individuals from the UK Biobank Identifies Seven Loci Associated with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet

Diet is a modifiable risk factor for common chronic diseases and mental health disorders, and its effects are under partial genetic control. To estimate the impact of diet on individual health, most epidemiological and genetic studies have focused on individual aspects of dietary intake. However, analysing individual food groups in isolation does not capture the complexity of the whole diet pattern. Dietary indices enable a holistic estimation of diet and account for the intercorrelations between food and nutrients. In this study we performed the first ever genome-wide association study (GWA) including 173,701 individuals from the UK Biobank to identify genetic variants associated with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. DASH was calculated using the 24 h-recall questionnaire collected by UK Biobank. The GWA was performed using a linear mixed model implemented in BOLT-LMM. We identified seven independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with DASH. Significant genetic correlations were observed between DASH and several educational traits with a significant enrichment for genes involved in the AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) activation that controls the appetite by regulating the signalling in the hypothalamus. The colocalization analysis implicates genes involved in body mass index (BMI)/obesity and neuroticism (ARPP21, RP11-62H7.2, MFHAS1, RHEBL1). The Mendelian randomisation analysis suggested that increased DASH score, which reflect a healthy diet style, is causal of lower glucose, and insulin levels. These findings further our knowledge of the pathways underlying the relationship between diet and health outcomes. They may have significant implications for global public health and provide future dietary recommendations for the prevention of common chronic diseases.

LncRNA ALMS1-IT1 is a novel prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in colon adenocarcinoma

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is one of the most serious cancers. It is important to accurately predict prognosis and provide individualized treatment. Evidence suggests that clinicopathological features and immune status of the body are related to the occurrence and development of cancer. Expression of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) ALMS1 intronic transcript 1 (ALMS1-IT1) is observed in some cancer types, and we believe that it may have the potential to serve as a marker of COAD. Therefore, we used the data obtained from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database to prove the relationship between ALMS1-IT1 and COAD. Wilcoxon rank sum test, Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and logistic regression were used to evaluate relationships between clinical-pathologic features and ALMS1-IT1 expression. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to describe binary classifier value of ALMS1-IT1 using area under curve score. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate factors contributing to prognosis. Gene oncology (GO) and (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) KEGG enrichment analysis were used to predict the function of differentially expressed genes associated with ALMS1-IT1. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to predict canonical pathways associated with ALMS1-IT1.Immune infiltration analysis was performed to identify the significantly involved functions of ALMS1-IT1. Starbase database was used to predict miRNAs and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that may interact with ALMS1-IT1. Increased ALMS1-IT1 expression in COAD was associated with N stage (P < .001), M stage (P = .003), Pathologic stage (P = .002), and Primary therapy outcome (P = .009). Receiver operating characteristic curve suggested the significant diagnostic and prognostic ability of ALMS1-IT1 (area under curve = 0.857). High ALMS1-IT1 expression predicted a poorer overall-survival (P = .005) and poorer progression-free interval (PFI) (P = .012), and ALMS1-IT1 expression was independently correlated with PFI in COAD patients (hazard ratio (HR) :1.468; 95% CI: 1.029-2.093; P =.034) (HR: 1.468; 95% CI: 1.029-2.093; P = .034). GO, KEGG, GSEA, and immune infiltration analysis showed that ALMS1-IT1 expression was correlated with regulating the function of DNA and some types of immune infiltrating cells. ALMS1-IT1 expression was significantly correlated with poor survival and immune infiltrations in COAD, and it may be a promising prognostic biomarker in COAD.

SMC complexes can traverse physical roadblocks bigger than their ring size

Ring-shaped structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes like condensin and cohesin extrude loops of DNA. It remains, however, unclear how they can extrude DNA loops in chromatin that is bound with proteins. Here, we use in vitro single-molecule visualization to show that nucleosomes, RNA polymerase, and dCas9 pose virtually no barrier to loop extrusion by yeast condensin. We find that even DNA-bound nanoparticles as large as 200 nm, much bigger than the SMC ring size, also translocate into DNA loops during extrusion by condensin and cohesin. This even occurs for a single-chain version of cohesin in which the ring-forming subunits are covalently linked and cannot open to entrap DNA. The data show that SMC-driven loop extrusion has surprisingly little difficulty in accommodating large roadblocks into the loop. The findings also show that the extruded DNA does not pass through the SMC ring (pseudo)topologically, hence pointing to a nontopological mechanism for DNA loop extrusion.

