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SUMO E3 ligase CBX4 regulates hTERT-mediated transcription of CDH1 and promotes breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Biochem J 2021; 477:3803-3818. [PMID: 32926159 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
hTERT, the catalytic component of the human telomerase enzyme, is regulated by post-translational modifications, like phosphorylation and ubiquitination by multiple proteins which remarkably affects the overall activity of the enzyme. Here we report that hTERT gets SUMOylated by SUMO1 and polycomb protein CBX4 acts as the SUMO E3 ligase of hTERT. hTERT SUMOylation positively regulates its telomerase activity which can be inhibited by SENP3-mediated deSUMOylation. Interestingly, we have established a new role of hTERT SUMOylation in the repression of E-cadherin gene expression and consequent triggering on the epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) program in breast cancer cells. We also observed that catalytically active CBX4, leads to retention of hTERT/ZEB1 complex onto E-cadherin promoter leading to its repression through hTERT-SUMOylation. Further through wound healing and invasion assays in breast cancer cells, we showed the tumor promoting ability of hTERT was significantly compromised upon overexpression of SUMO-defective mutant of hTERT. Thus our findings establish a new post-translational modification of hTERT which on one hand is involved in telomerase activity maintenance and on the other hand plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression thereby promoting migration and invasion of breast cancer cells.
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52
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A global and physical mechanism of gastric cancer formation and progression. J Theor Biol 2021; 520:110643. [PMID: 33636204 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is regarded as a major health issue for human being nowadays. The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been found to accelerate the development of gastritis and gastric cancer. Significant efforts have been made towards the understanding of the biology of gastric cancer on both genetic and epigenetic levels. However the physical mechanism behind the gastric cancer formation is still elusive. In this study, we constructed a model for investigating gastric cancer formation by explored the gastric cancer landscape and the flow flux. We uncovered three stable state attractors on the landscape: normal, gastritis and gastric cancer. The definition of each attractor is based on the biological function and gene expression levels. The global stabilities and the switching processes were quantified through the barrier heights and dominant kinetic paths. To investigate the underlying mechanism of the process from normal through the gastritis to the gastric cancer caused by genetic or epigenetic factors, we simulate the oncogenesis of gastric cancer through changes of several gene regulation strengths and H. pylori infection. The simulated results can illustrate the developmental and metastasis process of gastric cancer. Different H. pylori infection degrees accelerating the process from gastritis to gastric cancer can be quantified. Then we applied global sensitivity analysis, one key gene and four key regulations were found. These results are consist with the experimental results and can be used to design the polygenic anti-cancer agents through multiple key genes or regulations. The landscape approach provides a physical and simple strategy for analyzing gastric cancer in a systematic and quantitative way. It also offers new insight into treatment strategy for gastric cancer by adjusting relevant polygenic genes and regulations.
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53
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Thyroid Carcinoma: Phenotypic Features, Underlying Biology and Potential Relevance for Targeting Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041950. [PMID: 33669363 PMCID: PMC7920269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid carcinoma consists a group of phenotypically heterogeneous cancers. Recent advances in biological technologies have been advancing the delineation of genetic, epigenetic, and non-genetic factors that contribute to the heterogeneities of these cancers. In this review article, we discuss new findings that are greatly improving the understanding of thyroid cancer biology and facilitating the identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention. We review the phenotypic features of different subtypes of thyroid cancers and their underlying biology. We discuss recent discoveries in thyroid cancer heterogeneities and the critical mechanisms contributing to the heterogeneity with emphases on genetic and epigenetic factors, cancer stemness traits, and tumor microenvironments. We also discuss the potential relevance of the intratumor heterogeneity in understanding therapeutic resistance and how new findings in tumor biology can facilitate designing novel targeting therapies for thyroid cancer.
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54
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Yegorov YE, Poznyak AV, Nikiforov NG, Starodubova AV, Orekhov AN. Role of Telomeres Shortening in Atherogenesis: An Overview. Cells 2021; 10:395. [PMID: 33671887 PMCID: PMC7918954 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that the shortening of the telomeres leads to cell senescence, accompanied by acquiring of pro-inflammatory phenotype. The expression of telomerase can elongate telomeres and resist the onset of senescence. The initiation of atherosclerosis is believed to be associated with local senescence of the endothelial cells of the arteries in places with either low or multidirectional oscillatory wall shear stress. The process of regeneration of the artery surface that has begun does not lead to success for several reasons. Atherosclerotic plaques are formed, which, when developed, lead to fatal consequences, which are the leading causes of death in the modern world. The pronounced age dependence of the manifestations of atherosclerosis pushes scientists to try to link the development of atherosclerosis with telomere length. The study of the role of telomere shortening in atherosclerosis is mainly limited to measuring the telomeres of blood cells, and only in rare cases (surgery or post-mortem examination) are the telomeres of local cells available for measurement. The review discusses the basic issues of cellular aging and the interpretation of telomere measurement data in atherosclerosis, as well as the prospects for the prevention and possible treatment of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yegor E. Yegorov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Anastasia V. Poznyak
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, Moscow 121609, Russia
| | - Nikita G. Nikiforov
- Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow 125315, Russia;
- National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Institute of Experimental Cardiology, Moscow 121552, Russia
- Institute of Gene Biology, Center of Collective Usage, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Antonina V. Starodubova
- Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Moscow 109240, Russia;
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Alexander N. Orekhov
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, Moscow 121609, Russia
- Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow 125315, Russia;
- Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow 117418, Russia
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55
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Salimi-Jeda A, Badrzadeh F, Esghaei M, Abdoli A. The role of telomerase and viruses interaction in cancer development, and telomerase-dependent therapeutic approaches. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 27:100323. [PMID: 33530025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is an enzyme that is critically involved in elongating and maintaining telomeres length to control cell life span and replicative potential. Telomerase activity is continuously expressed in human germ-line cells and most cancer cells, whereas it is suppressed in most somatic cells. In normal cells, by reducing telomerase activity and progressively shortening the telomeres, the cells progress to the senescence or apoptosis process. However, in cancer cells, telomere lengths remain constant due to telomerase's reactivation, and cells continue to proliferate and inhibit apoptosis, and ultimately lead to cancer development and human death due to metastasis. Studies demonstrated that several DNA and RNA oncoviruses could interact with telomerase by integrating their genome sequence within the host cell telomeres specifically. Through the activation of the hTERT promoter and lengthening the telomere, these cells contributes to cancer development. Since oncoviruses can activate telomerase and increase hTERT expression, there are several therapeutic strategies based on targeting the telomerase of cancer cells like telomerase-targeted peptide vaccines, hTERT-targeting dendritic cells (DCs), hTERT-targeting gene therapy, and hTERT-targeting CRISPR/Cas9 system that can overcome tumor-mediated toleration mechanisms and specifically apoptosis in cancer cells. This study reviews available data on the molecular structure of telomerase and the role of oncoviruses and telomerase interaction in cancer development and telomerase-dependent therapeutic approaches to conquest the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Salimi-Jeda
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fariba Badrzadeh
- Faculti of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical sciences, Golestan, Iran.
