The role of YWHAZ in cancer: A maze of opportunities and challenges

Genomic Correlates of DNA Damage in Breast Cancer Subtypes

Simple Summary

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common invasive tumor in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Therefore, identification of druggable targets to improve current therapies and overcome resistance is a major goal. In this work, we performed an in silico analysis of transcriptomic datasets in breast cancer, and focused on those involved in DNA damage, as were clearly upregulated using gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), particular the following pathways: ATM/ATR, BARD1 and Fanconi Anemia. BHLHE40, RFWD2, BRIP1, PRKDC, NBN, RNF8, FANCD2, RAD1, BLM, DCLRE1C, UBE2T, CSTF1, MCM7, RFC4, YWHAB, YWHAZ, CDC6, CCNE1, and FANCI genes were amplified/overexpressed in BC, and correlated with detrimental prognosis. Finally, we selected the best transcriptomic signature of genes within this function that associated with clinical outcome to identify functional genomic correlates of outcome.

Abstract

Among the described druggable vulnerabilities, acting on the DNA repair mechanism has gained momentum, with the approval of PARP inhibitors in several indications, including breast cancer. However, beyond the mere presence of BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, the identification of additional biomarkers that would help to select tumors with an extreme dependence on DNA repair machinery would help to stratify therapeutic decisions. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) using public datasets evaluating expression values between normal breast tissue and breast cancer identified a set of upregulated genes. Genes included in different pathways, such as ATM/ATR, BARD1, and Fanconi Anemia, which are involved in the DNA damage response, were selected and confirmed using molecular alterations data contained at cBioportal. Nineteen genes from these gene sets were identified to be amplified and upregulated in breast cancer but only five of them NBN, PRKDC, RFWD2, UBE2T, and YWHAZ meet criteria in all breast cancer molecular subtypes. Correlation of the selected genes with prognosis (relapse free survival, RFS, and overall survival, OS) was performed using the KM Plotter Online Tool. In last place, we selected the best signature of genes within this process whose upregulation can be indicative of a more aggressive phenotype and linked with worse outcome. In summary, we identify genomic correlates within DNA damage pathway associated with prognosis in breast cancer.

Overexpression of Human Syndecan-1 Protects against the Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice

Simple Summary

Syndecan-1 is a Janus-faced proteoglycan: depending on the type of cancer, it can promote or inhibit the development of tumors. Our previous in vitro experiments revealed that transfection of human syndecan-1 (hSDC1) into hepatoma cells, initiating hepatocyte-like differentiation. To further confirm the antitumor action of hSDC1 in the context of liver carcinogenesis, mice transgenic for albumin promoter-driven hSDC1 were created with exclusive expression of hSDC1 in the liver. Indeed, hSDC1 interfered with the development of liver cancer in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis experiments. The mechanism was found to be related to lipid metabolism that plays an important role in the induction of nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is known to promote the development of cancer; therefore, the oncoprotective effect of hSDC1 may be mediated by a beneficial modulation of lipid metabolism.

Abstract

Although syndecan-1 (SDC1) is known to be dysregulated in various cancer types, its implication in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. Its effect may be detrimental or protective depending on the type of cancer. Our previous data suggest that SDC1 is protective against hepatocarcinogenesis. To further verify this notion, human SDC1 transgenic (hSDC1^+/+) mice were generated that expressed hSDC1 specifically in the liver under the control of the albumin promoter. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at an age of 15 days after birth, which resulted in tumors without cirrhosis in wild-type and hSDC1^+/+ mice. At the experimental endpoint, livers were examined macroscopically and histologically, as well as by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, receptor tyrosine kinase array, phosphoprotein array, and proteomic analysis. Liver-specific overexpression of hSDC1 resulted in an approximately six month delay in tumor formation via the promotion of SDC1 shedding, downregulation of lipid metabolism, inhibition of the mTOR and the β-catenin pathways, and activation of the Foxo1 and p53 transcription factors that lead to the upregulation of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27. Furthermore, both of them are implicated in the regulation of intermediary metabolism. Proteomic analysis showed enhanced lipid metabolism, activation of motor proteins, and loss of mitochondrial electron transport proteins as promoters of cancer in wild-type tumors, inhibited in the hSDC1^+/+ livers. These complex mechanisms mimic the characteristics of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced human liver cancer successfully delayed by syndecan-1.

MiR-1-3p Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis by Inhibiting YWHAZ-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is regarded as one of the most common malignancies in the world. MiR-1-3p was reported to be a tumor suppressor in CRC. However, the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

To identify CRC-associated miRNA, microarray data set GSE30454 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO), and miR-1-3p was screened out as a candidate. The expression of miR-1-3p was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in CRC cell lines and tissues. CCK-8 assay and transwell invasion assay were performed to determine CRC cell line proliferation and invasion, respectively. The levels of YWHAZ and EMT-associated proteins were detected using western blotting.