Targeting A-kinase anchoring protein 12 phosphorylation in hepatic stellate cells regulates liver injury and fibrosis in mouse models

Trans-differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to activated state potentiates liver fibrosis through release of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, distorting the liver architecture. Since limited antifibrotics are available, pharmacological intervention targeting activated HSCs may be considered for therapy. A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) is a scaffolding protein that directs protein kinases A/C (PKA/PKC) and cyclins to specific locations spatiotemporally controlling their biological effects. It has been shown that AKAP12's scaffolding functions are altered by phosphorylation. In previously published work, observed an association between AKAP12 phosphorylation and HSC activation. In this work, we demonstrate that AKAP12's scaffolding activity toward the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident collagen chaperone, heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) is strongly inhibited by AKAP12's site-specific phosphorylation in activated HSCs. CRISPR-directed gene editing of AKAP12's phospho-sites restores its scaffolding toward HSP47, inhibiting HSP47's collagen maturation functions, and HSC activation. AKAP12 phospho-editing dramatically inhibits fibrosis, ER stress response, HSC inflammatory signaling, and liver injury in mice. Our overall findings suggest a pro-fibrogenic role of AKAP12 phosphorylation that may be targeted for therapeutic intervention in liver fibrosis.

Targeting Plk1 Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer to Immune Checkpoint Therapy

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) plays an important role in cell-cycle regulation. Recent work has suggested that Plk1 could be a biomarker of gemcitabine response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although targeting Plk1 to treat PDAC has been attempted in clinical trials, the results were not promising, and the mechanisms of resistance to Plk1 inhibition is poorly understood. In addition, the role of Plk1 in PDAC progression requires further elucidation. Here, we showed that Plk1 was associated with poor outcomes in patients with PDAC. In an inducible transgenic mouse line with specific expression of Plk1 in the pancreas, Plk1 overexpression significantly inhibited caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and delayed development of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Bioinformatics analyses identified the regulatory networks in which Plk1 is involved in PDAC disease progression, including multiple inflammation-related pathways. Unexpectedly, inhibition or depletion of Plk1 resulted in upregulation of PD-L1 via activation of the NF-κB pathway. Mechanistically, Plk1-mediated phosphorylation of RB at S758 inhibited the translocation of NF-κB to nucleus, inactivating the pathway. Inhibition of Plk1 sensitized PDAC to immune checkpoint blockade therapy through activation of an antitumor immune response. Together, Plk1 suppresses PDAC progression and inhibits NF-κB activity, and targeting Plk1 can potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy in PDAC.

SIGNIFICANCE

Inhibition of Plk1 induces upregulation of PD-L1 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, stimulating antitumor immunity and sensitizing tumors to immunotherapy.

FOXM1-mediated NUF2 expression confers temozolomide resistance to human glioma cells by regulating autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Glioma is the most common malignant tumor in the central nervous system and has a high mortality rate. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug for glioma. NDC80 kinetochore complex (NUF2) is suggested to play a regulatory role in different cancers, but its specific function and mechanism in glioblastoma TMZ resistance remain unknown. NUF2, assessed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), was highly expressed in glioma cell lines. TMZ was used to treat cells to establish a TMZ-resistant cell line. The potential functions of NUF2 in glioma were assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, colony formation assays, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and a tumor xenograft model. The results showed that NUF2 knockdown attenuated malignant phenotypes of TMZ-resistant cells and prevented tumor growth. Mechanistically, as luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) as showed, Fox transcription factor M1 (FOXM1) had binding sites on the NUF2 promoter. Rescue assays demonstrated that FOXM1 upregulation counteracted the inhibitory effects of NUF2 depletion on the malignancies of TMZ-resistant cells. This study demonstrates that FOXM1-activated NUF2 promotes TMZ to human glioma cells by regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy.