| | - Maryam Esghaei
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Asghar Abdoli
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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56
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Diao C, Guo P, Yang W, Sun Y, Liao Y, Yan Y, Zhao A, Cai X, Hao J, Hu S, Yu W, Chen M, Wang R, Li W, Zuo Y, Pan J, Hua C, Lu X, Fan W, Zheng Z, Deng W, Luo G, Guo W. SPT6 recruits SND1 to co-activate human telomerase reverse transcriptase to promote colon cancer progression. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1180-1202. [PMID: 33305480 PMCID: PMC8024721 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) plays an extremely important role in cancer initiation and development, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the precise upstream regulatory mechanisms of hTERT in different cancer types remain poorly understood. Here, we uncovered the candidate transcriptional factor of hTERT in CRC and explored its role and the corresponding molecular mechanisms in regulating hTERT expression and CRC survival with an aim of developing mechanism-based combinational targeting therapy. The possible binding proteins at the hTERT promoter were uncovered using pull-down/mass spectrometry analysis. The regulation of SPT6 on hTERT expression and CRC survival was evaluated in human CRC cell lines and mouse models. Mechanistic studies focusing on the synergy between SPT6 and staphylococcal nuclease and Tudor domain containing 1 (SND1) in controlling hTERT expression and CRC progression were conducted also in the above two levels. The expression correlation and clinical significance of SPT6, SND1, and hTERT were investigated in tumor tissues from murine models and patients with CRC in situ. SPT6 was identified as a possible transcriptional factor to bind to the hTERT promoter. SPT6 knockdown decreased the activity of hTERT promoter, downregulated the protein expression level of hTERT, suppressed proliferation, invasion, and stem-like properties, promoted apoptosis induction, and enhanced chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity in vitro. SPT6 silencing also led to the delay of tumor growth and metastasis in mice carrying xenografts of human-derived colon cancer cells. Mechanistically, SND1 interacted with SPT6 to co-control hTERT expression and CRC cell proliferation, stemness, and growth in vitro and in vivo. SPT6, SND1, and hTERT were highly expressed simultaneously in CRC tissues, both from the murine model and patients with CRC in situ, and pairwise expression among these three factors showed a significant positive correlation. In brief, our research demonstrated that SPT6 synergized with SND1 to promote CRC development by targeting hTERT and put forward that inhibiting the SPT6-SND1-hTERT axis may create a therapeutic vulnerability in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoliang Diao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Ping Guo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Yao Sun
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Yina Liao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Yue Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Anshi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Xin Cai
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Jiaojiao Hao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Sheng Hu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Wendan Yu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Manyu Chen
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Ruozhu Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Wenyang Li
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Yan Zuo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Jinjin Pan
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Chunyu Hua
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Xiaona Lu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Wenhua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Zongheng Zheng
- The Third Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Wuguo Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Guangyu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Wei Guo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cells and the First Affiliated HospitalDalian Medical UniversityChina
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57
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Yuan X, Dai M, Xu D. Telomere-related Markers for Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:410-432. [PMID: 31903880 PMCID: PMC7475940 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200106145340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are structurally nucleoprotein complexes at termini of linear chromosomes and essential to chromosome stability/integrity. In normal human cells, telomere length erodes progressively with each round of cell divisions, which serves as an important barrier to uncontrolled proliferation and malignant transformation. In sharp contrast, telomere maintenance is a key feature of human malignant cells and required for their infinite proliferation and maintenance of other cancer hallmarks as well. Thus, a telomere-based anti-cancer strategy has long been suggested. However, clinically efficient and specific drugs targeting cancer telomere-maintenance have still been in their infancy thus far. To achieve this goal, it is highly necessary to elucidate how exactly cancer cells maintain functional telomeres. In the last two decades, numerous studies have provided profound mechanistic insights, and the identified mechanisms include the aberrant activation of telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomere pathway responsible for telomere elongation, dysregulation and mutation of telomere-associated factors, and other telomere homeostasis-related signaling nodes. In the present review, these various strategies employed by malignant cells to regulate their telomere length, structure and function have been summarized, and potential implications of these findings in the rational development of telomere-based cancer therapy and other clinical applications for precision oncology have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China.,Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna 171 64, Sweden
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58
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Relitti N, Saraswati AP, Federico S, Khan T, Brindisi M, Zisterer D, Brogi S, Gemma S, Butini S, Campiani G. Telomerase-based Cancer Therapeutics: A Review on their Clinical Trials. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:433-457. [PMID: 31894749 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200102104930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are protective chromosomal ends that shield the chromosomes from DNA damage, exonucleolytic degradation, recombination, and end-to-end fusion. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that adds TTAGGG tandem repeats to the telomeric ends. It has been observed that 85 to 90% of human tumors express high levels of telomerase, playing a crucial role in the development of cancers. Interestingly, the telomerase activity is generally absent in normal somatic cells. This selective telomerase expression has driven scientists to develop novel anti-cancer therapeutics with high specificity and potency. Several advancements have been made in this area, which is reflected by the enormous success of the anticancer agent Imetelstat. Since the discovery of Imetelstat, several research groups have contributed to enrich the therapeutic arsenal against cancer. Such contributions include the application of new classes of small molecules, peptides, and hTERT-based immunotherapeutic agents (p540, GV1001, GRNVAC1 or combinations of these such as Vx-001). Many of these therapeutic tools are under different stages of clinical trials and have shown promising outcomes. In this review, we highlight the current status of telomerase-based cancer therapeutics and the outcome of these investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Relitti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Akella P Saraswati
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Federico
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Tuhina Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Brindisi
- Department of Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Napoli Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno Pisano 6, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, via Aldo Moro 2, I- 53100 Siena, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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59
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Takakura M, Takata E, Sasagawa T. A Novel Liquid Biopsy Strategy to Detect Small Amounts of Cancer Cells Using Cancer-Specific Replication Adenoviruses. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9124044. [PMID: 33327605 PMCID: PMC7765046 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9124044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising source of clinical and biological cancer information and can be a material for liquid biopsy. However, detecting and capturing these cells remains a challenge. Various biological factors (e.g., cell surface proteins, cell size, deformability, or dielectrophoresis) have been applied to detect CTCs. Cancer cells dramatically change their characteristics during tumorigenesis and metastasis. Hence, defining a cell as malignant using such a parameter is difficult. Moreover, immortality is an essential characteristic of cancer cells. Telomerase elongates telomeres and plays a critical role in cellular immortality and is specifically activated in cancer cells. Thus, the activation of telomerase can be a good fingerprint for cancer cells. Telomerase cannot be recognized by antibodies in living cells because it is a nuclear enzyme. Therefore, telomerase-specific replication adenovirus, which expresses the green fluorescent protein, has been applied to detect CTCs. This review explores the overview of this novel technology and its application in gynecological cancers.
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60
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Shorter telomere length of white blood cells is associated with higher rates of aneuploidy among infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:957-965. [PMID: 33272640 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.09.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the telomere length of white blood cells (WBC) and cumulus cells (CC) in an infertile population is associated with ovarian and embryonic performance. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Academic-affiliated private practice. PATIENTS A total of 175 infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) at a single center between July 2017 and December 2018. INTERVENTIONS On the day of oocyte retrieval, genomic DNA was isolated from WBC and CC samples. Telomere length assessment was performed for both tissue types using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Telomere lengths were normalized using an AluYa5 sequence as an endogenous control, and linear regressions were applied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES This study assessed the relationship between relative telomere length of WBC and CC samples and measures of ovarian and embryonic performance. Specifically, patient age, antimüllerian hormone (AMH) level, peak estradiol (E2) level, number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature (MII) oocytes retrieved, blastulation rate, and aneuploidy rate were assessed. RESULTS There was a statistically significant relationship between WBC relative telomere length and patient age as well as rates of embryonic aneuploidy, with shorter WBC relative telomere length associated with increasing patient age (P<.01) and higher rates of aneuploidy (P=.01). No statistically significant relationships were observed between WBC relative telomere length and the other outcome measures. No significant associations were noted between CC relative telomere length and any outcomes assessed in this study. CONCLUSION The relationship between WBC relative telomere length and aneuploidy warrants further investigation, particularly because significant overlap exists between increasing maternal age and rates of embryonic aneuploidy.
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61
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Silencing hTERT attenuates cancer stem cell-like characteristics and radioresistance in the radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2R. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:25599-25613. [PMID: 33234740 PMCID: PMC7803545 DOI: 10.18632/aging.104167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the effect of silencing hTERT on the CSC-like characteristics and radioresistance of CNE-2R cells. Results: Silencing hTERT suppressed CNE-2R cell proliferation and increased the cell apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity in vitro. Moreover, it could also inhibit the growth of xenografts and increase the apoptosis index and radiosensitivity in vivo. Further study discovered that after silencing hTERT, telomerase activity in CNE-2R cells was markedly suppressed, along with remarkably down-regulated stem cell-related protein levels both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Silencing hTERT can suppress the CSC-like characteristics of CNE-2R cells to enhance their radiosensitivity, revealing that hTERT may become a potential target for treating radioresistant NPC. Methods: An RNAi lentiviral vector specific to the hTERT gene was constructed to infect CNE-2R cells, the hTERT silencing effect was verified through qPCR and Western blot assays, and telomerase activity was detected by PCR-ELISA. Moreover, radiosensitivity in vitro was detected through colony formation assays, CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry. Tumor growth and radioresistance were also evaluated using xenograft models, while the apoptosis index in xenografts was measured through TUNEL assay. Levels of stem cell-related proteins were determined in vitro and in vivo.
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62
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Fundamental insights into the interaction between telomerase/TERT and intracellular signaling pathways. Biochimie 2020; 181:12-24. [PMID: 33232793 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase activity is critical for cancer cells to provide unrestricted proliferation and cellular immortality through maintaining telomeres. Telomerase enzymatic activity is regulatable at the level of DNA, mRNA, post translational modifications, cellular transport and enzyme assembly. More recent studies confirm the interaction of the telomerase with various intracellular signaling pathways including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin which mainly participating in inflammation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, hTERT protein has been detected in non-nuclear sites such as the mitochondria and cytoplasm in cells. Mitochondrial TERT indicates various non-telomere-related functions such as decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, boosting the respiration rate, protecting mtDNA by direct binding, interacting with mitochondrial tRNAs and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential which can lead to higher chemoresistance rate in cancer cells during therapies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the TERT function and depended interactions in tumor cells can suggest novel therapeutic approaches. Hence, in this review we will explain the telomerase activity regulation in translational and post translational levels besides the established correlations with various cell signaling pathways with possible pathways for therapeutic targeting.