Results

Bioinformatic analysis showed that miR-1-3p was downregulated in CRC tissues, which is verified by our experimental validation. The overexpression of miR-1-3p significantly suppressed CRC cell proliferation and invasion. Further studies showed that YWHAZ was a direct target of miR-1-3p and mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) modulated by miR-1-3p.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that miR-1-3p suppresses colorectal cancer cell proliferation and metastasis through regulating YWHAZ-mediated EMT, which may support a novel therapeutic strategy for CRC patients.

Construction of Circular RNA-MicroRNA-Messenger RNA Regulatory Network of Recurrent Implantation Failure to Explore Its Potential Pathogenesis

Background: Many studies on circular RNAs (circRNAs) have recently been published. However, the function of circRNAs in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is unknown and remains to be explored. This study aims to determine the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in RIF.

Methods: Microarray data of RIF circRNA (GSE147442), microRNA (miRNA; GSE71332), and messenger RNA (mRNA; GSE103465) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify differentially expressed circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA. The circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.0 software, then the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database, and the hub genes were identified by cytoHubba plug-in. The circRNA–miRNA–hub gene regulatory subnetwork was formed to understand the regulatory axis of hub genes in RIF. Finally, the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the hub genes were performed by clusterProfiler package of Rstudio software, and Reactome Functional Interaction (FI) plug-in was used for reactome analysis to comprehensively analyze the mechanism of hub genes in RIF.

Results: A total of eight upregulated differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs), five downregulated DECs, 56 downregulated differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs), 104 upregulated DEmiRs, 429 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 1,067 downregulated DEGs were identified regarding RIF. The miRNA response elements of 13 DECs were then predicted. Seven overlapping miRNAs were obtained by intersecting the predicted miRNA and DEmiRs. Then, 56 overlapping mRNAs were obtained by intersecting the predicted target mRNAs of seven miRNAs with 1,496 DEGs. The circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network and PPI network were constructed through six circRNAs, seven miRNAs, and 56 mRNAs; and four hub genes (YWHAZ, JAK2, MYH9, and RAP2C) were identified. The circRNA–miRNA–hub gene regulatory subnetwork with nine regulatory axes was formed in RIF. Functional enrichment analysis and reactome analysis showed that these four hub genes were closely related to the biological functions and pathways of RIF.

Conclusion: The results of this study provide further understanding of the potential pathogenesis from the perspective of circRNA-related competitive endogenous RNA network in RIF.

Transcriptional Biomarkers in Oral Cancer: An Integrative Analysis and the Cancer Genome Atlas Validation

OBJECTIVE

An impervious mortality rate in oral cancer (OC) to a certain extent explains the exigencies of precise biomarkers. Therefore, the study was intended to identify OC candidate biomarkers using samples of healthy normal tissues (N=335), adjacent normal tissues (N=93) and OC tissues (N=533) from online microarray data.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were recognised through GeneSpring software (Fold change >4.0 and 'p' value.

MiRNA-1225 Inhibits Osteosarcoma Tumor Growth and Progression by Targeting YWHAZ

Introduction

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor and is characterized by the presence of malignant mesenchymal cells produced in the bone stroma. MiRNAs are known to function as post-transcriptional negative regulators of gene expression. Emerging evidence showed that miR-1225-5P functions as a tumor suppressor in several types of cancers. The detailed mechanisms of which miR-1225-5P suppresses tumor growth are not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that miR-1225-5P inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by targeting YWHAZ expression.

Methods

Real-time PCR and Western blot were carried out to test the expression of miR-1225-5P and YWHAZ in osteosarcoma cell lines. Luciferase assay was used to demonstrate whether miR-1225-5P targets YWHAZ 3ʹ UTR. To assess the function of miR-1225-5P in human osteosarcoma cell lines, gain-of-function and loss-of-function of miR-1225-5P were performed by transfecting miR-1225-5P mimic or miR-1225-5P inhibitor into osteosarcoma cell lines. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis was performed to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the action of miR-1225-5P and YWHAZ in human osteosarcoma cells. The potential therapeutic effect of miR-1225-5p was tested in human osteosarcoma xenograft mouse model, by intravenous injection of miR-1225-5P into nude mice. Tumor sizes were measured and lung metastasis was counted after the mice were sacrificed.