Hybrid consensus and k-nearest neighbours (kNN) strategies to classify dual BRD4/PLK1 inhibitors

A novel decision-making procedure is proposed here for the first time to identify active/inactive and selective/non-selective dual inhibitors using consensus approaches and pools of k-nearest neighbours (kNN) classifications instead of individual models. Dual BRD4/PLK1 inhibition with adequate selectivity is a potential therapeutic strategy for targeting tumour cells in high-risk patients. We report the unique way to identify both active and selective dual BRD4/PLK1 inhibitors using consensus and kNN strategies together with two sources of receptor-based and ligand-based information which are the ranked binding energies of residues and important molecular features, respectively. The results of consensus approaches were compared with the results of individual kNN models. The chemical space similarity was measured using three different distance functions to increase the reliability. All activity and selectivity classification models were validated using cross-validation and y-randomization tests. The outcomes show that consensus approaches can increase the reliability and accuracy of active/inactive or selective/non-selective detections up to 90%. Consensus approaches also reached more balanced values of sensitivity and specificity compared to the individual kNN models because of the compensation in the integration of diverse sources of information.

BET-ting on histone proteomics in schizophrenia

In a recent study, Farrelly, Zheng, and colleagues used a histone proteomics approach and patient-derived neurons to show increase in histone variant H2A.Z acetylation associated with schizophrenia (SCZ). They identified the bromo- and extraterminal (BET) protein BRD4 as an H2A.Z acetylation 'reader', and showed that a BRD4 inhibitor ameliorated the SCZ-associated transcriptional signature, revealing a new candidate target for treatment.

MicroRNA-23a-3p promotes macrophage M1 polarization and aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by regulating PLK1/STAT1/STAT3 signalling

Macrophage polarization is an important effector process in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by sepsis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important players in regulating ALI process. Here, we showed that elevated microRNA-23a-3p (miR-23a-3p) promoted LPS-induced macrophage polarization and ALI in mice, while inhibition of miR-23a-3p led to reduced macrophage response and ameliorated ALI inflammation. Mechanically, miR-23a-3p regulated macrophage M1 polarization through targeting polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). PLK1 was downregulated in LPS-treated macrophages and ALI mouse lung tissues. Knockdown of PLK1 increased macrophage M1 polarization through promoting STAT1/STAT3 activation, while overexpression of PLK1 reduced macrophage immune response. Collectively, our results reveal a key miRNA regulon that regulates macrophage polarization for LPS-induced immune response.

Loss of Expression of Antiangiogenic Protein FKBPL in Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma: Implications for Clinical Practice

Background and Objectives: FK506 binding protein like (FKBPL) is a member of the immunophilin family, with anti-angiogenic effects capable of inhibiting the migration of endothelial cells and blood vessel formation. Its role as an inhibitor of tumor growth and angiogenesis has previously been shown in studies with breast and ovarian cancer. The role of FKBPL in angiogenesis, growth, and carcinogenesis of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of FKBPL in EEC and benign endometrial hyperplasia (BEH) and its correlation with the expression of vascular endothelial factor-A (VEGF-A) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Materials and Methods: Specimens from 89 patients with EEC and 40 patients with BEH, as well as histological, clinical, and demographic data, were obtained from the Clinical Hospital Centre Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia over a 10-year period (2010−2020). Immunohistochemical staining of the tissue was performed for FKBPL, VEGF-A, and ERα. Slides were analyzed blind by two pathologists, who measured the intensity of FKBPL and VEGF-A expression and used the Allred score to determine the level of ERα expression. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis showed moderate to high intensity of FKBPL expression in 97.5% (n = 39) of samples of BEH, and low or no expression in 93.3% (n = 83) of cases of EEC. FKBPL staining showed a high positive predictive value (98.8%) and a high negative predictive value for malignant diagnosis (86.7%). The difference in FKBPL expression between EEC and BEH was statistically significant (p < 0.001), showing a decrease in intensity and loss of expression in malignant tissues of the endometrium. FKBPL expression was positively correlated with ERα expression (intensity, percentage and high Allred score values) and negatively correlated with the expression of VEGF-A (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: FKBPL protein expression demonstrated a significant decrease in FKBPL in EEC in comparison to BEH tissue, with a high predictive value for malignancy. FKBPL might be emerging as a significant protein with antiangiogenic and antineoplastic effects, showing great promise for the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of its therapeutic derivatives in gynecological oncology.