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63
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Shen L, Zeng J, Ma L, Li S, Chen C, Jia J, Liang X. Helicobacter pylori Induces a Novel NF-kB/LIN28A/let-7a/hTERT Axis to Promote Gastric Carcinogenesis. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:74-85. [PMID: 33004623 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reactivated telomerase is a crucial event in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. However, how telomerase is activated in gastric carcinogenesis has not been fully uncovered yet. Here, we identified a key role of the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to promote human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression for gastric cancer initiation. Mechanistically, LIN28A expression was upregulated by H. pylori-induced NF-κB activation. And LIN28A, in turn, suppressed let-7a expression, forming the NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to regulate gene expression upon H. pylori infection. Of note, we first discovered hTERT as a direct target of let-7a, which inhibited hTERT expression by binding to its 3'UTR of mRNA. Therefore, H. pylori-triggered let-7a downregulation enhanced hTERT protein translation, resulting in telomerase reactivation. Furthermore, hTERT enhanced LIN28A expression, forming the positive feedback regulation between hTERT and NF-κB/LIN28A/let-7a axis to maintain the sustained overexpression of hTERT in gastric cancer. IMPLICATIONS: The NF-κB/LIN28A/Let-7a axis was crucial for the overexpression of hTERT upon H. pylori infection during gastric cancer development and may serve as a potential target to suppress hTERT expression for gastric cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Shen
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jiping Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Shuyan Li
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Jihui Jia
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Laboratory, Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet collaborative Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xiuming Liang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China. .,Cancer Research Laboratory, Shandong University-Karolinska Institutet collaborative Laboratory, School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
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64
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Yuan X, Liu T, Xu D. Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in thyroid carcinomas: implications in precision oncology-a narrative review. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1244. [PMID: 33178776 PMCID: PMC7607115 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-5024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as a catalytic component. In normal human follicular thyroid cells or thyrocytes, telomerase is silent due to the TERT gene being tightly repressed. However, during the formation of thyroid carcinoma (TC), telomerase becomes activated via TERT induction. The TERT promoter’s gain-of-function mutation has recently been identified in TCs and many other malignancies. The mutation creates a de novo ETS-binding motif through which TERT transcription is de-repressed and telomerase is activated; through this, the mutant TERT promoter promotes the development of TC, contributes to disease aggressiveness and treatment resistance, and thereby leads to poor patient outcomes. From a clinical point of view, the strong association between the TERT promoter mutation and disease malignancy and aggressiveness holds great promise for its value in TC diagnostics, risk stratification, prognostication, treatment decision, and follow-up design. In the present review article, we summarize the recent findings of studies of TERT promoter mutations in TC and underscore the implications of TERT hyperactivity driven by genetic events in the pathogenesis and management of TC. Finally, the targeting of TERT promoter mutations and the disruption of telomere maintenance are considered as potential therapeutic strategies against TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden
| | - Tiantian Liu
- School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Solna, Sweden.,Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, China
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65
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Zou
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yu-sheng Cong
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Junzhi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
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66
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Zou Y, Cong YS, Zhou J. Implications of telomerase reverse transcriptase in tumor metastasis. BMB Rep 2020; 53:458-465. [PMID: 32731912 PMCID: PMC7526981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main culprit of the great majority of cancerrelated deaths. However, the complicated process of the invasion-metastasis cascade remains the least understood aspect of cancer biology. Telomerase plays a pivotal role in bypassing cellular senescence and sustaining the cancer progression by maintaining telomere homeostasis and genomic integrity. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) exerts a series of fundamental functions that are independent of its enzymatic cellular activity, including proliferation, inflammation, epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, DNA repair, and gene expression. Accumulating evidence indicates that TERT may facilitate most steps of the invasion-metastasis cascade. In this review, we summarize important advances that have revealed some of the mechanisms by which TERT facilitates tumor metastasis, providing an update on the non-canonical functions of telomerase beyond telomere maintaining. [BMB Reports 2020; 53(9): 458-465].
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Zou
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yu-sheng Cong
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Junzhi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
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67
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Song YS, Park YJ. Mechanisms of TERT Reactivation and Its Interaction with BRAFV600E. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2020; 35:515-525. [PMID: 32981294 PMCID: PMC7520576 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2020.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene, which is repressed in most differentiated human cells, can be reactivated by somatic TERT alterations and epigenetic modulations. Moreover, the recruitment, accessibility, and binding of transcription factors also affect the regulation of TERT expression. Reactivated TERT contributes to the development and progression of cancer through telomere lengthening-dependent and independent ways. In particular, because of recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, studies on genomic alterations in various cancers that cause increased TERT transcriptional activity have been actively conducted. TERT reactivation has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in several cancers, and TERT promoter mutations are among the most potent prognostic markers in thyroid cancer. In particular, when a TERT promoter mutation coexists with the BRAFV600E mutation, these mutations exert synergistic effects on a poor prognosis. Efforts have been made to uncover the mechanisms of these synergistic interactions. In this review, we discuss the role of TERT reactivation in tumorigenesis, the mechanisms of TERT reactivation across all human cancers and in thyroid cancer, and the mechanisms of interactions between BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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68
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Zhang X, Bai J, Yin H, Long L, Zheng Z, Wang Q, Chen F, Yu X, Zhou Y. Exosomal miR-1255b-5p targets human telomerase reverse transcriptase in colorectal cancer cells to suppress epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:2589-2608. [PMID: 32679610 PMCID: PMC7530775 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to hypoxia. Exosomes produced in tumor microenvironments carry microRNAs (miRNAs) that affect proliferation, metastasis, and EMT. Hypoxic regulation of EMT is associated with telomerase content and stability, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We identified a targeting relationship between tumor‐suppressing miR‐1255b‐5p and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) via clinical screening of serum samples in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. EMT suppression via exosomal miR‐1255b‐5p delivery was investigated by assessing hTERT expression, Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, and telomerase activity. We revealed that hypoxia directly affected exosomal miR‐1255b‐5p content, the delivery of which between CRC cells significantly impacted cell invasion, EMT‐related protein expression, and telomerase stability. Specifically, miR‐1255b‐5p suppressed EMT by inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin activation via hTERT inhibition. Hypoxia reduced exosomal miR‐1255b‐5p secretion by CRC cells, thereby increasing hTERT expression to enhance EMT and telomerase activity. In a mouse CRC model, hypoxic exosomes containing overexpressed miR‐1255b‐5p attenuated EMT, tumor progression, and liver metastasis. Our results suggest the antitumor role of miR‐1255b‐5p and its involvement in the regulation of hTERT‐mediated EMT. We propose that miRNA‐targeted regulation of telomerase is a promising therapeutic strategy for future CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian Bai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hang Yin
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Long
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhewen Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingqing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengxia Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunfeng Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Wuhan, China
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69
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Yuan X, Dai M, Xu D. TERT promoter mutations and GABP transcription factors in carcinogenesis: More foes than friends. Cancer Lett 2020; 493:1-9. [PMID: 32768523 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional de-repression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene and subsequent activation of telomerase is a prerequisite step in malignant transformation and progression. Recently, the gain-of-function mutation of the TERT promoter was identified in many types of human malignancies, and the mutated promoter acquires de novo ETS binding motifs through which the TERT transcription is activated. The ETS family transcription factors GABPA and GABPB1 have been shown to act as master drivers for the mutant TERT promoter activity. Indeed, GABPA or GABPB1 depletion leads to the down-regulation of TERT expression in the mutant TERT promoter-bearing cancer cells, and is thus proposed as targets for cancer therapy. Surprisingly, however, despite its key role in activating the mutant TERT promoter and telomerase, GABPA may itself function as a potent tumor suppressor in several malignancies. In this review, we address the collaboration between GABPA and mutant TERT promoter in cancer development, discuss selection trade-offs among different activities of GABPA in cancer evolution, and underscore the suppressive function of GABPA in cancer progression and implications in precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, PR China.
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, PR China; Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, PR China.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250033, PR China; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
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70
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Kusoglu A, Goker Bagca B, Ozates Ay NP, Gunduz C, Biray Avci C. Telomerase inhibition regulates EMT mechanism in breast cancer stem cells. Gene 2020; 759:145001. [PMID: 32738420 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKROUND CSCs having the common features of high telomerase activity and high migration and invasion capabilities play a vital role as the initiators of metastasis. Small molecule BIBR1532 has been shown to target cancer cells by inhibiting telomerase. Recent studies have suggested that telomerase activity is associated with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT program, which causes epithelial cells to acquire a mesenchymal morphology, is known to play a significant role in cancer metastasis. METHODS The hypothesis of our study was that suppression of telomerase in breast cancer and cancer stem cells would interrupt EMT mechanism. Cytotoxicity of BIBR1532 was evaluated using WST-1 assay in all cell lines and the effects of BIBR1532 on apoptosis were investigated with Annexin V. Migration rate of the cells was examined by wound healing assay and sphere forming capacities were observed by hanging drop test. Finally, the expression of 84 EMT-related genes was analyzed by real-time qPCR. RESULTS The IC50 values for the MDA-MB-231 and breast epithelial stem cells of BIBR1532 were analyzed as 18.04 and 38.71 µl at 72 h, respectively. Interestingly, apoptosis was only induced in stem cells. In hanging drop test, sphere areas were reduced in stem cells treated with BIBR1532. In wound healing assay, BIBR1532 decreased the migration rate of stem cells. Together with this, expression of EMT-related genes were regulated in stem cells towards a epithelial phenotype. CONCLUSION Our obtained results indicated that telomerase inhibition affects the EMT mechanism. The targeted elimination of breast cancer stem cells by a telomerase inhibitor in cancer treatment may limit the mobility and stemness of cancer cells interrupting the EMT mechanism, thus may prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alican Kusoglu
- Ege University Medical School, Department of Medical Biology, Turkey.
| | | | | | - Cumhur Gunduz
- Ege University Medical School, Department of Medical Biology, Turkey
| | - Cigir Biray Avci
- Ege University Medical School, Department of Medical Biology, Turkey
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71
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The TERT copy number gain is sensitive to telomerase inhibitors in human melanoma. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:193-205. [PMID: 31919521 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) copy number gain is frequently observed in Asian melanoma patients. Here, we explored the correlation between TERT copy number and the effect of telomerase inhibitors in melanoma. A total of 78 melanoma cases were enrolled in the study. The TERT copy number was examined by QuantiGene Plex DNA assay. The sensitivity to telomerase inhibitors was evaluated in cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with or without TERT copy number gain. Among the 78 patients, 33.3% showed TERT copy number gain, and the incidence of this gain in acral melanoma (61.5%) was higher than that in other melanoma subtypes (P=0.02). The telomerase inhibitors 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-Thio-dG) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibited cell viability and repressed tumor growth in PDX models with TERT copy number gain. TERT copy number gain is frequently observed in Chinese patients with melanoma. Targeting telomerase may benefit melanoma patients with TERT copy number gain.