Results

The expression of miR-1225-5P was inversely correlated with the expression of YWHAZ in human osteosarcoma cell lines. Database search revealed that miR-1225-5P targeted YWHAZ 3ʹ UTR. Transfection of miR-1225-5P mimic downregulated YWHAZ expression, which was demonstrated by real-time PCR, Western blot and luciferase assay. Over-expression of miR-1225-5P reduced human osteosarcoma cell growth, migration and invasion by downregulating YWHAZ expression. Cell growth, migration and invasion were increased by inhibiting miR-1225-5P in human osteosarcoma cells. The inhibition of cell growth, migration and invasion was rescued by over-expression of YWHAZ in osteosarcoma cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that miR-1225-5P inhibited G1/G0 phase exit. In vivo xenograft model demonstrated that miR-1225-5P inhibited in vivo osteosarcoma tumor growth and lung metastasis.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that miR-1225-5P inhibits osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo by targeting YWHAZ. This study suggested that miR-1225-5P can serve as a potential therapeutic method for treating osteosarcoma.

ITGB1 Drives Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Modulating Cell Cycle Process Through PXN/YWHAZ/AKT Pathways

Integrin β1 (ITGB1), which acts as an extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor, has gained increasing attention as a therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underpinning mechanism of how ITGB1 drives HCC progression remains elusive. In this study, we first found that ITGB1 expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in normal controls by bioinformatics analysis. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis revealed that paxillin (PXN) and 14-3-3 protein zeta (YWHAZ) are the molecules participating in ITGB1-regulated HCC tumor cell cycle progression. Indeed, immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed that ITGB1, paxillin, and YWHAZ were strongly upregulated in paired HCC tissue compared with adjacent normal tissues. Notably, the inhibition of ITGB1 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) resulted in the downregulated expression of PXN and YWHAZ in primary HCC cells, as assessed by western blot and immunostaining. In addition, ITGB1 knockdown markedly impaired the aggressive behavior of HCC tumor cells and delayed cell cycle progression as determined by cell migration assay, drug-resistance analysis, colony formation assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and cell cycle analysis as well as cell viability measurements. More importantly, we proved that xenograft ITGB1^high tumors grew more rapidly than ITGB1^low tumors. Altogether, our study showed that the ITGB1/PXN/YWHAZ/protein kinase B (AKT) axis enhances HCC progression by accelerating the cell cycle process, which offers a promising approach to halt HCC tumor growth.

Tyrosinase-mediated melanogenesis in melanoma cells: Array comparative genome hybridization integrating proteomics and bioinformatics studies

We investigated the tyrosinase-associated melanogenesis in melanoma cells by using OMICS techniques. We characterized the chromosome copy numbers, including Chr 11q21 where the tyrosinase gene is located, from several melanoma cell lines (TXM13, G361, and SK-MEL-28) by using array CGH. We revealed that 11q21 is stable in TXM13 cells, which is directly related to a spontaneous high melanin pigment production. Meanwhile, significant loss of copy number of 11q21 was found in G361 and SK-MEL-28. We further profiled the proteome of TXM13 cells by LC-ESI-MSMS and detected more than 900 proteins, then predicted 11 hub proteins (YWHAZ; HSP90AA1; HSPA5; HSPA1L; HSPA9; HSP90B1; HSPA1A; HSPA8; FKSG30; ACTB; DKFZp686DQ972) by using an interactomic algorithm. YWHAZ (25% interaction in the network) is thought to be a most important protein as a linking factor between tyrosinase-triggered melanogenesis and melanoma growth. Bioinformatic tools were further applied for revealing various physiologic mechanisms and functional classification. The results revealed clues for the spontaneous pigmentation capability of TXM13 cells, contrary to G361 and SK-MEL-28 cells, which commonly have depigmentation properties during subculture. Our study comparatively conducted the genome-wide screening and proteomic profiling integrated interactomics prediction for TXM13 cells and suggests new insights for studying both melanogenesis and melanoma.

Emerging Evidences for an Implication of the Neurodegeneration-Associated Protein TAU in Cancer

Neurodegenerative disorders and cancer may appear unrelated illnesses. Yet, epidemiologic studies indicate an inverse correlation between their respective incidences for specific cancers. Possibly explaining these findings, increasing evidence indicates that common molecular pathways are involved, often in opposite manner, in the pathogenesis of both disease families. Genetic mutations in the MAPT gene encoding for TAU protein cause an inherited form of frontotemporal dementia, a neurodegenerative disorder, but also increase the risk of developing cancer. Assigning TAU at the interface between cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, two major aging-linked disease families, offers a possible clue for the epidemiological observation inversely correlating these human illnesses. In addition, the expression level of TAU is recognized as a prognostic marker for cancer, as well as a modifier of cancer resistance to chemotherapy. Because of its microtubule-binding properties, TAU may interfere with the mechanism of action of taxanes, a class of chemotherapeutic drugs designed to stabilize the microtubule network and impair cell division. Indeed, a low TAU expression is associated to a better response to taxanes. Although TAU main binding partners are microtubules, TAU is able to relocate to subcellular sites devoid of microtubules and is also able to bind to cancer-linked proteins, suggesting a role of TAU in modulating microtubule-independent cellular pathways associated to oncogenesis. This concept is strengthened by experimental evidence linking TAU to P53 signaling, DNA stability and protection, processes that protect against cancer. This review aims at collecting literature data supporting the association between TAU and cancer. We will first summarize the evidence linking neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, then published data supporting a role of TAU as a modifier of the efficacy of chemotherapies and of the oncogenic process. We will finish by addressing from a mechanistic point of view the role of TAU in de-regulating critical cancer pathways, including the interaction of TAU with cancer-associated proteins.