Bioinformatics-based identification of key genes and pathways associated with colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known to display a high risk of metastasis and recurrence. The main objective of our investigation was to shed more light on CRC pathogenesis by screening CRC datasets for the identification of key genes and signaling pathways, possibly leading to new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of CRC. We downloaded the colorectal cancer datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database site. We used GEO2R to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of which those with a fold change >1 were considered as up-regulated and those with a fold change <-1 were considered as down-regulated on the basis of a P < .05. "Gene ontology (GO)" and "Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)" data were analyzed by the "DAVID" software. The online search tool "STRING" was used to search for interacting genes or proteins and we used Cytoscape (v3.8.0) to generate a PPI network map and to identify key genes. Finally, survival analysis and stage mapping of key genes were performed using "GEPIA" with the aim of elucidating their potential impact on CRC. Our study revealed 120 intersecting genes of which 55 were up- and 65 were downregulated, respectively. GO analysis revealed that these genes were involved in cell proliferation, exosome secretion, G2/M transition, cytosol, protein binding, and protein kinase activity. KEGG pathway analysis showed that these genes were involved in cell cycle and mineral absorption. The Cytoscape PPI map showed 17 nodes and 262 edges, and 10 hub genes were identified by top 10 degrees. Survival analysis demonstrated that the AURKA, CCNB1, and CCNA2 genes were strongly associated with the survival rate of CRC patients. In addition, CCNB1, CCNA2, CDK1, CKS2, MAD2L1, and DLGAP5 could be correlated to pathological CRC staging. In this research, we identified key genes that may explain the molecular mechanism of occurrence and progression of CRC but may also contribute to an improvement in the clinical staging and prognosis of CRC patients.

Impact of high altitude on the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism and its genetic susceptibility: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

The effect of high-altitude (HA) on venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its mechanism remains ambiguous. To clarify this, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the incidence of VTE at HA and comparatively low altitude (LA) and figure out the intrinsic risk factors such as susceptibility genes of patients with VTE at HA.

METHODS

We selected studies that explored the risk factors for HA and VTE by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to analyze the impact of HA on VTE. All relevant studies before August 2021 were screened using the terms ([high altitude] OR [plateau] OR [mountain]) AND ([venous thromboembolism] OR [deep vein thrombosis] OR [pulmonary embolism]). Latest studies on the gene of HA-VTE patients were also summarized and analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were eventually assessed, and the overall numbers of subjects with and without VTE were 1475 and 286,926 respectively. The overall incidence of VTE, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the HA group was significantly higher than that in the LA group (P < 0.01). The overall incidence of VTE, DVT and PE in the HA group was significantly higher than that in the LA group at 30 days post operation (P < 0.05, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). At 90 days post operation, incidence of VTE and PE in the HA group was higher than that in the LA group (P < 0.01and P < 0.01, respectively), but there was no difference in the incidence of DVT (P = 0.07). Regarding endogenous factors, the analysis of genes in patients with HA-VTE revealed numerous targeted genes such as ANG, ACE, lncRNA-LINC00 659/UXT-AS1 and GP4.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a significant association between HA and the overall incidence of VTE and that at 30/90 days post operation, indicating that HA may be a risk factor for VTE.

Label-free electrochemical immunosensor for picomolar detection of the cervical cancer biomarker MCM5

An immunosensor for label-free electrochemical detection of MiniChromosome Maintenance Protein 5, MCM5, a protein overexpressed in cervical cancer, based on a gold electrode is reported. The electrode was first modified with a submonolayer (capture layer) of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA) and then activated with N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) to immobilize the capture antibody. The change in electrode surface properties (wettability) during the formation of the 11-MUA layers was determined using the static water contact angle (WCA). The binding of MCM5 antigens to the capture antibody was monitored by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using 5 mM [Fe(CN)⁶]^3-/4- in 0.1 M LiClO₄(aq) as an electroactive probe. AC Impedance was used to measure charge transfer resistance (R_ct), which reflects impeded electron transfer when the antigen is bound to the antibody functionalized surface. After exposing the antibody-functionalized surface to MCM5 antigens, R_ct increases linearly with the logarithmic value of MCM5 antigen concentration, with a linear dynamic range of 10^-6 to 10^-11 g/mL, a correlation coefficient of 0.99, and a detection limit of 2.9 pM (10^-11 g/mL). This excellent sensitivity was achieved with simple preparation steps and minimal reagent consumption, without the need for complicated procedures such as enzymatic amplification, fluorescent labeling, or nanoparticle modification.