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72
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Li J, Dong G, Song J, Tan G, Wu X. Telomerase inhibition decreases esophageal squamous carcinoma cell migration and invasion. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:2870-2880. [PMID: 32782603 PMCID: PMC7400735 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase has been shown to be associated with a variety of cancer types. To elucidate the role of telomerase in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC), tissue samples from 100 patients with ESCC, and paired paracancerous tissues from 75 of these patients, were collected for use in the present study. Using immunohistochemical analysis, the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in the cytoplasm of ESCC cells was revealed to be significantly higher compared with that in paracancerous tissues, and no significant difference was observed between hTERT expression in the nucleus of ESCC and paracancerous tissue cells. Combined analysis revealed that the cytoplasmic hTERT-positive rate of patients with ESCC was significantly associated with pathological grade, N stage and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage; these data support the association between hTERT expression and poor patient prognosis. In vitro experiments demonstrated that hTERT knockdown does not inhibit the proliferation of ESCC Kyse410 or Kyse520 cells, but inhibits their migration and invasion abilities. These findings indicate that hTERT expression is associated with ESCC metastasis. Interestingly, decreased colony-formation ability was observed in Kyse410 cells, but not in Kyse520 cells. Collectively, the results of the present study suggest that hTERT may serve as a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayan Li
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210003, P.R. China
| | - Guogang Dong
- The General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command of The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Jinyun Song
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210003, P.R. China
| | - Guolei Tan
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210003, P.R. China
| | - Xuping Wu
- The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210003, P.R. China
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73
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Dosset M, Castro A, Carter H, Zanetti M. Telomerase and CD4 T Cell Immunity in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061687. [PMID: 32630460 PMCID: PMC7352225 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a conserved self-tumor antigen which is overexpressed in most tumors and plays a critical role in tumor formation and progression. As such, TERT is an antigen of great relevance to develop widely applicable immunotherapies. CD4 T cells play a major role in the anti-cancer response alone or with other effector cells such as CD8 T cells and NK cells. To date, efforts have been made to identify TERT peptides capable of stimulating CD4 T cells that are also able to bind diverse MHC-II alleles to ease immune status monitoring and immunotherapies. Here, we review the current status of TERT biology, TERT/MHC-II immunobiology, and past and current vaccine clinical trials. We propose that monitoring CD4 T cell immunity against TERT is a simple and direct way to assess immune surveillance in cancer patients and a new way to predict the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi). Finally, we present the initial results of a systematic discovery of TERT peptides able to bind the most common HLA Class II alleles worldwide and show that the repertoire of MHC-II TERT peptides is wider than currently appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalie Dosset
- The Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-081, USA;
| | - Andrea Castro
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (A.C.); (H.C.)
- Health Science, Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hannah Carter
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; (A.C.); (H.C.)
| | - Maurizio Zanetti
- The Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-081, USA;
- Correspondence:
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74
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Liu Y, Yang M, Luo J, Zhou H. Radiotherapy targeting cancer stem cells "awakens" them to induce tumour relapse and metastasis in oral cancer. Int J Oral Sci 2020; 12:19. [PMID: 32576817 PMCID: PMC7311531 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-020-00087-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is one of the most common treatments for oral cancer. However, in the clinic, recurrence and metastasis of oral cancer occur after radiotherapy, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), considered the “seeds” of cancer, have been confirmed to be in a quiescent state in most established tumours, with their innate radioresistance helping them survive more easily when exposed to radiation than differentiated cancer cells. There is increasing evidence that CSCs play an important role in recurrence and metastasis post-radiotherapy in many cancers. However, little is known about how oral CSCs cause tumour recurrence and metastasis post-radiotherapy. In this review article, we will first summarise methods for the identification of oral CSCs and then focus on the characteristics of a CSC subpopulation induced by radiation, hereafter referred to as “awakened” CSCs, to highlight their response to radiotherapy and potential role in tumour recurrence and metastasis post-radiotherapy as well as potential therapeutics targeting CSCs. In addition, we explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting these “awakened” CSCs to solve the serious clinical challenges of recurrence and metastasis in oral cancer after radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingjing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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75
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Rusinek D, Pfeifer A, Cieslicka M, Kowalska M, Pawlaczek A, Krajewska J, Szpak-Ulczok S, Tyszkiewicz T, Halczok M, Czarniecka A, Zembala-Nozynska E, Chekan M, Lamch R, Handkiewicz-Junak D, Ledwon A, Paliczka-Cieslik E, Kropinska A, Jarzab B, Oczko-Wojciechowska M. TERT Promoter Mutations and Their Impact on Gene Expression Profile in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1597. [PMID: 32560331 PMCID: PMC7352936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) mutations are related to a worse prognosis in various malignancies, including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Since mechanisms responsible for the poorer outcome of TERTp(+) patients are still unknown, searching for molecular consequences of TERTp mutations in PTC was the aim of our study. METHODS The studied cohort consisted of 54 PTCs, among them 24 cases with distant metastases. BRAF V600E, RAS, and TERTp mutational status was evaluated in all cases. Differences in gene expression profile between TERTp(+) and TERTp(-) PTCs were examined using microarrays. The evaluation of signaling pathways and gene ontology was based on the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. RESULTS Fifty-nine percent (32/54) of analyzed PTCs were positive for at least one mutation: 27 were BRAF(+), among them eight were TERTp(+), and 1 NRAS(+), whereas five other samples harbored RAS mutations. Expression of four genes significantly differed in BRAF(+)TERTp(+) and BRAF(+)TERTp(-) PTCs. Deregulation of pathways involved in key cell processes was observed. CONCLUSIONS TERTp mutations are related to higher PTC aggressiveness. CRABP2 gene was validated as associated with TERTp mutations. However, its potential use in diagnostics or risk stratification in PTC patients needs further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Rusinek
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Aleksandra Pfeifer
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Marta Cieslicka
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Malgorzata Kowalska
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Agnieszka Pawlaczek
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Jolanta Krajewska
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Sylwia Szpak-Ulczok
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Tomasz Tyszkiewicz
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Monika Halczok
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
| | - Agnieszka Czarniecka
- Department of Oncological and Reconstructive Surgery, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland;
| | - Ewa Zembala-Nozynska
- Tumor Pathology Department, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (E.Z.-N.); (M.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Mykola Chekan
- Tumor Pathology Department, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (E.Z.-N.); (M.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Roman Lamch
- Tumor Pathology Department, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (E.Z.-N.); (M.C.); (R.L.)
| | - Daria Handkiewicz-Junak
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Aleksandra Ledwon
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Ewa Paliczka-Cieslik
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Aleksandra Kropinska
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Barbara Jarzab
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (J.K.); (S.S.-U.); (D.H.-J.); (A.L.); (E.P.-C.); (A.K.); (B.J.)
| | - Malgorzata Oczko-Wojciechowska
- Department of Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland; (A.P.); (M.C.); (M.K.); (A.P.); (T.T.); (M.H.); (M.O.-W.)
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Dong P, Xu D, Xiong Y, Yue J, Ihira K, Konno Y, Watari H. The Expression, Functions and Mechanisms of Circular RNAs in Gynecological Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1472. [PMID: 32512912 PMCID: PMC7352180 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed, endogenous non-coding RNAs and certain circRNAs are linked to human tumors. Owing to their circular form, circRNAs are protected from degradation by exonucleases, and therefore, they are more stable than linear RNAs. Many circRNAs have been shown to sponge microRNAs, interact with RNA-binding proteins, regulate gene transcription, and be translated into proteins. Mounting evidence suggests that circRNAs are dysregulated in cancer tissues and can mediate various signaling pathways, thus affecting tumorigenesis, metastasis, and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. First, we review the characteristics, biogenesis, and biological functions of circRNAs, and describe various mechanistic models of circRNAs. Then, we provide a systematic overview of the functional roles of circRNAs in gynecological cancers. Finally, we describe the potential future applications of circRNAs as biomarkers for prognostic stratification and as therapeutic targets in gynecological cancers. Although the function of most circRNAs remains elusive, some individual circRNAs have biologically relevant functions in cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. Certain circRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixin Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan; (D.X.); (K.I.); (Y.K.)
| | - Daozhi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan; (D.X.); (K.I.); (Y.K.)
| | - Ying Xiong
- Department of Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China;
| | - Junming Yue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA;
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Kei Ihira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan; (D.X.); (K.I.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yosuke Konno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan; (D.X.); (K.I.); (Y.K.)
| | - Hidemichi Watari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan; (D.X.); (K.I.); (Y.K.)