Long noncoding RNA MIR4435-2HG promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation and metastasis through the miR-22-3p/YWHAZ axis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play the critical biological role in many malignant tumours. MIR4435-2HG has been proven to be a novel oncogenic lncRNA. However, the exact role and mechanism of MIR4435-2HG in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Here, we found that MIR4435-2HG is overexpressed in HCC tissue compared to normal controls and that high level of MIR4435-2HG indicates a poorer prognosis in HCC patients. MIR4435-2HG enhances the growth and metastasis ability of HCC cells. MIR4435-2HG promotes the expression of YWHAZ by sponging miR-22-3p to liberate YWHAZ mRNA transcripts. MIR4435-2HG facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of HCC by modulating the miR-22-3p/YWHAZ axis. These results demonstrated the role and mechanism of MIR4435-2HG in malignant progression of HCC. MIR4435-2HG may be used as the prognostic marker and treatment target for the patient with HCC.

Molecular Pathogenesis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Impact of miR-30c-5p and miR-30c-2-3p Regulation on Oncogenic Genes

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, and its prognosis is abysmal; only 25% of patients survive one year, and 5% live for five years. MicroRNA (miRNA) signature analysis of PDAC revealed that both strands of pre-miR-30c (miR-30c-5p, guide strand; miR-30c-2-3p, passenger strand) were significantly downregulated, suggesting they function as tumor-suppressors in PDAC cells. Ectopic expression assays demonstrated that these miRNAs attenuated the aggressiveness of PDAC cells, e.g., cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. Through a combination of in silico analyses and gene expression data, we identified 216 genes as putative oncogenic targets of miR-30c-5p and miR-30c-2-3p regulation in PDAC cells. Among these, the expression of 18 genes significantly predicted the 5-year survival rates of PDAC patients (p < 0.01). Importantly, the expression levels of 10 genes (YWHAZ, F3, TMOD3, NFE2L3, ENDOD1, ITGA3, RRAS, PRSS23, TOP2A, and LRRFIP1) were found to be independent prognostic factors for patient survival (p < 0.01). We focused on TOP2A (DNA Topoisomerase II Alpha) and investigated its potential as a therapeutic target for PDAC. The overexpression of TOP2A and its transcriptional activators (SP1 and HMGB2) was detected in PDAC clinical specimens. Moreover, the knockdown of TOP2A enhanced the sensitivity of PDAC cells to anticancer drugs. Our analyses of the PDAC miRNA signature and tumor-suppressive miRNAs provide important insights into the molecular pathogenesis of PDAC.

Reciprocal Dysregulation of MiR-146b and MiR-451 Contributes in Malignant Phenotype of Follicular Thyroid Tumor

Over the last few years, incidental thyroid nodules are being diagnosed with increasing frequency with the use of highly sensitive imaging techniques. The ultrasound thyroid gland examination, followed by the fine-needle aspiration cytology is the standard diagnostic approach. However, in cases of the follicular nature of nodules, cytological diagnosis is not enough. Analysis of miRNAs in the biopsy presents a promising approach. Increasing our knowledge of miRNA's role in follicular carcinogenesis, and development of the appropriate the miRNA analytical technologies are required to implement miRNA-based tests in clinical practice. We used material from follicular thyroid nodes (n.84), grouped in accordance with their invasive properties. The invasion-associated miRNAs expression alterations were assayed. Expression data were confirmed by highly sensitive two-tailed RT-qPCR. Reciprocally dysregulated miRNAs pair concentration ratios were explored as a diagnostic parameter using receiver operation curve (ROC) analysis. A new bioinformatics method (MiRImpact) was applied to evaluate the biological significance of the observed expression alterations. Coupled experimental and computational approaches identified reciprocal dysregulation of miR-146b and miR-451 as important attributes of follicular cell malignant transformation and follicular thyroid cancer progression. Thus, evaluation of combined dysregulation of miRNAs relevant to invasion and metastasis can help to distinguish truly malignant follicular thyroid cancer from indolent follicular adenoma.