BI6727, a polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor, synergizes with gefitinib to suppress hepatocellular carcinoma cells via a G2/M arrest mechanism

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death, which indicates that efficient intervention agents or strategies against HCC are urgently needed. In the present study, we firstly found that a combination of gefitinib (an ep i dermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor) and B I 6727 (a pol o -like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor) could significantly inhibit cell proliferation of HCC cells, which attenuated acquired resistance of gefitinib in HCC cells. Interestingly, our results showed that these anti-tumor effects of gefitinib in combination with BI6727 were associated with G2/M arrest. Moreover, further study revealed that BI6727 could downregulate the protein levels of cell division cycle 25C (Cdc25C) via ubiquitination-dependent pathway, which subsequently induced G2/M arrest. Furthermore, two critical checkpoints proteins ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (p-ATM)/ ATM and Rad-3 related(p-ATR) and another hallmark phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX ) of DNA damage were positively regulated in HCC cells exposed to gefitinib in combination with BI6727. These results indicated that co-treatment induced G2/M arrest was closely related to DNA damage. In summary, the present study discovered that gefitinib synergizing with BI6727 could significantly facilitate DNA damage and overcome acquired resistance of HCC cells to gefitinib. Our study provides a promising approach for the combination of EGFR inhibitors and PLK1 inhibitors in the clinical treatment for HCC.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses hemin-aggravated colon carcinogenesis through Nrf2-inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have presented evidence to support the significant association between red meat intake and colon cancer, suggesting that heme iron plays a key role in colon carcinogenesis. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea, exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects. However, the effect of EGCG on red meat-associated colon carcinogenesis is not well understood.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of hemin and EGCG on colon carcinogenesis and the underlying mechanism of action.

METHODS

Hemin and EGCG were treated in Caco2 cells to perform the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay, lactate dehydrogenase release assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot. We investigated the regulatory effects of hemin and EGCG on an azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colon carcinogenesis mouse model.

RESULTS

In Caco2 cells, hemin increased cell proliferation and the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, and ROS levels. EGCG suppressed hemin-induced cell proliferation and cell cycle regulatory protein expression as well as mitochondrial ROS accumulation. Hemin increased nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, but decreased Keap1 expression. EGCG enhanced hemin-induced Nrf2 and antioxidant gene expression. Nrf2 inhibitor reversed EGCG reduced cell proliferation and cell cycle regulatory protein expression. In AOM/DSS mice, hemin treatment induced hyperplastic changes in colon tissues, inhibited by EGCG supplementation. EGCG reduced the hemin-induced numbers of total aberrant crypts and malondialdehyde concentration in the AOM/DSS model.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that EGCG reduced hemin-induced proliferation and colon carcinogenesis through Nrf2-inhibited mitochondrial ROS accumulation.

NUTM1-fusion positive malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary tract: A report of six cases highlighting involvement of unusual anatomic locations and histologic heterogeneity

Tumors with NUTM1 fusions occur predominantly in the thoracic cavity and head and neck region. However, recent literature expanded the location of NUTM1-translocated malignancy to soft tissue, brain, and visceral organs. In this study, we describe the first series of six NUTM1-translocated carcinomas and sarcomas occurring in the genitourinary tract. The sites of origin were kidney (n = 2), bladder (n = 3), and penis (n = 1). All tumors occurred in adulthood (range: 30-78 years). The histologic features were heterogeneous, showing epithelial, spindle cell, or primitive small blue round cell morphology. Glandular architecture, keratinization, rhabdoid cells, or myxoid-to-edematous stromal component were also noted. In three cases, features were in keeping with a carcinoma (two from kidney and one from bladder), whereas the remaining three were classified as malignant undifferentiated neoplasm (MUN)/sarcoma. Fusion partners detected in four cases tested by either FISH and/or RNA sequencing were BRD4 in two kidney tumors, MXD1 in a bladder sarcoma, and MXD4 in a penile sarcoma. NUT immunostain showed diffuse spiculated positivity in five cases. Immunopositivity for various cytokeratins was noted in two tumors. The outcome of NUTM1-rearranged genitourinary malignancy was dismal: four of five cases with follow-up developed distant metastasis, and three suffered disease-specific death. In conclusion, NUTM1-rearranged carcinoma and sarcoma can affect the genitourinary tract, including kidney, bladder, and penis. Histologic features and keratin immunoexpression are highly variable. A NUTM1-fusion positive malignancy may be included in the differential diagnosis of a MUN of the genitourinary tract given the dismal outcome and the existing BET-targeted therapy for tumors with BRD3/4::NUTM1 fusion.