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77
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Guo Y, Yuan X, Li K, Dai M, Zhang L, Wu Y, Sun C, Chen Y, Cheng G, Liu C, Strååt K, Kong F, Zhao S, Bjorkhölm M, Xu D. GABPA is a master regulator of luminal identity and restrains aggressive diseases in bladder cancer. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:1862-1877. [PMID: 31802036 PMCID: PMC7244562 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
TERT promoter mutations occur in the majority of glioblastoma, bladder cancer (BC), and other malignancies while the ETS family transcription factors GABPA and its partner GABPB1 activate the mutant TERT promoter and telomerase in these tumors. GABPA depletion or the disruption of the GABPA/GABPB1 complex by knocking down GABPB1 was shown to inhibit telomerase, thereby eliminating the tumorigenic potential of glioblastoma cells. GABPA/B1 is thus suggested as a cancer therapeutic target. However, it is unclear about its role in BC. Here we unexpectedly observed that GABPA ablation inhibited TERT expression, but robustly increased proliferation, stem, and invasive phenotypes and cisplatin resistance in BC cells, while its overexpression exhibited opposite effects, and inhibited in vivo metastasizing in a xenograft transplant model. Mechanistically, GABPA directly activates the transcription of FoxA1 and GATA3, key transcription factors driving luminal differentiation of urothelial cells. Consistently, TCGA/GEO dataset analyses show that GABPA expression is correlated positively with luminal while negatively with basal signatures. Luminal tumors express higher GABPA than do basal ones. Lower GABPA expression is associated with the GABPA gene methylation or deletion (especially in basal subtype of BC tumors), and predicted significantly shorter patient survival based on TCGA and our cohort of BC patient analyses. Taken together, GABPA dictates luminal identity of BC cells and inhibits aggressive diseases in BC by promoting cellular differentiation despite its stimulatory effect on telomerase/TERT activation. Given these biological functions and its frequent methylation and/or deletion, GABPA serves as a tumor suppressor rather than oncogenic factor in BC. The GABPA effect on oncogenesis is context-dependent and its targeting for telomerase inhibition in BC may promote disease metastasizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Guo
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaotian Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Kailin Li
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yujiao Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chao Sun
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Urology, The Third Hospital of Beijing University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Klas Strååt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Feng Kong
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China.
| | - Shengtian Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China.
- Key Laboratory for Kidney Regeneration of Shandong Province, Jinan, PR China.
| | - Magnus Bjorkhölm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, PR China
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Bioclinicum and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinsk Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Karolinska Institute-Shandong University Collaborative Laboratories for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan, PR China.
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Trybek T, Kowalik A, Góźdź S, Kowalska A. Telomeres and telomerase in oncogenesis. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:1015-1027. [PMID: 32724340 PMCID: PMC7377093 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are located at the ends of chromosomes and protect them from degradation. Suppressing the activity of telomerase, a telomere-synthesizing enzyme, and maintaining short telomeres is a protective mechanism against cancer in humans. In most human somatic cells, the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is repressed and telomerase activity is inhibited. This leads to the progressive shortening of telomeres and inhibition of cell growth in a process called replicative senescence. Most types of primary cancer exhibit telomerase activation, which allows uncontrolled cell proliferation. Previous research indicates that TERT activation also affects cancer development through activities other than the canonical function of mediating telomere elongation. Recent studies have improved the understanding of the structure and function of telomeres and telomerase as well as key mechanisms underlying the activation of TERT and its role in oncogenesis. These advances led to a search for drugs that inhibit telomerase as a target for cancer therapy. The present review article summarizes the organization and function of telomeres, their role in carcinogenesis, and advances in telomerase-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Trybek
- Endocrinology Clinic, Holycross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | - Artur Kowalik
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Holycross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | - Stanisław Góźdź
- The Faculty of Health Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-319 Kielce, Poland.,Oncology Clinic, Holycross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | - Aldona Kowalska
- Endocrinology Clinic, Holycross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland.,The Faculty of Health Sciences, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-319 Kielce, Poland
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Sun Q, Liu J, Cheng G, Dai M, Liu J, Qi Z, Zhao J, Li W, Kong F, Liu G, Björkholm M, Xu D. The telomerase gene polymorphisms, but not telomere length, increase susceptibility to primary glomerulonephritis/end stage renal diseases in females. J Transl Med 2020; 18:184. [PMID: 32366311 PMCID: PMC7199377 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02347-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary glomerulonephritis (GN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and frequently progresses into end stage renal diseases (ESRDs). Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) has been implicated in the CKD susceptibility and diminished kidney function, however, it is unclear whether the variants in telomerase genes contribute to risk to GN/CKD/ESRD. Here we address this issue by determining their association with the genetic variants of rs12696304 at the telomerase RNA component (TERC) and rs2736100 at the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) loci. Methods The study includes 769 patients (243 primary GN-derived CKD and 526 ESRD cases) and sex-/age-matched healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of both controls and patients. Genotyping of rs12696304 and rs2736100 variants was carried out using PCR-based assays. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) was determined using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results A significantly higher frequency of TERC rs12696304 G allele was observed in patients and associated with increased disease risk (C vs G: OR = 1.334, 95% CI 1.112–1.586, P = 0.001; CC + GC vs GG: OR = 1.334, 95% CI 1.122–1.586, P = 0.001). Further analyses showed that such significant differences were only present between female controls and patients (C vs G: OR = 1.483, 95% CI 1.140–1.929, P = 0.003; CC + GC vs CC: OR = 1.692, 95% CI 1.202–2.383, P = 0.003), but not males. There were no differences in rs2736100 variants between controls and patients, but female ESRD patients carried significantly higher C allele frequencies than did female controls (A vs C: OR = 1.306, 95% CI 1.005–1.698, P = 0.046; AA vs CC: OR = 1.781, 95% CI 1.033–3.070, P = 0.037). There was no difference in LTL between controls and patients. Conclusions Our results reveal that the TERC rs12696304 and TERT rs2736100 polymorphisms, but not LTL per se, contribute to GN/CDK/ESRD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Sun
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Junli Liu
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Cheng
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingkai Dai
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxi Liu
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenqiang Qi
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjie Zhao
- Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, People's Republic of China.
| | - Feng Kong
- Central Research Laboratory, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Nephrology Research Institute of Shandong University, Shandong University Second Hospital, Jinan, 250035, People's Republic of China.
| | - Magnus Björkholm
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
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80
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The Solo Play of TERT Promoter Mutations. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030749. [PMID: 32204305 PMCID: PMC7140675 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The reactivation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein is the principal mechanism of telomere maintenance in cancer cells. Mutations in the TERT promoter (TERTp) are a common mechanism of TERT reactivation in many solid cancers, particularly those originating from slow-replicating tissues. They are associated with increased TERT levels, telomere stabilization, and cell immortalization and proliferation. Much effort has been invested in recent years in characterizing their prevalence in different cancers and their potential as biomarkers for tumor stratification, as well as assessing their molecular mechanism of action, but much remains to be understood. Notably, they appear late in cell transformation and are mutually exclusive with each other as well as with other telomere maintenance mechanisms, indicative of overlapping selective advantages and of a strict regulation of TERT expression levels. In this review, we summarized the latest literature on the role and prevalence of TERTp mutations across different cancer types, highlighting their biased distribution. We then discussed the need to maintain TERT levels at sufficient levels to immortalize cells and promote proliferation while remaining within cell sustainability levels. A better understanding of TERT regulation is crucial when considering its use as a possible target in antitumor strategies.
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81
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Han J, Shen X, Zhang Y, Wang S, Zhou L. Astragaloside IV suppresses transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma U251 cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2020; 84:1345-1352. [PMID: 32154763 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2020.1737502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Astragaloside IV (AS#IV) has previously demonstrated antitumoractivity. We investigated the effect and mechanisms of AS#IV in relation to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), viainterference with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gliomaU251 cells. Induction of glioma U251 cells by transforming growthfactor (TGF)#β1 activated EMT, including switching E#cadherin toN-cadherin and altering the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signalingpathway components such as vimentin, β-catenin, and cyclin-D1.AS-IV inhibited the viability, invasion, and migration of TGF-β1-induced glioma U251 cells. AS-IV also interfered with the TGF#β1-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in glioma U251 cells.These findings indicate that AS#IV prohibits TGF#β1-induced EMTby disrupting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in glioma U251 cells. AS#IV may thus be a potential candidate agent for treating glioma andother central nervous system tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Han
- Department of Spine Surgery, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital , Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohan Shen
- Ningbo Diagnostic Pathology Center, Shanghai Cancer Center Ningbo Pathology Center, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital , Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital , Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Suying Wang
- Ningbo Diagnostic Pathology Center, Shanghai Cancer Center Ningbo Pathology Center, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Leijie Zhou
- Department of Spine Surgery, Ningbo No. 6 Hospital , Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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82
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Abstract
As cells replicate their DNA during mitosis, telomeres are shortened due to the inherent limitations of the DNA replication process. Maintenance of telomere length is critical for cancer cells to overcome cellular senescence induced by telomere shortening. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the rate-limiting catalytic subunit of telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that lengthens telomeric DNA to maintain telomere homeostasis. TERT promoter mutations, which result in the upregulation of TERT transcription, have been identified in several central nervous system (CNS) tumors, including meningiomas, medulloblastomas, and primary glial neoplasms. Furthermore, TERT promoter hypermethylation, which also results in increased TERT transcription, has been observed in ependymomas and pediatric brain tumors. The high frequency of TERT dysregulation observed in a variety of high-grade cancers makes telomerase activity an attractive target for developing novel therapeutics. In this review, we briefly discuss normal telomere biology, as well as the structure, function, and regulation of TERT in normal human cells. We also highlight the role of TERT in cancer biology, focusing on primary CNS tumors. Finally, we summarize the clinical significance of TERT promoter mutations in cancer, the molecular mechanisms through which these mutations promote oncogenesis, and recent advances in cancer therapies targeting TERT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhuvic Patel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Rukayat Taiwo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Albert H Kim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gavin P Dunn
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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83
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Chen K, Chen L, Li L, Qu S, Yu B, Sun Y, Wan F, Chen X, Liang R, Zhu X. A positive feedback loop between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and hTERT regulates the cancer stem cell-like traits in radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. J Cell Biochem 2020; 121:4612-4622. [PMID: 32065421 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Radioresistance may be induced by cancer stem cells (CSCs), while the biological traits of CSCs need to be retained by telomerase. The telomerase activity mainly depends on the transcriptional regulation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Moreover, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is also considered essential for maintaining the CSC phenotypes. In the previous study, we discovered that the radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNE-2R displayed CSC-like traits, as well as high expression of hTERT and β-catenin, but whether hTERT and β-catenin were involved in regulating the CSC-like traits and radiosensitivity of CNE-2R cells remained unclear. In this study, our results suggested that hTERT could positively regulate the expression of CSC-related proteins, as well as the cytoplasm- and nucleus-β-catenin, but it could not markedly regulate the expression of total β-catenin in CNE-2R cells. Meanwhile, Wnt/β-catenin signaling had a positive regulatory effect on the expression of hTERT and CSC-related proteins. Moreover, there was a β-catenin/hTERT protein complex in CNE-2R cells, indicating that β-catenin could directly interact with hTERT protein. Our results also revealed that silencing hTERT or suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling could attenuate telomerase activity and radioresistance of CNE-2R cells; while suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling, the telomerase activity and radioresistance could be reversed through overexpressing hTERT. Taken together, we have outlined a positive feedback loop between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and hTERT in CNE-2R cells, which can regulate the telomerase activity and CSC-like traits, thus regulating the radiosensitivity. Therefore, blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling transduction and interfering with hTERT expression may be a promising approach for targeting radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with CSC-like traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihua Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Incidence-Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Incidence-Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Song Qu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Incidence-Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Incidence-Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Binbin Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yongchu Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Fangzhu Wan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xishan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Renba Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Incidence-Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High-Incidence-Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Yu C, Chen F, Wang X, Cai Z, Yang M, Zhong Q, Feng J, Li J, Shen C, Wen Z. Pin2 telomeric repeat factor 1-interacting telomerase inhibitor 1 (PinX1) inhibits nasopharyngeal cancer cell stemness: implication for cancer progression and therapeutic targeting. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:31. [PMID: 32028978 PMCID: PMC7006127 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-1530-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Recurrence and distant metastasis are still the main factors leading to treatment failure for malignant tumors including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis is of great clinical significance for targeted gene therapy and prognostic evaluation. PinX1, a tumor suppressor gene, was previously demonstrated to be a powerful tool for targeting telomerase in order to resist malignant tumor proliferation and migration. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism through which PinX1 regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor metastasis in NPC and investigate its clinical significance and biological role with respect to disease progression. Methods Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), Transwell assays, Colony formation analysis and Xenograft tumorigenicity assay were used to measure the nasopharyngeal CD133+ cancer stem cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot assays were conducted to investigate the underlying mechanism that PinX1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via regulating EMT in nasopharyngeal CD133+ CSCs. Results We found that the overexpression of PinX1 and P53 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, but that the inhibition of miR-200b blocked these effects, in nasopharyngeal CD133+ cancer stem cells (CSCs). Mechanistic investigations elucidated that PinX1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating the P53/miR-200b-mediated transcriptional suppression of Snail1, Twist1, and Zeb1, consequently inhibiting EMT in nasopharyngeal CD133+ CSCs. Conclusions Our findings indicate that PinX1 inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via P53/miR-200b-regulated EMT in the malignant progression of human NPC, which might suggest novel clinical implications for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaosheng Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510235, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Zhimou Cai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Mengxue Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Qingwen Zhong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Jialian Feng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China
| | - Junzheng Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510235, China.
| | - Congxiang Shen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
| | - Zhong Wen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, China.
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85
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Di Nardo L, Pellegrini C, Di Stefani A, Del Regno L, Sollena P, Piccerillo A, Longo C, Garbe C, Fargnoli MC, Peris K. Molecular genetics of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: perspective for treatment strategies. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34:932-941. [PMID: 31747091 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represents 20% of all skin cancers. Although primary cSCCs can be successfully treated with surgery, a subset of highly aggressive lesions may progress to advanced disease, representing a public healthcare problem with significant cancer-related morbidity and mortality. A complex network of genes (TP53, CDKN2A, NOTCH1 and NOTCH2, EGFR and TERT) and molecular pathways (RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR) have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cSCC. The epigenetic regulation of TP53 and CDKN2A is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of cSCC, as well as NOTCH-activating agents capable to restore its tumour-suppressor function. EGFR inhibitors including both monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab and panitumumab) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (erlotinib, gefitinib and dasatinib) have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of advanced cSCC, achieving only partial clinical benefit. Recently, an immune-modulatory drug (cemiplimab) has been introduced for the treatment of advanced cSCC with good clinical results and a favourable safety profile, while other PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors, either as monotherapy or in combination with targeted therapies, are currently under investigation. This review focuses on molecular findings involved in the pathogenesis of cSCC and their implications for the future development of new treatment strategies. In addition, current and ongoing treatments on targeted therapies and/or immunotherapy are illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Di Nardo
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Pellegrini
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - A Di Stefani
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - L Del Regno
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - P Sollena
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - A Piccerillo
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - C Longo
- Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.,Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - C Garbe
- Centre for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard-Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - M C Fargnoli
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - K Peris
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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86
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Zhang Q, Liu N, Bai J, Zhou Q, Mao J, Xu L, Liu J, Wei H, Ren C, Wu X, Wang M, Zhao B, Cong YS. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase is a novel target of Hippo-YAP pathway. FASEB J 2020; 34:4178-4188. [PMID: 31950551 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902147r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis by maintaining telomere homeostasis, a hallmark of cancer. However, the mechanisms by which telomerase is reactivated or upregulated during tumorigenesis remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that the Hippo pathway effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) regulates the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Ectopic expression or physiological activation of YAP increases hTERT expression, whereas knockdown of YAP decreases the expression of hTERT. YAP binds to the hTERT promoter through interaction with the TEA domain family transcription factors and activates hTERT transcription. Furthermore, sustained YAP hyperactivation promotes telomerase activity and extends telomere length, with increased hTERT expression. In addition, we show that hTERT expression is positively correlated with YAP activation in human liver cancer tissues. Together, our results demonstrate that YAP promotes hTERT expression, which could contribute to tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Liu
- College of Food Sciences & Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjie Bai
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Mao
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haibin Wei
- Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengcheng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Cong
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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87
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Liu N, Guo XH, Liu JP, Cong YS. Role of telomerase in the tumour microenvironment. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2019; 47:357-364. [PMID: 31799699 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized genomic structures that protect chromosomal ends to maintain genomic stability. Telomeric length is primarily regulated by the telomerase complex, essentially consisting of an RNA template (TERC), an enzymatic subunit (telomerase reverse transcriptase, TERT). In humans, telomerase activity is repressed during embryonic differentiation and is absent in most somatic cells. However, it is upregulated or reactivated in 80%-90% of the primary tumours in humans. The human TERT (hTERT) plays a pivotal role in cellular immortality and tumourigenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms of telomerase functioning in cancer have not been fully understood beyond the telomere maintenance. Several research groups, including ours, have demonstrated that hTERT possesses vital functions independent of its telomere maintenance, including angiogenesis, inflammation, cancer cell stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT). All these telomere-independent activities of hTERT may contribute to the regulation of the dynamics and homeostasis of the tumour microenvironment (TME), thereby promoting tumour growth and development. Cancer progression and metastasis largely depend upon the interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment. In this review, the involvement of TERT in the tumour microenvironment and the underlying implications in cancer therapeutics have been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Liu