Leukemia/lymphoma-related factor (LRF) or osteoclast zinc finger protein (OCZF) overexpression promotes osteoclast survival by increasing Bcl-xl mRNA: A novel regulatory mechanism mediated by the RNA binding protein SAM68

RANKL induces NFATc1, a key transcriptional factor to induce osteoclast-specific genes such as cathepsin K, whereas transcriptional control of osteoclast survival is not fully understood. Leukemia/lymphoma-related factor (LRF) in mouse and osteoclast zinc finger protein (OCZF) in rat are zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein (zBTB) family of transcriptional regulators, and are critical regulators of hematopoiesis. We have previously shown that differentiation and survival were enhanced in osteoclasts from OCZF-Transgenic (Tg) mice. In the present study, we show a possible mechanism of osteoclast survival regulated by LRF/OCZF and the role of OCZF overexpression in pathological bone loss. In the in vitro cultures, LRF was highly colocalized with NFATc1 in cells of early stage in osteoclastogenesis, but only LRF expression persisted after differentiation into mature osteoclasts. LRF expression was further enhanced in resorbing osteoclasts formed on dentin slices. Osteoclast survival inhibitor such as alendronate, a bisphosphonate reduced LRF expression. Micro CT evaluation revealed that femurs of OCZF-Tg mice showed significantly lower bone volume compared to that of WT mice. Furthermore, OCZF overexpression markedly promoted bone loss in ovariectomy-induced osteolytic mouse model. The expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl mRNA, which is formed by alternative splicing, was enhanced in the cultures in which osteoclasts are formed from OCZF-Tg mice. In contrast, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-xs mRNA was lost in the culture derived from OCZF-Tg mice. We found that the expression levels of RNA binding splicing regulator, Src substrate associated in mitosis of 68 kDa (Sam68) protein were markedly decreased in OCZF-Tg mice-derived osteoclasts. In addition, shRNA-mediated knockdown of Sam68 expression increased the expression of Bcl-xl mRNA, suggesting that SAM68 regulates the expression of Bcl-xl. These results indicate that OCZF overexpression reduces protein levels of Sam68, thereby promotes osteoclast survival, and suggest that LRF/OCZF is a promising target for regulating pathological bone loss.

Patient-derived xenografts and in vitro model show rationale for imatinib mesylate repurposing in HEY1-NCoA2-driven mesenchymal chondrosarcoma

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) is a high-grade malignancy that represents 2-9% of chondrosarcomas and mostly affects children and young adults. HEY1-NCoA2 gene fusion is considered to be a driver of tumorigenesis and it has been identified in 80% of MCS tumors. The shortage of MCS samples and biological models creates a challenge for the development of effective therapeutic strategies to improve the low survival rate of MCS patients. Previous molecular studies using immunohistochemical staining of patient samples suggest that activation of PDGFR signaling could be involved in MCS tumorigenesis. This work presents the development of two independent in vitro and in vivo models of HEY1-NCoA2-driven MCS and their application in a drug repurposing strategy. The in vitro model was characterized by RNA sequencing at the single-cell level and successfully recapitulated relevant MCS features. Imatinib, as well as specific inhibitors of ABL and PDGFR, demonstrated a highly selective cytotoxic effect targeting the HEY1-NCoA2 fusion-driven cellular model. In addition, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of MCS harboring the HEY1-NCoA2 fusion were developed from a primary tumor and its distant metastasis. In concordance with in vitro observations, imatinib was able to significantly reduce tumor growth in MCS-PDX models. The conclusions of this study serve as preclinical results to revisit the clinical efficacy of imatinib in the treatment of HEY1-NCoA2-driven MCS.