- College of Food Sciences and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue-Hua Guo
- College of Food Sciences and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Ping Liu
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Cong
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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88
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Cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 4 promotes colon cancer progression by transcriptionally activating hTERT. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:1533-1543. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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89
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Krzysiek-Maczka G, Wrobel T, Targosz A, Szczyrk U, Strzalka M, Ptak-Belowska A, Czyz J, Brzozowski T. Helicobacter pylori-activated gastric fibroblasts induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastric epithelial cells in vitro in a TGF-β-dependent manner. Helicobacter 2019; 24:e12653. [PMID: 31411795 DOI: 10.1111/hel.12653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colonization of the gastric mucosa with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) leads to the cascade of pathologic events including local inflammation, gastric ulceration, and adenocarcinoma formation. Paracrine loops between tissue cells and Hp contribute to the formation of gastric cancerous loci; however, the specific mechanisms underlying existence of these loops remain unknown. We determined the phenotypic properties of gastric fibroblasts exposed to Hp (cagA+vacA+) infection and their influence on normal epithelial RGM-1 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS RGM-1 cells were cultured in the media conditioned with Hp-activated gastric fibroblasts. Their morphology and phenotypical changes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assessed by Nomarski and fluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis. Motility pattern of RGM-1 cells was examined by time-lapse video microscopy and transwell migration assay. The content of TGF-β in Hp-activated fibroblast-conditioned media was determined by ELISA. RESULTS The supernatant from Hp-activated gastric fibroblasts caused the EMT-like phenotypic diversification of RGM-1 cells. The formation of fibroblastoid cell sub-populations, the disappearance of their collective migration, an increase in transmigration potential with downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of N-cadherin proteins, prominent stress fibers, and decreased proliferation were observed. The fibroblast (CAF)-like transition was manifested by increased secretome TGF-β level, α-SMA protein expression, and its incorporation into stress fibers, and the TGF-βR1 kinase inhibitor reduced the rise in Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin mRNA and increased E-cadherin expression induced by CAFs. CONCLUSION Gastric fibroblasts which are one of the main targets for Hp infection contribute to the paracrine interactions between Hp, gastric fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. TGF-β secreted by Hp-activated gastric fibroblasts prompting their differentiation toward CAF-like phenotype promotes the EMT-related phenotypic shifts in normal gastric epithelial cell populations. This mechanism may serve as the prerequisite for GC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracjana Krzysiek-Maczka
- Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wrobel
- Department of Cell Biology, The Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Aneta Targosz
- Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Urszula Szczyrk
- Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Strzalka
- Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Agata Ptak-Belowska
- Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Jaroslaw Czyz
- Department of Cell Biology, The Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Brzozowski
- Department of Physiology, The Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
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90
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Weydert C, Decuypere JP, De Smedt H, Janssens P, Vennekens R, Mekahli D. Fundamental insights into autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease from human-based cell models. Pediatr Nephrol 2019; 34:1697-1715. [PMID: 30215095 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-018-4057-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Several animal- and human-derived models are used in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) research to gain insight in the disease mechanism. However, a consistent correlation between animal and human ADPKD models is lacking. Therefore, established human-derived models are relevant to affirm research results and translate findings into a clinical set-up. In this review, we give an extensive overview of the existing human-based cell models. We discuss their source (urine, nephrectomy and stem cell), immortalisation procedures, genetic engineering, kidney segmental origin and characterisation with nephron segment markers. We summarise the most studied pathways and lessons learned from these different ADPKD models. Finally, we issue recommendations for the derivation of human-derived cell lines and for experimental set-ups with these cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Weydert
- PKD Research Group, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Department of Development and Regeneration, GPURE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Paul Decuypere
- PKD Research Group, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Department of Development and Regeneration, GPURE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Humbert De Smedt
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Janssens
- PKD Research Group, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Department of Development and Regeneration, GPURE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospitals Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rudi Vennekens
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Djalila Mekahli
- PKD Research Group, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Department of Development and Regeneration, GPURE, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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91
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Sugarman ET, Zhang G, Shay JW. In perspective: An update on telomere targeting in cancer. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1581-1588. [PMID: 31062416 PMCID: PMC6692182 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Engaging a telomere maintenance mechanism during DNA replication is essential for almost all advanced cancers. The conversion from normal and premalignant somatic cells to advanced malignant cells often results (85%-90%) from the reactivation of the functional ribonucleoprotein holoenzyme complex, referred to as telomerase. Modulation of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) appears to be rate limiting to produce functional telomerase and engage a telomere maintenance mechanism. The remaining 10% to 15% of cancers overcome progressively shortened telomeres by activating an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) maintenance mechanism, through a DNA recombination pathway. Exploration into the specific mechanisms of telomere maintenance in cancer have led to the development of drugs such as Imetelstat (GRN163L), BIBR1532, 6-thio-dG, VE-822, and NVP-BEZ235 being investigated as therapeutic approaches for treating telomerase and ALT tumors. The successful use of 6-thio-dG (a nucleoside preferentially recognized by telomerase) that targets and uncaps telomeres in telomerase positive but not normal telomerase silent cells has recently shown impressive effects on multiple types of cancer. For example, 6-thio-dG overcomes therapy-resistant cancers in a fast-acting mechanism potentially providing an alternative or additional route of treatment for patients with cancer. In this perspective, we provide a synopsis of the current landscape of telomeres and telomerase processing in cancer development and how this new knowledge may improve outcomes for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T. Sugarman
- University of Pennsylvania, College of Liberal and Professional Studies, 3440 Market St #100, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Gao Zhang
- Duke University, The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, 20 Duke Medicine Cir, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Jerry W. Shay
- University of Texas Southwestern, Department of Cell Biology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390
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92
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Jaiswal RK, Yadava PK. TGF-β-mediated regulation of plasminogen activators is human telomerase reverse transcriptase dependent in cancer cells. Biofactors 2019; 45:803-817. [PMID: 31317567 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase/terminal transferase enzyme that adds telomeric repeat sequences at the extreme end of a newly replicated chromosome. Apart from telomere lengthening, telomerase has many extracurricular activities. Telomerase is known to regulate the expression of many genes and helps in cancer progression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs). We have previously reported that human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) regulates the expression of plasminogen activator such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in cancer cells following a genome-wide transcriptomic study. Here, we present data substantiating these results in terms of real-time assays, western blots, and immunofluorescence. Another aim of this study is to find out the possible mechanism by which hTERT regulates the expression of plasminogen activators. We have used some molecular biology techniques such as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence and some assays such as wound healing assay and colony formation assay to solve this question. In this study, we show a positive association between hTERT and uPA. We also demonstrate that hTERT enhances uPA expression concomitant with EMT. Knocking down of hTERT reduces uPA expression as well as reverses EMT in cancer cells. We have also found that uPA is a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced protein. Our observations establish that TGF-β-induced uPA expression is hTERT dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishi K Jaiswal
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Pramod K Yadava
- Applied Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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93
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Chung SS, Dutta P, Chard N, Wu Y, Chen QH, Chen G, Vadgama J. A novel curcumin analog inhibits canonical and non-canonical functions of telomerase through STAT3 and NF-κB inactivation in colorectal cancer cells. Oncotarget 2019; 10:4516-4531. [PMID: 31360301 PMCID: PMC6642039 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is a biologically active polyphenol that exists in Indian spice turmeric. It has been reported that curcumin exerted anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, it is not well-understood the molecular mechanism of curcumin for the cancer stem cells and telomerase in colorectal cancer. In this study, compound 19, a nitrogen-containing curcumin analog, was used to treat human colorectal cancer cells. Compound 19 showed a greater anti-proliferative activity than curcumin while displayed no significant toxicity toward normal human colon epithelial cells. Compound 19 exerted anti-inflammatory activities by deactivating STAT3 and NF-κB. In cancer stem cell populations, CD44, Oct-4 and ALDHA1 expressions were abolished upon treating with compound 19. Cancer stem cell biomarkers CD51 and CD133 positive populations were reduced and telomerase activities were decreased with the reduced STAT3 binding to hTERT promoters. This means compound 19 dually inhibits canonical and non-canonical functions of telomerase. Furthermore, compound 19 treatments induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and apoptosis. Human apoptosis-related array screening revealed that activated caspase 3, catalase, clusterin and cytochrome C led to apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggest that compound 19 can be a novel therapeutic agent for metastatic colorectal cancer by concurrently targeting STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyung S Chung
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA.,David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Pranabananda Dutta
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA
| | - Nathaniel Chard
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA
| | - Yong Wu
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA.,David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Qiao-Hong Chen
- Department of Chemistry, California State University at Fresno, Fresno, California 93740, USA
| | - Guanglin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, California State University at Fresno, Fresno, California 93740, USA
| | - Jaydutt Vadgama
- Division of Cancer Research and Training, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90059, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.,David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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94
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Yuan X, Larsson C, Xu D. Mechanisms underlying the activation of TERT transcription and telomerase activity in human cancer: old actors and new players. Oncogene 2019; 38:6172-6183. [PMID: 31285550 PMCID: PMC6756069 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0872-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Long-lived species Homo sapiens have evolved robust protection mechanisms against cancer by repressing telomerase and maintaining short telomeres, thereby delaying the onset of the majority of cancer types until post-reproductive age. Indeed, telomerase is silent in most differentiated human cells, predominantly due to the transcriptional repression of its catalytic component telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene. The lack of telomerase/TERT expression leads to progressive telomere erosion in dividing human cells, whereas critically shortened telomere length induces a permanent growth arrest stage named replicative senescence. TERT/telomerase activation has been experimentally shown to be essential to cellular immortalization and malignant transformation by stabilizing telomere length and erasing the senescence barrier. Consistently, TERT expression/telomerase activity is detectable in up to 90% of human primary cancers. Compelling evidence has also accumulated that TERT contributes to cancer development and progression via multiple activities beyond its canonical telomere-lengthening function. Given these key roles of telomerase and TERT in oncogenesis, great efforts have been made to decipher mechanisms underlying telomerase activation and TERT induction. In the last two decades since the TERT gene and promoter were cloned, the derepression of the TERT gene has been shown to be achieved typically at a transcriptional level through dysregulation of oncogenic factors or signaling, post-transcriptional/translational regulation and genomic amplification. However, advances in high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies have prompted a revolution in cancer genomics, which leads to the recent discovery that genomic alterations take center stage in activating the TERT gene. In this review article, we summarize critical mechanisms activating TERT transcription, with special emphases on the contribution of TERT promoter mutations and structural alterations at the TERT locus, and briefly discuss the underlying implications of these genomic events-driven TERT hyperactivity in cancer initiation/progression and potential clinical applications as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 250012, Jinan, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Catharina Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64, Solna, Sweden.
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95
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Yuan X, Xu D. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) in Action: Cross-Talking with Epigenetics. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133338. [PMID: 31284662 PMCID: PMC6651578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) as the catalytic component, is silent due to the tight repression of the TERT gene in most normal human somatic cells, whereas activated only in small subsets of cells, including stem cells, activated lymphocytes, and other highly proliferative cells. In contrast, telomerase activation via TERT induction is widespread in human malignant cells, which is a prerequisite for malignant transformation. It is well established that TERT/telomerase extends telomere length, thereby conferring sustained proliferation capacity to both normal and cancerous cells. The recent evidence has also accumulated that TERT/telomerase may participate in the physiological process and oncogenesis independently of its telomere-lengthening function. For instance, TERT is shown to interact with chromatin remodeling factors and to regulate DNA methylation, through which multiple cellular functions are attained. In the present review article, we summarize the non-canonical functions of TERT with a special emphasis on its cross-talk with epigenetics: How TERT contributes to epigenetic alterations in physiological processes and cancer, and how the aberrant epigenetics in turn facilitate TERT expression and function, eventually promoting cancer either initiation or progression or both. Finally, we briefly discuss clinical implications of the TERT-related methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Yuan
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) and Bioclinicum, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer and Stem Cell Research, Jinan 250033, China.
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96
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A telomerase with novel non-canonical roles: TERT controls cellular aggregation and tissue size in Dictyostelium. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008188. [PMID: 31237867 PMCID: PMC6592521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, particularly its main subunit, the reverse transcriptase, TERT, prevents DNA erosion during eukaryotic chromosomal replication, but also has poorly understood non-canonical functions. Here, in the model social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, we show that the protein encoded by tert has telomerase-like motifs, and regulates, non-canonically, important developmental processes. Expression levels of wild-type (WT) tert were biphasic, peaking at 8 and 12 h post-starvation, aligning with developmental events, such as the initiation of streaming (~7 h) and mound formation (~10 h). In tert KO mutants, however, aggregation was delayed until 16 h. Large, irregular streams formed, then broke up, forming small mounds. The mound-size defect was not induced when a KO mutant of countin (a master size-regulating gene) was treated with TERT inhibitors, but anti-countin antibodies did rescue size in the tert KO. Although, conditioned medium (CM) from countin mutants failed to rescue size in the tert KO, tert KO CM rescued the countin KO phenotype. These and additional observations indicate that TERT acts upstream of smlA/countin: (i) the observed expression levels of smlA and countin, being respectively lower and higher (than WT) in the tert KO; (ii) the levels of known size-regulation intermediates, glucose (low) and adenosine (high), in the tert mutant, and the size defect's rescue by supplemented glucose or the adenosine-antagonist, caffeine; (iii) the induction of the size defect in the WT by tert KO CM and TERT inhibitors. The tert KO's other defects (delayed aggregation, irregular streaming) were associated with changes to cAMP-regulated processes (e.g. chemotaxis, cAMP pulsing) and their regulatory factors (e.g. cAMP; acaA, carA expression). Overexpression of WT tert in the tert KO rescued these defects (and size), and restored a single cAMP signaling centre. Our results indicate that TERT acts in novel, non-canonical and upstream ways, regulating key developmental events in Dictyostelium.
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97
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Wu X, Liu M, Zhu H, Wang J, Dai W, Li J, Zhu D, Tang W, Xiao Y, Lin J, Zhang W, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Li G, Li A, Xiang L, Liu S, Wang J. Ubiquitin-specific protease 3 promotes cell migration and invasion by interacting with and deubiquitinating SUZ12 in gastric cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:277. [PMID: 31234902 PMCID: PMC6591922 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1270-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (USP3) plays a crucial role in numerous biological processes. The aberrant expression of USP3 may have an important role in tumor development. However, the mechanism by which USP3 promotes gastric cancer (GC) metastasis remains largely unknown. METHODS Effects of USP3 on the progression of GC in vivo and in vitro and the potential underlying mechanisms have been investigated utilizing proteomics, RT-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, cell invasion and migration assays and xenograft tumor models. RESULTS USP3 expression was upregulated in GC compared with matched normal tissues and was predictive of poor survival. USP3 also promoted migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells. Moreover, TGF-β1 induced USP3 expression, and USP3 knockdown inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT. Furthermore, we utilized Isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) to identify differentially expressed proteins in USP3-overexpressing cells compared with control cells. Importantly, we found that SUZ12 is indispensable for USP3-mediated oncogenic activity in GC. We observed that USP3 interacted with and stabilized SUZ12 via deubiquitination. SUZ12 knockdown inhibited USP3-induced migration and invasion, as well as EMT in GC cells. Examination of clinical samples confirmed that USP3 expression was positively correlated with SUZ12 protein expression and that the levels of USP3 or SUZ12 protein were negatively correlated with the levels of E-cadherin protein. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify USP3 as a critical regulator. The USP3-SUZ12 axis might promote tumor progression and could be a potential therapeutic candidate for human GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosheng Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Mengwei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Huiqiong Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Weiyu Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jiaying Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Danping Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, 510010, China
| | - Weimei Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yizhi Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jianjiao Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Longgang District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, the First people's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Medical School of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650032, China
| | - Yong Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yaying Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The third affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Guoxin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Aimin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li Xiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Longgang District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518172, China. .,Department of Digestive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Side Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Longgang District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518172, China. .,Department of Digestive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Jide Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China. .,Department of Gastroenterology, Longgang District People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518172, China. .,Department of Digestive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
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98
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Telomerase and Telomeres Biology in Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122887. [PMID: 31200515 PMCID: PMC6627113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere and telomerase regulation contributes to the onset and evolution of several tumors, including highly aggressive thyroid cancers (TCs). TCs are the most common endocrine malignancies and are generally characterized by a high rate of curability. However, a small but significant percentage develops distant metastasis or progresses into undifferentiated forms associated with bad prognosis and for which poor therapeutic options are available. Mutations in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter are among the most credited prognostic marker of aggressiveness in TCs. Indeed, their frequency progressively increases passing from indolent lesions to aggressive and anaplastic forms. TERT promoter mutations create binding sites for transcription factors, increasing TERT expression and telomerase activity. Furthermore, aggressiveness of TCs is associated with TERT locus amplification. These data encourage investigating telomerase regulating pathways as relevant drivers of TC development and progression to foster the identification of new therapeutics targets. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about telomere regulation and TCs, exploring both canonical and less conventional pathways. We discuss the possible role of telomere homeostasis in mediating response to cancer therapies and the possibility of using epigenetic drugs to re-evaluate the use of telomerase inhibitors. Combined treatments could be of support to currently used therapies still presenting weaknesses.
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99
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Wazir U, Orakzai MMAW, Martin TA, Jiang WG, Mokbel K. Correlation of TERT and Stem Cell Markers in the Context of Human Breast Cancer. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2019; 16:121-127. [PMID: 30850363 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has a well-known role in carcinogenesis due to its functions in inducing cell immortality and preventing senescence. In this study, the relationships between TERT and a panel of known stem cell markers was examined in order to direct future enquiries into the role of 'stem-ness' in human breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Breast cancer tissues (n=124) and adjacent normal tissues (n=30) underwent reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Transcript levels were analyzed for the correlation with that of TERT. RESULTS A significant direct correlation was found in cancerous tissue between TERT and BMI1 proto-oncogene polycomb ring finger 4 (BMI1; n=88, p<0.001), nestin (NES; n=88, p<0.001), POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1 (POU5F1; n=88, p<0.001), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A2 (ALDH1A2; n=87, p=0.0298), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A; n=88, p<0.001), integrin subunit beta 1 (ITGNB1; n=88, p<0.001), integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6; n=88, p<0.001), cluster of differentiation antigen 24 (CD24; n=88, p=0.0114), MET proto-oncogene (MET; n=78, p<0.001) and noggin (NOG; n=88, p<0.001). CONCLUSION The evidence presented in this article of possible interactions between TERT and a discrete subset of known stem cell markers would significantly contribute to further enquiries regarding clonal dynamics in the context of human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umar Wazir
- The London Breast Institute, Princess Grace Hospital, London, U.K.,Department of General Surgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | | | - Tracey Amanda Martin
- Cardiff-China Cancer Research Collaboration, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, U.K
| | - Wen G Jiang
- Cardiff-China Cancer Research Collaboration, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, U.K
| | - Kefah Mokbel
- The London Breast Institute, Princess Grace Hospital, London, U.K. .,Department of General Surgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
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100
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Zhang B, Ling T, Zhaxi P, Cao Y, Qian L, Zhao D, Kang W, Zhang W, Wang L, Xu G, Zou X. Proton pump inhibitor pantoprazole inhibits gastric cancer metastasis via suppression of telomerase reverse transcriptase gene expression. Cancer Lett 2019; 452:23-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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